A throw back post - the hospital visit

What a week, among other things thinking I could have produced something even the folks at Pioneer Sand & Gravel would have repurposed, but that was an uncertainty. Oh well.

Walking along the bay's edge after a day in hospital I was reverting to my ministerial days. Being ambulatory and able to walk and listen there are those conversations overheard that makes you ask if one day your family will be discussing life issues about you. But while walking along the bay, those thoughts, especially what would be sermon topics or series that pop up in my head. 

Topics or 'today's' headlines would include;
We can't control the waves, broken glass, the bow waves of our creation, interesting how the tides erase our doings and tomorrow is a new day, how is it a beautiful butterfly finds itself floating above or landing on a stinking rotting carcass, lessons from the edge, smoothing the rough edges takes a lot of abrasive actions, sand in our shoes are reminders to take our shoes off and remove the agitation, life is short - get your feet wet, and a few others I can't think of now. There were quite a few life illustrations on that walk I took. It was a long walk.

Oh no, not me, I wouldn't. I think these illustrations were for me. No, to 'preach' those I would rub the Hardcastles wrong, use non-biblical words or illustrations to make my point and someone would run to mommy - "he called me a [weenie]", or something non elder approved. 
No, these were for me. These were for me to reflect upon.

Broken handles

The fridge handle broke and it is not even a year old but not under warranty. The bathroom vent fan died. So I replaced both. I saved the landlord a good chunk of change. Each easy enough to repair and with the web cheaper than the appliance store wanted. 
But having to do all this caused me to think about when, when the Kelvinator lasted for years. The washer and dryer worked continuously for eons.
When we moved into my mother-in-law's house after she passed we entered into the 70's. The avocado colored appliances were working fine and the shag carpet still in good shape. Except it was outdated. So like many home owners we decided to "modernize" the kitchen, replacing the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Moved out the almond colored washer and dryer for newer white models.
But for replacing items that lasted 20+ years we ended up with the modern that crapped out in a matter of a short few years. The dishwasher motor shorted out because of a design flaw. The oven element burned up. And the fridge? Well, wrong size to begin with and the ice maker quit.
We watch the shows with people going into a house and complain because the kitchen is not updated. "Oh, it is going to break our budget because Westinghouse is white." Big whoop. We are always replacing what works. Stainless steel - geesh, have you ever tried to keep that surface clean?
Maybe I am cheap. Maybe functional works. Who knows? That old Montgomery Ward blender is still cranking out some chillin' coladas.

What you see when you drive to work

Well, some things you expect living in "CecilTucky" county but never in Harford, that is until this morning. The bride and I are driving along 22 when on the side of the road was a woman shaving her legs. Yep, sitting on the curb with pant legs pulled up and taking a bright pink razor to her leg. 
Yep, right there, on the curb, shaving the leg. Harford County, a block away from the college.

We don’t want to die alone – the case of Monothanatophobia

We were on the deck smoking a cigar discussing life and concerns of how someone is always seeking a partner in life, no matter how old they are.  The older male is seeking a relationship with the older or maybe younger female.  And my son-in-law stated that, “no one wants to die alone”.

No one wants to die alone.  Yet, we all die alone.  Just like we can’t take our treasures, we are naked and alone when we die.  “But I don’t want to be alone” cries the man as everyone stands around him.  Nope, that path you must journey alone. 

But back to the original thought, we seek that companionship that will bring us a sense of piece.  And I think it does not matter the age.  Too many youth think they must have a close, even sexual, relationship so as not to be alone.  In one article the fear of dying alone drives people into bad relationships.  And I won’t get into the 24 signs you will die alone.

I was looking at a LinkedIn account and responded to a request to become part of the individual’s network.  He writes and states now that I have 9,000+ second level contacts.  Really?  So I was thinking, how many contacts to do I need?  Do I need more?  And what will these contacts do for me?  Walk the dog?  Be there when the doctor is telling me I might have cancer?  Will they be by my side on my death bed? 

Regardless of the contacts on Facebook and LinkedIn I know that in the end I must face death alone.  And last check everyone will have to deal with that one non-negotiable event all by themselves.  See the Richard Pryor picture – interesting.

Now here is a view that theologians have regarding this (writing now as a theologian) is this, will you walk this path alone?  And where will this path take you?

The art of living well and the art of dying well are one. Epicurus

None of us, in our culture of comfort, know how to prepare ourselves for dying, but that's what we should do every day. Every single day, we die a thousand deaths.  Joni Eareckson Tada

bad relationships

24 signs of dying alone