Turning "88"

As we begin to age, we all wonder what age we will live to.  Will I be in good health; will I be in sound mind; will I be alone.....?  There are so many things that we wonder about.

Just this week, my dad turned "88".  He is of sound mind. He sees very well(he can spot a bird in the far distance). He is pretty much in good health.  He has his cane that assists him in getting around.  Really the only obstacle in his life is his hearing.  He is 95% deaf.  Even with hearing aids, it is hard for him to understand what you are saying.

In the past few months, I attended a funeral and the obituary read that the family was going to celebrate the life of the deceased.  It is great to be celebrating one's life after they die, but why don't we celebrate people's lives while they are still alive.

With dad's "88th" birthday approaching, I thought it would be nice to have family and friends celebrate dad's life by sending him a birthday card and writing a note inside.  I texted, phoned and e-mail friends and asked if they would send my dad a card.  I let them know that dad's life pretty much consists of daily going to Starbuck's, waiting for the mail and sitting outside to look at the squirrels and birds.  Everybody was excited about sending dad a card and putting a smile on his face. 

On dad's birthday, he had received about sixty-six cards, but by the end of the week, he had the 88 cards.  In some of the cards, a Starbuck gift card was included.  That really put a smile on his face.  Friends and family have texted me and wanted to know if he had received the 88.  There are a lot of good people in our society that want to do something for someone, if they just knew. 

What has been interesting to me is that "88" is an important birthday, especially in the Japanese culture.  My friends from Tokyo were visiting me when I was sending cards to dad.  They let me know that the celebration of one's 88th birthday is very important in Japan.  It is known as beiju or "yone-no-iwai".  The Japanese character for "88" when written together resemble the character for "rice".  Rice had a special place in the Japanese society as it was their main food; their livelihood and denoted purity and wholesomeness.

I also learned that in the Chinese culture, "88" symbolizes fortune and good luck.  The number 8 is considered to be the luckiest number in Chinese culture and prices in Chinese supermarkets often contain many 8s.

With dad turning 88 and receiving 88 cards, I do believe this will be a great year for him!

Flying In Sync!

This morning as I walked, I observed the geese flying in my direction.  I could hear their honking in the distance.  With the sound of the geese, I know that fall is here.

There is so much that we can learn from nature.  Geese are one of those creatures that we can learn a lot from.

Have you ever wondered why geese fly in the "V" formation?  We have learned from science "why" they fly that way.  When each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.  By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range, than if each bird flew on its own.  What formation is your team that you work with or even have fun with?

From this, we learn that people who share a common direction and commitment can get where they are quicker and easier by traveling on the thrust of one another.  It is easier to get somewhere or find out about something by becoming part of a team.

When the lead goose gets tired, he or she rotates back in the wing and another goose takes over and flies point.  Like the geese, are you observing your teammates?  You should be observant, willing and ready to step in and help other team members, whenever they begin to lose their energy or momentum.  Have you helped someone out this week?

Also, as we listen to the honking of the geese, we begin to realize that the ones behind are encouraging those up front.  The people that you work with, are you encouraging them instead of discouraging them?  

Just remember that "A Team That Flies In Sync......SOARS"!

Take time to be still and listen and observe your surroundings.  You may learn something!

Changes

As I strolled through the neighborhood this afternoon, so much was on my mind.  Here it is the middle of August and already the weather and the trees & bushes are changing.  It was like a fall day with the temperature in the 70s and drizzling throughout the day.

Some of the trees in the neighborhood are already turning red, brown with a hint of yellow.  I also noticed the shrubs changing and reminding me of fall foliage.

When I think of the change of seasons, the verse that always comes to mind is:

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven;

a time to be born and a time to die.....

a time to weep and a time to laugh....

a time to be silent and a time to speak....

a time to love and a time to hate...."  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

What does all of this mean?  Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes as he reflected on his life and how he had lived much of his life apart from God.  When Solomon became King, the one thing that he asked God for was wisdom.  God gave him all the wisdom that he needed and leaders from other nations came to Solomon to seek his advice and to learn from him.  Through all of this, Solomon became proud and forgot that God was the one that created him and gave him the wisdom that he asked for.  Even with all the wisdom, Solomon's life began to spiral and he didn't live what he taught.  In his last years of life, Solomon began to realize the mistakes that he had made.  He wrote Ecclesiastes so that others would realize that everything apart from God is empty, hollow and meaningless.

God does have a plan for each of our lives, however long we are on earth.  This morning I heard about a 17 year old girl who had died of cancer.  Even though her life was short, she lived it with hope and trust in Jesus.  One always thinks, why did God take her at such a young age.  I don't know and whom am I to question God.  I do know that God used her attitude and love for her family to show others how much you need to treasure each moment.

There have been days that I have cried my eyes out and then there have been times that I have laughed so hard, that I cried.  God's timing is everything.

As you go through the various changes in life, know that your life is like the changes of the seasons.  There is a reason and a purpose for all things.  Walk with God and allow Him to direct you through your own changes of seasons!