Meet in the Middle

We need a new mattress, but hubby likes the current one and doesn’t see the reason for a change.

 

For me, the thing sinks a trifle in the midsection.

 

The one we sleep on has aged, but it doesn’t matter. We soon indent each new mattress.

 

We aren't large people, but we enjoy sleeping side-by-side....in the interior of the bed. We move toward each other until we meet.

 

One recent night, as sleep eluded me, I thought about our midpoint location and decided the middle is good stuff.

 

Sleeping in the center and touching your loved one during the night brings a treasured closeness.  You can't stay mad at a spouse if you continue to touch him/her in the bed, and contact with your partner brings security to both of you. 

If the two of you don’t sleep on your side in a spooning position, hold hands as you sleep on your backs. Place your toes together. Touch in some way and stay joined.

 

Uh-oh!  Angry, you say? You don't want contact?

Here's my thought. Don't cling to the outer edges of a bed—that won’t solve an anger issue, but meet at the midpoint. Linking bodies together can melt a cold heart and disolve a lot of wrath.  It’s a good way to warm cold feet, too.

 

Oh sure! I know some nights are too sweltering to be close, and those darn hot flashes surprise us at odd times. Scootch away until a normal temperature returns, and then move back to your traditional spot.

 

Relationships are built on people reaching a common ground.  Compromise. Each person gives in a little to the other. The bedroom is a good place to start.

 

Not long ago, someone asked me the secret to a long-term marriage. I replied, “Meet in the middle.”  The lady raised her brows as she thought about my response.  I went on to explain how I believe sharing the middle of the bed keeps one feeling cherished.

 

And then I said, there will be disagreements over money, kids, jobs, in-laws, etc, but solutions can be found.

 

 In bed, and in life, try the middle.

Gay N. Lewis on Amazon

Chatting with Gay at the Window.

 

I love my new closet.

Before I became a writer, I enjoyed work as a designer/decorator. I called forth my design skills; drew up this delightul room, and built it onto the back of the house. The closet adjoins the bathroom. When I am dressed, I open the blinds and enjoy the backyard.

This room has a lot of light. When I decided to chat with you on YouTube, I thought this was a good place to video.  It's quiet in here, too.

I could close the door to this room and cry if I wanted to.

Somedays I feel like shedding tears. How about you?

So far, my chats have been about positive things, and we haven't let tears of sorrow escape our eyes. 

I'm new at the video thing, so I'm learning as I go. I hope you'll join me and comment. I think that would be so much fun!

On YouTube, type in Gay N. Lewis. Or follow the link below. 

Chat with Gay on YouTube

Who Helps Who?

 

I accompanied my hubby to his doctor's appointment. As we were leaving, I noticed a senior citizen smiling at me, and I walked over to visit. I'd seen her upstairs earlier. 

The elder lady sat in her wheelchair. She had no legs.  Using public transporation, she had brought herself for a checkup.

She said, "You know, I used to be able to do more for myself, but it is getting harder these days. I can't bend over like I once did. Picking up stuff is difficult."

I replied, "Do you have a husband and children?"

"I'm a widow. I have two sons, but one died."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Does your other son live close to you?" I'm thinking he must reside out-of-state.

"Yes, he lives on my property in the house behind me."

I'm trying to be polite as this dear lady confides in me. We don't have much time because the valet is about to bring our car.

"So your son can help you at times, right?"

She smiles. "Sometimes."  And then she adds, "my grandson lives with me."

Hmm. I'm thinking this grandson must be a young child since the lady needs help picking up stuff.

"My grandson is 24."

I hope my eyes didn't bug out and show too much surprise. "Doesn't he help you?"

"He sleeps a lot."

I nod. "He must work at night."

"No, no, he doesn't have a job."

Okay, by now, my ire is rising. This lady needs attention, and her nearby family seems to ignore her.

"I hope these two guys pay you rent." (I'm known for being direct. Diplomatic, I'm not.)

There's that Mona Lisa smile again. "No, they don't."

"How do you financially get by?" (Didn't I tell you I'm direct?)

"We live off my husband's income."

This lady wants to talk, but I know I'm running out of time, and I also know I'll probably say something negative about men who don't subsidize needs.

"I'm glad you have a means to support yourself."

I say this as I think about two grown men who make no financial contribution to the household. I'm guessing this family is rich, but if they are rich, why didn't one bring her in his vehicle? On the other hand, the men might be grifters, or just plain old lazy bums. The woman says they don't physically help her.  

By this time, our car has arrived and hubby is motioning me to hurry up.

I wish the lady well and get into our vehicle. As we drive away, she is still waiting for the public transporation.

Now I ask you this question. Who is at fault here? The senior citizen? She didn't teach her son or grandson to be respectful? She doesn't make them pay rent? She provides food and shelter for them and is still raising them?

How about the adult son and grown grandson? Neither one has a job, lives off her income, and doesn't help? Are they ignoring their teaching? Just being lazy? 

Who helps who?

My heart goes out to the lady. I hope her male offspring do more for her than she indicated in our brief conversation.

Gay's Author Page

Another Shelley Birthday

Do birthdays bother you?  They do for some of us. The idea of aging can be depressing.  

I'm happy to have birthdays, but they remind me that time runs out. Our daughter, Shelley, had a birthday yesterday. She has dementia and didn't realize it was her birthday.

In earlier years, she'd become depressed over a birthday. When she turned 18, she thought the world would end.  She also thought we would do nothing special to celebrate.  We invited her friends and surprised her with a party at a country-western show. She and friends had fun dancing the night away.

When her 25th birthday came around, she had a new job. She became so depressed about her age that she stayed home for the day. 

By the time she turned 50, she'd been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Now, that's a good reason to be depressed.  I was with her when she told the doctor, "I'm so scared."

These days, I don't know what she thinks.  She surprised us yesterday with a few lucid comments.  Most of the time, she speaks her new language, gibberish. However, as we gathered items, she asked, "Are y'all leaving?"  She also made several appropriate remarks.

I am concerned about her future. I pray the Lord lets me live longer than Shelley. I want to finish taking care of her. So, as the birthdays number up, I pray harder for that.

I find it gut wrentching to post about my little Shelley, but I do so with the idea of helping others who might be caregiving a loved one.  Caregivers compare notes. "Is this common?"  "What should I do?" Questions we face daily. The dementia/alzheimer's journey is complicated, frustrating, and sad. 

I'm praying Shelley's years with it are not wasted. If we help someone else along the way, it's a good thing.  Shelley has always been a helper, and I know she'd want to help someone today...even if she doesn't know she's doing it.

• Gay's Author Page
  

Tears Are Okay

 

As we study the death of Lazarus, we see Jesus weeping! 

His tears cause debate among Bible students. Did he cry because he had compassion for Mary and Martha, the dead man's family and friends?  Did he weep because the crowd didn't believe He was God's Son?

Moments bring sadness and a need to spill drops of sorrow can be beneficial.

As to Jesus and His tears, I think He was sad for the sisters, and He was also frustrated at the lack of belief from the onlookers. Perhaps he was also brokenhearted because He must bring Lazarus back into the world again. Lazarus would leave perfect Paradise and rejoin the wicked below. And he would have to die once more.

Could the Son of God be sad and frustrated?  Yes, He was both human and divine. As a human, he felt our emotions. And He still does.

Has anyone ever asked you, "Why are you crying? It's nothing to cry over."

Sometimes, we have good reason for tears. I wonder if Lazarus wept when Jesus resurrected him. He might have been glad and sad all at the same time.

 Lazarus got a major whammy. He was sick, died, and brought back from his new 4 day existence of total health and peace. Now get this. Since Lazarus was once dead, but now alive, the Jewish rulers wanted him dead. He was a credit to Jesus, and so the rulers decided to rid the world of both of them! The rulers must have said something like this: "You were dead, now you're alive, and we're going to kill you."

Our situations may not be as dramatic as his, but they are as intense to us.

Can you imagine the five-year-old who was abandoned at the Texas border?  Is it possible to identify with the one vanishing with cancer? The one losing income and home? The dying child? Sorrow exists. How do we handle it? Grief comes our way. Do we become closer to God or farther away?  The choice is ours.

But it is okay to cry with the choices we face.

Gay's Author Page

 

Some Days Are Like That

 

Sad days come my way.

Today is one of them.

Heartache won't forever stay,

but life is a fragil stem.

Time can bring sorrow,

And moments offer relief.

Tears soar away tomorrow,

But today I bear the grief.

Gay's books on Amazon

Chatting From My Closet

 Chatting with you from my closet.

When Jesus wrote in the sand.

More words have been written about Jesus Christ than any other person, living or dead, in history.

The Apostle John told us about a time Jesus wrote in the sand.

If Jesus wrote your name in the sand, what would he write beside it?  I take about two minutes here to tell you what I know is written by my name.

https://youtu.be/ndpf-ODh730

A video From Me to You

Hi everyone,

I wanted to come to you today via video.  It is more personal if you can see me, and it would even be better if I could see you, too!

However, sigh!  I spoke too long on the video and it won't post here, and I have no clue how to edit the thing.

I'm thinking of doing an inspirational talk with the title of "From Gay's Closet."

I was in my closet as I recorded. It was the quietest room in the house.  What do you think?  If I do it, I'll have to talk shorter or learn how to edit.

Either one: talk shorter or learn to edit would not be easy for me.

I posted the video on YouTube. 

I hope you'll watch. Gay N. Lewis on Youtube

You'll also see me on Youtube at this link. GayNLewis on Youtube

Have You Met Jesus

 

Have You Met Jesus?

 

In the Gospel of John, Chapter seven, Jesus teaches the Jewish general public. He astounds listeners when He tells them He was sent from God. He shocks them further when He says His teaching is not His alone, but His wisdom and knowledge comes from God.

Whoa Nelly.

These Jews knew Jesus came from Nazareth, and it seems none knew He’d been born in Bethlehem, the city of the promised Messiah.

They needed Google to look Him up.

The hearing public didn’t care for His statement about coming from God.  They responded, “You are demon-possessed.” The group continued to a conclusion. He was a crazy person.

They had the opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus, but they chose not to.

I know about Elon Musk. He is a rich investor who was born in South Africa to a wealthy family. His mom is a beautiful model who appears in print and television. Musk’s recently acquired Twitter and is in the news.

Yes, I know a lot about Elon Musk, but I’ve never met the man. I don’t have a relationship with him. I don’t talk to him.

Ahhh! Now you are getting the idea. You can know a lot about Jesus without having a relationship with Him.

I don’t understand how people can get by in life without a connection to Jesus. Life is tough.

Jesus, the Son of God, wants to connect. Pray. Ask Him to forgive you of sins and invite Him into your life. A new relationship will begin.

One you will never regret.

“But I know Him because I am from Him and He sent me.”--Jn:7:29

.

  On Amazon

Welcome, Lawbreakers!

 

Support the Lawbreaker!

 

People continue to migrate across the US border. It’s difficult to believe, but some Americans aren’t aware of this crisis. It’s true. There are those in this country who don’t know thousands break our laws daily.

On the other hand, many Americans cheer about this overwhelming migration that illegally enter. Yep, there are folks who support lawbreakers.

 Yet, there are those who want the leaky border repaired, but no one does anything to fix the problem. Why? Because too many like the idea of a global world. A minority want to rule the world.

Do you ever feel hopeless about the situation?

Some of us do.  I’m not in the cheerleading section. I don’t cheer when I see thousands breaking the law daily. I hear folks say, “They just want a better life. Let them in.”

Everyone wants a better existence, even us who were born here.

We are trying to help a homeless lady. We support another who never has enough money to buy meds for her husband. The two have a list of wants for better days. 

Each situation a person faces is relative. One list of wants a person has might be bad or good, depending on perspective, and who is looking at it.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m for helping the helpless, and I’m wishing the world was a safe, happy place for everyone who feels threatened with the conditions.

But folks, a country can’t exist without laws. A family needs boundaries, an employee needs the parameters of the job. Like it or not, limits must exist. Lawbreakers should not be supported.

Someone remarked, “Aren’t you Christian? Jesus helped the helpless.” 

Yes, He did. He healed people. One at a time. He never looked across a crowd and yelled, “Be healed.”

Jesus had compassion and helped many, but in his physical, human form, He too was limited.

Even when He fed the five thousand, he broke two fishes and five loaves into pieces and handed the food out to people in small numbers.

After He fed the five thousand, the crowd followed Him to get more free stuff, but He never gave them money or told them to break civil laws. He offered them a better life. An eternal existence with Him.

Folks, a promised eternity with Jesus! That’s a better life, regardless of present circumstances, and there's no law against it!

On Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Clean Up on Aisle El Paso

 

Picture courtesy of Pixabay

I did a good thing yesterday.

I cleaned two rooms in my house; they looked beautiful and smelled fresh. As the day wore on, they lost that sweet, clean aroma. It’s our fault.  We left stuff lying about as my husband and I dressed to go to dinner with friends. So, if I fail to start over today, the piles of clothes, makeup mail, medicines, and other odds and ends will grow. If I stop working in the bedroom and bath, I’ll look like I’ve hoarded mountains of stuff.

Kind of like the streets of El Paso, TX do. Did you see on the news where those unfortunate migrants are cluttering the street? They sleep and eat there because they have no place to go. I saw one fellow trying to brush teeth with a bottle of water as he hung over a trashcan.

The clean-up crew sanitized the area before the President of the United States arrived.

When he left, the area resumed its previous condition.  Kinda like my two rooms. Messed up again.

The migrants are looking for a better country to live in, and I get that, however, as soon as they cross over into our country, they cease being migrants and become illegal immigrants.  We have laws for entering, but these laws are ignored. They may be under the impression coming in as they do is okay.

My heart breaks for them. The Texas weather is often brutal. Hellacious in summer and bitter in winter. Many of these seekers are abused physically and mentally as they place their lives into the hands of criminals who promise to get them to America. These crooks wish to make a quick buck and assure the migrants the moon. The illegals soon end up on our sidewalks.

When do our lawmakers clean up this chaos?

 

This is a photograph of someone's garage. How would you like to clean this up?

Fortunately, it's not mine, but I know the person who

made this clutter.

Like the two rooms in my house I cleaned, if debris isn’t sorted and organized, it becomes unsurmountable and becomes overwhelming. It's best to keep a room orderly. 

I like to give—personally, and as a nation.

Three Sundays ago, a homeless lady asked us for money for a hotel room. We took her to the motel and paid for the night.  The same day, another lady asked us for money to pay for medication.  We gave that, too. But now we must work and earn a bit before we have any more to give.

We take care of others by taking care of ourselves first. Our nation welcomes others, but we need to make sure we can afford to do so. Can we help the whole world? No, but we can help a few at a time.

I don't usually post anything political, but I thought about those homeless people as I cleaned up my home. Our lawmakers need to respond to these homeless illegals.