The birds are singing. They are enjoying this wonderful life. We should be more like the birds and sing. We have much to sing about. We woke up this morning, and the beauties of nature are available to us all. No one has taken our sense of place from us. I spent some time in my new…old rock home at the Woods and found it spiritual. We are part of something ancient. We live in a special place. We have done nothing to deserve it. We did not get here on merit. Life is a gift.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, it has been said. Even lemonade can be a bit bitter. We all drink our portion. This walk back to Jerusalem brings many surprises. Some are welcome, some are not. Worry may be a rocking chair, and some of us do a lot of rocking. When the E4 tornado hit outside Marion last Friday, I went outside under my elevated porch and took a video of the extreme hailstorm that was occurring. I thought of the Derecho of 2009 that devastated our area. I could feel death in the air. Shortly before that, I was taking my customary afternoon nap and feeling safe and secure. Safety is a myth. We are here by God’s grace.

Love all whom you meet. You may be entertaining angels unaware. Love life it is a rare commodity and scarce as hen’s teeth. The older I become the more positive I am of hope. There is evil people but most are good and well meaning. What you are suffering is shared by many of your brothers and sisters. Reach out and understand.

‘Rosie is coming over for Memorial Day Cookout,’ Neva J said. ‘She loves to join us and I love for her to be with us,’ Neva J smiled. ‘She has a heart of gold,’ Neva J noted. ‘Rosie has been shunned for most of her life and is unaccustomed to love and acceptance,’ Neva J observed. ‘She likes Dog and Suds Root beer and chili dogs,’ Neva J laughed. ‘This will be our menu and Rosie will be in her glory,’ Neva J winked. ‘She is my good friend and I love her for who she is,’ Neva J proclaimed.

‘I have invited Tommy L to the Memorial Day Cookout, and he is so excited as he was planning on getting a hamburger from Reubens’ fast food restaurant for the holiday,’ Chet said. ‘Tommy has scoliosis and sometimes drools but has a brilliant mind,’ Chet observed. ‘Tommy is a mathematical genius and has lived in the shadows due to his marginalization and challenges,’ Chet informed. ‘Tommy will love the Dog-and-Suds Chili Dogs,’ Chet noted. ‘Tommy L is a Chili Dog man,’ Chet laughed heartily. ‘Tommy L is my dear friend,’ Chet said.

‘We are different and we are the same,’ Jane noted. ‘We came to this world by surprise and provide our gifts to it,’ Jane said. ‘Rosie and Tommy L are an honor to have as friends,’ Jane said. ‘We are in the audience and they are God’s leaders in the message of Christ,’ Jane noted with tears. ‘Help us to understand the Theatre Production that we are playing roles in,’ Jane said softly.