Morning Friend,I don't think I'll rile the Climatological Gods this morning and ramble on about the beauteous arrival of Spring. I made just such a mistake two weeks ago and we almost simultaneously received a healthy BLAST of Winter which has only recently ( yesterday) subsided!Nature moves at her own pace, irrespective of the poetic whims and narrative wishes of mortal men.But as slow and often petulant as Mother Nature can be, when that Divine Diva finally DOES change costumes, the SHOW can take on a whole new energy, especially if the old costume has been worn so long as to become a pain.Such reminds me of the words of 17th century American poet Anne Bradstreet, who wrote,"If we had no Winter, the Spring would not be so pleasant: If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."These words I've posted on the door to my "office" at work, where you'll find several such INSPIRATIONAL nuggets.( it's not an "office" really, but a storage closet for mops, pails and other tools of my presently "paying" engagement !)In recent years I find myself being "accused" of being "extraordinarily, exceedingly, unnaturally, irrepressibly, and even NAUSEATINGLY...happy".The truth of the matter is that I AM decidedly delighted.The degree to which this is perceived is purely subjective, although I've never quite been clear on the concept of "TOO" and "HAPPY" in the same sentence?The source of my perpetual happiness is paralleled in Anne Bradstreet's comparison of Winter and Spring to Adversity and Prosperity.Having experienced and endured as bitter and "adversarial" a Winter as one could imagine, I now enjoy a life and lifestyle that is, ( and can be as long as I CHOOSE), perpetually Spring-like and pleasantly prosperous.This is not uncommon amongst people who've "changed costumes" in life; who enjoy and appreciate the new one so much more because it fits better...it doesn't dig in or bind....it doesn't hurt like the old one.(This might be one of the reasons CHER seems so exponentially enthusiastic during her performances?)Which is why you'll often hear FORTUNATE ex-drinkers like myself describing themselves as "GRATEFUL" recovering alcoholics.My "Winter" was particularly long and cold enough as to FILL me with gratitude at its' passing.I respectfully quote a fine old gentleman I know, who's basked in a season of his own making for 50-plus years who soberly says, "I don't know if there's such a thing as a Heaven or not, but I know there's a Hell, because I lived in it here on earth..."My many wounds have scarred over and they remain a vivid daily reminder of the icy Wintry lashes which created them.I am carved like a stream bed emerging from a mountain of melting snow; the water sings as it rushes freely over me.Today, it is Spring and I am ever so grateful to God and yes, pretty darned happy too!Today I won't be TOO FULL as to forget how empty I was.Today I won't be TOO STRONG as to forget how weak I was.Today I won't be TOO generous, or kind, or wise, or thoughtful, or energetic, or magnanimous because Winter's bitter taste is still a fresh and fetid enough of a memory so I won't literally LEAP IN THE AIR AND SHOUT JOYFULLY TOO HIGH OR TOO LOUDLY!Just enough to cause a little nausea perhaps?Anyone for a chorus of "I Got You Babe"?Love tImMy:/
My Love For You by Timothy Gerald Franklin Lawrence
is bigger
than a shoe
The End
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Look after yourself...without health
you are of no use to anyone.
If I owned this company,
would I hire someone like me?
THREE Angels!
Angela, Ash & Janelle
Ab's ( REALLY GOOD) Joke of the WEEK!
A great example of Flawless Male logic —
This is a conversation between a husband and his wife. Please note that she asks five or six questions which he answered quite simply; but, then she is speechless after answering only one question.
Woman: Do you drink beer?
Man: Yes.
Woman: How many beers a day?
Man: Usually about three.
Woman: How much do you pay per beer?
Man: $5.00 which includes a tip (this is where it gets scary!).
Woman: And how long have you been drinking?
Man: About 20 years, I suppose.
Woman: So a beer costs $5 and you have three beers a day which puts your spending each month at $450. In one year, that would be approximately $5400, correct?
Man: Sounds Correct.
Woman: If in 1 year you spend $5400, not accounting for inflation, over the past 20 years puts your spending at about $108,000, correct?
Man: Again, sounds about right.
Woman: Do you know that if you didn’t drink so much beer, that money could have been put in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound interest for the past 20 years, you could have now bought an airplane?
Man: Could be true. Do you drink beer?
Woman: No.
Man: Where is your airplane?
for Kenneth Mayo
Hope AND SWIM !
When I fall into an ocean, I know with certainty
That I am wet and startled will at once be plain to me
But will I sink or will I swim...to the depths or to the shore?
Perhaps a log will come drifting by, or a boat out on a tour?
I could hope as I was sinking, but I’d still drop to the floor
And hoping would I be, for logs and tour boats evermore
So I think I’ll set my sights on land and give my legs a kick
And stroke though I am weary, my decision will I stick
While Hope sustains the helpless whose outlook is often dim
Hope also fuels the Faithful, giving Strength to those who swim
So even if I falter against this fearsome tide of health
The shores of my fulfillment rise beneath me in my stealth
I’m hopeful for the strength and the courage not to give in
I thank the Lord for Faith and my resolve to hope AND swim!
My prayers and God’s Blessings be with you my friend!
Timothy Lawrence
Abraham Stainer Esq.
a.k.a. "Ab"
Tinker-Timmy & Friends
Jan'l. Angeela, Ash and Ab
Monday, March 30, 2009
TOO Happy - 29
Life Stories
The end of life…is not!
It is the end of a Chapter in a Grand, Spiritual, Novel !
These chapters called “life”, are enriching, engrossing
narratives of one’s earthly adventures.
In them, are an abundance of supporting characters and
supplementary plot elements, often curiously overlapping
and mysteriously intertwining.
Their length and depth varies from person to person;
from protagonist to protagonist.
Some people who have “died” in chapters ended many years
ago, are still quite “alive” today!
Their SPIRIT; their influence, their charisma, their wisdom,
their character, their enthusiasm, their joy, their ESSENCE....
continues to fill the “life pages” of all they’ve touched.
Their frail and finite physical chapter is ended, but the richness
of their story flourishes, and enhances God’s Novel!
Like timeless passages, indelibly marked in our hearts and
memories, to be re-read and forever treasured….
their lives never truly “end”!
When through God’s Mercy, the earthly narrative of someone
we love, ends….their life does not!
And for that, we are truly blessed!
* Dedicated with gratitude and love to the enduring Spirit of all who transcend fear and inspire faith by truly living God’s gift of life to the fullest!! T.L.