To Withstand

Unlike Catherine Hepburn, if I could be a tree, I would not be an oak; I would be a Joshua tree, renowned for its sheer ability to withstand.

 

The phrase what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger seems to best sum up a Joshua tree, at least for me. It is perfect mixture of persistence and endurance mixed in with the innate ability to flourish where difficulty is present.

Distinctively American, this tree only grows in the southwestern United States, where it thrives in the arid soil of the Mojave Desert. In the scientific community it is referred to as yucca brevifola and has been recorded to grow from anywhere to sixteen to forty nine feet high. The Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California about 150 miles east of Los Angeles.

This tree known for its resilience looks like something you might see in an old episode of Bonanza as Hoss Cartwright rides over the Ponderosa. The Joshua tree is known for its long, straight dagger shaped leaves that tapper off to a sharp point at the end. It is an unusual looking tree with leaves that grow in a spiraling pattern, not to mention the rather unpleasant odor that the off-white blossoms give off.

The trunk of a Joshua tree is made of thousands of small fibers and lacks annual growth rings, making it difficult to determine the tree’s age. This tree has a top-heavy branch system, but also has what has been described as a “deep and extensive’ root system, with roots possibly reaching up to 36 feet away. If it survives the rigors of the desert, it can live for hundreds of years with some specimens surviving up to a thousand years.

Its unique name, the Joshua tree, was given by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19^th century. The tree’s unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands upward in prayer. The Joshua tree and its ability to flower in the desert represent a pioneering and persistent spirit that is well suited for its home in the American west.

Quite frankly, if it wasn’t for the band U2 in the 1980’s, I believe the poor Joshua tree could still be living in meager anonymity. However, when a band as famous as U2 uses your image to represent them on a record cover you tend to get noticed, even if it is just for peculiarity.

Albeit the tree itself is not much to look at, however, its characteristics are quite something to marvel over. Anyone can succeed given the right environment, support, upbringing, and financial stability. Thrive amidst adversity and then you have something, at least in my eyes. God never gives us more in life than HE can handle.

So, why should anyone what to be like a Joshua tree? At least for me, the answer is simple: to withstand is the thing.

Swavel

 

Dig Deep

“Some hillsides speak directly into our souls, without ever saying a word.”

The old adage, dig to China, came to mind the other day as I was shoveling out my neighbor’s burn pit. It was a difficult kind of digging that never seemed to end with one wheel barrow full of soot after the other. It also was a great reminder of the importance of a good shovel and how often we learn best from the past.

In light of the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and also a personal tragedy my family and I suffered some twelve years ago when my wife and I buried a child of our own, I wanted to weigh in on grief. The elephant in the room at times like these is where do we go from here with all this heartache? Though no one is an expert when it comes to these things because each person’s experience during tragedy is unique to them, I would like to offer some hope on the subject. If grief is not handled correctly it can overtake you and consume you whole. Ultimately, making you a living victim of the tragedy you are trying to outrun.

In my own hometown I have learned from tragedy. On January 13^th, 1908 the little homespun community of Boyertown, Pennsylvania was devastated when the Rhoads Opera House caught on fire and 170 souls perished in the blaze. This past Sunday marked the 105^thanniversary of this catastrophe. More than half of those victims are buried at Fairview Cemetery, the very same resting place of my grandfather. The bodies of many who died were burned so badly that it took over five days for the families to identify their dead. Even then over twenty bodies were left unidentified and buried together as such in Fairview.

Today, when I stand on this hillside, even now I can still feel the remnants of pain left over from the mourners who grieved on that very same hillside so many years before. Somehow, I feel obligated to give some perspective to something that was so utterly devastating.
As I read about the Opera House Fire in books written by Mary Jane Schneider entitled “A Town in Tragedy” and a“Midwinter Mourning” I was struck by the crushing pain that this indescribable disaster had brought to my hometown so many years ago. There just seemed to be no answers.

The following is taken from “Midwinter Mourning” and best sums up the mind-set of those who survived. “Helpless to change the disaster, thankful to be among the living, they did not allow themselves to talk about it. Many did not mention the fire again in their lifetime. They did not want to feel the sadness or the horror of relieving those days”

In my opinion, I have learned that in order to survive such a travesty, one must dig deep and be resilient. The key factor with resilience is that it does not try to make sense of the pain, but rather is motivated to keep moving forward and not try to make sense out of the senseless. Just like the fire was bright during its devastation, so must our resilience be bright to overcome it.

Nevertheless, amidst all this devastation there is a story shared by Mary Jane Schneider in “Midwinter Mourning” about a little boy and his father’s shovel which seems to sum up resilience so beautifully. In my own words, the story goes like this….

With the sheer amount of graves needed to be dug to bury the town’s dead the volunteers were outweighed by the need. Not to mention that the physical task had begun to weigh heavy on the bodies and psyches of those who had the unenviable task of digging.

On one such morning the workers at Fairview cemetery, who initially thought they would be laying trolley track, were instructed to dig graves instead. Overwhelmed by the task they refused and an argument ensued between the workers and their foreman, Milton Brobst. Eventually the foreman, a powerfully built man, convinced the workers but they conceded grudgingly. They however had not counted on a seven year old boy to assist them.

Seven year old, Freddie Hertzog had overheard the news the night before at his father’s hotel. And since several of his classmates had died in the fire he decided to do something with his grief. This young boy needed no irate employer to motivate him to dig deep. So, armed with his father’s big shovel and a strong will he took up the rear of the long line of overworked and weary men who marched from the center of town to the cemetery on that dreary day. Weighted down by the heaviness of his father’s shovel, Freddie bravely announced to the distraught foreman, “I want to help dig”. With tears running down his cheeks Brobst hoisted the boy onto his shoulders, as he took the boy back to his mother. The book does not reveal whether Freddie ever got to dig or not, however the story goes on to say that “during the trying day, the story of little Freddie and his shovel touched many a weary heart.”

We must, not unlike little Freddie, refuse to allow a moment that didn’t go our way to define us and in turn ruin us and those we love. When faced with tragedy we need be resilient and move forward, despite the pain. A poster I read once regarding the tragedy of 9-11 best sums this thought up, “We are not defined by tragedy, but by how we carry on.”

Life in the aftermath of tragedy is like picking up your shovel and digging when everyone else believes you are just wasting your time. In the end, all we can do is the work as best we can, expect nothing in return, and then live our lives every day in an effort to honor those we are grieving.

Remember, every day is a gift, so pick up your shovel and DIG DEEP.

Swavel

Ten Cents Worth

“Whereas the ordinary resolve to change, the noble succeed at it.”

A resolution as defined by Webster is the power of holding firmly to a purpose.  However, in our society, resolutions tend to be flimsy promises we make to ourselves without a serious commitment. They often vary from losing weight, to making more money or quitting a bad habit, just to name a few. Often, when we don’t see the required results we give up on our resolutions and just go back to doing what we always did before.

Seeing it is a new year I thought I would share my ten cents worth of changes for 2013 with you, two cents at a time. Here’s hoping I buck the trend and stick with them.

 

First two cents- COMPLAIN LESS

Not to my credit, I tend to complain far too often. For example, at my favorite convenience store sometimes the cashier accidently charges me ten cents more because my coffee mug looks larger than it is. Often I do not realize it till after I get the receipt and then I grow frustrated. So, sometimes in an attempt to avert this injustice, I will sternly tell the attendant at the counter, “No it’s a 12 ounce, not a 16 ounce”. What an idiot I am. Fortunately, that mug recently broke and hopefully now I have learned to be less petty.

Second two cents- SPEAK WISER

Unfortunately, I have a history of speaking before thinking. Many years ago when I was in my early twenties I was at a high school football game and I started making fun of the opposing school’s marching band. If my memory serves me correctly the band decided to perform a theatrical presentation where they danced around with a giant blue ball supposedly representing the world. As I started making fun of their effort a woman from that school’s band, deservingly so, turned around and let me have it.

You would think that I would have learned from that, but about six months ago I made a similar disparaging remark. . While I was talking to a fellow employee I made a flippant remark about something he was wearing. The offended person, fueled by the emotion of the moment, let me have it, as the comment overshadowed the rest of our time together and ruined the conversation. I simply should have kept it to myself, because once you offend someone over an opinion, good luck ever winning them back.

Third two cents- TRY HARDER

“ Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” This quote by Samuel Beckett is one of my favorites because it inspires me, not to be perfect, but to keep making the effort. This thought pattern tends to go along with complaining less. Instead of talking about the problem, when you try harder you can do something about it to improve your situation, more times than not. Especially with the way the economy is right now, there is no better time than to be hard at work, rather than whining woe is me.

Fourth two cents- PRAY MORE

In my opinion, God does not need me to pray because He needs my advice. He asks me to so I can be on the same page He is on. Prayer is something I need to make a bigger priority because I find that when I do God answers some prayers before I even pray them. Like He was just waiting for me to humble myself and ask Him what he wanted to do. And why shouldn’t I be doing that every minute of the day. I believe God created the world in six days, so I very well need his help and guidance, not the other way around.

Fifth two cents - BE ENERGETIC

Whatever you do, don’t be like Eyeore. People are drawn to people who have enthusiasm, not people who are always complaining and are tired all the time. To be honest this is a big struggle for me since by nature I am someone who is not a morning person or a late night person. So to get through the day I depend on coffee, adrenaline and a daily walk that gets the blood flowing. Regardless of the fact I struggle with being tired, when I am awake I want to be alert and positive and make the most of everyday, like it might be my last.

So, as we begin this year, I don’t know about you, but I am resolving to improve on last year’s version of myself. Well, at least that’s my ten cents worth on the subject.

Swavel

 

My Christmas Playlist Part 2 (Continued with a New Year's twist)

To every quandary there is a solution. On Christmas Day, I promised my next blog would be the remainder of my Christmas playlist, yet since today is the last day of 2012 I wanted to share some thoughts on the New Year. So, I thought I would make this article a joint venture. Here are the last five things I want to leave with you in 2012: Celebrate, reflect, belong, love, be glad…

Here we go with the final four of my Christmas playlist….


Song #4- I CELEBRATE THE DAY by Reliant K.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPFNY4Z5t0&feature=player_detailpage

Here is a song from my son’s generation that really is a definitely make you think kind of song. Reliant K released this song in 2007, written by lead singer, Matt Thiessen, who discusses how he finds himself on New Year’s wondering why he hasn’t really changed that much from the previous year. Then he looks back at what Jesus must have been thinking when He was born and realizes all that Jesus did to give him real life, giving him reason to celebrate.

Favorite line-“And the first time that you opened your eyes did you realize that you would be my Savior”

 

Song # 3-STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD as performed by 4HIM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEN3wNWM1eE&feature=player_detailpage

This is a unique song that I fell in love with soon after it came out in 1993. It was written by Mark Harris, who is a member of the Christian Contemporary group, 4HIM. This is a favorite because the song is a father’s take on the wondrous event of Jesus being born. So often Joseph is overlooked when we talk about the Christmas story, but since he was the head of the family it is important to get his perspective as well. The song is about contemplation and how it couldn’t have made any sense to Joseph, when He looks at Mary, the babe lying in a manger and the message the angel delivered to him. Yet, he goes along with God’s plan, anyway. Like Joseph, we should all reflect on God’s ability to do the impossible.

Favorite line-“But Joseph knew the reason; love had to reach so far”

 

Song # 2-MERRY CHRISTMAS as performed by Third Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dy8RW6aHXWQ

The thought of having a family is not lost on me. I don’t think of it all the time, but there was a moment in my life when I thought I had lost my entire family. If it were up to me everyone should have one. In 2006, Brad Avery, member of the band, Third Day, wrote this beautiful song about the long wait till he and his family could finally call their adopted daughter, from China, theirs.. For me, being a father of two daughters born in China, this song deeply resounds in my heart and soul. It is good to belong.

Favorite line-“It’s Christmas time again and now you’re home, your family is here so you will never be alone”

 

Song #1- TENDER TENNESEE CHRISTMAS as performed by Amy Grant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3sQjaek-5jA

This is my all-time favorite Christmas song because more times than not, it is what my family plays when we open the gifts. Ironically, I live in Pennsylvania, not Tennessee, but this tune always makes me feel right home. And nobody seems to set the mood, at least for me, better than Amy Grant, who wrote this song with her then husband, Gary Chapman in 1983. When Amy Grant plays, it’s like she’s sitting in my living room singing just for me and my family and you just know it’s time to open the gifts. You can just feel the love of family in the air.

Favorite line-“Where the love circles around us, like the gifts around the tree.”

 

As we begin 2013, I have  two words for you - be glad. It was amazing to me as I compiled the videos from you tube, that correspond with this list, how difficult it was to find videos that did not have a negative commentary attached to them. Yet, I am encouraged, in a world that can seem cruel at times, that I am only accountable for the actions and words that I express.

So, with that thought in mind, I will leave you with a non-Christmas video entitled GOOD TO BE ALIVE by Jason Gray:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83R-XQhDUWg&feature=player_detailpage

In this New Year may we all find something  to be glad about.

Swavel

 

My Christmas Playlist-Part 1

 In keeping with the festive spirit of the holiday season I would be honored to share with you my twelve most favorite Christmas songs. So, without further adieu, here is My Christmas playlist:

Song # 12-WE THREE KINGS as performed by the piano guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu5RY94ldDc&feature=player_detailpage

This is my favorite hymn I enjoy singing in church because it has a somewhat regal feel to it. This rather solemn tune was written by a reverend in 1857 that I can sing without embarrassing myself

Favorite line: “guide us to thy perfect light.”

Song #11-HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING as performed by Carrie Underwood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i5KFggYRMdU

It’s just not Christmas until this classic is sung. Written originally by Charles Wesley in 1739, however it took three other men and over a hundred more years till it become the piece we traditionally sing today. It is a song so synonymous with Christmas that it is featured in three of the most classic Christmas specials of all time: Charlie Brown Christmas, the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life.

Favorite line: “Mild he (Jesus) lays his glory by, born that man no more may die.”

Song #10-MARY DID YOU KNOW as performed by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=68uILVp691sp691s

Thought I would include this one because it is one of my wife’s favorites. It was written in 1984 by Christian comedian, Mark Lowry who wrote it for his church play that year. This song epitomizes what Mary could have thought while she was holding the baby Jesus on that first Christmas. Like a modern day Silent Night it makes you reflect about the true meaning of Christmas.

Favorite line: “This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.”

Song #9-HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS as performed by Burl Ives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oke4ZUhPDtw

How can you go wrong with something so upbeat that begs you to dance and sing along? Written in 1964 by composer Johnny Marks it became famous when it was featured in the animated Christmas special, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which he wrote as well. Who else but Burl can get away with using the word holly jolly, all the while making it timeless.

Favorite line: “say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet”

Song # 8- THE CHRISTMAS SONG as performed by Johnny Mathis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjPkbBRFb8k&feature=player_detailpage

This song fondly reminds me of my youth when during the Christmas season my mom and I would set the table together as this tune would play in the background. The most unique thing about this song was it was written by Mel Torme’ in 1944 during a blistering hot summer in an effort to think cool. For my liking, Johnny Mathis’ distinctive vocals soothe my soul and put me in the mood for Christmas as he croons effortlessly about chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Favorite Line : "Although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you."

Song # 7: SANTA LOOKED A LOT LIKE DADDY as performed by Buck Owens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XdnA2DVp5M&feature=player_detailpage

This particular odd favorite came from a cassette tape my dad made about fifteen years ago. My most cherished memories of this song are of my eldest daughter and my dad singing it non-stop whenever they were together during December. Long before country legend Buck Owens was the quirky host of Hee Haw, he wrote this song in 1965 with his trusted guitarist, Don Rich. Great thing about this relatively unknown song, you can’t sing it out of key to it.

Favorite line:“Santa looked like daddy or daddy looked like him, it's not the way I had him pictured, Santa was a much too thin.”

Song # 6: LINUS AND LUCY as performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

Dance:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBPcoI4OE9Y&feature=player_detailpage

Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=06DFATE7lBM

This is my favorite Christmas tune I can’t help but hum along to during this time of the year, no matter where I might be. Jazz musician, Vince Guaraldi came up with this catchy piece for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Funny thing was that the network executives did not like this song or the other renderings at all, but fortunately the public did. My favorite scene is the one when the Peanuts’ gang is supposed to be acting in the play and instead is dancing to this tune. Sadly, the kids ‘style of dancing is far superior to my own lack of rhythm, so I must stick to humming.

Favorite dance move: The sleepwalking one performed by the kid in the green shirt known as Shermy.

Song # 5: LITTLE DRUMMER BOY as performed by Johnny Cash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xEk_dy4eX3o

This song comes from my childhood when my brothers and I would listen to one of my dad’s old Johnny Cash vinyl records and just couldn’t get enough of those pa-rum-pa-pum-pums. This particular favorite was written in 1941 by American composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis. For my money, it best sums up how we all should see Christmas, that being through the eyes of a child.

Favorite line: “ I played my best for Him(Jesus). Then, He smiled at me, me and my drum.”

That concludes my list for now. I’ll be back soon with my top four favorite Christmas songs. So, have a merry and meaningful day as you and your family celebrate Christ’s birth at this sacred time of the year.

Swavel

 

 

Never Had

“Every soul is born with the God given need to belong and be loved by someone.” (Al Detweiler)
 

During this Christmas season, Amy and I can think of no better gift than that of family.
So, we wanted to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who
were instrumental in bringing Lia to our family.

On June 18^th, 2012 we adopted Faith; to be precise, Lia Faith XiaoLi Swavely. She is a nine year old little girl, born and raised in China, full of spunk, who happens to have limited vision. Faith, at least for us, can best be defined by believing in something you can’t see, all the while believing God can and will make it happen, if He chose to do so.

Her inclusion in our family has been nothing short of miraculous. God asked my wife and I to step out in faith, to adopt “one of the least of these”. Lia was born with microphthalmia which means her eyes never fully developed and therefore, she has very limited vision. Although once you meet her, you will most likely be left with the distinct impression that she’s never had a limitation at all.

A few months ago, in the midst of washing the dishes with Lia, she said something that gave me pause. We were talking about family when she said, “I never had a family before.” For a moment, I was taken back because I have always had a family that loved me, who I loved, and was always there for me.  However, up until June 18^th, Lia never experienced having a family.

She is quickly learning English and doing extremely well picking up English Braille. She attends our local public school and has made many new friends. She is beginning to learn violin. One of her favorite things to do is Wii bowling and she’s very competitive. On her second day home, she was already, literally, running to our neighbor, Grammy Kass, and would chat away to her heart’s content. She rides a bicycle, sort of, with training wheels. She loves purple and we love her.

When God allowed Lia Faith to join our family, He gave us not just another daughter, but the unique ability to see with our souls, rather than just with our eyes. Thanks to you, and many others like you, Lia now has something she may never have experienced without your help: a family.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas,
Aaron for Amy, Jordan, Sianna, and Lia

On Keeping Christmas

Over the years there has been a lot of heated discussion on whether we should greet one another with the phrase Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? For me, my stance has been and always will be to keep Christ in Christmas.

Let’s explore the alternative for just a moment. Imagine that Jesus never came at all.

Now, that is somewhat mind blowing I know, because we all have grown up with the story about Jesus and the manger. But if you take a look at the Christmas story it sounds like something even a fiction writer would never have dreamed up.

No fiction writer would have written that Mary, the mother of Jesus was a pregnant virgin teenager. Huh, how does that work? On top of that, Joseph, her betrothed lived in a society where if your wife to be gets pregnant out of wedlock the result is she would be stoned to death. Yet, he married her and kept it quiet, after he got a visit from an angel.

Here’s another thing we would not have written. If Jesus were supposed to be a king why wasn’t he born in a palace or a fancy hotel with wealthy physicians by his side? Instead his parents are snubbed by the patrons of the city they were in and Jesus was born in a small, messy stable where they feed animals. The only onlookers to the whole marvelous sight are cattle, sheep camels and the like.

Then when he did get visitors he got smelly ones. They were the neighboring shepherds who were instructed to do so by angels. We often romanticize about these guys, like Linus did in Charlie Brown Christmas, but in reality they probably hadn’t bathed in days, were missing teeth and generally weren’t accepted by society. Nice audience.

When Jesus did get an acceptable audience, the Magi or the wise men as we call them, had to keep their visit to themselves. Yes, they did bring beautiful, expensive gifts, such as frankincense, gold and myrrh to the babe they believed to be their king. However, they were under strict orders from King Herod to report back to him after they found the babe. So, after they discovered Jesus an angel visited them and told them not to inform King Herod of Jesus’ whereabouts because he sought to kill Him.

This story even takes on more twists, no writer could have imagined. When Jesus was still yet a young child, Joseph received another dream from God telling him to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary because King Herod was killing all the babies where they were living. The rest of Jesus’ life for the most part was lived in obscurity till He was thirty when He began His unprecedented ministry which ended tragically with His death on the cross, but in so doing gave us life.

Ok, you say that story is ancient. Well, then here is another take. One of the best examples of how to keep Christmas comes right out of the classic, “A Christmas Carol” written by Charles Dickens.

Track with me as Ebenezer Scrooge’s view on Christmas evolves throughout the story.

Early in the story he tells his nephew, Fred, that he wants to be left alone to keep Christmas in his own way, to which his nephew replies, “but you don’t keep it at all.” To which Scrooge emphatically responds, “Then let me leave it alone then.’’ What I love about Scrooge’s nephew is he doesn’t allow his Uncle to dampen his take on Christmas but instead wishes him a Merry Christmas, which elicits a humbug from Scrooge.

Then in the middle of the story, the Ghost of Christmas Present, portrayed as a king, reveals what is truly wrong with Scrooge, when he confronts him with these words. “The child born in Bethlehem, he does not live in men’s hearts only one day of the year, but in all the days of the year. You have chosen not to seek him in your heart.” Which leaves Scrooge at a crossroads, whether to change or continue in his errant ways?

Fast forward to the end, when Scrooge decides he must live a completely different life by making mankind his business. The best scene of the whole story is at the very end when he picks up Tiny Tim and the narrator says this: “and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”

So, in conclusion, this is my personal stance - I will keep Christ in Christmas and do my best to keep it well all the days of the year.

Swavel

Just once a year

We are in the midst of a glorious time of the year when we get to experience a plethora of things,  just once a year.

It begins with Thanksgiving leading right up to Christmas. Many call it the holiday season; I like to refer to it as the traffic light season. Metaphorically speaking: stop for the red light to reflect, go for the green light to shop and prepare for the inescapable commotion that is this time of the year.

At least for me, these are the things that are spoken during this special time of the year: pilgrims, turkeys, Christmas trees, birthdays, shopping, pumpkin pie, and thankfulness. Allow me to elaborate:

PILGRIMS-Unless you are watching a John Wayne movie, the word pilgrim only comes up but once a year around Thanksgiving. Briefly, to the best of my recollection, here is their history. Back in 1620, the Pilgrims were a group of Europeans seeking religious freedom. They boarded a sailing vessel called the Mayflower to come to a new land to make a fresh start. Many, due to illness, died on the trip and once here many died yet again, as the winters were too harsh. The ones who survived made friends with the inhabitants, the Native American Indians, who taught them to grow their own food. On the fourth Thursday of every November we pay tribute to those courageous pilgrims, by sitting down with our families for a feast. Then, subsequently make fun of their bland garb.

TURKEY- Having the traditional Thanksgiving Day bird is most definitely a once a year thing, sometimes twice if you have it for Christmas. Since I was born the day after Turkey day, I have always somewhathad a soft spot in my heart for the feathered creature, known for its gobbling sound. Here are a few random public and personal facts about the turkey that reinforce why I am so fond of them:

a) Ben Franklin has gone on record stating he would have preferred to have the turkey, not the eagle, as the national bird and symbol of the United States. b) Its just not Thanksgiving until I have some turkey, preferably a drumstick. c)Tryptophan is the turkey’s way of getting even with us, which is a condition we all suffer from if we eat too much of it, that causes drowsiness. d) One year before I die, at Thanksgiving, I plan to deep fry a turkey. I just haven’t convinced anyone else to join me in my excursion, yet.
BIRTHDAY(s) - This is definitely a once a year thing. Mine happens to fall on November 24^th, which always lands in the vicinity of T- Giving. I know this may sound strange for an adult male to admit this, but I genuinely like my birthday, As I get older, I’m getting to the point that I realize it is a gift in itself just to be alive. Being forty five years old means I’ve been around enough to know better and yet know enough to make the most of every day. Anymore, gifts are optional; it’s just nice to be remembered by the kids and wife. Also, an added bonus is that my body still works for the most part.

CHRISTMAS TREES- Don’t tell Charlie Brown, but my tree is an artificial one. The peculiar thing about my tree is every year my wife and I discuss replacing it because it drops needles. Yet, somehow when we get it out of the shed we give it the once over and it still looks fine to decorate. A lot like my hairline eventually both will go bald and will have to be dealt with, but for now we persevere. Years ago I had an incident with a real tree, which has dampened my need for one. Long story short, between freezing the tree in the bucket, then hacking the trunk to get it out of the bucket, then my vacuum getting clogged by the crazy amount of needles the tree would drops and I pledged to leave well enough alone . Hence, I gave up on getting a real tree for now. One year I will make Charlie Brown proud again and get a real live pine tree, but not this year.

SHOPPING- I will share very little on this topic, well because I’m a man. If it were up to me, at least at this stage in my life, I would only buy and exchange gift cards. However, I would never have said that when I was a kid. My change in heart sounds nice to me, but realistically for kids this is far too practical and takes the fun out of unwrapping gifts. Giving or getting a gift card, at least for me, takes the angst out of choosing just the right gift and allows the card holder the power to get exactly what he or she wants. Which for me, more times than not, is a coffee, a newspaper and or some snacks on which to munch.

PUMKIN PIE (AND THE LIKE) - It’s funny to me how this time of the year has its own food and drink. Like pumpkin pie and turkey for T-giving and eggnog and fruitcake for Christmas. We indulge in things simply because we always have and somehow eating something familiar helps better put us in the holiday spirit. The holidays on a whole seem to cause us to eat and make merry, at least for me. But, somehow this time of the year means eating is in vogue and puts dieting on the back burner. On Christmas Eve, even though I have it during the year as well, I must have a can of Planters’ peanuts with red Cream soda. A tradition I took from my grandfather many years ago which every year makes me feel like a kid again and helps put in the holiday mood.

THANKFULNESS- Speaking for myself, I wish I complained less and was more thankful, especially during this special time of the year. When the season starts out with Thanksgiving we spend a lot of time saying thank you for just about everything and to just about everybody. Then if you are like me we go Christmas shopping and fight for our space in line and end up grumpy, if we can’t find the right gift, etc and so on. Crazy how we go from a holiday based on gratitude then on to high stress if we can’t complete the gift lists for our loved ones. Human nature is strange, we so quickly forget the reason for the Season, and instead of celebrating the gift of Christ’s birth, we get obsessed with giving just the right gift.

In hindsight, may we all during this holiday season, when we are scurrying about trying desperately to remember all the above things, stop long enough to be thankful as much as possible and make a habit of doing it more than just once a year.

Swavel

Work of Art

 

To define a work of art is a difficult thing, however when you see one, you just know.

For instance, the Mona Lisa hangs in the hallowed Louvre in France, yet for the life of me she just appears to be an ordinary woman no one knows that terribly much about. The same goes for Whistler’s Mother, who I’m sure was a lovely woman, yet if Whistler had not painted her I doubt anyone would have been any the wiser. Then there is the famous painting of a famer with his pitchfork and his wife gauntly staring forward known as the American Gothic that always seemed a bit dubious to me.

Yet, somehow all these works of art wielding a universal appeal have stood the test of time.. There is just something captivating in these paintings, an intangible that transforms people back to another time and place, something that people can relate to and find comfort in it.

For me personally, there is an unnamed work of art that hangs in a hallway where I work, that warms my heart every time I pass by it. It is an oil painting in pastel colors of a city skyline at night. Try as I might, every time that I inquire about it no one seems to be able to shed any light on the painting or its author. However, the one thing that draws my attention most is the reddish/orange heart off in the corner of this work of art. Allow me to explain.

About twelve years ago, my daughter, Alisha, who was almost seven at the time drew something for me on a scrap of paper drawn in markers, with the intent purpose of being a bookmarker. It was simple and had an orange heart on it that read, “Jesus loves You.” It is said that kids teach us far more than we ever teach them. A month after Alisha drew that work of art she died and left behind her a reminder of the simple truth of how much Jesus loves me. That orange heart is like rainbow to me, kind of like what God sent Noah after the flood. Just like the heart in the unnamed picture I mentioned previously, Alisha’s bookmarker reminds me Jesus loves me. Even in my darkest moments, Jesus is not against me, rather He loved me so much and all of us that He gave up His very own life for ours. Now that’s a love or a work of art worth remembering. Her work of art hangs in my cubicle at work to remind me to empty myself of all but love on a daily basis.

Around ten years ago, my son, Jordan, drew a cartoon about me being an exterminator that I have till this day hanging in my cubicle at work. In the picture I am being chased by an angry homeowner after I sprayed in her garden by accident, then I am chased by angry bees, then I am driving in my truck and finally it ends with me eating a sandwich for lunch. The caption reads like this : Hi father. Go get um. Kill dem bug. Spray, spray, spray. Drive , drive , drive. Complain, complain, complain. I love that boy and his artwork because he showed me that he appreciated what I did for him. To this day, this drawing in red marker makes me proud, because in describing an average work day for me at the time in 2002 or so, Jordan made a work of art.

My middle daughter, Sianna, has drawn many works of art over the years as well. But, there are two favorite drawings that standout the most. First, there is her panda drawing that slightly looks like a penguin. Simply drawn on white paper with black marker for the body and brown marker for the eyes, it just reminds me of how simple and basic a child’s love is. Then there is the drawing that I like to call the one eared man. Sianna was attempting to draw a panda but she stopped when it looked more like a man than a bear. For my money, it best sums me up more days than not. It is a very simple drawing of a guy smiling with one ear drawn in black marker. I must admit I do not always pay the closest attention to details, but I try to smile through life and do my best every day. Both works of art reside in my cubicle at work and remind me to keep life simple and make the most of every day.

Then there is Lia’s dolphin fin she made for me out of construction paper. One day Lia out of the clear blue starting making hats out of construction paper for my wife and I. One for Amy and her football team the Pittsburgh Steelers and then Lia made a hat for me for the Miami Dolphins, which I refer to as a Dolphin fin. Basically, they are just Lia’s version of a rally hat. They are works of art to me made in love and a childlike spirit of wanting to be accepted, all the while giving a little piece of herself to us. And like all the others resides in my cubicle at work.

All of these examples serve to remind me that you need not be famous to make a work of art, just be the best you that you possibly can be. May we all live up to the notion that each and every one of our lives is a work of art created by God and crafted by His very own hands. And as He walks by His gallery, if there is such a thing, may we give Him every reason to proudly proclaim, that work of art is mine.

Swavel

 

Temporary Convenience

When the wind blows temporary convenience doesn’t stand a chance. For instance, what occurred last week on Monday, October, 29^th, 2012, when Hurricane Sandy made landfall.

 

Very few of us like our routine or lives interrupted in any way, shape or form. So, when an act of God occurs, we tend to get scared, frustrated, and angry. We feel like we are impervious, until the wind blows and then we realize we can lose everything in a gust of wind. The reality of the matter is, life is temporary and so are the modern conveniences we have grown so accustomed to having all the time. Not until you feel like you have no control do you really understand this truth, that is always lingering in the back of the classroom with its hand held high, waiting for its turn to speak up.

 

Here are just a few snapshots of the utter devastation that Hurricane Sandy left in her wake . Entire beachfronts wiped out. In New York City, a crane dangles from a skyscraper. Down at the Jersey shore, a roller coaster is swallowed up by the Atlantic Ocean. Streets in beach towns that now look like rivers. Locally, large trees laying in yards with the roots still attached to the ground. And the story that amazed me most, train cars are swept off their rails onto the New Jersey turnpike by massive tidal waves.

 

My heart goes out to all of the families who are left homeless and without power. My family and I only lost electric for half a day, because we did not get hit by the full strength of the storm. What stays with me most from the storm, however, is being amazed by the sound of the wind that struck the house, as it howled like a freight train, sounding like at any minute it could blow right through the structure. Also, earlier in the evening, I felt so very defenseless as I went outside to move my van and was pelted by the fierce wind and the sideways rain.

 

We say, or at least I do at times, that it’s all in God’s hands. To be honest, at least from my tiny perspective, I think God allows storms, literally or figuratively, in our lives to occur to remind us He is the only one truly in control. It’s like the story in the Old Testament of the Bible about the prophet, Elijah. God is not in the wind or in all the other things Elijah encounters, God speaks to Elijah through a small still voice. I believe that God allows these outside forces to affect us in an effort to get our attention off ourselves and on Him, so we will listen when He speaks.

 

I guess what I‘m trying to say is tri-fold. Convenience is temporary, my compassion for others needs to remain constant and my trust in God needs to remain continuous regardless of when the wind blows.

Swavel