Where has the time gone?

 With nothing big to do on this Sunday morning, except appreciate the love of Jesus,  and all the blessings we have received over the years. Yes, Nancy and I are truly blessed. BUT, one big thing I can not believe is that I have written 272 editions of this blog since 2008. And as I go back to the old ones, I remember putting photos of our trips,  from state to state, visiting friends and relatives, and travels around the world.  I really have to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't just a dream.

I started this blog to post photos of those trips due to the requests by you. In between, I got into some controversial topics, happy events within our family, but also sad moments. I really appreciate you all for continuing to read my rumblings of all the blogs. I really do. I don't get paid for writing this, nor do I have a sponsor, or run ads. I doubt if anyone would pay me anyway.

Nancy and I love to travel and experience new countries, states, foods, cultures and traditions. We love to share our travels and will continue to share, but not brag. We both say, "As long they wheel us to the plane, we'll go." And this is more true I have decided to back off from building cars so much.

I just wanted to say thanks for reading this blog. It is not a mega blog (in the three digit category) but I do appreciate the ones who read and sometime comment. I send you all blessings and love and hope you have some wonderful travels too.

Before I close, I would like to ask a small favor of you all. I have a couple relatives who are having some medical problems. I ask you all to say a prayer for them to get by this troubled time they are in. Thank you, take care and stay safe.

"In my opinion ..."

 We has bunch of people over the other night. They all broke off into smaller group of like mind and began to talk about their individual topics.  I circulated around listening to each chorus of opinions being expressed, I thought, "We all speak in and about our own opinions." One group talked about the best trail to take while hiking. Another group talked about the best car to buy. Even another talked about politics and the upcoming election, which was REALLY interesting. Everyone had their own opinion about how things should be. And yes, I probably dropped my two cents worth in on different aspects.

EVERYONE has their own opinion about everything, and may try to sway you over to their way of thinking. But sometimes that sales pitch to win you over may turn over to a heated discussion and soon break up that group and maybe friends and relatives relations because of a difference of opinions or views.

I have a theory, "Everyone is right, and no one is wrong on any topic." When I am with a group of people, be they friends, relatives or strangers, I try real hard to 'ride that fence' and not share my opinions (and I do have some hard and fast opinions) due to the possibility of an argument. Two topics I try to steer away from is religion and politics. Very hot button topics.

Opinions are like butts, everyone has one. BUT, I don't want to compare butts. Opinions are beliefs that are created from you inheriting your parents, and influential friend or co-worker, or your ties to the internet and false information. Believe it or not, not all you see and hear on multimedia is not gospel or true. 

I have talked to many people that say they watched a 'Tik-Tok' video, or a 'YouTube' and totally believe it is really true. Maybe it is, AND, maybe it is not. Some people really are filming these things in hopes to help you. Other just want to sway you over to the dark side and change your mind to their way of thinking. Don't be fooled! Do you own research to get to the truth. How? Read reviews, use many sources on both sides of the topic, Try to see and understand both sides, be the jury and see and hear ALL the facts.

In this time of division and turmoil in our world, you have to be the jury and judge to what is right and what is wrong BEFORE you make a decision on anything important. From which candidate to vote for, to what church to attend, or which school is best for you kids, and yes, what car to buy.

Coming up with the correct decision for you could take time you don't want to spend, and it may pan-out to be the wrong one, as time will tell. In my very first presidential election (at 19), I voted for the late George Wallace, previous governor of Alabama. I still regret that one. At least I did not buy a 'Yugo'.

Opinions come from your experiences in life and influenced by others. Be the individual and make your own opinions on things and hopefully the right ones. But they too may change. Take care and stay safe.

You don't know what you have, until you lose it.

 I think we all have lost something or someone and realize, "I really miss them (or it)." I am sorry to say, I have been there too. I did not realize the reality of how much it would affect me. Whether it is a loved one, a friend, a car, a house, a job, it hurts. Sometimes it is a loss you remember all your life. Some losses are worse than others, especially a loved one. And, people deal with it in different ways. Some mourn for the rest of their life, and others don't, Some just can not get over their loss and waste away from heartbreak. There is great help out there for those people, friends and families. 

As a retired firefighter, I have seen more than my share of carnage, destruction, death and loss. For some firefighters, military personnel, Police Officers nurse and doctors, those scene can never be erased from their memory. And those can haunt them forever.  Many try to suppress those memories and visions which makes it worse. I have seen this through co-workers. Firefighters, much like the other professions mentioned, build a wall around themselves it hopes of protecting them from breaking down after they witness an event. Everyone has different ways of coping. many do not want to seem weak or childlike. Talking to others that witnessed similar events can help tremendously. But sometimes they need to visit a professional.

We should all recognize the stages of mourning and loss.  
Denial - "This can not be happening."

Anger - "Life is unfair, why did this happen?'

Bargaining - "Looking for a shred of hope."

Depression - "The worst stage and maybe the most dangerous"

Acceptance - "Well they are in a better place."

An additional stage is, getting help.

A certain little thing may spark or re-ignite that memory you have suppressed for years, and all of a sudden you are reliving the loss and depression. Even if you know a loss is coming, you still experience that loss as if your heart was ripped apart again.

Many people suffer from a loss or losses and have no where to turn for help, or have a friend to talk to. Just a hug and an understanding shoulder to lean on helps so much to comfort a grieving person. Everyone has that capability to help if they just take a minute to listen to someone. Just listen, don't criticize, or tell them how to deal with their grief. Just be a friend.

It is never easy to be that grieving person or the be that friendly ear, but we have to try. Of course, life was not meant to be easy, was it? Take care, stay safe.