Bits & Pieces

Last week, our family, with the exception of one daughter and her sons, went out for supper to celebrate our oldest son and his wife’s birthdays. Everyone was having a good time visiting. When the waitress began bringing the pizzas that had been ordered, our 10-year-old grandson said to me, “We can’t start eating yet, Grandma. We have to pray first.” So we waited for the rest of our order, then bowed our heads and joined our grandson as he started a prayer.

Sometimes it takes the wisdom of a child to remind adults of what they know they should do, but often forget.

Sunday, I was watching as the Christmas wreath candles were being lit. As each candle was lit, the flame was tiny, but steadily grew. When the furnace kicked in, the air from the vent near the altar, caused the flames on the candles to waver. But although the flames bent and quivered, they kept burning and when the furnace shut off, the flames steadied and stood straight and tall and strong.

I thought so it is with people. We waver at times, working to overcome rough spots in our lives. Sometimes it takes a while, but with the support of others, we manage to regain our strength and resolve to keep going.

Lately, I’ve been seeing a commercial on television that I do not like one little bit. It concerns women who’ve had a particular chemotherapy medicine and the loss of their hair. The commercial talks about women who were not fully informed that if they lose their hair due to the medicine it may not come back.

Having gone through infusion chemotherapy and the loss of my hair, I understand how it affects a person. Mine did come back, though not as thick as it had been before my treatment. When the oncologist told me prior to starting my chemotherapy that I would probably lose my hair, my reply was, “It’s just hair. I can get a wig. If my hair comes back, fine. If it doesn’t, well then I will get several wigs so I can have different hair styles and colors.”

To me the question is what is more important -- survival or appearances?

When it snows, I hear people make adverse remarks about the snow. Snow is simply a part of winter and will happen as will the ice and frigid temperatures. But we should remember that the snow is necessary to provide moisture for the land and it protects crops that were seeded in the fall. It also provides water for the stock dams and rivers. The water from the rivers gives us electricity, water for our homes, and irrigation for crops.

And who can’t appreciate the beauty of sometimes seeing an expanse of snow sparkling, like diamonds have been randomly scattered across it.

May your week bring you smiles, laughter and blessings.