The Moments In Between--that's what matters!!!

"It's not the years in your life that count....

It's the life in your years."

seen on tombstone today at Lexington Cemetery

As I told you last night, I was "booked" to be the taxi ride for

Madi and her three friends today.  Another mom picked them up and dropped them off at the Chinese restaurant right down from our house.  I was the pick-up and then they had an adventure planned to some vintage shops.  I was their driver---so a day of "Driving Ms. Madison and Friends" if you will.

While they were at the Chinese Restaurant, I went to Kroger to

get some cash...I never, ever have cash and Madison wanted some for her vintage shopping extravaganza.

I had to buy something to get cash back, so I went through the self check-out and bought a diet Pepsi.  That was my plan anyway.  I was talking to a minister friend of mine and we were talking about "things" a minister shouldn't be talking about....and guess what?  I paid for the diet Pepsi and forgot to get the cash.  "Dammit to Hell"

I turn around and grab a package of gum, all the while talking and laughing and guess what---It happens again.  I forgot to get cash.

"Double Dammit to Hell".

I'm frustrated by this time and all the while talking and laughing..so I bag up my gum and walk away so that those behind me could check out.  I went to the bathroom and when I came out two Kroger women were standing there...

"Did you just buy some gum?"

"Yes Mam."

"Well you forgot to pay for it?"

I get a shocked look on my face..."What?"

Apparently I thought I had checked out and had scanned my debit card and forgot to finish. 

"I muttered...so sorry,"

and

I finished checking out and was able to get cash.

I could almost see the headlines----

"Crazy Minister Steals a Pack of dollar Gum"

Arrested...

My minister friend had a real laugh.

My plan for the day was to take photos of some old churches located downtown where they told me the vintage shops were located.

"Wrong."  The shops were off the beaten path and no where close to what I wanted to photograph.

I drop them off at a little shop called, "Feather your nest."

The windows look awesome and I look at Madi and ask,

"Will it embarrass you if I come in?"

She shakes her head no.

I let them get in before me and I head in with my camera in tow.

Rooms and Rooms of

old clothes and necklaces and hats

knick knacks of all shapes and sizes,

marbles in a jar,

plants,

old bottles..

I was in heaven.

I walked around the store taking pictures.

I think they look cool.

Madi and her friends say they just look like I took pictures of stuff in a store.  I will let you decide when you see them in future posts.

After awhile, they are making fun of me and so I finished up and told Madison that I'd meet them in the car.

A few minutes later, they come out with their purchases and tell me to drive them to the next group of shops.

I drop them off here.  They looked dirty to me and I don't like the smell of old clothes and such.

I decided to go to the old cemetery located down the road.

She and the girls really rolled their eyes at this one.

I rolled my windows down on the ghetto van

and drove through the miles and miles of grave sites.

As I drove, I wondered about the lives of those who were buried there.  I wondered what they did for a living and what kind of family they may have had.  There were rich folks with extravagant stones reaching to the sky and tiny little stones with no height at all. Funny thing,

Rich or Poor,

they all still ended up in the same spot

and

my guess is

all that is left is their name on the stone.

There in the midst of tall old trees and flowers and stones of all shapes and sizes,

I listened to the sacred stillness in the air.

Birds were everywhere,

red, yellow, blue and black

and their symphony was playing

the song of new life.

Squirrels and chipmunks ran and scurried over the stones

and benches.

Flowers bloomed and baby ducks waddled next to the pond.

It was beautiful and I so appreciated having an

hour or so to wonder around and think in the outdoor sanctuary.

I thought about the shelves and rows and boxes of someones stuff

located back at the vintage store..

material stuff that once mattered to someone

now on display and loaded with dust and dirt

being touched and purchased and taken home.

I thought about what happens to all of us at some point...

because we all die eventually.

I wondered what really mattered to these folks?

What would they do if they just had one day to live over?

Would they tell someone they loved them?

Would they sit and watch the sunrise and set?

would they sing a song,

smell a flower,

squish their toes deep in the wet ground.

Would they laugh just one more time?

We all have a beginning

and

it will end for all of us...

that dash

that thing between

born    and      died

is the most important time.

As I was thinking I ran upon a tombstone with a beautiful stained glass window....bearing my last name.

Right next to it was this which is the quotes I printed under the pic above:

What a gentle reminder to all of us

on

this

sacred Saturday of sort,

to

laugh and dance and breath and love

and

live your years full of life.

May we all

on this night

make the choice

to

LIVE

 the moments between our dashes

with

fullness.

{{Hugs}}

and

Blessings to you All!!!