Minor traveling unattended

Right before the jetway door closed, I scrambled aboard the plane going from LA to Chicago, lugging my laptop and overstuffed briefcase. It was the first leg of an important business trip a few weeks before Christmas, and I was running late. I had a ton of work to catch up on. Half wishing, half praying I muttered, "Please God, do me a favor; let there be an empty seat next to mine, I don't need any distractions." I was on the aisle in a two seat row. Across sat a businesswoman with her nose buried in a newspaper. No problem. But in the seat beside mine, next to the window, was a young boy wearing a big red tag around his neck: "Minor -- Traveling Unattended." The kid sat perfectly still, hands in his lap, eyes straight ahead. He'd probably been told never to talk to strangers. "Good," I thought. Then the flight attendant came by. "Michael, I have to sit down because we're about to take off," she said to the little boy. "This nice man will answer any of your questions, okay?" Did I have a choice? I offered my hand, and Michael shook it twice, straight up and down. "Hi, I'm Jerry," I said. "You must be about seven years old." "I'll bet you don't have any kids," he responded. "Why do you think that? Sure I do." I took out my wallet to show him pictures. "Because I'm six." "I was way off, huh?" The captains' voice came over the speakers, "Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff." Michael pulled his seat belt tighter and gripped the armrests as the jet engines roared. I leaned over, "Right about now, I usually say a prayer. I asked God to keep the plane safe and to send angels to protect us." "Amen," he said, then added, "But I'm not afraid of dying. I'm not afraid because my mama's already in Heaven." "I'm sorry." I said. "Why are you sorry?" he asked, peering out the window as the plane lifted off. "I'm sorry you don't have your mama here." My briefcase jostled at my feet, reminding me of all the work I needed to do. "Look at those boats down there!" Michael said as the plane banked over the Pacific. "Where are they going?" "Just going sailing, having a good time. And there's probably a fishing boat full of guys like you and me." "Doing what?" He asked. "Just fishing, maybe for bass or tuna. Does your dad ever take you fishing?" "I don't have a dad," Michael sadly responded. Only six years old and he didn't have a dad, and his Mom had died, and here he was flying halfway across the country all by himself. The least I could do was make sure he had a good flight. With my foot I pushed my briefcase under my seat. "Do they have a bathroom here?" he asked, squirming a little. "Sure," I said, "Let me take you there." I showed him how to work the "Occupied" sign, and what buttons to push on the sink, then he closed the door. When he emerged, he wore a wet shirt and a huge smile. "That sink shoots water everywhere!" The attendants smiled. Michael got the VIP treatment from the crew during snack time. I took out my laptop and tried to work on a talk I had to give, but my mind kept going to Michael. I couldn't stop looking at the crumpled grocery bag on the floor by his seat. He'd told me that everything he owned was in that bag. Poor kid. While Michael was getting a tour of the cockpit the flight attendant told me his grandmother would pick him up in Chicago. In the seat pocket a large manila envelope held all the paperwork regarding his custody. He came back explaining, "I got wings! I got cards! I got more peanuts. I saw the pilot and he said I could come back anytime!" For a while he stared at the manila envelope. "What are you thinking?" I asked Michael. He didn't answer. He buried his face in his hands and started sobbing. It had been years since I'd heard a little one cry like that. My kids were grown -- still I don't think they'd ever cried so hard. I rubbed his back and wondered where the flight attendant was. "What's the matter buddy?" I asked. All I got were the muffled words, "I don't know my grandma. Mama didn't want her to come visit and see her sick. What if Grandma doesn't want me? Where will I go?" "Michael, do you remember the Christmas story? Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus? Remember how they came to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born? It was late and cold, and they didn't have anywhere to stay, no family, no hotels, not even hospitals where babies could be born. Well, God was watching out for them. He found them a place to stay; a stable with animals." "Wait, wait," Michael tugged on my sleeve.. "I know Jesus. I remember now." Then he closed his eyes, lifted his head and began to sing. His voice rang out with a strength that rocked his tiny frame. "Jeeesus looooves me--thiiiiiis I knowwwwwww. For the Biiiiiible tells meeeeee sooooo....." Passengers turned or stood up to see the little boy who made the large sound. Michael didn't notice his audience. With his eyes shut tight and voice lifted high, he was in a good place. "You've got a great voice," I told him when he was done.. "I've never heard anyone sing like that." "Mama said God gave me good pipes just like my grandma's," he said. "My grandma loves to sing, she sings in her church choir." "Well, I'll bet you can sing there, too. The two of you will be running that choir." The seat belt sign came on as we approached O'Hare. The flight attendant came by and said, "We just have a few minutes now." But she told Michael that it was important that he put his seat belt on. People started stirring in their seats, like the kids before the final school bell. By the time the seat belt sign went off, passengers were rushing down the aisle. Michael and I stayed seated. "Are you gonna go with me?" he asked. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, buddy!" I assured him. Clutching his bag and the manila envelope in one hand, he grabbed my hand with the other. The two of us followed the flight attendant down the jetway. All the noises of the airport seemed to fill the corridor. Michael stopped, slipping his hand from mine, he dropped to his knees. His mouth quivered. His eyes brimmed with tears. "What's wrong Michael? I'll carry you if you want." He opened his mouth and moved his lips, but it was as if his words were stuck in his throat. When I knelt next to him, he grabbed my neck. I felt his warm, wet face as he whispered in my ear, "I want my mama!" I tried to stand, but Michael squeezed my neck even harder. Then I heard a rattle of footsteps on the corridor's metal floor. "Is that you, baby?" I couldn't see the woman behind me, but I heard the warmth in her voice. "Oh baby," she cried. "Come here. Grandma loves you so much. I need a hug, baby. Let go of that nice man." She knelt beside Michael and me. Michael's grandma stroked his arm. I smelled a hint of orange blossoms. "You've got folks waiting for you out there, Michael.. Do you know that you've got aunts, and uncles and cousins?" She patted his skinny shoulders and started humming. Then she lifted her head and sang. I wondered if the flight attendant told her what to sing, or maybe she just knew what was right. Her strong, clear voice filled the passageway, "Jesus loves me -- this I know..." Michael's gasps quieted. Still holding him, I rose, nodded "hello" to his grandma and watched her pick up the grocery bag. Right before we got to the doorway to the terminal, Michael loosened his grip around my neck and reached for his grandma. As soon as she walked across the threshold with him, cheers erupted. From the size of the crowd, I figured family, friends, pastors, elders, deacons, choir members and most of the neighbors had come to meet Michael. A tall man tugged on Michael's ear and pulled off the red sign around his neck. It no longer applied. As I made my way to the gate for my connecting flight, I barely noticed the weight of my overstuffed briefcase and laptop. I started to wonder who would be in the seat next to mine this time. .... And I smiled. ~By Jerry Seiden~

In the Middle of the Storm

My husband received really bad news last night, I need prayers. My husband's childhood friend, tried to commit suicide about three weeks ago, and he was taken to the hospital and has been on machines ever since. Well, we received news last night that they will be taking him off the machines today, because they don't think he will make it. This was a very hard blow to my husband, and I can't even imagine what my husband's friend's family is going through. Please keep my husband, his friend, and both families in your prayers.

That is why I chose this message for today...

In the Middle of the Storm

In the middle of the storm, I felt God smile
All my fears faded, if only for a while
Though it was dark and stormy, the tempest winds flew
In that darkest moment, I knew I'd make it through

I felt that peaceful smile, shine down from above
All in an instant, I was flooded with His love
The storm was not yet over, had a fight ahead
I had to take hold of the Bible words I'd read

Remember that He loves you, He shall never leave
Cast your cares upon Him, and in His name believe
He's the breath that I breathe, the Rock of Salvation
He's the Lord Almighty, God of all creation

So when your tempest hits, and darkness is around
Know that God is with you, and feel His peace deep down
Know that you can make it, that God will keep you strong
The darkness will fade and the Light will come along

Carry me through the day, Lord

My husband and I have started doing something called Water Therapy, and now I swish when I walk!! But honestly I have to tell ya, it is working out very well for me, and my hubby. We try to drink a gallon of water a day, and the first quart and a half is drank within the first 20 minutes of getting up. And let me tell ya, THAT WAS HARD!! For the first two day, I thought I was drowning, and that is a heck of a thing to go through when you first wake up!! But now it has been about 4 days since we both started it, and we are honestly feeling much better, except for the swishing part. I knew that neither one of us drank much water, so this was like jumping with both feet in (no pun intended). We both get up, and drink our trough of water, and we don't eat for an hour later, not that we are hungry after that, but we know our bodies have to run on something more than water. My husband has known a difference and so have I, we both actually feel pretty good. More or less, this is to show that most people's ailments are from being dehydrated, because we don't drink enough water. So, we are becoming more healthy, but our water bill is going up from all the flushing!!! I will keep ya updated on the progress!!

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Carry Me Through Today, Lord


Carry me through today, Lord
With gentle wings from above.
Carry me through today, Lord,
Let me feel your love.

I shall not worry about tomorrow,
Yesterday is gone.
Just carry me through today, Lord,
That's where I belong.

Through all my trials and troubles,
I know that you are there,
Sometimes it's hard to see you
Through each tear and care.

Carry me through today, Lord,
Don't let me slip away.
Tomorrow may be taken from me,
So carry me through today

Wanna Play 5 Questions??

I got this from Terri, and here is the 5 questions that she asked and 5 answers that I gave...

If you are interested here are the basics:

Leave me a comment saying “interview me.” I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. If you don’t have a valid email address on your blog, please provide one. you will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

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1) When you were a little girl.. what was your favorite place to for peace and quiet?

Honestly, I would go to my grandparents. We lived in a very small apartment, and I always loved talking to Pappy, but most of the time, he was very quiet, so it was perfect. And I just love spending time with my grandfather, and I now treasure every minute I did spend with him.


2)What do you do as a mother that you thought you would NEVER do as a mother?

UMMMMM...I can change a poopy diaper while eating, and I can clean up puke while eating. I can can change a diaper while the child is running around. I know I can't put that on a resume, but to me I am quite impressed!! I can multitask now, which I was never good at before being a mom, at all!!!!!


3)Do you have a special talent or skill that not many people know about?

In my private journal, I write in a way that I would not normally write. My private journal is between me and the Lord, and I look back and read some of what I have written, and I am impressed!! But that is something special that I only share with the Lord!!


4) What would I see if I opened your fridge at this very moment?

You would see that I need to go grocery shopping!!! My storage cabinets are full, but my fridge needs to be filled back up.


5)Backstreet Boys or N'Sync??

Neither, but if I had to choose I would choose N'Sync, because my step sister loved Backstreet Boys and now I can't stand them...LOL

God is ALWAYS in control

Well, my boys are well into their football season, and I am the loudest mom on the sidelines!! I cheer for the whole team!! I love my boys playing football, and football teaches them so much more then just plays. My middle boy had an away game, and I think he got bus sick, but he still played the entire game, and of course he yakked afterwards, but he did finish the entire game. That taught him perseverance, and not to give up, and stay with his task at hand. I told him I was very proud of him, and not once did he think of giving up. And my youngest, has learned that it's not cool to bully smaller kids. He is a bit of a bigger child and could easily bully, but he sees other smaller kids being bullied on the team, and he goes over and tells the bullies that, he would like to bully them. Well, they usually stop bullying, and they leave the little ones alone. I think that kids nowadays have lost the fun, and the learning experience, that can be learned from team sports.

It's not about the final score, it's about the path that was taken!!

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This is not a true story, but it is very heart warming story!!!

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A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on September 11th, 2003. His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words.

"A few weeks before September 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her.

Shortly after I said amen, we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.

I received a call from my father who was a retired New York fireman. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.

My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me. He was going to help. He said, "This is not something I can just sit by for. I have to do something."

I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, "Take good care of my grandchild." Those were the last words I ever heard my father say. He died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was.

He quickly grabbed my hand and said, "I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son."

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her.

My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, "There is something else you need to know."

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ.

I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so that mother and baby could live.

This story should help us to realize two things. First that God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of Heaven, but God is always in control.

And second is that though it has been several years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.

Please take time to share this amazing story with those you love.

You may never know the impact it may have on someone.

Safely Home-Remembering those from 9/11

SAFELY HOME

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I an now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! But Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

Two Horses

I received this in an email today, and it was so moving, I had to pass it along, so take a minute and read this awesome message.

Two Horses
Author - unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing...

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.

It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that ... you may not always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. And remember...

be kinder than necessary-
everyone you meet is fighting
some kind of battle.

Unchanging one

I have been surfing www.godtube.com today and I am having a ball!! My kids are fighting and screaming, but I have tunnel vision!! And I came across this video and I wanted to share this with you, because this has touched my heart so much!! Enjoy!!

Country Rules

I got this from a group that I am on(Thanks Jayedee!!), and I loved it so much I had to share it!!

THE COUNTRY RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap right, your head isn't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. That's why they smell to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-40 goes east and west, I-75 goes north and south. Pick one.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 cotton strippers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

6. So every person in the south waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of doves are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. Yeah, we eat catfish &; crawfish. You really want sushi & caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

9. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November

10. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.

11. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes:

meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup! Oh, yeah.... We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat... IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!

13. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair. ( don't you love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

14. College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards it spooks the fish.

16. Colleges? We have them all over. We have State Universities , Universities, and Vo-techs. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays.

17. We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. So don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best.

18. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump stuff ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1!

Boys and fighting

I know that kids fight, it is normal, or so they tell me. But for me it is not normal to lose my mind daily. My boys are notorious for fighting over silly things, and I say silly, because they are silly to me. There are a few fights that stick out in my mind, and the one that sticks out in my mind is the one that they fought over air. YUP, you read it right, they fought over air (now, I told you they have silly fights). I make candles, and sometimes the UPS guy gets in his commando gear to deliver my packages. I love seeing that brown truck, because I know it has goodies for me in it!! Well, anyway, on this particular day, I received some goodies, and my goodies were packaged with plastic bags puffed up with air (I know you know where this is going). And yes, there was only ONE!! And since I have two younger boys, and each of them wanted it, they fought over it. THEY FOUGHT OVER A BAG OF AIR!!! What is wrong with them? I try so hard to resolve the conflict like Donna Reed would had, but for some reason I wind up looking like some creature that would terrify Freddy Kruger!!

But I do have to say something in defense of my boys, they would take up for each other. There have been a few memories that I have of my boys taking up for each other, but there are two that stand out. My youngest was being picked on by a bully in the neighborhood, and my oldest (**my youngest and oldest DO NOT GET ALONG AT ALL!!**), went after the boy and chased him up on a roof!! I thought it was quite funny myself, I did get a good laugh out of that one. And another time was when my middle boy, was having a problem with a boy on another football team, and my youngest came out, eating a yogurt and he was listening to the partial story and all he said was, "What's his number?"(he was asking for his number on his football jersey). And my middle boy knew what he was saying, and he said, "oh, no you don't", I got a chuckle out of that one too.

I know that they will look back on all of these times and they will get a chuckle out of them too!!

Wisdom for the day ;)

I had to post this one!! I got it from a board that I am a member of, and it brought a smile to my face, and I had to pass it on!! Enjoy!!!

Wisdom

Women over 50 don't have babies because they would put them down and forget where they left them.

One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5lbs.

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends.

Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness.

I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my knickers.

Every 7 minutes of everyday, someone in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring.

Amazing! You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks 2 sizes!

Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like ... You know, sometimes I forget to eat! ......Now... I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys. But I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat.

A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills.. She has 14 kids but doesn't really care.

My body is not all that communicative but I heard from it the other day after I said "Body, how would you like to go to the six o'clock class of vigorous toning?" Clear as a bell my body said "Listen witch.....do it and die."


I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are: Eating too much; impulse buying and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

Made it through the first week of school and football practice

.....and it was in no way easy!!! I love this time of year, because I LOVE FOOTBALL!!! But for some reason the behind the scene work is not as fun. This week I dealt with bruises, that really look like the face mask on their helmets, and cleat marks, which are also quite distinct. Then there was the "Mom, I can't find my mouthpiece", and I just don't understand, if it was in your mouth, and you took it out and were told to put it in your duffle bag, where did it go?? Because I know my children always listen to me, don't yours?? But, for some reason, we never found the mouthpiece, and the coach did give him another one. And then, I have saved the best for last, the other football players on the team are stealing cleats. Now, this one I have not understood. If each boy has everything that they need, because of course everyone listens to their parents when they tell them something, why would you take a pair of cleats from another child?? Or even better, why do they only take one?? What is with that?? I have to check again, but I think every boy that is on the team has two feet.

Well, gotta break up a fight, I think they are fighting over air, or something really important!!