Life

Bad news this morning, my SBA friend Bill has fallen and has to start all over again with physical therapy, he can't even stand,  He had been recovering well from a previous stroke and his wife Susan had  quit work to be with him 24/7.  Their life changed so dramatically from their skiing, traveling, full life.  Bill was such a healthy, physically fit man, a good Christian man who cared so much for family and friends.    Why we always wonder do good people have bad things happen to them.  He has spent a lot of time in physical therapy already and now he has to start all over.  He won't be able to be a ski instructor with his friends this year.  Even though he was only two years younger than me he was fit for this and loved it.

On the other hand I received a Christmas card from Richard's dear friend Vernon.  His dear wife died about the time Richard did.  He is at least 10 years older than I am.  He married last year  to the lady who lived across the street and is very happy.  What is amazing to me is how busy and active he has always been and still is.  Travels around the country in his camper for months every summer visiting friends and fishing.  His wife went with him this year.  Each week they entertain family at home and out.  They make regular trips to the hospital to cheer others and to the graveyard with flowers for loved ones.   They go to shows and other entertainment.  He lives like a young man, loves life and is extremely healthy.  Interestingly, as wealthy as he has always been, he has lived in a mobile home for years so a house and yard have not stolen his time of doing exactly what he wants to do with his life.  He is even writing western stories now, too.

Then their is my dear friend Myrna who has a problem with falling and so her 3 million dollar home in Manhattan Beach sits empty while she is in a convalescent home!!!  Myrna loved to dance, but no more.  She has lots of money but no place to use it.  She has always had many friends but can't go visit them or entertain them like she used to do.

When I walked into the Dollar Store the other day I glanced at a lady who had just come out.  She was much younger than I but very ragged and unkempt, very sad.  Looked like she was homeless.

Yesterday on the Dr. Phil show a very impressive 41 year old woman and her 37 yr old brother met the man who had killed their parents.  The woman was 7 when her mother was shot and she had to testify against the man in court.  Her father died 7 years later from injuries sustained that fateful day a drunken friend shot both of the parents.  The daughter said her father just could not live without his mother.  He had been a pastor and the woman and brother said their parents taught them about love and forgiveness.  The woman and man were amazing in their attitude of forgiveness and life skills they lived.   Her husband said she is the strongest person he knows.  She has written a book about it and the hateful third party person who had caused it all.  The book is called "The Devil in Pew 7".

Everyone has such different experiences and challenges, such different lives to live and who is to say who is doing the best job with what they were given.  As my granddaughter Meagan says, "everyone is just doing the best they can".  We like to believe that but life seems a lot harder for some people than others.  As Sister Parmely once said, "The Lord never said life would be fair, He just said He would be with you."  I hang on to that.