From My Front Porch

Life's stories connect lives

Saying Good-bye to Sheila

I would have said…

The Pohl gals’ annual cookie day. I was privileged to spend two of those days watching these beautiful ladies bless others with special treats.

…I love you… but I actually did; even if I hadn’t … Sheila knew that.

…you make me a better person … but Sheila knew that.

…I love that you listen to me cry over my children and don’t judge my parenting … but Sheila knew that.

…I need more friends like you … but Sheila knew that friendships like ours don’t happen often.

…you make me feel more confident … but Sheila had a way of making everyone believe they could do anything.

…I feel comfortable with you … but Sheila made everyone feel comfortable.

Had I known my conversation last weekend with my sweet friend Sheila would be my last, I would have said… exactly what I did say because Sheila brought that out in me.

I have nothing to say in goodbyes that I didn’t say during her life, and I didn’t need her to say anything that she hadn’t already said.

Tonight, I mourn my own loss and rejoice that she will not suffer a long, drawn out battle with the cancer that mercifully took her today as she slept, unaware the end of this mortal life had come. I pray for her faithful husband Allan, her son Kevin and his wife Lauren, and her sweet Emily and her husband John. We have this hope in Christ Jesus, that we shall see our sister Sheila again.

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

…and that’s the view from My Front Porch

Mrs. Fred Goes to China – Part 2

“You’ve never traveled internationally, and for your first trip, you picked China?” My world-traveling friend marveled at the adventure awaiting me and gave me advice for mitigating jet-lag.

He was right. I might have fared better had I traveled to Europe first, but I’ve always been an all-in sort of gal. Off I went on a nearly 16-hour flight with a group of people I had never met. [Read more…]

Mrs. Fred Goes to China

Note: This post was written before my departure, but I did not want people knowing I was leaving the country until after I returned. I will write more about the trip in the coming weeks.

Todd and I have teased our children and grandchildren for years when they constantly ask, “Where’s Mom–or Grandma?” He always tells them she went to China. Imagine their confusion next week when I actually do. [Read more…]

Life’s Stop Lights

I drove home from a friend’s house Sunday, and I hit the stop lights on our main drag just perfectly to make sure every subsequent light turned red just as I arrived. At each stop I rolled my eyes realizing if I had just sped up a little before that first one, they would all have stayed green long enough for me to make it home five minutes faster.

No harm came from those extra five minutes, other than my own impatience, but the extra time did allow me some reflection. [Read more…]

Unclogging Arteries

“Are you talking to me? Todd often asks from the other room when I’ve thought of something random he simply must know. I just forget that something is blocking our conversation. Fortunately, for us, it’s just a physical wall or two.

Strong relationships demand clear communication. Often, daily frustrations come between parties and keep them from enjoying the freedom from misunderstanding. Sometimes simple things like bills or tight schedules get in the way, and we experience relief when that struggle passes. [Read more…]