Visitation

Yesterday was one of heat and humidity that discouraged outdoor activities.  I don't mind sweating in the sun when necessary but have never been one to seek out the heat without purpose.  I found things to do inside where the air conditioning was working quite well.

We had made plans to meet some friends who were camping out at the lake sometime in the afternoon and I was dreading it.  I knew that sitting around visiting in the heat would be uncomfortable, even in the shade.  There was virtually no breeze to stir the air and the humidity remained high throughout the day.  I was not excited.

When I say that they were camping at the lake I mean that they were there in their RVs with most of the comforts of home.  In fact, we waited until after they had all taken an afternoon nap in those air conditioned "campers" before venturing out to meet them.  I thought camping meant tents and campfires and mosquitos and no shower.  That's not what is considered camping anymore.

When we arrived, we set out our camp chairs and joined the group in the shade of several large trees.  Fortunately, there was an occasional light breeze that helped to cool us off -- especially if you stood up and let it blow through sweat-dampened shirt.  Even the birds were quiet for the most part as they drowsed in the shade high in the trees.  I suspect they had a little more breeze at that height.

Despite the slight discomfort, it was an enjoyable visit.  As sunset neared the temperature began to drop and it became much more pleasant.  However, by then it was time to break up and go our separate ways.  Little did I know that a campfire and late-night fun was not in the plan.  I guess gray hair affects behavior more than our minds want it to....

Below is a late afternoon view of Pat Mayse Lake from near where we sat in the shade.

Threads in Common

Is there something as we age
That causes us to reach
Way deep inside to things from the past?

It seems our memories
Oft improve with passing time
Into images throughout our life to last.

It takes only a few words
To invoke a vivid scene
When the picture in our mind is strong and pure

And the common thread between
The way we each have lived our lives
Brings connections that through many years endure.

Deeper Conversations

A part of my job is sales.  It isn't what most people think of as sales, because it requires that a relationship be developed that includes a high level of trust.  I have no desire to merely sell a product to someone, I want to make my customer's life easier and I can only do that if I can deliver value to them.

Over time, what began as a business relationship can develop into friendship.  We often claim friendship with others with whom we enjoy spending time, but frequently it is a fairly shallow type of friendship.  It is rare that you can truly relate to someone on a level which allows you to talk of important things such as faith and struggles.

I had the good fortune today to spend time with someone I consider a friend.  We met this afternoon in a business setting, but were able to spend some time together this evening talking about family, faith and some of the struggles we deal with -- much of it work related, but some of which was not.  I value such times.  They are a reminder that there is more to life than work and things.

Life is better when we take the time to build relationships that allow for deeper conversations.

1 John 4:11
Prov. 27:17

Pondering Blogging and Neighbors

I decided last Saturday morning to try and post something every day on this blog.  This is day number seven.  A week isn't very long and yet it has sometimes been difficult, even in that short span, to come up with something new to write about each day.

When I first started the blog, on February 8, 2007, I resolved to post something every day for 30 days to establish the habit of blogging.  I missed very few days for the first year.  I guess part of my struggle with what to write each day is that over time since that beginning, I have posted (counting this one) 590 entries and it is very easy to be redundant.

This morning, one of the things that comes to mind is Facebook.  Earlier this morning I was having a Facebook chat with Hama, our guide when I went to Niger in 2009.  He is now working as a translator for a Children's Hospital in Niamey.  I also had a message through our graduating class group regarding plans for a reunion this summer.  Yesterday, I traded messages with a classmate that I haven't seen since our 10-year reunion -- which was more than a few years ago.  Also this morning, I exchanged comments with a friend who is passing through Boston and then wished a happy birthday to a musician friend who just got back from a tour.

When I stop and think about those things I marvel at the wonderful utilization of technology.  With a laptop computer, the Internet, and a social networking site like Facebook, the world is literally at my fingertips.  Yet, in many ways we are out of touch with the people next door.  It seems that it is easier to chat with a friend in Niger over the Internet than it is to walk over to the neighbor's house and say, "Hi!"  Just something to ponder......

Chris

A Relevant Reminder

Relevance is something we all seek but, very few find.  We all want to make a difference -- to be noticed -- recognized.  Most seek it in their accomplishments.  It's like the little kid on the bicycle saying, "Look at me!"

What makes one relevant?  It truly is making a difference.  The trouble is, most seek to make a difference by what they do.  The truly relevant make a difference in those around them.  They pour their lives into others.

I was reminded of that today.

http://lubbockonline.com/interact/blog-post/freddy-stockdale/2010-11-04/theres-reason-why-mr-mcclure-doesnt-remember-me

Belonging to the Facebook Community

Facebook:
Re-connect the dots
Of times past
With friends
Not forgotten
Just neglected

Community:
A belonging
In times past
With friends
Now neglected
Or forgotten

Belonging:
Desired
But missed
Because friends
Forget
In our neglect

Is the cyber-age the answer to a lost art?
I don't think so.

Entering the Social Networking Age

I have joined the Social Networking age by starting a Facebook page. I have already connected with classmates and friends from years back that I had totally lost touch with. It has been both interesting and fun.

I have been skeptical of such Social Networking sites, but I now understand the appeal. In fact, I sometimes find myself chatting with others who are signed on. It has been insightful and informative.

No, facebook isn't paying me to post this. I am doing it because it has impacted me.

Road Trips and Fellow Bloggers

I am finally back in the office for a day
After a good while on the road.
As usual after such lengthy trips
Accumulated items make quite a load.

I've spent the day just trying
To whittle down the pile
But finally reached a point
Where I needed a break for a while.

It was a very productive trip
These few days I was gone
I watched my son give a speech
And visited with the in-laws.

But also there was work
Which was one purpose of the trip.
A Trade Show and some meetings
That went by at quite a clip.

The highlight was a visit
From a fellow blogging friend
Who dropped by to say hello
And I'm truly glad he did.

He brought along his children
And introduced them as well.
That they are a solid kind of family
Was quite easy to tell.

If you have a little extra time
While browsing on the web
Stop by his blog and say hello
I think you will be glad you did.

Bob

Bob is a cattleman
That ranches west of town.
He's one of those on whom
You rarely see a frown.

If you need a volunteer
To get a project done
Immediately you think
That Bob is the one

To put in charge because
That's where you normally find
Him. Taking kids to Lions camp
Or doing something kind

For one of the older folks
In town who can't quite
Get around much anymore.
Or if you watch you might

Catch him on a Sunday
Heading to Amarillo
For the prison ministry
Where he's a regular fellow

Sharing with those
Who need someone to care
In a place
Where many won't dare

To be seen. And if
There's a church cookout
He's the one to volunteer
To bring his grill out

And spend all day cooking
So the folks can enjoy
A wonderful meal
Cooked by this good ol' boy.

Yep, Bob's a good friend
Who gets much out of life.
He has a couple of kids
And a loving wife.

He can play the drums
Or ride his "bike" with chrome spokes,
But he seems to be happiest
Helping out other folks.

Detour

When you move frequently
It is difficult to maintain
Friendships with those
From whom you move away.
It takes effort to maintain
The relationship.
It is always rewarding
But never easy.

Today I made the effort
And it was a wonderful
Side-trip to my travels.
It was only for a couple of hours
But it felt as though the connection
Was renewed and re-energized.

Not only did we visit
But I got the grand tour
Of the new home they are building
That overlooks a beautiful valley
With a creek flowing through.
It is an outstanding site on a hill.
The house is positioned
To maximize the view.
It is uniquely designed
Of native stone
With terraces and a veranda.
I am happy for them.

Friends

Sometimes
Friends let us
Be ourselves when
We shouldn't let them know
Who/what we really are,
But it is good
To have someone
Who can see you when
You aren't what you show
The world
And still accept
That you are what
You claim to be.

Treasure

Good food,
Good friends,
Good conversation
And time to enjoy
Occasionally
What God has provided.
That's why we
Must always remember
It's in the relationships
We develop,
Not in the things we own,
The we build
Our treasure.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt. 6:19-21