Well, let me begin by bringing you up to date on Pat’s Mom. We are all hoping, believing, and praying that she is going to completely recover and have many more happy, healthy years among us.

Pat and I crammed and jammed everything together and loaded Tonka 02 to the gills. We listened to weather reports, changed our route, and managed to get to Massena, NY in pretty good time. We ran through one kinda bad band of snow and ice, but ol’ Tonka stayed on the road (unlike some other vehicles we saw) and got us there safely.

Almost immediately, the family loaded Mom up and hauled her 140 miles to Burlington, VT. Weather was good. Quite a bit of snow on the ground, but the roads were very passable. We spent four days in an average motel, making short trips to the hospital. On Christmas day, we brought her home. There were some complications in medication and Mom had a terrible itching rash all over her body. What a bummer!

I had some free time during the day and found some beautiful sites to visit both in Massena and Burlington. Sparky had never performed in the snow but did a terrific job! It snowed almost every day, but it was gentle and quite beautiful to a couple of former northerners, now Floridians for about 30 years. I spent several afternoons riding around in the snow on Sparky on the banks of the St. Lawrence River/Seaway. I could look across right into Canada. Cold? You betchum, Red Ryder!

Perhaps the biggest problem I encountered involved two little squirty things on the hood and a large plastic container under the hood. Every time I get my oil changed, my main man tops off all the fluids, including the windshield washer stuff. It really helps keep Tonka’s windshield clean.

However, there is a different formula for the “bright blue squirty stuff” up north. It must have some kind of antifreeze component. My fluid froze. Big trucks were kicking slush, salt, and sand on my windshield, and I had trouble seeing. Most of the gas stations didn’t have any cleaning fluid or squeegees out during the winter. We were able to add a bit of the good stuff to the reservoir, but it only helped on the warmest days.

To my eye, both jugs look the same. Both contained “bright blue squirty stuff”, but they’re NOT the same! I told Pat that there had to be some kind of lesson for us in this windshield experience. Can we tell the difference between what works in one of the “climates” in our life, but won’t work in another? Can we adjust to the changes that we experience? How willing and able are we to change?

There are many other lessons in this. Will you share anything the Lord shows you through this piece? I would appreciate hearing from you very much.

– Enjoyed your new article. Wow, I’m honored and surprised that you chose my response to build your thoughts around. I have shared this with many over the years, but it took your “candles” piece for me to really think about how I hadn’t shared it with a key player – you!

– Just between you and me. I wholeheartedly agree with giving flowers and gifts “just because”. I have mentioned to you in the past that I have been in AA for a number of years now. I recently found out there was an “AA Bible.” After looking at it I bought two. The first I gave to a young woman I sponsor. I wrapped it and gave it to her in Sept. Just because. The second I gave to a good friend who is also in AA on my AA anniversary. We call it our birthday because we are reborn into sobriety on that day. She was tickled, but very surprised. It was my birthday and here I was, giving her a gift. Hey, I can give gifts on my birthday if I want to! So, yes, I agree, we should give gifts and flowers all year around. Because I love you is a good enough reason!

– Strange how I met you, Papa J. The Lord works in mysterious ways. I had read your piece about the young teen who was belittled by his grandfather and how you reacted to same. I was so happy how you confronted the situation.

I, too, live near a cemetery. I live in the valley and above me, a short walk away, is a beautiful cemetery which is well kept. I know many who are buried there. It seems such a waste to see God’s beautiful flowers thrown upon a grave site when many of the flowers could be donated to nursing homes or to the indignant. Why not donate one’s money to an organization and leave a simple bouquet at the grave site?

God gave us the beautiful flowers to enjoy – their beauty and fragrance makes one aware of Him and the wonderful things He has given us. All living things are connected. I’m glad that I share the name of your first wife, Joyce. It’s such a beautiful name. You are truly blest to have found Pat “through the Grace of God”.

– Enjoyed both your candle and your latest article. The principle by which you live – “Do it now, before it’s too late”, certainly hits home for many since the 9/11 tragedy. I was always a procrastinator in the “to do” group. It was always next month, next year, when I see her next time, or so many other “whenevers”.

But it seems the older I get, with the passing of time and the passing away of friends and relatives, that “whenever”, doesn’t last as long as it use to. I’m 51, and the days go by so much quicker. As a child, I always heard my grandmother say, if she was planning a trip, get together, etc., “Lord willing”, _____ it will happen. I used to think that it was a dumb saying. What could possible prevent her from going here or there or doing this or that. Now, I know exactly what she meant. And I think that after September’s tragedy, that statement could not be truer. Yes, we can make tentative plans, but we can never know for sure if our plans will materialize or not. There are no guarantees in life – except God’s love for us.

– Thanks for the update. It’s amazing the effect your writing has on folks. You do have a way with words…flavored by the Holy Spirit, of course. In the little town where I grew up, the cemetery was next to the school with the church close by. Often times I would cut through the cemetery on my way to the high school. While this practice may seem spooky to some, it didn’t bother me. I grew up in the Catholic church and as a child sang in the choir…for masses, weddings, funerals, too. It was all a part of life. I enjoyed helping the nuns clean the church and look after the candles at the altar…cleaning out the wax and putting in the fresh candles. You know, it’s been quite a while since I’d thought of that. All along the way, the Lord was leading me into a life of service to Him…in the little things…showing appreciation to those around you is important. Thanks for the reminder!

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