May Showers

The rains fell and the flooding began here in Tennessee this weekend. In Nashville Interstates 24 and 40 were closed both ways. We watched as a portable from a local school floated past stranded vehicles and some semi trucks on interstate 24 near Bell road. Surreal, devestating, overwhelming, just a few words expressed and personally felt by many Tennesseans this weekend and in the coming weeks as the Cumberland and Red Rivers have overflowed thier banks.
Southwest has cancelled flights into Nashville, the Opryland Hotel has been evacuated due to 12 inches of water on the bottom floor, many businesses have lost inventory and the interstates are parking lots. The rain fell and the waters climbed quickly before many were able to prepare for it. Emergency shelters have been set up everywhere and the hotels are full.
Locally in Clarksville, (we are about 45 minutes north of Nashville) we have several of our streets closed also. Down along Riverside Drive yesterday many businesses were loading up moving trucks with their equipment as they raced to beat the flood waters ever edging closer to their livelihood. The water is just under the bridge going up toward Boot Hill and the parking lot behind the old Two Rivers Mall has flooding. While we were amused watching the big trucks drive through it yesterday, we were consistantly reminded of the loss and devestation this overflowing of the river was causing homes and businesses. This morning we were told that this road was closed completely as the water has now crossed the road and is affecting the businesses on the opposite side of the street.
Along Madison Street there are several places where the water flows steadily across the roads. Down from the Kroger on Madison Street there were water rescue boats pulling people off of roof tops.  Over by the Dunbar Cave area, the water is across the road as the ducks swim happily across the streets. We were told of damage out toward Montgomery Central High school.  In the Northwest/New Providence area, there is flooding from ponds and creeks.  In the next county over, there were two lives lost as folks tried to merely get to their home.

Personally, we have flooding of our own. The only damage so far is loss of mulch.  We have a ditch between our home and our neighbors which has crested and overflowed its banks into both yards and through our flower beds. The huge ditch behind our whole subdivision is over its banks and has eeked into our backyard past our fence and under the kids club house. Some of this has slightly receeded, although we still have water moving slowly toward the ditch. We are so blessed and thankful that it is not affecting our home. We saw some water entering some neighbors garages and they were able to get everything up off the floor and so far its not into their living space yet.

A Tribute to my Friend

Today, once again I was reminded of how close we come to Heaven's gates. This morning on my way into work, I received a message that made me so sad, I had to pull over and put the car in park, call in and say I would be several minutes late. (thankfully, I have an understanding boss)
A dear friend of mine went home to be with our Lord this morning the message read. Pulling the car into a nearby parking lot, I quickly returned the call and then sent word into my office. As I bowed my head in prayer for the family, and the rest of those to whom this news would affect in the coming days, I wept. Tears for the loss of this dear man's life, but also joy for the knowledge and belief that he would be there in heaven along side many other dear ones to greet me one day.
Pulling myself together, I managed a smile as my mind flashed mental pictures, my memories of Mr. John Edmondson. Most are from working with him at First Baptist here in Clarksville. He was a staunch believer in Christ and I watched him hand out Bibles to visiting youth and adults that came into the rec center. He could be as tough as nails, and as fierce as a tiger, but I knew a secret..he was a gentle giant.  Anytime I brought him homemade peach cobbler..he would light up like I just gave him the winning lottery ticket. He shared his testimony with many and helped turn some messed up lives around. He was quick to admit he didn't always live the way he should have and had made many mistakes, but he was working on repairing relationships and building up new ones. He loved his family and was quick to remind me to put mine second only to my relationship with the Lord. Not much could get past him, he could size a person up just by looking at them. Amazingly accurate he was.
Several years ago, he gave me one of his cards with his information on it and asked me to put his number in my cell phone. I must have taken too long in response as he looked at me and said, "Young lady, I didn't stammer. Are you going to stand there all day and gawk at me or are you going to do this?" I responded quickly by adding his number to my phone. It is still there today. He then told me that I was to call him if I ever needed anything. He was my protector too, as he often would personally walk me to my car whenever I worked after dark. His number came in handy many times! I will miss his advice and guidance.
My friend was called to his eternal home today...and while I no longer will be able to get my traditional bear hug, I know he is on heavenly patrol and finally in no pain. I will miss you my friend. Until we meet again....

I'm scheduling some Four leaf clover time...

Have ya ever wondered where your week went? Whew! I've been hopping between piano practice and soccer games and the kids various social events like mad lately!
Throw in two part time jobs, housework, and church activities and I loose focus of what is important! Yes, what I am busy with is important and some of it is necessary to provide a living for our family. But man, when God brings ya back, it is a jolt.
I've got friends who themselves, or a close family member has had major surgery, or found out they have a life threating disease, or had a child attempt suicide. They were all busy people too, who were too busy for the slower, more meaningful things of life; until life got in the way and they are once again reminded of how short life can be.
This puts the 'drama' created by others that bounce in and out of our lives in check. What to wear for a party, what flowers to plant, working overtime on the hope the boss will notice..all dim when a life is on the line.
I've written all this to say, don't forget to schedule some time to do the important stuff. The stuff that you will not regret doing when you are faced with your immortality.
Our son, Cory loves to find four leaf clovers. He delights in it. There aren't many days that go by without me having one or two he has brought in to show me. I used to praise him and go about my business. I stopped that here lately. I have pressed a few and put them about in places that I need a visual reminder to stop and breathe.
What do the leaves symbolize? Here is a snippet from an article I read about them:

One leaf is for FAITH... The second for HOPE...

The third for LOVE... And the fourth for LUCK!

In Irish tradition the Shamrock or 3-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.


History of the four leaf clover:

The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old. According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.



"The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits." Clover Science and Technology". N.L. Taylor, 1985.

Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing.

The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.

So, if you are to look at my calendar these days, you will observe some time I have set aside for what's important, under the title..four leaf clover...