Merry Christmas friends, loyal readers, and those just dropping by. It’s been an amazing year full of life and it’s trappings and even a couple of deaths. There have been tumor scares, shrink visits, and disease. This year found me making donations, bailing people out and falling out at a very nice Christmas bonus.  That after worrying if I’d have my job through till the end of the year.

Life has its ups and downs. It is and always has been a mixed bag. Each day a chance to win the lottery or pass onto your final resting place. This year though, all things considered, I consider myself and my family blessed.

Blessed for me has taken on a whole new meaning for me this year. In the past, I considered it a great year if no one died AND I got a big raise and a bonus. Oh, on individual days I felt blessed but just as many days I felt cursed or beat up on.  Often felt like I was ready to go to my final resting place and save the world the trouble.

Don’t ask me what brought on the change. It wasn’t a smack in the face experience. There was no come to Jesus moment or words from a friend. Can’t even blame one of those killer hangovers either.

Blessed is no longer something that’s dependent on circumstances. It’s become about realizing my life is a blessing as well as the life that awaits. Both are immense blessings. Along with that I’ve taken ownership of the fact that life isn’t supposed to be perfect, great, full of wealth, free of fear.

Life is meant to be a rough and tumble ride. Sometimes slow. Sometimes at breakneck speeds. I’m going to fall, family members will suffer, but the next day will bring joy to make my heart burst.

I’m no Peter, a master of contentment in all circumstances. Far from it, but this quote has a lot power for me these days.

At the end of my life I don’t want to pass quietly into the night. I want to slide in sideways kicking and screaming “WOW What An Awesome Ride!”

I didn’t want a boring ride anyway; do you?  Heck, I want to take it up a notch this year.  Likely that means those little bumps are going to hit harder and the dips will bottom out rougher but the highs will be shout worthy.

Hope this little Christmas rant hasn’t left you too bored or depressed. I’m happy and celebrating as this year wraps up.  I want to share a few things with you though; some Christmas links from my Twitter family.

@acummings - Merry Christmas from Portsmouth NH – Decked Out Downtown

@swbuehler – Christmas with Empty Hands

@elsicomoro – Be Kind

@RoraBorieAlice – 7 Years Ago Tonight

@stlwebdesign - 12 days of Christmas from your St Louis Web Designer

@abiteofsanity – Sisters XV

@debworks – Alone on Christmas

@SheilaS - It’s tamale time for the holidays!

@JessicaGottlieb – And a Very Merry

Bea Dobbs Carter passed from this mortal coil on Friday, June 5th. She was my mother-in-law these past 25 years. On Tuesday, June 9th, we laid her body to rest in Forge Ridge, Tennessee.

She leaves behind Charles, her husband of 56 years, Wayne, Tommy, Jerry, Cathy, and Sharon, my wife. More than that, many grandchildren and great grandchildren survive her. Cousins, and siblings as well will be mourning the loss of Bea.

Bea Dobbs Carter was a woman brought up in faith and it never left her. She was fortunate enough to marry Charles Carter, also a deeply spiritual person. They were involved in many churches throughout their lives. It was Brother Steve, a former pastor from St. Peters, Missouri, that came to officiate over her memorial service.

During her memorial, we heard several songs, one of those is a favorite of mine as well, Amazing Grace. I know it was a song that had she been there, she’d have sung with all her might. Another song, Calvary, was also sung, and it’s a favorite of mine as well.

The Bible was no strange book to Bea. They were able to share several of her favorite verses during the memorial and funeral. One of those though was her most favorite and those in attendance felt best described her life, 1 Corinthians 13, specifically, verses 1-7, and 13.

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

An amazing chapter of the Bible. It’s one of my personal favorites as well.

Bea and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but we always agreed that family, especially her daughter and grandchildren, came first. Her family was the number one thing in her life.  She would do anything for them, and did.  From feeding, housing, and rescuing, Bea has done it all for her family.  She’s been there for births, deaths, marriages, and even divorces and never turned one of them away.

Today I don’t mourn for Bea. I celebrate her passing from this Earth to Heaven, to set at God’s table next to Jesus.  She believed in God, Heaven, and salvation by faith through grace, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I’m not asking you to believe with me, but to at least share the joy of her and her family’s belief in this resurrection and reward.

Her family is sad but thankful, and will go on.  They’ll be sharing stories about her for generations to come.  Even my youngest granddaughter, only 4,  felt close to Bea.

Hopefully you’ll take away from this some appreciation for her, or perhaps someone dear to you.  If so, go and share that today.

Just one son-in-law,

Todd

Bea’s obituary