It's Just a Matter of Time

I preplanned taking my watch in for repair while I was in Tulsa last week. My jeweler recognized me, and my watch, though it’s been years since going in to see him. As a matter of time AND fact, 13 years. He keeps good records. This 18 kt gold watch is a treasured possession that my sweetheart gave me on my 50th birthday. He planned that occasion in meticulous ways. First, his quest was to find a watch that would be lasting and meaningful. He found this one in a small jewelry store and had it engraved "Donna, with all my love, Ron '98". It was a "matter of time" and effort to find this special gift for me.

Because this birthday wasn’t just a milestone – but a many-mile-stone, he went to the nth degree of sacrifice and love to make this birthday memory lasting. He made a big deal of that 50th birthday. First, he took me out to dinner and when we made it home, there were many friends and family to surprise me with their love. All these memories flooded my heart when I went into that clock/watch repair store. I've always been a sap for sweet mementos. In fact, I still have the first charm bracelet and charm he gave me on my 13th birthday, the small diamond pendant from my 16th birthday and our love letters to each other.

One of our favorite songs was "Unchained Melody" sung by the Righteous Brothers and the words went like this: "Time goes by so slowly, and time can do so much, are you still mine? I need your love. I need your love. God speed your love to me!" Those words amuse me now, because no longer does time go by slowly. But back when we were engaged – time was as slow as molasses and then after we married, waiting for our baby boy to be born – seemed like forever. But now, goodness gracious, the old saying, “Time flies”, is truer than ever for me.

That’s why I purposely make the most of my time. Writing this daily blog, sending text messages to those I love and those who could use an encouraging word. That’s why I went to Tulsa last week to make my time count with family and friends. And, that’s why I’ll be going to Austin next week to spend precious TIME with my family there!

While that precious, treasured watch is dear to me, I know "It's just a matter of time" that I'll get to go to heaven. I know it will not go with me. No earthly treasures will. But, I am absolutely certain that the TIME I spend on this earth, if I make my TIME count for God, there will be unimaginable treasures that await me. The precious treasures that matter are His kids and if I am spending TIME pursuing them and loving them and showing them the way to heaven, my treasure chest in heaven will be full. It really is "just a matter of time" before we'll be there in all of heaven's splendor and glory -- where REAL TIME only begins.....AND never ends. Let's make this time here count for eternity!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

What Does 50 Look Like?

Well, to our boys -- with an onery streak -- it looks like these remarks to their dad:
"Dad, you might need to get a walker for the next trip." and with an add-on from another brother, "with the tennis balls on the bottom". After Ryan was crying from the sheer emotion of love given to him, Braden (the firefighter/paramedic) said, "Dad, at your age now, you better watch out with all that crying because it'll be harder to bounce back from all the dehydration." Brennan said, "Do you need help crossing the road?" "Can you hear me now?" Another said to his Mom, "Seriously, Mom, have you thought about getting a ramp put in the pool for Dad now?" Ryan and the boys were getting ready to run on the beach. Ryan was stretching and said, "Wow my hips are tight." Braden said, "Now at your age, Dad, you gotta' be careful about hip fractures." Brennan announced, "Dad, I just want you to know I'll take care of you when you're 90." Ryan took it all in with grace. LOL!

Aside from the "50" expected humor, Ryan was celebrated by all with our traditional "special plate" time at breakfast. Each one of us shared what he means to us. which is always a time of tenderness and emotion -- going both ways. When it came to my turn, I talked about the sweet time I had putting together all the photos for the RKW photo collage. Every photo came with a flood of memories about the blessings and joys this 50-year-young man has brought to me over the years.

Precious Shawntel made sure every detail was taken care of -- from M&M's with "I love you", "Happy 50th" and his picture on them, to 50 roses, 50 decor', 50 balloons, 50 notes of "What Dad means to me" from the kids, a breakfast of his absolute favorite -- Huevos Rancheros (eggs, tortilla, beans, special sauce, avocado, and cheese) to the hotel's Happy 50th marked with stones on the sand at the beach.

After breakfast, we reminisced about the 100+ baby sea turtles that we had seen released into the ocean the night before. It was quite the wildlife moment to watch and realize that, had they not been rescued, they would have been eaten by seagulls or crabs. We learned there are four more nests on the beach by Mama & Papa sea turtles.

Ruth, Braden, Brennan, Bryson and ME -- throughly enjoyed the opportunity to go parasailing. Not at 50, but 68 (ME) went up, up and away, and the parasail workers said, "You're amazing -- not many your age would consider going up." Okay that made me feel good "for your age"....or NOT! LOL! Look what remarks Ryan can look forward to in the years to come!

Last night was the birthday finale as we enjoyed a beautiful meal by torch-light on the beach, Mexican singers playing their guitars, a few dance moves by some of us, and we all toasted this man who continues to be relentless in making a difference in our lives and in this world.

Here's my answer to the question, "What does 50 look like?"

1) You get a "Welcome to AARP" from AARP -- LOL! So, you get "carded" again -- once it was to prove you're 21, and now it's to prove you're over 50. At 50, card-carrying Ryan becomes eligible for some pretty sweet senior discounts through AARP.

2) At 50 you see that you've done a pretty good job with your kids. I like the line from Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses" that says "For all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right." I know that Ryan sees his kids as really awesome people because before this year, he enjoyed lots of friends to celebrate with him. This year -- he wanted to enjoy his family. It is an amazing thing to see my kids enjoying their kids.

3) 50 looks like appreciating each new day more -- taking in the simplest things like the cool breeze in the morning and the fresh rain that came overnight -- to the extraordinary miracle things. For example, on the first day here, Braden lost his wedding ring in the ocean. After looking for such a long time, each one wrote it off as a loss -- but Ryan didn't. He spoke to people who work along the beach area and told them to keep an eye open for it. Two days later, yesterday -- on Ryan's birthday -- he watched as one of the workers reached down and with a big smile on his face, brought the "lost" ring to Ryan. Ryan was able to use that story as a teaching opportunity about God's love for His kids.

4) At 50, capturing memories is dearer than ever before. Having a home where many special occasions will take place, and always looking for ways to improve upon the comfort and fun you'll have together with your family and friends there. Making vacations count. For most of us, we don't have luxury homes or vacations, but it's not all the luxury items, but, "home" is memories, laughter, celebrations of life. That's what we think when we're 50+.

5) At 50, you start thinking....what can I do that leaves a mark that I've been here. Indelibly imprinted on many people's lives are the people who took the time to encourage and inspire them. Encouraging and inspiring others becomes a mode of operation for those who desire to "leave footprints in the sand" that others can follow.

6) At 50, you are very aware of your mortality -- especially if you have friends that have already passed from this life. It's a good thing to think about the days we have left here on this side of heaven, because it makes us very aware of living each day with gusto, gratitude AND grit. Grit meaning to full-on determination and perseverence to finish strong.

7) At 50, we suddently become a fountain of wisdom. Younger people just assume since you’ve lived this long and avoided living under a bridge somewhere, that you must have some valuable insights for them. I loved it when I heard Braden asked his dad if he could share his "CEO Mentality" philosophies on his website. It's the perfect time to remember who your mentors were and why, and then emulate them. The wise "young" age 50 sage, Ryan, gave us lots of words of wisdom last night.

8) At 50, we admit the mistakes we made along the way, and reckon with how best to rectify them -- by asking for forgiveness from God and others we may have failed. Someone who is truly in touch with their frailities as well as their triumphs is one who acknowledges that they faltered, yet, came back better than ever. I loved hearing Ryan asking for forgiveness from his family for the times he may have faltered as a dad and husband and asked for forgiveness. That, my friends, is a true witness of a leader worth following.

9) At 50, we realize we don't always have to be the one that 's right all the time. By now you don't give a rip what others think about you and your opinions and you can always veer to letting others speak their mind AND let their mind be set on what they think.

10) At 50, we can stop sweating the small stuff like "what will they think if I wear that shirt and pants?" or whether you bought that pair of jeans at Target or Nordstrom's, or whether your child is an honor student or barely passing student. Not worrying about the small stuff gives our minds time to ponder more important questions of life like “How can I be a better person?”

Turning 50, to some, is just another year -- just another birthday, but for those who live with destiny and "eternity" in mind, it means waking each day with realizing God's mercies are new every morning so why not take in those mercies and pass those mercies on to others who need heroes, mentors, and role models to show them the way of thanksgiving and gratitude for this life given to us by God. Whether we are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90.....our lives aren't about the numbers. How old we are and who we are is God's gift to us. Who we are becoming, is our gift back to God and to others.

Celebrating the Gift of Life

Round and rround she goes, where she stops nobody knows. That's me that I'm talking about. On the road again....in the air again. Yesterday I travelled to Mexico to be a part of sweet family celebrations for my son's 50th birthday. This milestone birthday would seem to big enough to invite the Who's Who folks from far and wide, but I love that my son wanted to have just his immediate family, and thankfully, ME, for a quiet, yet momentous time together of celebrating what's and who's most important to him. If there's anything I know from turning 50, I know it is a "reset" time. when we have the experience and good judgement to know about ourselves and we start to look at the ending of our life from this side -- so gauging our desires and our strengths, we get to adjust, balance and alter any areas that need altering. It's a time of marvels on every hand and great richness and beauty, because our eyes seem to open to the preciousness of where we've come from to where we're going. The length of our days don't seem near as important as the quality of the days and who we're with in those days. I remember 50, and it was great, but a little secret I have for those yet to get there, 60 is even sweeter!

We're already having precious times of reminiscing, and as any youngster would do to their dad at occasions like this -- Ryan is hearing a few over the hill jokes, with a whole lotta' a lot love thrown in. I'm so grateful to be here for this milestone celebration. Today is his birthday eve (tomorrow is the big day -- the 24th). I'll talk more about this birthday man tomorrow, but he already knows how celebrated he is -- with signs around the hotel and 50 red roses in their room and enjoying his favorite food of choice EVER -- Mexican!! Shawntel hasn't missed a thing in giving Ryan an over-the-top celebration of the gift of his life. So many surprises await him.

Here's what "beyond 50 and more" means to me. Life really is a great adventure when you turn life over to the One Who created it. Not to miss out on any assignment He has for me, I watch, chat, ask questions, and listen for strategic divine appointments along the way. Two young Mexican men -- one beside me on my flight to Mexico City and one who drove me to the hotel happened to be "my assignment" for yesterday. I sometimes feel like one of Charlie's Angels asking for their next assignment. LOL! Both men probably wonder what hit them because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share my "beyond 50 years" wisdom with them about how to make the most of life and love and how to receive God's ultimate best for them.

Both young men have girl friends and both are desiring to marry them soon, which opened up the door to ask about their faith foundation and their trust in God and being the man of God that does the right thing in loving God with all their hearts, so they can love their future wives with all their hearts.

The first young man didn't want to attend church any more because he had looked at people instead of to God. People disappointed him. People let him down. How unfortunate that God is often misjudged by His kids. Kids will disappoint. God doesn't, but still, He gets short-changed by those whose lights have diminished. Oh that we would let His light shine through us so that we make Him famous by the lives we live -- acting and looking like our Heavenly Father.

I like to think that just maybe those two young men were "divine set-ups". God needed a voice to speak His love to them, and yesterday it came in the form of a mama giving a nudge -- actually a shove to push them into the arms of God Who was waiting with arms open wide to two of His beloved sons. I like to think that just maybe their pathway will brighten -- just because someone took the time to bring light to their lives. I like to think I planted a few seeds that just might bring a harvest of blessings to them. It may have seemed I was simply on my way to celebrate my boy, when God threw in a little "divine appointment" for celebrating His life with two of His boys.

So today, Lord? I'm going to be giving thanks for my boy -- but just in case You need another messenger, my hand is raised, Lord.....choose me!