Seizing the Moments

I responded to an “SOS” call from my son on Tuesday about their youngest, 11-year old Bryson, who was very sick and because they were going out of town the next day, they needed Nana. There are very few things, if any at all, that would keep me from putting anything else more important than to SEIZE THE MOMENT and go. Within 45-minutes, I was on my way and while my son offered to fly me down, the drive is much less hassle than the rigors of a commercial flight. When I arrived, little man was quiet, curled up in a ball, and it was Nana time with that sweet little man.

Next morning, his mom and dad were on their way and it was time for a lot of TLC love and cuddling – I take it ALL in with pleasure and delight. I know how quickly time flies and to be able to embrace these moments, is such a gift to me. I knew I would be there just that day and head back home to my routines, when my Bryson started begging “Nana, can I go home with you?” He knew that the family would be driving up this weekend for Brennan’s baseball tournament in McKinney (about 30 minutes from my home). I didn't take him seriously because he's quite the “mama” boy and I thought he’d change his mind, but I found out he had texted his hom nine times begging to go back to Frisco with me. They made it back home late Wednesday night and when Bryson woke up Thursday morning, he ran to his mom, still begging to go home with me. Bryson is home-schooled and she told him to ask Nana if she could wait until after his classes, he could. I was still in shock at this new-found freedom of unlatching from his mom. I was delighted.

Suddenly that quiet, sickly little boy that I saw the day before, was excited beyond words and quite amenable to any and everything that was asked of him. He had a plan and the plan came together. First stop of his plan: Buc-ee’s for a root beer and vanilla float. Then it was non-stop conversation all the way back to Frisco. I was in a state of shock. Never has Bryson been in the car with me alone before for any real length of time without his brother – who is the master of conversation. Bryson would always give way to his big brother’s verbocity. But, this trip, he was a chatterbox, telling stories and expressing ideas and thoughts like I had NEVER heard out of him before. He was definitely a travel companion that kept his driver wide awake. He didn’t even want to play games on his phone.

We made it back to Frisco and he wanted to see his cousins and their pets first, and then it was to Dollar Tree. It’s hilarious. I give him $5 to spend and it’s an adventure for him. Cousin Alexia just got her driver's license and was excited to be our driver. We tucked into bed and then it was one of our favorite times – to watch one of Nana’s Hallmark movies. What can I say? He’s a man after my own heart!

I love this season of my life. In fact this morning, for the first time ever I changed “work” on my FB profile to “retired”. I never wanted to say that word because it seemed to identify those who are sitting in a rocking chair and getting nowhere. I had new thoughts about “retired” over the last couple of days. My new definition of retired is “freedom to be ‘on-call’” anytime and in any place for God and WHOEVER He sends me to. It’s freedom to seize the moments like never before, and most of all, to live with no regrets. I’ll be seizing more moments when my Austin family make their way here for Brennan’s baseball tournament this weekend. SWEET!!!

I keep my phone in hand as my camera to "capture that moment" so that I "have no regrets" about that once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. Rarely do I miss the opportunity to take up a friend's invitation to go somewhere or do something with them. I do my best to listen for God's voice telling me to call or email or text someone, or even go see someone to give a word of good news and cheer. Seizing the moments. Life is just too short not to be that breath of fresh air that someone needs so much. Often, it's easy to say “I’m too tired or too busy to go there or to do that.” But, then we realize the fun we missed, or the opportunity we missed to make a difference in our life and someone else's life.

Are you seizing those moments, minutes, days of YOUR life? We are here at this place, and this moment of time, for a specific purpose that God gave for only us to fulfill. Let's be done with just going with the flow.....and let's live ALL IN! Let's look for those moments in this day.....that are over-the-top outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime moments, so that tomorrow, we'll look back and say, "I lived with NO REGRETS!"

Time for Intermission

INTERMISSION – interval, interlude, halftime, break, recess, pause, rest, respite, gap, space, lull, stop, halt, hiatus

I remember INTERMISSION when I went to a play or outdoor movie. That was the time we could visit the restrooms or get a snack or just to simply have a good ole' stretch. I had a two-day intermission from my trip to Tulsa and Oklahoma City last week, before I received an SOS message from my Austin family. The boys were sick and their Mom and Dad had to go out of town the next day (yesterday). I quickly loaded my “still warm” suitcase and clothes bag, threw cosmetics back into the bag and within 30 minutes, I was on my way to Austin. My two-days at home had been packed full of “catch-up” and around 3 pm, I thought I’d grab a little nap (an intermission) before a meeting at church. I was awakened with that “SOS” call and was thankful I had been prompted to rest before then, because I was wide awake for my 4+ hour trek to Austin.

I sent text messages to those who were expecting me at events for that night and the next day. My sister-in-law sent these words of affirmation to me: “It’s a privilege for us to be able to help our children. They are our gifts from God. So glad you are there for them. It’s all about serving.” My daughter said, “Mom, how great that God has you available for your children!” I know she means that because she is the recipient of Mom’s “freedom” schedule. Now I know what my Mom felt when she was "on call" for us. What a tremendous blessing she was to our way-too-filled schedule.

Yesterday, I took the boys to doctor appointments. I embraced being the stand-in representative for their mom. This season of my life is precious, especially when it is being "on call” for my family. Last week it was getting to go with my grandson as he registered for real estate school. Yesterday it was praying for my granddaughter as she was taking her drivers license test. She passed. Thanks be to God!

I love schedules and I also love "winging" it because when I just run with the wind and I trust that my steps are ordered of the Lord, He gives me some of the most precious moments. I felt it big time yesterday. Psalm 37:23 "The steps of a good man (good woman) are ordered by the Lord: and he (she) delights in His way." Little intermissions of pieces of heaven at home and at every stop along the way. I'm just thanking God, once again, for shining His light brightly into my world.

Intermission sounds like a come-to-halt on the main show, but I’ve determined that the “main show” is living audaciously with as much gusto as we can to celebrate those we love, do the things we enjoy that gives us pleasure and enjoyment, and when the time comes to take an INTERMISSION to gain strength for our next assignments and adventures…..we’ll be there with bells on and with hearts open wide to pour on the love to those we love when we can!

Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."