Gratitude ~ Emergency Services

Greetings Dear Reader,

Where I live I can sometimes hear sirens going down the motorway.  I can usually distinguish between police and fire/rescue sirens.  I try to always pray for those in need and those on the way. 

Do we really show gratitude to those who stay up all night and work the holidays so that we can be safe or obtain emergency care?  I am concerned that we do not understand the level of sacrifice they offer to serve us.  I become more aware each time I speak with my brother who is a paramedic. 

I am blessed that I have only needed emergency services a few times in my life.  In those times I have received excellent care.  None of those time was my life in danger.  Still, I need to have gratitude on behalf of the secondary benefit I receive. 

Last week I walked out of my door on the way to my car.  I found myself surrounded by uniformed police officers and detectives.  I immediately stopped, put my hands in clear sight, and asked if they needed me to do anything.  One of the uniformed officers politely told me that if I could show him my ID it would be helpful.  I did.

There were seven police vehicles, a forensic unit, and a few detective cars.  They were keenly interested in my neighbor.  After they verified my identification one of the officers walked me to my car and wished me well.  I thanked him for doing his part to keep us safe.  I asked him to pass on my gratitude to the team. 

As I drove away I again thanked God for those who serve us and protect us.  I prayed for my neighbor.  I still do not know what the issue was nor do I need to know.  What matters is that I am grateful for those who protect and serve and save.  I am thankful that I live in a place where people still pull over for emergency vehicles.  I have great gratitude for those who sacrifice so much just to keep us safe.

I thank them when I can.  I offer kindness whenever possible.  You would not believe the level of smile you get when you thank an officer blocking your driveway for enforcing the four-way stop sign on your corner.  How do you show your appreciation for emergency personnel Dear Reader?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Road – I Sit Beside the Fire

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I prepare to embark on my travel I find that I am leaving so many things behind.  It is a brief journey but much will transpire when I go.  I return to the roots of my pain and failure.  I return to the places where I could have made my life but instead sacrificed all that mattered for what I no longer have.

I will also see people I love with whom I do not get to spend enough time.  I pack light but this journey has so much baggage.   It also holds a few dangers from some of the old sources of pain.  I will return to the new abode that is not a home.

On either end of this is the road.  It will be time to think.  There are things of which I used to dream that will never be now.  I must bury those dreams and discover what new ones might take on life.  I will rediscover some old stories and discover some new ones.  Even my sleeping dreams have taken on a different character.

The road will always be there with its siren call.  The thoughts in solitude will be there as the miles slip beneath me.  The windmills and farms will be in full tilt as I drive through the night.  I wish that my arrival would be to hearth, pipe, and chilling ale.  Instead it will be to questions and expectations.

I will seek only the counsel of Christ for my heart and future.  I will miss the sounds of the door opening to family arriving home when I return.  This is where my feet have carried me and the only way out is through.  Journey with me Dear Reader and I will show you some beautiful haunts and hollows.  Perhaps we can find a fire, bowl, and cup yet.

I sit beside the fire and think – J.R.R. Tolkien

I sit beside the fire and think

Of all that I have seen

Of meadow-flowers and butterflies

In summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer

In autumns that there were,

With morning mist and silver sun

And wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think

Of how the world will be

When winter comes without a spring

That I shall ever see.

For still there are so many things

That I have never seen:

In every wood in every spring

There is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think

Of people long ago

And people who will see a world

That I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think

Of times there were before,

I listen for returning feet

And voices at the door.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Great Friends and Green Fire

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

There is Green Fire

As I turn my home back into a house and prepare to move to someplace smaller and more Spartan there some things I do not want to overlook.  Last night we had what may be the final fire in our fire pit.   Close friends came as did my Children and Grand Children. 

We had homemade peach ice cream, S’mores, and Polar Bears (The latter is a potent potable that is a summer favorite in our clan).   My Son Maxim tried out his new bow and friends join in at testing their skill with our recurve bows.

We had a rich fire tended by Christmas and Dan.   We even had fire salts so that my Grandsons could grow up knowing that there is such a thing as green fire.  It was a fine time with people I love.  As begin packing the flotsam and jetsam that will journey with me the fire pit is one thing I leave behind.    

I will miss the cool evenings with a warming blaze.  I will miss the conversation.  I will miss the music.  I will miss the moments.  These people and these moments are precious to me.  I will have to find ways to create other moments with them but I will miss the fires.

Poems, Prayers, and Promises – John Denver

I’ve been lately thinking

About my life’s time

All the things I’ve done

And how it’s been

And I can’t help believing

In my own mind

I know I’m gonna hate to see it end

I’ve seen a lot of sunshine

Slept out in the rain

Spent a night or two all on my own

I’ve known my lady’s pleasures

Had myself some friends

And spent a time or two in my own home

And I have to say it now

It’s been a good life all in all

It’s really fine

To have a chance to hang around

And lie there by the fire

And watch the evening tire

While all my friends and my old lady

Sit and pass the pipe around

And talk of poems and prayers and promises

And things that we believe in

How sweet it is to love someone

How right it is to care

How long it’s been since yesterday

And what about tomorrow

And what about our dreams

And all the memories we share

The days they pass so quickly now

Nights are seldom long

And time around me whispers when it’s cold

The changes somehow frighten me

Still I have to smile

It turns me on to think of growing old

For though my lifes been good to me

There’s still so much to do

So many things my mind has never known

I’d like to raise a family

I’d like to sail away

And dance across the mountains on the moon

I have to say it now

It’s been a good life all in all

It’s really fine

To have the chance to hang around

And lie there by the fire

And watch the evening tire

While all my friends and my old lady

Sit and pass the pipe around

And talk of poems and prayers and promises

And things that we believe in

How sweet it is to love someone

How right it is to care

How long it’s been since yesterday

What about tomorrow

What about our dreams

And all the memories we share

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps – Strike Anywhere Matches

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have had a lifelong love of strike anywhere matches.  My Grandfather kept them on hand to light his furnace.  He kept wax coated ones in his fishing tackle for melting line ties.  I learned to make match rockets from them in elementary school.  Perhaps this is the very best use of matches in the history of matches. 

For the curious and mischievous out there here are links to both simple match rockets and complex ones.  For my young readers please do this with a RESPONSIBLE adult.  I will say that if NASA teaches one how to do something, it must be OK to do it.  Please do not do this indoors.  That is just a bad idea.  If you make them please share your experience with me.

I also keep strike anywhere matches in my home.  I light the candle that is part of my morning devotional time with them.  I keep them in the kitchen, the bathroom, and my office.  I have at various times struck them on odd surfaces just to see if I can strike them there.  They do truly strike almost anywhere.

I realize that the fire of Christ in me must be ready to kindle in any situation.  I must be ready when it is convenient and when it is not.  I must kindle in the moment to be the light that Christ requires of me.  Any situation is the right situation to be loving, kind, and good.  I am required to be this. 

It does not mean that I inject “holy talk” into every environment.  It means that no matter the environment or the situation my light must humbly represent the Light of the World.  I must come to life to be a reflection of who Christ is in any circumstance.  The Jesus is willing to use me for this purpose baffles me.  It also is the way of things so I must follow. 

I must also remember that matches are dangerous.  Misused and abused matches can burn me and can burn others.  I must not kindle in a way that causes harm or damages others.  After all matches are only good if they are used for good.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)