life

Life in Sharp Focus

Posted by Barbara Techel
Life in Sharp Focus
My family. I love them.

It’s so easy to take life for granted. Then someone you know dies and life is put back into sharp focus again.

A teacher that John had in high school, who was also his wrestling coach, died in a car accident a few days ago. Someone blew a stop sign and ended his life. He was only 71.

How fast life can change. I think of my mom often with a similar situation, her husband passing away while up north last November. Never to walk through their front door again.

I try to remember to not take life for granted.

Sitting outside this lovely summer Sunday morning, Gidget and Kylie hanging out and my Johnnie with a cup of coffee in hand.

I sat on the front stoop and felt immense gratitude for my life with this little family of ours.

We live simply. We laugh often. We love deeply.

It’s all I ever want. And it’s something I remind myself is here for only a short time. So soak it all in and give thanks.

—

PS:  In case you are wondering what all the white/yellow fuzz is on the grass, well, that is Kylie’s fur. She is shedding like crazy lately. Many little Kylie tumbleweeds float through our house if I don’t keep up on combing her out. I love my time with just her when I brush her.  I think she likes it too.

Thank you for visiting!

If you like my journal posts, you can subscribe here today.

Sunday Stoop Sitting. It’s Good for the Soul.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1710Upon my front stoop I sit this glorious Sunday morn.

Birds chirping, the wind whispering a summer song beginning its slow decent toward fall.

I feel my heart full up with happy.

The quiet of the morning makes me feel close to God. This is my church.

The warmth of the sun caresses my skin which is comforting and a reminder that I’ll always be taken care of. A reminder to trust in my faith.

The love of John has grown deeper and more profound this summer. I want to capture it, bottle it, and hold it close to my heart always.

Sitting upon my stoop outside my olive green cottage home, I feel joy rise up in me.

Deeply giving thanks for my life – my Joie and Kylie – my family – my mom – my Cassy.

My stoop of which I sit upon that helps me sit in these quiet moments of reflection.

Life is good. No bells. No whistles. Simplicity of which makes my life feel so very rich.

I shall sit upon my stoop a bit longer yet. But when I move on with my day, I’ll rise slowly and breathe in all of the beauty around me, filing my Sunday Stoop thoughts in my heart. They will carry me through, reminding me just how precious, fragile, and beautiful this thing called life really is.

Birthdays. Life. Death. And Tractors.

Posted by Barbara Techel

tractor 1200It’s not everyday that you see tractors outside of a funeral home. But then again you likely never met my Uncle Dale. He loved tractors!

Though my heart felt heavy riding to the funeral home early last evening, coming upon the funeral home to see my uncle’s pride and joy sitting outside, framing the funeral home, made me smile.  Of course, I thought. His tractors would be here. My heart lightened.

Funerals and death can sure make you stop and think about what is truly important in life. Not that I don’t appreciate life, because I really do. But once again, death, for me, magnifies joy and all the blessings that I have.

My uncle was 71 years old. Died suddenly of a stroke. Very unexpected. As we listened to the sermon many thoughts flashed through my mind. I will celebrate my 50th birthday tomorrow. My uncle was 21 years older than me. My dear friend, Cassy, now a big part of my life, is 29.  We, too, are 21 years apart. Someday she and I will trade places in age. My mom and I also 21 years apart. It struck me to think I am only 21 years from the age of my uncle- now gone.  My uncle the same age as my mom and dad. It could have been me standing there saying goodbye.

While we never know when our time is to leave this earth, it was another reality check of how fast these years go. I recalled fond memories of staying overnight at my cousins, remembering how they would wait in anticipation for their dad to get home on a Friday night. For 31 years he was a truck driver, working really hard and providing for his family so my aunt Kathy could stay home and raise their three children.

Today on my Uncle Jim’s Facebook page he said this of Dale, “He worked hard all his life, took pride in his work, and loved his family dearly. He touched many lives. He will be missed by family and friends alike.” It is so true.  It is what I think of too when I think of him and how I will remember him. He was truly one of the hardest working men I’ve ever known.

I also really admired the marriage between Dale and my aunt Kathy. They sure did have their share of tough times. But they made it. They loved each other. Two peas in a pod. They are a wonderful reminder of all I want to continue in my marriage with John.

Today as I continue to celebrate my birthday week I will also celebrate my uncle’s life. He was a gentle giant, with a wonderful smile, and a love for his wife and family that makes me so proud to say he was my uncle.

As the funeral came to an end one last song was played…Roll on 18 Wheeler by Alabama.  I, along with many others, smiled big through tears. Such a fitting end to a wonderful man. Rest in peace uncle Dale.