A piece of history....

Last night I was rummaging through some family albums and keepsake boxes we inherited from Allen's Papaw Keefer. It is amazing what you can learn about ancestors by doing that. For example, I found that Papaw Keefer was called to military duty in 1944 and was denied acceptance as being physically unfit. I would love to learn more as to why because the man was the picture of health and lived to be 89 years old. He was never sick a day in his life until the last 3 days. I found copies of sugar rations from the depression; copies of his first paycheck from a furniture store. I found his dry goods statement from the general store. Granny had purchased a bolt of dress material for $3.00 FOR THE WHOLE BOLT. Papaw had purchased new shoes for 25 cents. I found a list someone had written on first grade style paper. I'm guessing it was granny as it was in her album. She had written that she had $3.60 and if mom gave her $1.40 she would have $5.00. Then she listed family members and how much she would spend on them. I had to laugh. Everybody was around 80 cents or 90 cents each. But, dear old Mom, who she was going to hit up for $1.40 was listed at 25 cents for her gift. Does that crack you up or what?

In loving memory

Robert Glenn Keefer

1960-2010

Rob's family (l-r) Christopher (son), Rob, Sarah (daughter) Ben (son), Tami (wife) Robert (son)

Memories Build a Special Bridge

Our memories build a special bridge when loved ones have to part

To help us feel we're with them still and sooth a grieving heart.

Our memories span the years we shared, preserving ties that bind,

They build a special bridge of love and bring us peace of mind.

By Emily Matthews

Rob, you will never know how much you are missed. We love you. Rest in peace.

Cat Confidence

I woke up in the middle of the night with thoughts on my mind. I hate when that happens. I was thinking about the many things I have to do this upcoming week, the challenges I was facing. Then the fears set in. Can I get everything done? Will things work out the way I want them? Out of nowhere came the thought, "I need some cat confidence." It got me to thinking. A cat is probably the best example of confidence you will ever see. They will jump great heights, showing no fear, because they know they will land on their feet. They will hop up on your lap to enjoy a long nap because they know you will never shoo them off. They know they will get their way. They are spoiled, loved, and content. Confident in everything they do. My prayer today is for God to provide in me a confidence that will override the self-doubts and insecurities that I bring upon myself. My bible verse for today is: Isaiah 30:15a - For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

Some alarming news....

I'm not sure how it happened or when it happened. But I just realized I'm getting older. (You notice I refuse to say OLD). I've notice the creeks and groans, the pops and crackles as I bend and move. I can't get up and down in the floor with as much ease as I did in my 20's. I can't stay up real late like I did in my teens. I remember when I went to bi-focals, I was able to say that it was okay; it was understandable. I did a lot of close up work and the bi-focals were just a precaution to protect my eyes from any strain. Then a few years back, they switched me to tri-focals. Again, I was cool with it. I worked on computers for a living; I read a lot for leisure. So it made sense to have a level for distance, a level for close up work and a middle level for normal day-to-day eye use. But when I had to go purchase a pair of reading glasses yesterday to give me a FOURTH level of viewing for reading my emails on my new phone, I realized that age has a way of sneaking up on us when we are not looking. So I popped over to Wally World and purchased me another set of eyes. I did not realize that reading glasses came in such cute frames. That is the one cool thing about them.....I can get something really fun and wild since they are not on my face all the time. The problem was there were TOO MANY to choose from. I mean, it doesn't take me that long to pick out a new car. I tried on just about every pair they had, some of them 2 and 3 times, finally choosing some I thought I loved. Then after getting them home and really checking them out, I decided I wished I had went with another style. So I had kept my receipt and I'm heading back to a different Wally World today. If they have some I like better, I'll probably exchange them. Oh lands, I'm turning into a little old lady.

Do you look back or look forward?

I find that many people spend their lives looking back on the way things used to be, the things they wished they had done. Some people like to look forward. They like to plan every moment of every day and know what is in store. They do not like surprises or spontaneity. They want to be prepared for everything. I am one of those live life in the moment people. I'm not saying I don't have plans and dreams for the days ahead. And I love when I know we have something going on that I can look forward to. But I don't get so wrapped up in the future that I forget to live for today. I think we should always grab the gold ring on the carousel, eat the cotton candy at the fair and bask in the sun on a summer day. Don't let gray clouds or doubt get you down. My favorite quote is one that I would love to have put on my headstone: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO-HOO what a ride!”

It's official...

Well, it's official. Shelby is going to be a lot like her brother. The sweet, little princess was playing the other day and she jumped up to run out of the room. When her grandmother asked, "Where are you going?" She turned at the door and said "On a fire call." Now, I ask you is she a Hayes or what? But not to worry, she is not getting tomboyish. She still has her princess moments. Her mommy brought her some new t-shirts at Disney. Each one has a different princess on it. Her mommy spread them out and asked "Shelby, who is your favorite princess?" Without missing a beat, she placed her hand on her chest and said "ME!"

If I had only known....

There was a song many years back that Reba sang called "If I Had Only Known" that I just loved. As you struggle through things in your life and look back on the past, how many times do you wish you had done something differently? How many times were you asked to lend a helping hand only to pass up the chance because you were too busy? How many loved ones have passed on that you had lost contact with because you assumed they would always be there? My brother-in-law is facing his last days. At best, they are giving him a couple weeks. But they don't expect him to linger that long. Being on oxygen and bedridden with cancer and fluid in his lungs, he has no choice but to spend his last days as best he can. It is to late for the I should'ves and the I could'ves. Don't let it be too late for you. As he faces what God has planned for him, he has chosen to spend his last days at home with his family. He refused a hospital bed and is sleeping and laying in his recliner. His philosophy is that if he was going to be stuck in a hospital bed, he should have just stayed in the hospital. He had spaghetti and fresh cucumber/tomato salad yesterday. He can't eat much, but he is living his last days the way he wants to live them. He said his heart was heavy so he had a preacher come by and talk with him and he is ready to go when God calls him home. It is so hard to watch a loved one slowly slip away, but so rewarding to know when he closes his eyes that last time, he will wake up wrapped securely in the arms of God. Not everyone gets the opportunity to know that death is near. Some go within the simple last beat of a heart. We should treat every moment of our lives as if it is the last breath we take. When your time comes to go, do you want to spend your last days thinking "If I had only known."