The Power of Words

The Power of Words

Years ago I was in a local drug store waiting in line behind a lady who had already received her order. She was conversing with the pharmacist and seemed oblivious to fact that I was waiting behind her. I was neither in a hurry nor annoyed, but a thought came to mind that I remember to this day.

The Spirit of Christmas?

The Spirit of Christmas?

“My name is Stan Means.” (“Hello, Stan Means,” says my imaginary crowd as I stand before them to make my declaration.)  “I am a Scrooge!” (The crowd applauds at my honesty.) Okay, I guess I need to take this a bit further. I grew up in a rather poor working class town. My dad was a public school teacher making about the same money as an entry-level factory worker.

Trees and Old Men

Trees and Old Men

Last week I was sitting with an older gentleman under the shade of his front porch roof. He is not in the best of health and has been retired for twenty years. I had trimmed some of the low hanging branches from a large oak tree in his front yard. The utility company had severely trimmed the street side of the tree. The older gentleman now saw the tree as mangled and better off cut down.

Lesson in a Bojangles Biscuit Delivery

Lesson in a Bojangles Biscuit Delivery

I first met him one Christmas many years ago and had just started dating his niece. His siblings and their mates were in the kitchen, and I was sitting in the living room. I remember him standing in the door way between the kitchen and the living room looking at me and saying, “He looks just like a….” His siblings all agreed that I had some resemblance to their family.

A lesson from my son

I am still getting used to the fact that our two kids are married, that our daughter is now a mother, and that our son is now a father. Don't get me wrong. I am happy for them in every way. I just find it difficult to comprehend that it has been so many years since I was holding them as babies.

Granddaddy's last goodbye

Granddaddy's last goodbye

I had some work related business to take care of in my old hometown and thought it would be a good chance to pick up Granddaddy along the way. He had sold the farm and had moved into town after my grandmother died, and I had yet to see his new home. I drove eight hours northwest to pick him up and then another five to six hours north to my parent's house.

Crown of splendor

Reposted from Joni and Friends daily devotional:

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." 
Proverbs 16:31 

When Ken and I were in Russia, we befriended an old woman who cleaned the floors of our hotel lobby every day. Through an interpreter, we complimented her on doing an excellent job. Old and wrinkled, her round and red cheeks were framed with a tightly knotted colorful scarf. Her face sparkled with her blue eyes and golden-toothed smile. She had on layers of skirts and wore leggings and boots. With broom in hand, our elderly friend looked out of place in the hotel lobby; maybe that's why we were drawn to her. 

Love me still?

Love me still?

Last evening my wife was curled up on the sofa asleep while I watched a Duck Dynasty episode of Phil and Kay having a surprise re-wedding thrown for them on the day of their 49th wedding anniversary. As teenagers they were married at the courthouse, so their family wanted to give them their first real wedding.