Reflect and Renew ...

Today is Ash Wednesday ... the beginning of Lent and a time to reflect and begin renewing from the inside out!

My age is showing by the connections that I have ...

I only say that because it seems I now know more people who are at an age where they are facing death in some way ... a Mother, Father, Grandmother, friend, acquaintance. It makes me stop and think about the times when I should have reached out to say I still care when someone came to mind. With some, I have lost the opportunity to reconnect, and with those I pray that I will some day meet them again in Heaven! With others, a death has allowed a bittersweet reconnect!

Two such moments come to me immediately. The man who helped mentor and encourage me to use my voice to praise and worship God died recently at age 87. His name is Doug Moss! I got to see him about three years ago when I went home to visit for Leslie's Mom's funeral. He had such a big grin on his face when he saw me in the sanctuary, and his wife asked if he remembered who I was. His grin got bigger and he said, "I'll always know who Lisa is!" From the time I was 8 years old to the time I left for college, Doug faithfully played the organ at church and directed the adult choir that he allowed me to be a part of. He helped me prepare for various auditions. He was a wonderful man of God and I will always treasure his love of life, family and God, his encouragement and his faith ... such sweet memories I have of him from Calvert City, Ky!

Right after I found out about Doug, I learned that one of my childhood best friends (Mary) from Calvert had lost her Mom. A wonderfully, large Catholic family ... there were 10 kids, so when I hung out at their house I blended right in. We had so much fun. Mary and I haven't seen or talked to one another perhaps since I left for college some 25 (GULP!) years ago. I sent a message through the guest book when I found out about her Mom and hope that I get a response soon. Just wanted her to know I was thinking about her and the family. Where does the time go?

Who do you need to reconnect with today? Pick up the phone, send an e-mail, drop a card in the mail, stop by for a visit! It could touch a heart ... it could touch at least two!!

Wishing you roses and rainbows!
Lisa

Sometimes you just know ...

when you have a connection with another person!

I had lunch with someone Friday whose path I have intersected with on a number of occasions. While we really never had a chance before to really talk ... on Friday we talked with ease about life, about each other, about work, about family ... about everything ... and it was as if we had known each other and been good friends for years. I LOVE when that happens! We talked about the number of times that we have in some way or another crossed paths before, yet hadn't actually "connected."

That is not the case now ... we have much in common in our interests, in our values and goals. We have much that we do that also complements and balances one another. So cool when God places people in your life that matter!!

I am blessed to have so many connections in my life!