He paved the way

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If you have ever had a serious conversation with me, you know I will at some point say, "There is a reason or everything." We oftentimes can't see it while we are going through it, but eventually it all makes sense. Sort of like what is happening as we speak.

My Dad got sick. If you don't know about my dad, you should really read THIS, it sort of describes the type of man he really is. These past 7 months or so were not as easy with him, for the first time he was in the same house with me, as an adult. I watched him overeat (though he is not a big man,) and slowly kill himself. I watched his mood change and I even heard things come out of his mouth I never thought I would ever hear. Why? Diabetes. The mood swings, the temper tantrums, the sickness and lethargy - all because of the food he was putting into his mouth.

Thank God (literally) that I am bossy. I am the one who talked him into getting into my car and going to the emergency room. He is safe and stable now, however I pray he actually listens to the doctors this time. Thank you for your comments, for your prayers, and emails. You are the best blog followers a girl could have.

God put me here for a reason. In this house, at this time. He paved the way for all of this. I know we have all heard or even said, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger," but people, it's true. What used to happen in the past - my shoulder's would tighten, my breath would quicken, my pulse would race - now I am able to hold the stressors on my shoulders, I can slow my breathing, and I am much calmer. Why? HE made me stronger. He paved the way...

I often talk about my journey on here, it's even the inspiration for this blog. But what you must know and I must remember, my journey is nothing more than a gift God has provided for me. It's my story, mine alone. I can't spend an ounce of precious time worrying or freaking out.

I may have honestly found my balance. At 39, this may be what I was waiting for.

On a lighter note - I want to welcome our three new followers! You guys popped out of nowhere and I am so happy to have you here.

I have so many topics stored up and I am ready to get my routine back. Life has thrown me a few curve balls - but instead of ducking them and swirling out of the way, I have honed my skills. I have caught them and boy, oh boy, watch out world- I have a mean swing.

My Top Five

The Egyptians believed that when they died, they would make a journey to another world where they would lead a new life. They would need all the things they had used when they were alive, so their families would put those things in their graves. Egyptians paid vast amounts of money to have their bodies properly preserved. Those who were poor were buried in the sand whilst the rich ones were buried in a tomb.

I was thinking about this ancient practice. The idea that you could take your belongings with you into the afterlife. Now let's say you were a 'middle class' ancient egyptian. Perhaps you were only alotted a small tomb and had to be very specific about what you would bring with you. How do you decide?

I wanted to consider it. Really consider it.

What would I take with me?

Top 10 items I would take with me into the Pyramids:

1. My Great Grandmother's crucifix. I always have it over my bed, regardless of where I am. It literaly went from her bedroom on the day she died to my bedroom. I simply must take it with me.

2. My Wonder Woman pajamas. There is a slight possibility that I might actually have super powers &/or I would prefer cotton colorful jammies versus a white robe in heaven. ;-)

3. My coffee pot & essentials. I mean .. the idea is to take what you would USE.

4. My newly purchased Kindle. :-) I should be able to get wireless in the great unknown.. yeah?

5. My mascara. I may not have a stitch of make up on.. that is - except for my mascara!

6. My laptop. If there is a way to communicate with the living, I mean, I don't see the point in wasting all of that time haunting.. let's just blog ifrom heaven!

7. My ipod. Got to keep the tunes going. Harps and choirs of angels may get old after a while. (Though if I end up southward... that Devil did plain a pretty good fiddle...)

8. My snuggie. It just seems like all of that floating around in the upper atmosphere might make me cold.

9. My journals. HELLO? I don't want anyone reading my deep thoughts after I am gone! Can you say embarassing?

10. and finally... my memory foam pillow. If I have to lounge around on a cloud - I need proper support of my neck and head.

What about you? What items would YOU bring?

Destination: Unknown - seriously.

When I woke up this morning, I noticed my hand was laying across my husband's as if we were sleeping holding hands. It made me smile.

It got me thinking about the fact that I will (hopefully) get to grow old with this guy. One day we will both be so brittle and wrinkled, it is really a sweet idea. (Does that sound twisted??)

With that idea comes the realization that one of us will have to say goodbye first. It's true. Unless of course, there was a tragedy and we were both involved. (Eek)

It is hard to think about, to discuss, to even comprehend - but yes, one day, I.will.die.

Now, I do believe in God. However, I am not sure what this "heaven" looks like - or if it is even a portion of what we were told. We don't know, no one knows. Perhaps peace is the eternal sleep? It is definitely the great unknown, and I am not naive enough to think otherwise.

Will I be dressed in white, floating around playing a harp and crossing marble steps to take a nap on a billowy cloud? I seriously doubt it. I have no idea. What I do know - is the idea of it scares the crap out of me. Not the heaven part - the actual great unknown part.

As I looked at my father and mother this last weekend, I was beginning to see their age. Tic Toc Tic Toc. As a child, I only knew my grandparent's as elderly. It's odd seeing someone that in my memory is supposed to be young and strong grow older.

My father was diagnosed last week with a leaky heart valve. Just so you know, he is also an extreme diabetic. (My word) I look at him and I can see the scared little boy inside. What type of fear could he be facing? He will be 65 in February.. is he thinking to himself - 'Oh no, I might have a good 10 years left in me?'

Think about it - 10 years? What if that is all the time we had left. For some of us, we may not have 10 days - we just don't know. That's a frightening thought.

I am not trying to make any of you uncomfortable, but I am just expressing what - yet again - we are all a little hesitant to even consider. Something like - our last breathe. Will I be asleep? Will I be home alone? How will people find me? It totally freaks me out.

Will it hurt? Will I fight? Will I get to experience all of the adventures I planned? Will I get to apologize to all of those people I hurt with my words or actions? Did I accomplish all I was supposed to? Will anyone bother to show up at my funeral?

The scariest of all.. in the end.. will there be nothing?

I can't accept that one. I have to believe there is something else out there.

I am now 37 - and every morning I wake up I notice my muscles are a little tighter, my bones creak a little more, the tiny lines on my forehead begin to stand out more, the grays in my hair pop up more frequently between touch ups... it's happening - the aging process.

I get it. But how do we get to that point where we are comfortable with leaving this world behind? Regardless of what we believe about an afterlife - the process of the grande exit terrifies me. If I truly believe in catholic dogma - have I done all I need to do to get into "heaven?"

Dare I ask you - do you even allow yourself to contemplate this great mystery?

Superstitions

This post will hopefully be a little less spooky. So for those of you totally disliking my paranormal series will have to hold on about three more days.

Paranormal Series III - Superstitions

Okay, we have ALL grown up with some sort of superstition. To begin with, let's define what a superstition is:  a credulous belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge.

Easy enough! Now that we know what it means, what are some examples?

I have to set this up with, if you are from the south you are surrounded by some of the most superstitious people! I don't know if it is the heat, or the overly clogged arteries from all of the fried food, or what - but we are one SUPERSTITIOUS group of people. Just visit with someone's grandmother here, and I can assure you within one hour you will be told 5 different ways to do something or not to do something (all steeped in an old wive's tale.)

Let's take a look at some well known superstitions that are prevalent in the south:

-If you hear two screech owls calling out to each other in the night, lay a broom lengthwise across the threshold or bad luck (or death) will follow.

-If a rooster crows during the daytime, someone will soon die.


-If a mockingbird tries to fly through your window, beware of bad fortune.

-If you see a redbird (cardinal), company is on its way.



-A broom cannot be moved from a house.


-If you sleep under a newly-made quilt, you will dream of your future spouse.


-Shine a mirror’s reflection into the mouth of a well and you will see the face of your wife or husband-to-be.

Here are a list of "Omens of Death" known in the south:
-A bird flying into the home.


-A black hound following you.



-If you dream of a birth or marriage.



-If the oldest person at the supper table sneezes on Sunday.



-A picture falls face-down and breaks.



-A hen crows.



-Hounds baying in the night.



-Three hoots from an owl or seeing an owl in the day time.



-A Death Watch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum) starts making noise.



-Cows mooing after midnight.



-A white mist appearing in the home.



-The presence of blackbirds soon after a death is a portent of another death in the family.



-A broken clock suddenly begins to work again.



-A bird flies into the windshield of your car.

Now this is where it gets interesting, and I can assure you - my mom, and her mom, and then her mom do these things. It's crazy, I know - but it happens. Also, just take a trip to someplace like New Orleans, where they do not mind letting outsiders in on the little "superstitions" the rest of us are aware of.

Want to really see the culture come out? Attend a funeral... and now for the:

Death Superstitions



-The next person to look into a mirror after someone's death will die. Mirrors should be covered or turned around to prevent this.



-All clocks must be stopped.



-Unlock all locks in the house or the deceased won't be able to move on.



-All windows must be opened at the time of death so that the soul can leave.



-It is believed that at a person's death a great wind will come to escort their soul away.



-Sweeping under a sick person's bed will cause them death.



-Leaving a rocking chair rocking will bring death.



-If you see an ambulance or hearse, you must touch a button or you will be next to die, unless they are empty.



-If the deceased eyes are left open, they will find someone to take with them.



-If you drop an umbrella in a house it means there was a murder there.



-A corpse must be carried feet first or the soul will return to haunt the family.



-Touching the deceased will prevent the soul of that person from haunting you.


-To be in the dead's good graces, light a candle in the room where the person died on November 1.



-If you don't hold your breath as you go by a cemetery, the spirit of a person buried there will enter your body.



-If a woman is buried in black, she will haunt the family.



-No grass will grow on the grave of someone who was inherently evil.



-If there are three people together in a photograph, the middle one will die first.



-To leave a funeral before it is over will bring you bad luck.



-If you spill salt, quickly throw a pinch over your left shoulder to avert bad luck and death.



-Leaving the house through a door you did not come in through will cause bad luck and death.



-Leaving shoes on a table or hats on a bed will bring death.



-Water in an open grave means the person who is buried there will be restless.



-Nothing new should be worn to a funeral, especially shoes.



-A spirit cannot cross running water.



-A pregnant woman would never attend a funeral.



-If a beekeeper dies, the wife should tell the bees and ask them to stay, or they will quickly leave.


-A soul cannot rest if the corpse is laid across the direction of the floorboards.



-You can find a murderer by having his touch the fatal wound on the body of the person he is accused of murdering. If the wound bleeds, the murder has been found.



-A body must be sat with for 24 hours, or the spirit of the deceased will come back to haunt the living.



-It’s bad luck to leave a grave open overnight.



-Bodies were once buried facing the east, where it was believed on Judgment Day the angels would sound their trumpets. Someone who was unanimously believed to not be righteous was buried the opposite direction. Suicides, on the other hand, were often feared because it was believed that they would return to haunt the living. Being unable to bury the body on sacred land, the corpse had to be buried at a crossroads (a symbol of the cross).



-To keep a body from sitting upright in its coffin after rigor mortis had set in, old folk believed in “saining:” A candle would be lit and passed over the body three times, then three handfuls of salt would be placed in a wooden bowl and placed on the corpses chest.

These are just a few of the superstitions around the more "spookier" items. There are a million more around pregnancy, birth, marriage and your home.

Share with me in the comment some of your biggest superstitions and if any of these you are familiar with!