"We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song!"

"We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song!"

Let us all take this day and think about what that means. 

What does He mean in my life today? 

Who is this Savior who has risen? 

When I say, "He is risen, He is risen, indeed!" 

 can I sing it out and mean it? Can I tell others? 

"We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song!" 

Pope John Paul II

COME LET US SING TOGETHER!

Missing a Kiss - Terry Fenwick

Missing a Kiss . . . 

The other day I said to Ralston, my Angel, I was in bed - and I said,  "I really miss being kissed." 

I have not been kissed since 2006 - actually May 14 - and Tom was such a romantic kisser. He always kissed such a mellow rubbing kiss and so romantic. He used to follow me into the pantry and flip off the light, close the door, silly as we lived alone but he still did it that way, the excitement of it all, I guess - but kissed me. 

So sweet ~~~~

So very sweet then ~ SUDDENLY ~  I realized I was really missing a kiss.  

THEN - JUST AS SUDDENLY,  I THOUGHT,  we probably don't kiss in heaven!!!! I may have had my last romantic kiss! 

SO YOU - ALL OF YOU - today - go kiss your husbands and linger and love on them a bit. Offer it up for me - and this is not sillly - I really miss a kiss from my North. 

I can remember the first time I kissed Tom or he kissed me - after Ted had gone Home. It was amazing. I maybe will just remember that time and it should be enough for a lifetime, right? A girl can't have everything - Mentholatum, Magnum, Snickers and Thou!

But we didn't have the green thing back then . . . From my Deacon

Over the age of 35?   

You might want to read this . . . sent from our Deacon 

9 January, 2012

Checking out at the supermarket recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. I apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days“.

The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations“.

She was right about one thing–our generation didn’t have the green thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back then? After some reflection and soul-searching on “Our” day, here’s what I remembered we did have . . . 

Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. 

But we didn’t have the green thing back in our day . . .

We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.  But she was right . . . 

We didn’t have the green thing in our day . . .

Back then, we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts — wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days.   Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.  But that young lady is right . . . 

We didn’t have the green thing back in our day . . .

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of Wales.   

In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. 

When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. 

We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. 

But she’s right. . . We didn’t have the green thing back then . . .

We drank from a water fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. 

We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. 

But we didn’t have the green thing back then . . .

Back then, people took the bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service. 

We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. 

And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then . . .

  

And the People Bowed and Prayed, to the Neon God They Made - as fresh as the day they were written

The Sound of Silence

Paul Simon

Hello darkness, my old friend, 

I've come to talk with you again, 

Because a vision softly creeping, 

Left its seeds while I was sleeping, 

And the vision that was planted in my brain 

Still remains 

Within the sound of silence. 

In restless dreams I walked alone 

Narrow streets of cobblestone, 

'Neath the halo of a street lamp, 

I turned my collar to the cold and damp 

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light 

That split the night 

And touched the sound of silence. 

And in the naked light I saw 

Ten thousand people, maybe more. 

People talking without speaking, 

People hearing without listening, 

People writing songs that voices never share 

And no one dare 

Disturb the sound of silence. 

"Fools" said I, "You do not know 

Silence like a cancer grows. 

Hear my words that I might teach you, 

Take my arms that I might reach you." 

But my words like silent raindrops fell, 

And echoed 

In the wells of silence 

And the people bowed and prayed 

To the neon god they made. 

And the sign flashed out its warning, 

In the words that it was forming. 

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets 

are written on the subway walls 

And tenement halls." 

And whisper'd in the sounds of silence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsX03LOMhI

25 Random Things About Me

I was tagged by a very creative friend, Vivian Ruth Sawyer - who had written such a beautiful list - 51 random things and all of us who read hers needed to lean back, enjoy it and then begin to think. I did just that. I am wordy.

First - wanted to identify the word 'random' 

"Chosen without method or conscious decision"

25 Random Things about About Me

Terry Fenwick

                                                        

1) At 76 - having lost (nearly 3 years ago) my wonderful, incredible, brilliant husband (ask anyone who knew him) I am so 'in touch' with my own mortality that my "random" thoughts may seem to be too subjective because I am no longer in the middle of things but on the way out.

2) My name is Glenna Claire. Named after Father, Uncle, Mother and Aunt. Only God, the IRS and my insurance know this but now all of Facebook will know it. Terry has been my nickname since grade school. (I had drawn a picture of Terry and the Pirates - don't ask)

3) I have always been outgoing and loved people. That has been a gift and I know it. I never know a stranger at the market or in a doctor's office - I know them almost before the second foot is in the door. 

4) I had curly hair all of my life - felt very left out in school when all my friends with curlers and bobby pins stood combing out their hair in the morning. That was the only time I can remember that I coveted or envied anyone. Finally after a year or so, I took hold of my envy, had my hair cut in a fluffy short feather cut and let others tell me how lucky I was to have curly hair. They still do that. Strange to remember this? I remember I had to get off it and get on with my life! A great decision. 

5) By GOD'S grace I have always been FREE of alcoholism but my family (both sides) is plagued with alcoholism; there are many suicides all related to this dreadful disease. 

6) We have 7 sons and an 8th son in heaven who died at 2 months - less than four months before my first husband died. (It was a bad year) I am happy to announce we have 7 daughters-in-love. (I never say daughter-in-law.) Our sons all love their women – and are faithful and supportive. They bring their wives coffee every morning in bed! Learned that from their Father! 

7) I found out recently something I am excited about - a Grand Dame (Grandmother) is to bring graciousness to her Grandchildren and NOT give them direction in their lives. She is to send them to the parents GOD gave them for advice - and just “love-on” the grandchildren until she dies, leaving a gracious fragrance. (I did this wrong twice with Adult grandchildren- not young ones but Adult and it hurt our relationship.) 

8) Exactly 6 years ago today (2/2/03) my husband Tom and I went to Mass in the city at the Cathedral - it was his idea - out of the blue - it was the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Immediately after Mass my husband announced to the Priest that we were going to become Catholic. That we did - 5 years ago tomorrow 2/3/04! Best thing we ever did and we did it together. We love being Catholic. We had been very strong Protestant Christians!

9) I really love my husband - everyone loved him who knew him. He left me in a great place spiritually and all things in order. As I go down the stairs every morning I thank God for Tom. The day before he left he wrote me a beautiful love note for Mother's Day and signed it - (to) “my companion and lover, I love you." How sweet it is. It is framed. 

10) I have learned that being married is wonderful and we should not miss any of the love that comes with the package. Both the giving and the taking! Remember you heard that here. 

11) Almost any time I think of it I wonder why either one of my husbands chose me. I felt loved by them. They were great friends, both engineers. God is good!

12) I love GOD and have been a strong believer since July 22, 1971. I always knew there HAD to be a GOD . . . but, this Jesus thing was not an important part of my life until that day. I never knew GOD was Jesus, too. Duh! As my 4-year-old granddaughter, Charlotte Anne, said this year, "THE BABY IS GOD!" I was in a Lutheran Church and voiced it all the time, but did not 'know' it nor ‘believe’ it. Jumped into Bible Study that fall in 1971 in BSF and never had one day of doubt in my life about my faith. 

13) I grew up living in apartment buildings with my parents, summers with my grandparents, or spending time with my Aunt and Uncle who had a room for me and loved me a bunch - and I loved my Aunt so much. Her stage is below.  She made all of that except for a few figures.

They also had a chauffeur and maid . . . Stoney and Elsie. In many ways, my Great Aunt, Stoney and Elsie taught me most of the important things in my young life. I speak southern easily because of Stoney and Elsie - I have been told I pray black. Amen!

14) I was sick all through first grade. I never learned to print until I was an adult. But I could write (perfect Palmer Method) and read when I went back to school but had totally skipped first grade. I spent most of that school year with my Aunt, Stoney and Elsie. "Honey Child, you gotta do your readin'"

15) Seriously, I don't think I was ever a child. I never felt insecure in my life but I was the oldest of three children and always grown up.

16) My Mother almost always couldn't wait until Christmas to show me my gifts. I loved my Mother. We used to grow our finger nails together and were very close. We stretched out on the bed all the time and talked. I learned so much when we did that. 

17) My Mother married a second time and to the nicest man I ever knew (until Tom). They were happy together until they died. He loved her to pieces!

18) After Tom left - I felt the presence of his absence and then I felt the absence of his presence. This is a strange thing - some of you may know this. I live alone. I would come home, come in the house and call out, "Honey, I'm home!" I was almost sure he would speak to me over the banister but he never did. Then soon after I knew Tom was really gone - I had really released him - I was aware I was not alone. It was not spooky or anything bad. It was not a Holy Spirit kind of thing - I know that experience - but I finally realized I had this Angel. It just hit me! He was not new - he had been with me as a child - and that was an amazing thing. I remembered him! He had never gone away. He is here as I type. 

19) I did research on Guardian Angels and,  do you know there are 449 verses using the words Angel or Angels in the Bible.  There are many others about Angels but called by different names.  I became very aware of my Angel and found out his name. It is Ralston. God has given His Angels charge over us to keep us safe in all our ways. We all have an Angel to guard us - thus a Guardian Angel. He always is before God and with you! It is surprising that so many people don't really know this. I see the puzzled looks when I say this. (Yours?) 

20) I am crazy about Ralston and you know he can't talk to me, right? I have told him please don't talk to me, Ralston, or you will freak me out. But I know he's here and he's big - I have never seen him as an Angel. He does "think" to me. (He thinks I use too many words.)

21) I am writing a book called Aware of Angels and another one called, Ask Me the Wrong Question and I'll Give You the Right Answer - a book on apologetics. Hope to finish before they come for me.

22) I am really not a Pollyanna. I am thinking - randomly thinking - I have had a wonderful life. A father who drank, yes, a father who did not take responsibility for his family, yes, a brother who drank and shot himself, and other sad things - loss of a son and a husband - and then a second husband - although he does not seem far away - but you know GOD's grace is not just sufficient - it is MORE than sufficient. I am sure if we studied the Greek we would see they made a mistake there. Someone left out the "MORE than" sufficient. 

23) My life has been filled with wonderful people - people who are full of love, like toothpaste tubes - love oozing out - encouraging people - and people who have been around me just when I needed people. I AM SO GLAD I DIDN'T MISS MY LIFE! I am grateful for so much.

24) I guess I am most grateful that we raised our children to be who they are. We have 7 sons and none of them are alike. What are the odds? The best thing Tom and I did was to allow them to be who they are. Are they perfect? Well, they are well on the way to being perfect - in their own time - but to me they are perfect today. I watch and see their values now and think, "If we had pushed them to be what we thought they should be - or, as often happens, what we weren't . . . if we had pushed them to be . . . if we had pushed them . . . if we had pushed . . . I could not say this 25th random thought which is . . .

25) I am so very grateful. 

(I know this rambling 25 random things about me seems long but I did it earlier and managed to cut 1,000 words.) Ralston was right. 

A Random Rambling PS I love a really good pizza, pasta with butter and parmesan, garlic, marinara sauce, a great salad with blue cheese, good bread - sour dough, green peas, sliced tomatoes, lemon pie, pecan once a year, good coffee and good toast - raspberry jam and I say that like the English do - rassssspberry, I love good music - but like silence more than music all the time - Pinot Grigio, popcorn, love romantic movies and almost anything English and drink Smart Water 80 oz a day. (It has electrolytes)

I love white walls - need one dark room but I love white walls - bone - and love the good contemporary furniture all over - from 1927 - 60 - the great chairs - all of our chairs have men's names - and I am not a car guy. I drive a white VW bug convertible - only like white cars - and I love VW because I think it is the best looking car on the road. It is the only car I have owned since 1965. Everything on the lower level is black and white - except one bedroom. Everything upstairs is white or blue. Nothing ever is moved.

You are now supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to send your note to.  You should send a copy of yours back to me because,  If I chose you, it's because I want to know more about you.

We did this originally on Facebook - but you can do it for any group.  The good thing?  You will find you have had a wonderful life and, doing this?  Well, it just helps you remember.  Enjoy - Terry Fenwick

CommentShare

• Ann Marie Boutt likes this.
• 

  Lisa Hooper Frerichs That was delightful, Miss Terry! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

  February 3, 2009 at 11:52am · Like
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  Vivian Ruth Sawyer HA-HA!!! It's phenomenal!!!
  Thank you, first, for the "shout out" in the intro. You are far too generous. I adore your list, except that I must argue with #15, were you ever a child. I would argue that you were never an adult -- nor are you one today....See More

  February 3, 2009 at 12:00pm · Like
• 

  Terry Fenwick You counted! I love you! I am so glad you didn't "Word" it and count the words - and I did tag the others you mentiioned. Miss not having Flip to contact. He would have commented with such style and probably opened champagne for a party (with caviar!) Life is not the same.

  February 3, 2009 at 12:29pm · Like
• 

  Diane Brown I can't wait to read your books! I love your list. It is amazing how well you can think you know someone, until you understand how well they know themselves. I am still learning so much from you. I do love # 18. What a beautiful description of los...See More

  February 3, 2009 at 1:16pm · Like
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  Terry Fenwick Thank you for 'loving' #18 - it was my heart, you know. Then again, the JOY of my heart while living is to say anything that someone puts in the column of his or her Bible - and in the front? Be still my heart. And your #15 - ahhhhh that is truth with a capital T.

  February 3, 2009 at 5:18pm · Like
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  Tami Hartline Palladino I love all of them.... so much... and this is one of my favorites: "I have always been outgoing and loved people. That has been a gift and I know it. I never know a stranger at the market or in a doctor's office - I know them almost before the second f...See More

  February 4, 2009 at 7:59am · Like
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  Karen Kerchner Burrell OK I read the rest of your list. I have to agree with those above who commented that this is truly YOU! And that it is not that you never were a child but that you never were an adult (in all the boring stuffy ways we can be adult anyway). And you k...See More

  February 4, 2009 at 7:20pm · Like
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  Terry Fenwick If I could bottle my friends - everyone would buy you! It might be amazing to find out I never did grow up!

  February 4, 2009 at 8:56pm · Like
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  Kathlene Ruth Amerine Terry, I loved your Random Thoughts....could you send me a copy? Or how do I copy anything here at FB and print it out? I'll try to do my tagging later on this week! Love, Kathy

  February 5, 2009 at 11:01am · Like
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  Nancy Laird Oh sweet Terry, what a great read! I know you better now then when I knew you!! It is late and I must go to bed.I will have lovely thoughts of you and Ralston in my dreams.
  Plumbers and electricians await me in the morning!! Step over it, not in it!!
  Step over it not in it!! Step over it not in it!!
  Love Nancy

  February 5, 2009 at 7:36pm · Like
• 

  Sue Bregel You never told me you were a "Claire". We are truly sisters. Hugs

  May 18, 2009 at 7:13pm · Like
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  Kelly Piet Nice to get to know you!  I enjoyed it.

  May 21, 2009 at 12:24pm · Like
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  Esther Gefroh · 44 mutual friends
  

  Terry, I am sorry I took so long to read this. It was so nice learning about you. I am truly touched by some of the things you shared. TY and God bless.

  May 25, 2009 at 8:20am · Like
• 

  Pam Rose Beeler Terry, did you know that St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) talked to his guardian angel, Mary, Jesus, St. Joseph, and other Saints from the time he was about 3? He was almost an adult before he discovered that everyone didn't do this . . . for him it was totally normal!!
  
  Thanks for sharing your 25 (more or less) random things!

  July 26, 2009 at 10:40am · Like
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  Terry Fenwick I have his book and he is standing on my desk holding my rosary - I love him. Do you know that Pius XII said that everything he ever did that was good was because of his guardian angel? Do you know your angel and his name. You would love Ralston and...See More

  July 26, 2009 at 10:45am · Like
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  Laura Maguire Hoke Thank you so much for sharing this Terry! You know, you truly do have a southern voice. I could read your words for days! I especially love the imagery in 13, 16 and 18. I also love Pinot Grigio and Smart Water!

  July 26, 2009 at 12:12pm · Like
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  Terry Fenwick Make certain you get to know your angel before you are 70 and the children should know their angel by name - he is always there - he can't leave you until death and . . . ask the Lord to give you the name - I did and I knew within a week. Do not name ...See More

  18 minutes ago · Edited · Like
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  Randy Beeler Terry, this is a beautiful and movingly written, full-of-spirit autobiography. Your wisdom and joy for life come through, Ralston and all!

  July 27, 2009 at 8:42pm · Like
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  Terry Fenwick I LOVE THE BEELERS. I want to live on your farm and give you all of my trees and be in your back 40. Is there a way I can have a senior home on your farm? We are next to each other!

  August 11, 2009 at 10:38am · Like
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  Carla Hahn Clardy I will have to tell you later about my personal experience with angels. I owe them my life! We are going to have fun together! We have much in common! (I started off in BSF many years ago too!)

  September 20, 2009 at 8:21pm · Like
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  Terry Fenwick When do I get to hear about your angels? Just saw you wrote on my note in September 2009.

  March 20, 2010 at 10:41am · Like
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  Sharon Long Dalton I learned from friends who introduced me to Catholicism that I could send my angel to check on someone when I was concerned about them.

  March 20, 2010 at 11:11am · Like · 1
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  Terry Fenwick Saint Padre Pio sent his angel - have you read his book Angels? He knew his angel when he was 3 and thought everyone knew theirs. I heard Johnnette say she asked her angel to nudge another person's angel for her - and it happened in seconds. The per...See More

  March 20, 2010 at 11:34am · Like · 1
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  Sharon Long Dalton I do not know the source of my friends' knowlege, but I have St Michael and the angels compiled from approved sources from Tan Books. I have not heard of the books you mention. I also read several accounts in the protestant magazine, Angels on Earth by guidepost. We have a lot in common especially our conversion to Catholicism, but I was only 30 years old. Was the show on EWTN?

  March 20, 2010 at 11:43am · Like
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  Terry Fenwick Yes the program was on EWTN and on Johnnette's program - Abundant Life.

  March 20, 2010 at 11:46am via  · Like
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  Sharon Long Dalton The name did not ring a bell when I read it. Of course, I sometimes watch abundant life and get her daily e-mails. Did you see the one about an apparition Our Lady of America? Margie mentions it sometimes.

  March 20, 2010 at 11:49am · Like
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  Terry Fenwick You can get the DVD for that program if you go to Abundant Life - it is great to watch. I put it on at night often and tell Ralston, "I am playing your favorite program!"

  March 20, 2010 at 11:55am · Like
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  Terry Fenwick That one program, btw, not Abundant Life - but the one about Angels of God.

  March 20, 2010 at 11:55am · Like
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  Terry Fenwick This link is so old - probably not a good idea to use it now and we need to send messages - I am off for the day

  March 20, 2010 at 11:56am · Like
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  Ann Marie Boutt YOU ARE A GREAT LADY

  March 20, 2010 at 12:29pm · Like
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  Terry Fenwick and YOU, sweet Ann Marie, are such an Encourager.

  March 20, 2010 at 12:43pm · Like
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  Libby Bartley Put me on the list for a copy of each of your books! Are they finished yet?

  July 15, 2010 at 4:54am · Like
•