Victoria Advocate, A Different Perspective
Life is always busy, but these past two weeks, pure sweetness eclipsed the hustle-bustle. On a Friday afternoon, I attended the yearly talent show at Morada East. The choir sang patriotic songs and hymns. I sang along, laughed, and even shed a few tears. It was good to remember my roots, back when life was less complicated and nobody was concerned with political correctness. The different participants sparkled in their roles: a gossipy old woman on a one-sided phone call, a rousing rendition of “Casey at the Bat,” and the “real” story of the “Three Little Pigs,” as told by the wolf. Even the staff got in on it, with a performance by Morada’s very own “Blues Brothers.” So much fun!
Then my husband and I stole down to South Padre, first stopping in Harlingen to visit with my cousin. He’d had surgery complications resulting in a stroke. It’s been a slow comeback, but he was in great spirits and thrilled to see us. He was alert and thoroughly enjoyed the visit, even if he got frustrated when he couldn’t communicate the way he wanted to. He asked about my book, so I showed him a copy, assuring him it was “chick lit.” His grimace was priceless. His wife later thanked us for the book.
South Padre was lovely, if still too hot. I went on my first helicopter ride and loved it. It was like riding inside a dragonfly. We flew over the island at a speed of 250 miles per hour and saw the island from the ocean side, the bay side, and even circled around Space X.
We ate at our favorite restaurants and visited Sea Turtle Inc. and a couple of souvenir shops. Mostly, though, we hung out on the beach. Dave metal-detected in the morning. We visited the set up for Sandcastle Days and watched the sun go down when it was cool and breezy. We left feeling refreshed and ready to tackle our tasks again.
The day after our return, we attended Grandparent’s Day at Faith Academy. Our oldest grandson found us in the auditorium, then he found his younger brother and his other grandmother. That one has a herding instinct. We took full advantage of photo ops, ate snacks, and visited classrooms. Our grand finale was a game of Rummikub—all five of us.
We kept the boys on Saturday to give their mom a break and that was fun too. I wowed David with the idea of a card game tournament—then he stomped all over me. We played Go Fish, Slamwich, Skunk in the Campground, Old Maid, Authors—you’d think I could have at least won that one, but noooooo. I didn’t even win Crazy Eights, my favorite. Papa fixed pizza for lunch, David settled into a Star Wars movie, and Emmitt and I baked Peanut Butter Cookie Bars. Later, I started a puzzle. Emmitt kept me company, doodling on paper and chatting. And more chatting. Dave finished the puzzle later while I watched the Cowboys lose to San Francisco. Ouch. So painful I went to bed early.
On the other side of the world, Hamas terrorists and other Iranian proxies attacked the sovereign state of Israel. They spared no segment of society—women, babies, the elderly, and citizens of other nations. It’s an ongoing massacre. In the Ukraine, relentless war continues. The tragedies seem far away and it’s easy to think those horrible things won’t happen to us. Whether they do or don’t, there is a reckoning day for every person. Scripture reminds us to keep our eyes on the eastern skies, because when Jesus left, He said He would come again. For some, that means salvation and everlasting life. For others, it means judgement.
Are you ready?
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