Real Trials and Tribulations

It is the beginning of a new year, 2010, it hardly seems possible. Ten years have gone by since Steve agreed to go to California and live and work for three years. It has been five years since his death.

The time flies by and so much doesn't get done. I want to do so many things but somehow the day is gone and they don't get done.

I want to talk about my brother, Bob, the one who is writing the book on Trials and Tribulations. Of course , Bob has only come up with the title. All the stories are still locked away in his head. They are good stories and should be told. Bob puts in a lot of porch time thinking about life and he can really keep your attention when he is spinning one of his yarns.

Recently, however, Bob has been in a battle against throat cancer and then through tough times with radiation. It has left him unable to eat solid foods and has a hard time drinking liquids. I think of Bob often now more than ever because of the war he is trying to win. It makes my little battles seem so small and petty. We all have to fight our own battles but most of them, in my life anyway, aren't worthy of losing sleep over or fretting all day about them. Sometimes when I have a complaint I try to hold it up beside Bob's battle and boy does it seem small. Most of them I couldn't say out loud, they would seem so dumb.

It amazes me the courage people have that go through such terrific hardships in their life and then say "Oh I'm doing okay". I know my brother was a Marine and they are suppose to be tough but it takes a brave soldier to endure the war he is going through now. I pray that God will give him the strength to see this one through because we all need him to be out there on that porch spinning us a new yarn. Meanwhile I will try to recall some more of the yarns he has spun in the past. Here's one to you brother. I hope to be able to talk to you soon. Love, Sis

PS: In looking back on what I said earlier, I guess we do have enough time in the day, at least for the things that are important to us. And I guess it is okay sometimes to take time out of the day to do nothing except maybe dream, think, or just to gaze at the sky.