Another Year

Another Year By Nina B.

On the eve of another birthday, I give thanks - always to my Father God… I hear the words of my mother, “You’re not supposed to be here.” She was referencing my near death experience sometime before my first birthday - I had developed double pneumonia as the story goes and children of the fifties and low birth weights didn’t usually survive, but I did… Father God had other plans and I, like everyone, am supposed to accomplish something for Father God’s Kingdom. I remember other near death experiences - the attack of a dog as I walked to St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church for a Girl Scout outing. I remember running across the street in front of a car, falling and then sliding on my hand-sewn plastic mat… I gasped as did others,... my attending angels as well… The rabid dog I think they anticipated… Me running in front of the car took some quick thinking and unseen action… Then there was the one that was seen, some years later - another trip - this time as a high school senior to Jamaica and I was bored with my friends and their antics and I decided to leave the group and went for a walk… in the dark, up a hilly road... with nothing but my Pentax single-lens-reflex camera… I may have had my library card as identification... What was I thinking? Clearly, I was not! At the top of the hill there was a man that I was not afraid of passing, so as I walked passed but he extended his hand and kindly said, “Hey soul sister.” I extended my hand to shake his hand but he held onto my hand, (which did alarm me), and said calmly, “Soul sister, you better get back down the road to your friends.” He didn’t need to say it twice. I didn’t question why, but obeyed. I walked at first, but then skipped into a jog… Turned of course, to look back, but he was gone… Some quick thinking and a seen action… I have written about how Father God takes care of babies and fools… Thank You Father! So on this eve of a not so momentous birthday… I have cause to reflect - which I do often, I just rarely write about any of my thoughts these daze… As a Christ follower, I simply enjoy and give thanks for the quiet and the time to think - I am retired from teaching, but certainly not life… I am very careful about how I spend my time. Remember no one - not one, can buy more time. So, I live my life and days and try to be respectful of others living their lives. I choose to read, do art and go outside and walk for hours everyday and talk and smile at strangers… This is something that many people don’t do anymore, seemingly out of fear… but we all make choices… I have noted as I have gotten older, along with family and friends, and especially those who have died; there are some things I don’t want to be remembered for: Living in fear is definitely at the top of my list. Being known for how clean my house is - to the point of having a museum for a living room. Having things that I couldn’t part with and so holding onto stuff as if it were mine. Leaving people untouched - physically and emotionally - this is horrid and sinful. I want people to know that I would and do Speak truth Stand firm Do what is right according to the Word of God - the Bible. And love my Father God with all my heart. When I was young I used to wonder about what I would get for my birthday, but as I got older my query turned into what did I do with the time I was given… Have I done what I was supposed to do, since in mama’s words, I’m “not supposed to be here.”? Truly, only Father knows and as long as He gives me life, I get to do something for His Kingdom everyday! Everyday is a gift! Soli Deo Gloria, Til He blows the final trumpet… Nina B.