Praise you in the storm...

Happy Holy Week for friends who observe Christian tradition. I've begun the week with contemplation. Thinking about this idea of praise (I am in the choir, after all, and this is one of our busiest weeks!) 

I also pay attention when friends say "thank God" or "Praise God" and it is always attached to some positive outcome, answered prayer, or good thing. So what about the times of trial, suffering, the downright difficult times? Am I not to praise him? Am I to say "thanks God for the crapstorm, I so appreciate it" being bitter for all that has come my way? 

That would be easy.

But it's not the way I operate. See, I fully believe on life on life's terms. As difficult as those terms may be. Life may beat me up and knock me down, but I can thank God for the strength to get back up.

Those who know me personally know the last six months have been filled with trials. Every reason I moved back to Tallahassee fell apart, with the exception of family. (Thank goodness I have my family). Maybe things needed to appear promising for me to come home and take care of Grandma? Maybe I needed to see the direction in which my life was not supposed to go? Maybe all of this led to me meeting someone here that would help me find a new path? I do not have the answers yet.

I do know I am not alone. I know that I can't blame God for the shortcomings of others, for the injustices of the "justice" system, for the dishonesty that comes with being human, or for the inconsistencies in what appeared to be the right path. Because it's just life. Is it extremely difficult right now? Yes. Am I continuing to praise my higher power? Most definitely. Because I can't imagine how much more difficult life would be without that inner strength that comes from God.

Just my two cents

Prayers welcome

**God can be called Buddha, Jehovah, HP, etc. the God within me honors the God within you- Namaste**

What happens when you go near the scary house around the corner...

**the names and addresses have been changed to protect my privacy, and the privacy of others**

Currently, I have the privilege of living in my childhood home. At almost 30 years old, I rent the home from my mother. It can be strange at times, but then there are times when something so cool happens, it makes it all worth it. I had one of those experiences today.

We all have a house in our childhood neighborhood that has the crazy old lady, or the scary resident, the house nobody goes near. If a ball happens to land in their yard, it's gone forever. 

That house in my neighborhood happens to share my house number and a street with very similar spelling, so I often get the mail that belongs there. Usually, I would place it back in the mailbox, or drop it off and run. Even at age 25, I found myself still scared of the "crazy lady" at 3620 Cadsbury Lane. 

Today, I received one of her packages. I decided today would be different. I'm almost 30 for goodness sake! There is no reason to fear her! So off I go... Around the block to Mrs. Kuchler's house.

She saw me as I pulled up and came out to meet me, closing the door quickly, explaining she doesn't want to let the cats out. 

I told her who I was and she remembered me from my childhood. This creeped me out because I never remember officially meeting this woman. With her snaggle teeth and thick German accent, she says she gets my mail too. I wonder what happens to it but don't dare ask.

Then something happens. 

The unexpected.

I look in her eyes and see a sweet soul. Someone who longs to talk. So I allow it.

She tells me the box contains a present for a police woman that helps her feed cats, that she actually wakes up at 3am to go to one of our local college campuses to feed strays. This police woman keeps her safe so she got her a gift to thank her (other cops try to get Mrs. K in trouble for feeding the cats).

I tell her I love cats too, but only have one. She has ten! 

This woman isn't scary at all, she's simply an elderly cat lady. 

We talk for about 20 more minutes and she asks if I'd like to go with her to feed the cats on Saturday, then we can go to a rose sale that benefits the animal shelter. As scared as I am to get in the car with an 80 year old driver, I can't help but oblige. 

So there it is, my happy surprise today. It's always great to see what happens when I let preconceived ideas and notions get out of the way. I've connected with a woman who shares the same passion for cats that I do, who has probably always been very kind, just a little strange. I'm excited for Saturday. I'm grateful for my experience with the house around the block, the house I wouldn't go near, the house belonging to old Mrs. K.