Climbing that mountain...

My last post was from "down in the valley" (Rio Grande), but since then, as most of you know, I've been in a valley of a different sort, which happens to all of us from time to time when bad things happen to us or to those we love.


And so we say goodbye to Silver Lining, wrecked beyond repair when she was hit head-on by a car careening out of control. I continue to pray for the driver of that car who will undoubtedly have a long recovery.

We must also say goodbye to Bandit, barring a miracle, because he ran away from the scene and has not been found. I will miss my kitty.

But I also know that when bad things happen, God is there. My good friends Marge and Dick used to sing a song about God being Lord of the mountain, and and Lord of the valley too. I think of that often as He sees me through the valleys in my life, and remember to praise him always.

He has placed good friends in my life, and many were near when the accident happened. They have given me such help, strength and support, my cup runneth over.

There are so many to thank, too many to name, all across the country for their help, offers to help, prayers, advice and good wishes. But I do want say a special thanks to some...

To Nancy (Birdie) who was there when it happened and stayed right with me through it all, feeding me, housing me, driving me everywhere I needed or wanted to go, and making me laugh.

For all those dog walks and pooper scoops she had to do...I will owe her for a very long time.

To Beth (sorry for the bad photo) and her friend Conni who came immediately when called to the hospital, and later helped me empty the RV of all my stuff and look for my cat. To Conni (whose picture came out even worse) for putting me up in her guest room for several days and let me store that "stuff" in her garage for even more days. And she had never met me before! Thank you Conni, for being such a great friend to Beth, and now to me.

To Karen, who generously loaned me the use of her RV until I found another one, and even delivered it to me at the Get-together at Mustang Island State Park.

To Colleen, who gave up a day at the Get-together to ride to Houston with Birdie and me to look at RVs, and gave me great advice in securing a good deal. She's smiling here because she just got her Golden Age Pass.

While inspecting my soon-to-be, new-to-me RV, Colleen took this photo detailing  my "wide spread".

To Diana (center) who helped facilitate the return of Karen's RV by driving from Austin to Kerrville where Birdie drove it, picking up Birdie and bringing her back to Goliad. Diana spent the night in the RV park before returning to Austin.

And so I am on the road to Florida, and I can see the mountaintop, praise be to God, and to all of my friends. If I've forgotten someone, I will blame it on my head injury.

I can never repay all that was done, but I hope to repay a little when the opportunity arises,

And spread the pollen to other flowers,

By paying it forward.

Everywhere I look it is Springtime! A time for new life...