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Another Way | Cell Phone Messages
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There is a message on my cell phone from my daughter that I am planning on re-saving each time it comes up for deletion. We were both having problems with our cell phones; the battery on mine was dying and hers did not ring. We were trying to coordinate a meeting, and kept missing each other. We tried to reach each other through our cell phones, but as I said those were useless. The message from my daughter was to explain what she finally ending up doing, but since my cell phone battery died, I never got it in time. Her message acknowledges this; she said not to worry about her because she was fine and heading home, but since she knew I would not get the message she said she knew I would be worried anyway. Her message ended by saying "and that was very rambling so I am going to hang up now. Bye." It is a cherished memory of mother and daughter trying to communicate through the 'marvels' of technology that were not so marvelous at that time. It is also a reminder of the care and concern we have for one another.
Mothers and daughters over the years have tried to communicate, bridging the generation gap. While it is unusual for technology to be the barrier, it is not unusual for there to be some sort of barrier in communication. So when one generation reaches out to the other, and expresses concern and a desire for connection and reconnection, it should be treasured and saved. Thankfully with technology it can be.
Eugene, OR US
Another Way | Article: A Mother's Dictionary Revisited
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Hey Melodie,
My dad used to say "land to Goshen" as an exclamatory for something that was just a big thing. Sort of the same way one would say "wow!"
yardley,, PA USA
Another Way | Books for families
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I loved your book review in today’s column. We did a pre-bedtime nightly book read on the couch with both of our kids for many years. I particularly recall a book called “I am the Dog; I am the Cat” by Donald Hall, which saw some pretty heavy use. My hubby and I passed it back & forth and did the two parts with funny voices. (The kids couldn’t wait to take a turn
with it once they were old enough to read themselves.) It made for some very memorable times filled with laughter and fun.
We also had two books by Jill Murphy – “Five Minutes Peace” and “All in One Piece” which were great favorites. If asked, I would have to say that our book reading ritual was one of my favorite things about parenting young children. Also, the side benefit was that both of our children became very early readers. Our son was already reading “The Boxcar Children” chapter
books before he entered kindergarten! They are now both in high school.
I feel sad for some of today’s kids who are given electronic books that “read themselves” with the press of a button. While they are kind of fun – they are no substitute for one on one time with a parent or grandma sitting next to you reading aloud and sharing the time together… Thanks again for your article. It brought back many fond memories and made me smile.
Hector, MN
Cherri Koeberl
Another Way | a mother's dictionary: upstonah
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doesn't upstonah mean stand up?
I giggled when I read this because I could just
hear my Dad shouting, "ye zellin upstonan" and then when coming into the room, one might hear,
this is "upsheizlich"kromsht. meaning realy terribly messy" I thought everyone would be calling "to set the record straight" regarding this word.
winkler, mb canada
Another Way | Guilty as Charged: comment
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Now I'm feeling guilty because I don't feel guilty!! LoL. Not really.
My daughter was raised in financial poverty but rich in experiences and now has a university degree and is working in a field where she makes a huge difference to many people's lives, on a very personal level. She is able to do the wonderful personal part because she was raised by a mother (me) who didn't and doesn't give in to the pressures of "guilt" (not even "good Mennonite guilt" which I learned at my mother's knee) but who chose to do things the way I/we did, and be certain of it, convinced it was the right way for us. No guilt.
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
Another Way | Starting Over After Prison (Part 1)
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I just happened to come across this wonderful website looking for information on the Mennonites. I read "Starting Over After Prison (Part 1)" and it struck a chord in me. I spent almost 12 years incarcerated, and can agree with the statement that "Leaving prison is a lot harder than I thought it would be."
There are few resources for people in need and even fewer for those who are released from correctional facilities. Added to the problem are the economy and hysterical fears about ex-convicts and crime in general. I often hear people say, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." I often think, "What if instead of spending billions of dollars on war and destruction, we spent it on building our communities?"
I accept responsibility for my unlawful actions. Can law abiding citizens accept responsibility for their inaction?
Oakland, CA USA
Another Way | Article: Off the Contact List
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Thanks for the post; how true.
It makes me think beyond contact lists. Our former and beloved administrative assistant's voice is still on our voice mail greeting nine months after her passing. Many of us feel warm feelings and happy memories when her voice welcomes us. But others have an opposite reaction. Either way, when do you decide that it's time to make the change? It's bittersweet to think about.
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Another Way | Checking out a New Church: We are the church
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The pastor and leaders at our church have been teaching on how we, the believers, are the church. Does God want us to be a "church" where people can come to us, or does He desire for the church - (we, the believers) to go out and engage the world? We've been challenged to see it in a different perspective, which in turn, will direct our behavior. -- As you read Romans 12:1-8, you see the church compared to a body, not a building. As we go out and use the gifts that God has given to us, God uses us to draw people in relationship to His Son. That is both a humbling and exciting task. Nancy Schaffer
Yardley, PA USA
Another Way | Article: Weird Smells I Love and Why
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Hi,
I am told that odours/ smells are one of the most powerful triggers for memory. For me that is true.
My Dad worked for a Bakery as their fleet mechanic and the train from school let me off right outside the bakery. So I was able to say G'day to Dad and pick up fresh bread and rolls to eat as I walked home. So when I smell fresh bread think of those simple and carefree days. Another smell I like is aviation fuel as it reminds me of the travels that I have done as well as the 'relief' of meeting the Royal Flying Doctor Service as I waited to load my critically ill patients on board. Other smells that I love are Mum's rice puddings and bread and butter puddings because that is the smell of home. Love you Mum!
Eric
Queensland Australia
Another Way | Weird Smells
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Reading the email about Weird Smells reminded me that I love the smell of dirt. Specifically, fresh turned dirt in the spring time. To me it is one of the "cleanest" smells there is.
Vale, NC USA
Another Way | Thoughts on favorite smells: My favorites
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I love the smell of drying fresh water moss - we had it all over on the island where I was raised - and I would walk to town for the mail and smell it along the roadside shoreline.
While my mom was arguably not a good cook, I think the smell of vanilla and fresh peaches and cream are other really memory evoking smells.
Conversely there are smells that naturally evoke my "stress" reaction - one I immediately think of is the smells of citric acids (oranges, and vinegar).
I don't think our church has a smell - but in the daytime when all of the lights are off, its natural daylight levels bring me a strong sense of peace. I'll try to look for a "smell" this Sunday.
Middletown, NJ USA
Another Way | Article: Thanks for the Memories
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Thanks so much for the reminder. As this is the mission of my work life, I so appreciate seeing it in other contexts. The stories, memories and information that our parents and grandparents have to pass on to us is so precious. In this world of quick information: text messages, email, blogs, and cell phones, it is far to easy to lose the stories. My work focuses on Faith Booking- a way to combine storytelling with photos to share those precious moments in our own lives and in the lives of those who share our life story.
Thanks again for pointing out this important reminder.
Tami Nice, Creative Memories Unit Leader
and Consultant for Life
www.mycmsite.com/nice
nicecmc@bellsouth.net
Tami Nice
Another Way | Article: A Dinosaur in an Age of Electronics
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A dress is just a dress and shoes are just shoes. What you wear is your own choice and I hope you keep wearing just what you like and are comfortable with. Perhaps Kingsolver's exchange with Lily could have become a "teachable moment" for Lily, a chance to point out to her how unimportant trends and fashion are compared to things that are lasting. Thanks for your column.
Evvie
Cambridge, MA USA
Another Way | The Stray Cat and Euthanasia
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I just love the way you like to stir up memories for your readers. You should win an award for doing so on such a regular basis. That’s why you do what you do, I’m sure.
As a continuing care retirement community we deal with the situations you describe on a daily basis. It’s amazing to see how differently families conduct themselves as the life of a loved one slowly creeps from them. Even more interesting is the way our caregivers dote over the residents as their lives on this earth draw to a close. Some have no family to visit them and we become their surrogate families. That makes the end a lot easier for the residents, but it is never easy for the caregivers, no matter how long they have been working here.
Recently a very good friend of mine was admitted to the Alzheimer’s unit. She and her husband had enjoyed over 60 years together, and he had lovingly cared for her each day as her health was failing. I was amazed at the love shown in their household. I had the awesome privilege of sharing a meal with them on numerous occasions and it was always a blessing to me to just sit and watch them, together.
When the wife was moved into the dementia care unit, the husband and their one son knew the end was not too far off and they all agreed that no life support would be used to extend the inevitable. The husband and son visited her every day until about a week before she died. I visited her every day, and she always seemed to recognize me when I came into the room and spoke with her. Eight days before she passed away, she proclaimed, “John, I’ve decided what I’m going to do.” I inquired about her plan and she calmly explained, “I’m going to stop eating and drinking. I’m ready to go home.” I told her that her husband and son were okay with that decision (we’d talked about it on more than one occasion) and I was glad for her. And that’s exactly what she did. I visited her each morning and evening and would talk with her and pray with her and she would respond, sometimes with a mumbled word, other times with a squeeze of my hand, or simply a barely noticeable smile.
The morning she died, I stopped in to see her and she was very near death. I sat down with her and held her hand and prayed that the Lord would wrap His loving arms around her and make it a peaceful passing into His presence. She took a couple of deep breaths about 35 seconds apart, and was gone. It was truly peaceful, and I was again blessed to be around her for the last time here on earth.
She was ready to go, and her family was ready to let her go, in God’s timing. That’s the way it should be.
John
John Kollaer
Another Way | Rhoda's Pain: Thank you!
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Rhoda,
I know that this is late but
I can only think about the pain you have endured ,and I think Eric's response not only sums up my feelings ,but is in essence what Jesus would have said.I believe that your Uncle needs to repent of his sin,and his family need to repent of their sin of omission in not supporting or believing you.You need to know that even if your biological family does not support you that two brothers in your spiritual family on the other side of the pacific do.
Eric if you are reading this ,i wonder if you could email me to the email attached to my name.
Rhoda remem
Mitcham, Victoria Australia
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