Tuesday

In Those Days, I almost always lived in the cooler parts of the world, either somewhere along the Right coast, or somewhere in Europe. There was always snow in the winters and I can't remember a Christmas without it. And there were always trees. I loved snow and trees. Snowmen, snow forts, snowballs, and sleds. And when the snow fell, I shovelled driveways for extra money. There were no snow blowers then, just whatever shovel I could find. Tree houses, tire swings, hollow trees, and tree climbing. And when the leaves fell, I raked them for extra money. There were no leaf blowers then.

Things seemed to change as time passed. My father was transferred to a new kind of place. The desert was a place I had only heard about before then. It was brown, few trees, and seldom did it snow. It was windy, so windy that there was no need to rake the few leaves that did fall. I never really cared for the desert, But the desert proved to be a great place to raise my family. The schools were fine, and the community offered plenty of sports and things to keep us all busy. I was always employed, which provided for toys and fun. Minibikes, soccer, tent camping, motorcycles, basketball, camping trailers, softball, motor boats, amusement parks, water skis, and ocean sailing. My family did it all, but that left most anyone outside of my family, outside.

My life now is much like it once was. Lots of trees, but mostly the evergreen tree kind. And I use a blower to rid whatever pine needles that drop. And I don't yet have a tree house or swing. It snows here every so often, but there is never a need to shovel it. It's oh so quiet here since most of my children have children and are doing it all.

I love Sittin' on the Dock of the Lake. Thinking about where I've been, how I came to be me, praising my Lord for the blessings He sent, and preparing for that day that He will call.