On the Lighter Side Today

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I'm a Mazda RX-8!

You're sporty, yet practical, and you have a style of your own. You like to have fun, and you like to bring friends along for the ride, but when it comes time for everyday chores, you're willing to do your part.

Yea, whatever.

A Year Later

I still miss my mother who passed away a year ago today. The good-bye process was a lengthy one as she had been in failing health for several years prior to her passing. Still, the grieving process takes time, and I will always miss her even though I know she is in a better place.

I came across 2 videos a week or so ago that moved me and I'd like to put them out as a tribute to my mother. I've already shared them with my brother, so I apologize bro' if this makes you cry at work (again), but I think others might find them touching too:

Thank you Mama:


Amazing Grace was one of her favorite hymns and I think she would have loved this rendition:


p.s. It's good my brother that I have a private cubicle from which I write this.

Hope and Change

Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" struck a chord this evening on the way home. Here are the lyrics, with my thoughts:

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Here is true hope. Not that of the political nature, but true, enduring, life-changing hope.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

There will be change, for that is what this world is about. But God is forever certain and He is our anchor in the midst of change.

God Bless

Happy Birthday to Me

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
You ask me how old I am,
It's four more than forty three.

In Memorium: Wanda Fae Miller

As I mentioned in my last post my mother passed away on December 5th. Here the obituary write-up we provided for publication:

Wanda Fae (Fankhouser) Miller, 73, passed away following a long illness Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at her home in Roque Bluffs, Maine. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Robert E. (Bob) Miller; two sons, Kevin J. Miller and his wife, Tricia, of Winchendon, Massachusetts, and Robin J. Miller and his wife Kym, of Savannah, Georgia; and nine grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Gwen (Fankhouser) Tustin, New Martinsville, West Virginia, and Ruth Fankhouser, of Mingo Junction, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Marion and George Fankhouser.

Wanda was born in New Martinsville, West Virginia February 7, 1934, daughter of Marion Rollier and Ida Irene (Prunty) Fankhouser, the youngest of 5 children. Wanda graduated from Magnolia High School in 1952, and then from Shepherd College in 1955 with a B.S. in Business Administration. She married Bob Miller of Xenia, Ohio in 1957. Following the completion of Bob’s military service in 1960 they lived in New Mexico, where their eldest son was born. They moved to Ellicott City, Maryland in 1962, and raised their two children while Wanda was employed as a bookkeeper for various medical offices. They enjoyed traveling and participating in church Missions projects. They also spent many vacations in Maine together. Following Bob’s retirement in 1996, they moved to Roque Bluffs, Maine, where they built a house together. She loved quilting and reading, and was active in the Ellsworth Church of the Nazarene.

I learned much from my mother. She taught me to read and instilled a love of reading that continues to this day. I'm a voracious reader and that has helped me in many ways.

I learned to appreciate music from her. My brother and I took music lessons, he in french horn and I in trombone, at her insistence. She loved to sing, even though she could not carry a tune in a bucket. Hence I learned that true appreciation of music comes not from the skill of it's performance but from the heart of the performer and it's connection to others.

My mother taught me to stand up for what was right. She didn't always get along with some because she spoke her mind plainly and would not compromise on her principles. Being right was, and is, more important than being liked. I also learned that a little tact helps in expressing one's opinions.

Most importantly I learned about priorities. My priorities of faith, family, health, work and church reflect what I have seen and learned from her and my father. Always first is our relationship with God; everything else flows from that. Family and health come next. Work and church come after all that, and for me there is a gap between the first 3 and the next 2.

I learned that faith and church are not the same. Churches are human organizations intended to help one develop and practice their faith. We must be careful not to let the conflicts and disagreements that arise between fallible human people regarding the church negatively affect our relationship with God.

In the end I learned love. Though she seldom expressed it in words, I know she loved me by her actions and deeds; and I loved her as a son, who was raised the best way she knew how and who learned as much as I could from her.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13

Posting To Be Light Due To Family Issues

Not that my posting here has ever been consistent or prolific. My mother passed away today and I'm dealing with family issues. Yes it is a sad time, but she had been in failing health for several years due to PSP, so in some ways it was a relief for her and us: Besides, I know she is in a better place now. Will post more on this at some point.