Everybody Needs To Experience
I was a bit shocked when seeing the light dusting of snow on the ground this morning, but I should've been because there were light flakes of snow floating around outdoors before I headed to bed last night, but at least we didn't have inches of it. I did have to be a bit careful when driving early this morning, as that fine layer of snow was turning into slick spots of ice. At least once the day rolled on, most of it either melted or evaporated.
With this being the last day of my personal 'annus horribilis', I went ahead and paid the very last of the bills I needed to get in the mail before the 1st of the year and dropped them off at the post office, and once that was finished, I placed a call to a friend, just to tell her I was gonna drop off a belated Christmas gift, but unfortunately I had to leave a message, which she later responded to, so after I was finished play over at First Congregational Church, I dropped it off at her back door while she was attending her own spiritual gathering.
As the hour approached for me to be at church, I grabbed my music, my plate of goodies, and my trusty camera, just so I could get some photos of its interior to share with all of you. When I arrived, I dropped my plate off in their fellowship hall, and then went over to their organ and got myself situated.
Luckily, they had all the lights on and nobody in the body of the church, which gave me an opportunity to go around and take a number of photos which I'm sharing with you tonight in a slide-show, so if you click on the main photo, it'll open all the rest of them. In spite of them having turned out well, a person really doesn't get the full effect of the beauty of those windows. Someone told me not long ago that those windows are something everybody needs to experience on a weekly basic. Yes, they're quite soul-lifting.
For the most part, the music went as planned other than there being a little mis-understanding with the first hymn, which had me a little troubled when being told beforehand that I had to play the refrain twice after the last verse, and that's what I did, but the singers weren't prepared for it. Oh well, since the rest of it went as planned, it ended up being just one of those things.
Before leaving, I stopped by their fellowship hall, just to say 'hello' to several whom I've known for a great number of years. One of them always gives me a smile while giving me the thumbs up over my playing their vintage organ. I'd heard some months ago that her husband's mother was their organist for a number of years, which is likely why they both enjoy hearing it played.
Before heading back to office, I took a short trip to deliver a 'thank you' package to a young gentleman and his partner who was kind enough to help get rid of some things which required his skid loader, and after he got that big job done, I asked him how much I owed him, and to my shock, all he said was, "Whatever's right with you.", so I gave him a check for what I thought was fair, and of course he thought it was too much. My gosh! How many people do you know who'd act like that in these times?
Since he lives in the country, I didn't want to bother him on a Sunday morning, so I stuck it in his mailbox, and then later called to tell him I placed a small token of my thanks out at his drive for what he did. We had a nice little chat, and before I hung up he said, "Don't hesitate to give me a call if you need anything else done." I'm sure glad there are still people in our midst who're community minded, and definitely thankful our paths crossed when they did, and for sure I'll have other things requiring his assistance.
When I got back to office to change into my work clothes, it was already approaching half past Noon, so I checked my email and then headed over to my 'project' and become consumed with a very tedious and time-consuming workout. Thinking I'd have it completely finished today, it didn't happen, and only because it ended up being more taxing than expected, so hopefully I'll be able to get it fully completed tomorrow. Ugh! How glad I'll be when that's over!
Before heading home, I stopped at Hy-Vee and grabbed a few things, and while there, I ran into another past client whom I'd not seen in a number of years, and for whatever reason, she looked all the peppery and lively than she was the last time I saw her, and of course I had to mention how good she looked. But, as always, such comments are followed by, "Oh if I could only shower you with dollars for saying that!" Unfortunately, most people don't take compliments given for their face value, but you can bet whenever someone pays me a compliment, I always thank them and leave it at that. But, there are times when I get compliments over the various neckties I wear, and whenever someone does make mention, I simply say, "Thank you, You have very good taste.", which puts a positive note back on them.
While visiting with one of the members at First Congregational this morning, I mentioned how glad I am that this year's coming to and end, which prompted her to share similar feelings. I paused a moment and then added, "Do you think our bad year was because it's an odd number?" We're both now hoping that's what it was, so I'm gonna remain positive and move forward in time of with the belief that 2024 is going to be my 'annus mirabilis', which I'll definitely be working towards on a daily basis, so tonight from my heart I'm insisting that it's time for "Out with the old, and In with the new.", and wishing all of you who're the most deserving, the very best of year's ahead.
Tonight's One-liner is: The oldest, shortest words - 'yes' and 'no' - are those which require the most thought.
original post .... https://niowarealty.net/life/2023/12/31/everybody-needs-to-experience/