Animals Are a Gift From God

I've had many animals as pets, but I never connected with one as much as I have my cute little grand-dog. Apparently he feels the same way about me as captured in a hilarious (to me anyway!) video made by my son Chris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGnXVuvcWJM. 

His name is Dan, but I call him Danny, and he is a Beagle/Jack Russell mix.  He has his own shelf of doggie treats in my pantry, a corner of my living room for storage of his bed (when he stays overnight) and toys,  and the assurance of at least an hour walk per day when he visits. I am firmly wrapped around one of his little paws although I haven't identified which one as yet.

Genesis 1:26 states: "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."' I don't know if God intended some of the creatures to become pets, but I'm sure He knew and was pleased that man could relate to animals in such a way.

Enjoy the video and my New Year's wish for each of you is to embrace each day with as much excitement as my grand-dog! (Feel free to share this blog or the video).

It Only Now Begins

I'm always a little sad when Christmas is over so I don't take down the Christmas decorations until mid-January. By then, I'm feeling a little guilty about having them up for 2 months, but I really enjoy the way it makes my home so inviting and special.

This year, I also faced a change that will result in a dilemma next year. My church changed service times which conflicted with our annual open house that had been an event since 1973. I learned too late that the later service (in the past it was midnight, 11pm and then 10pm) was abolished due to low attendance of maybe 30 people last year. I couldn't cancel my open house because family and friends begin looking forward to it as early as October. I understand why the change was made, but I still am saddened by the decision.

Since 1969, I had been attending these candlelight services (and the later one for almost 3 decades), and I believe that was only the 3rd time I'd ever missed a Christmas Eve service. Instead, my younger son and I attended my older son's and daughter-in-law's church. It was a nice contemporary service, but we missed the traditional candlelight service of our own church. Next year, I'll have to decide which event of more than 40 years takes priority - the open house or attending my own church's services. We'll see what happens...

When Steve was living, I could always look forward to New Year's Day and our anniversary later in January. Now I have to focus on something else, and it is actually the right thing to do.

Jesus is born!!! The world changed with that one simple event, and now the journey to follow him begins anew. I can make whatever NewYear's resolutions I want, but I know everything should focus on how I can continue his lessons for living. And in the end, it won't matter whether I have an open house or attend different church services on Christmas Eve - what matters is that I remember the significance of Christmas itself and live it every day. I hope that is a reality for all my Christian friends and family too.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

More Than a Business

For the second time, I am the recipient of a special kindness from a business. In fact, it's difficult for me to think of them as a business because we have a special bond that has lasted more than 3 decades. To me, they epitomize what commerce and good customer service should be about and here's why:

Every year, but one (because I was expecting), my husband had something under the tree for me from my favorite women's clothing store - Saffees. It was my favorite for a number of reasons, and not just because of the quality and selection of their clothing. Over the years, we became friends with a son and daughter of the owners who have now taken over the family business.

The year I lost my husband, I received a call from the manager Bonnie McConnell Smith who unfortunately passed away recently. Bonnie was special, too, and always knew what I would I like, although my husband Steve did an excellent job of that himself.

Bonnie called to tell me they had something for me that she needed to drop by my home. Apparently, the owners' son, also named Steve, awoke in the middle of the night thinking, "What about Vicki?" He knew the tradition, and was adamant that a gift from Saffees should be under my tree. So these fine people presented me with an Oleg Cassini running suit.

This year, while shopping at Oak Park Mall, I visited with Marie who now manages the store there. (It's customary for me to visit that store at least annually to purchase stocking stuffers which are donated). As always, we visited and I also found a couple of gifts for family.

Now, back in Lawrence, I decided there was one additional item I wanted so I called Marie to ask her to send it to the Lawrence store for pick-up. When the Lawrence store called to tell me it had arrived, I asked them to put it on my account and I would try to have one of my sons pick it up for me.

Soon after, I received another call from Cheryl who said that she would press the wrinkles out of the item for me, gift wrap it, and either she or Steve would personally drop it by my home, or they would send it UPS. This was not an expensive item so I told them to please not make an extra effort, but Cheryl stated that Steve wanted to do that for me. Within a few hours, the package was delivered!

I have been the recipient of many kindnesses, but one doesn't expect those same kindnesses from a business. That is what makes Saffees so special. Even though I can only make it into the local store a couple of times a year, they continue to bestow the same kindness and courtesy I truly value from them.

The Bible tells us to "love one another," and Titus 3:8 states: "...so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." The Saffees staff and owners live that philosophy, so while other stores may be caught up in the commercialization of Christmas, these individuals truly make this a better world for their fellowman.

Merry Christmas to all, and may you also give and receive many unexpected kindnesses this holiday season.

Wishing or Praying? Hope at Christmas

It occurred to me recently that both wishing and praying are about hope. In this season that is all about hope, it's interesting to reflect on the two.

I think the biggest difference between wishing and praying is that the later is based on faith. We are making our wants and needs known specifically to God, and hoping that it is His will to honor our request. Wishing, on the other hand, is just hoping that something will occur.

I also know that I'm ignorant of the big picture. Some bad things will happen; Christians are not immune. Sometimes, it's really difficult to understand why God lets certain things occur, but I believe it all works according to His BIG plan. Although it's not easy, I also think God will help us to make lemonade out of the lemons that we encounter on our life's journey. In fact, I've seen that to be true with of my own heartaches. The Bible specifically addresses it in Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I have to admit, there are so many blessings in my life that I couldn't begin to list all of them. I especially notice this around the holidays when, I believe it was Dickens who said in A Christmas Carol, "want is felt more keenly." I have everything I need, and most everything that I really want. That's a true blessing, and I feel it my responsibility to share that blessing with others.

If you read my story in the recently released Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas! edition, you will understand why the loss of my husband always makes this time of the year a little bittersweet. While I'm sad that I can't have Steve here to share the holiday with me, I love Christmas and the hope that it stands for. And for those of us who have experienced significant loss, it is that hope which often drives us to prayer.

And now, Merry Christmas to all, and I pray that you will share the love, peace, hope and blessings of the season, especially with those who need it most!

Thanksgiving vs. Christmas

It’s been looking like Christmas since before Halloween, and usually I have no problem getting caught up in the excitement. As usual, I’ve been reading Christmas books for more than a month now, and watching Christmas shows on television. And normally, my Christmas decorating begins before Thanksgiving, but this year, I find myself uncharacteristically wanting to wait a little longer with that. 

I truly think that thanksgiving is a year-round concept. In fact, I often thank God many times during the day. With that said, I confess I’m not very diligent in saying grace before meals except on special occasions, but I do try to remember to thank God each night for all he has given me, and the possibilities sent my way.

I think this year is a little different for me because I’m continuing to move away from putting so much importance on possessions. Make no mistake, I still like things, but I’ve realized they aren’t what really bring me happiness.  I most value experiences (preferably the positive kind), and the ability to do for others.  That’s when I feel most blessed when I can give and share – something some of us never realize is a true blessing.

So, it might take me a little longer to get into the Christmas spirit this year. I do have my tree up, although undecorated as yet, and I will put out my outside décor while it is still relatively nice weather, but I want to savor Thanksgiving a little while longer this year before I buy many more things to give or keep.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I’ll readily admit that isn’t always easy when things aren’t going my way, but it should be very easy to at least be thankful amidst so many blessings on a daily basis. Maybe that’s what Thanksgiving is really all about - preparing us to know that we are blessed every day and to give thanks.

For ways to express your Thanksgiving gratitude and do something positive for your fellowman, check out my forthcoming Examiner article on "Thanksgiving opportunities," or visit my website (www.vickijulian.com) and click on the link to access my column.

Disabled, Handicapped or Something Else

I am mobility challenged. I can walk, but not far and not well. A scooter (aka adult go-kart) is my main transport, and I have one in my car tethered to a boom lift for when I go away from home. There are a few more issues associated with my Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) diagnosis, but I’m not thinking of those as I write this blog entry.

Like many others, I believe, I don’t consider myself disabled or handicapped. There are simply some things that I can’t do any more like run a marathon (okay, I never really did that), cross-country ski, or dance.  I miss some of that mobility and being able to do little tasks around the house, but I still function well, especially cognitively. And, most importantly, I can accept my situation with humor. In fact, I've recently won awards for a humorous essay on the subject of living with my M.S.

Since I’m an optimist, I would rather concentrate on what I can do rather than what I cannot. That’s really a secret to happiness for all of us. And one of those things that almost all of us can do is to make things better for those around us. As long as I can still do for others, I am empowered and will never really consider myself disabled or handicapped. 

Although my challenges may be obvious to others, and they sometimes express surprise at what I can do, it’s no big deal to me. I accept help when needed, or if it will make someone else happy to do something for me, but I retain my independence. I truly thank God for that.

I know so many who struggle inwardly and no one knows of their challenges, only because these are more difficult to discern than a leg brace or use of mobility equipment. But also I think of those with some of the same issues as mine, both current and noted in the Bible.

I remember the paralyzed man whose friends brought him to meet Jesus and receive healing. How hard that must have been for the lame man to be so dependent upon others (Matthew 9:2). No public transportation, no accessibility, no physical or occupational therapy, and certainly not many others with whom he might identify. Add to that, the Old Testament is full of stories ostracizing the sick and disabled. It wasn’t a good time to be anything but perfectly healthy. Again, I truly thank God for placing me in this world at the present time.

It seems there are a lot more of us with physical challenges these days as evidenced by the prevalence of specially designated handicapped parking. When these were first established, it was common to see almost all were empty, but now it seems difficult to find one at times.

So what does all this mean, especially as the population ages and people live longer, perhaps with bodies that are wearing out and not made to last forever? I’m not sure, but I think God wants us to appreciate who we are, what we have, what we’ve been given, and what we can do. That’s a tall order, but that’s probably the biggest challenge any of us face. And one thing is for certain, He loves us no matter what.

Are You Googleable?

That sounds like a funny question - Are you Googleable? That may not be an actual word, but I like it, and it might surprise many people that they, in fact, are. You don't have to be famous; it seems the Internet just has a wealth of information on everyone, including your name, address, and even age range.

As a writer, I periodically Google myself just to see if any of my new publications are posted. It's amazing what you can find.

I know I'm not the only Vicki Julian. I also know I'm not the only Vicki L. Julian. But recently, I discovered that among the links attributed to me, was a Vicki Julian talking about her addiction! That was not exactly in line with my reputation, and I could only hope that no one who Googles me thinks I am the person who wrote that blog. It's not that I'm passing judgement, it's just that I wish to be known for my own accomplishments as well as my own foibles.

I've discovered you can't trust the pictures that pop up either. They indicate "Vicki Julian's photos," but I don't know half of the people in those designated pictures. And some photos I'd prefer not to be attributed to me.

Even though I don't want strangers to mistake me for others, I can be comforted by one thing. God sees my strengths as well as every weakness, and I'm sure there may be other Vicki Julians who are more than happy not to be me. So it really comes down to what really matters.

1 John 3:20 says: ",,,For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." And if he even knows the number of hairs on our heads (or lack thereof), I'm pretty sure he knows us individually. In any case, at the appointed time of my judgement, I know God can identify which Vicki L. Julian I am.