Camille Anding

Close proximity is a blessing! I understand that in greater depth since Othel and I have stepped into the roles of my parents. Now we are the grands and great-grands enjoying the blessings of living in close proximity to our growing families.

The artwork that’s magnetized to refrigerators would make the world’s largest art show. Mothers are convinced of that due to the art pieces their little ones have designed and given to their moms. I remember a VBS piece that Eli made. It was an elaborate piece of sticks, leaves, pebbles and a cluster of blackberries glued to a cardboard “canvas.” I accepted it as a treasure even though the blackberries soon popped off as shriveled disposals. It was a gift of love and made just for me. The giver made it priceless!

There’s a Sunday morning ritual that Othel and I have followed for decades. We rise early – like most mornings and Othel gets dressed first. Then while I’m donning my Sunday outfit, he fills our dwelling with worship music. Utube has more than enough catalogs for its listeners, and that’s where Othel retrieves and plays from a mega list of artists, choirs and groups. By the time we leave for church, we’ve already had a worship service of our own!

As I’ve stated over the years – words fascinate me. Poets hold a distinctive level of my respect for their ability to translate thoughts with words that rhyme. Most of the hymn writers that I’m familiar with had to have been poets due to their talent to rhyme words of theology and Scripture.

The calendar says one thing, but my mind fluctuates when it comes to my age. I confess that when I let the calendar and birth certificate do the calculations, my mind could quickly go into a spin. Then within a few steadying moments I’m back to wondering just how old I really am.

“Put it on the list!” It’s been a household slogan of mine for multiple years. There’s an on-going grocery list that I keep by the fridge and a similar one for all sorts of items that I list on my phone. I try to make it a constant to list items when I’ve used the last one or emptied a box. The list makes for a more organized life.

Modern technology continues to link us into the “now.” One such feat comes from our bank. The times of waiting for the monthly bank statement to confirm the balancing of my account has disappeared into history.

The years have zipped by since a verse in Matthew called my name. Our church had just begun a prison ministry that caused me to ask questions about when, where and how. While I considered the idea of “looking into it,” I read the verse where Jesus described those who would enter the kingdom of heaven. “I was in prison and you visited me,” was one of His statements that confirmed what I was to do.

It's earned the title of the most beloved Scripture in the Bible according to facts I've read. It certainly would be in the top ten of my favorites.

What's that rumble I hear? I think it's the familiar sound of school buses cranking up and heading for their school routes. School schedules are back!