The Negative Impact of Darkness

In Bible Study Fellowship Lesson 6 we had this question:  "Explain the negative impact of darkness and how light dispels darkness."  I can't quit thinking of my experience many years ago with complete darkness, and how terrifying it was.

It happened in 1998 when our entire family of 8 went to Disney World.  Since I don't ride any of the "scary" rides, (i.e. roller coasters no matter how small), I opted for an attraction at MGM Hollywood Studios that wasn't going to scare me.  It is called Sounds Dangerous and stars Drew Carey.  Thank goodness Jack went along with me, but everyone else opted out.  There was a warning for people who are afraid of the dark--but that certainly wasn't moi or Jack.  That stuff was for kids.

WRONG!  When time came for the presentation to start, this big auditorium was cast into total, pitch black darkness.  No exit signs, no projector lights, nothing.  My heart immediately started racing.  I clutched Jack's arm with a death grip.  I tried closing my eyes, but I knew that darkness was still there.  I can't relate what a negative impact it had on me.  Jay reminded me that there are sounds which further mess with your perceptions, but I don't even remember the sounds.  All I can remember is......

LOOKING DESPERATELY FOR ANY SPOT, ANY PINPOINT OF LIGHT!

I just read online that this presentation lasts 12 minutes.  I guess it stayed dark that long.  It was awful.  Honestly, hell would not have to have heat or flames to be unbearable.  Total darkness is enough.

But...there's good news!   John 1:5 says, "The Light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!"  Thank you, God, for sending your Son, the light of men.  And thank you for somehow letting me hang on that 12 minutes heart-attack free.



                    



              

A Tale of Two Dogs

Recently my friends John and Jean Martin came from Houston for our 55th Poly High School reunion.  I got to go out to dinner with them and catch up.  John was best man in our wedding 54 years ago, and we were very best friends as newlyweds.  I found the story of their dog, Pico da Guy(!), very interesting.  J & J got Pico at the same time we got Charleigh-Girl.  The circumstances were similar.  John wanted Pico.  Jean didn't.  I wanted C-G.  Jack didn't.  So...Jean, who keeps great books, decided to run a tab on the cost of owning Pico da Guy.  Pico weighs 4 1/2 pounds.  His value at this time is approximately $3333 per pound, with a grand total of $15,000!!!!!  Needless to say, Pico has had the best of everything. 

The second tale is of Nia, owned by Jack and Barbara Ewing, friends of friends at Silverado.  Nia is a sweet little white fluffy thing.  The similarity between her and Charleigh-Girl involves the two Jacks.  These two big guys insisted on carrying, in their arms, these two little dogs everywhere they went.  Everyone, including our vet, thought something was wrong with their legs. It is a little more reasonable for Nia, but Jack Stovall carrying gangly little C-G was a sight to see.  It is now such a sweet and clear memory for me.

Oh, Jean seems to love "da Guy."  And Jack Stovall took ownership of and loved Charleigh-Girl right away.   He eventually forgot her, but she never forgot him. 

A Lesson in Humility

If you're reading this you probably know that Kara Smith, AA flight attendant, accompanied me to Haiti.  It's probably more accurate that I accompanied her.  She knows how to open doors, figuratively and literally, as you will see.

The Miami airport is much worse than Chicago if you ask me.  We arrived on our return from Port-au-Prince at Gate 2 and had to go to Gate 30 on the train to even start walking to customs.  We walked for at least a mile at top speed (for me at least!) because Kara had to work the next day and was hoping to get on an earlier flight to DFW.  We arrived at the gate at 4:10, the exact time the plane was to depart, but they were delayed and let Kara on!  She was hesitant about leaving me, but we thought surely I could get on one last flight for home by myself!

When my flight was called, I marched right up because I had had to spend double miles in order to get home, thus I was flying in first class!  As I got in line, an "old" couple got in front of me, and I could see from their boarding passes that they were in Group 1--that's coach!  I was hoping the ticket agent would catch it and make them wait.  How's that for a Christian spirit on a humanitarian mission!  Sure enough, she did and made them step aside for moi.  I then march through the door to the jet bridge and stop.  I can't find the door through which to proceed.  There is a metal elevator-type door, and a glass door which I can tell isn't the one.  I kinda fumble around, and the next man through stumbles around behind me.  The third or fourth man after me finally walks up to the "elevator" door, and it opens revealing the jet way.

Kara had told me at least once, maybe twice to "keep going" when I got to one of those doors.  I just forgot. 

Mimi the Blogger!

As if it's not bad enough that I'm on Facebook, now I've figured out how to have my very own blog!  I love to read blogs.  I love to write blogs of info.  So...I think I'm a natural for this.  Of course, right now I'm trying desperately to think of what to write on my first blog.  That won't last long, those of you who know me will realize.

Welcome to my world.  I'd be pleased if you'd share some of my adventures and musings.