Introduction
Pensive (i.e., contemplative, reflective, etc.) is my mood at 4:07 PM, as I begin to write. My website does not support or care about “emojis.”
“Emoji” is borrowed from Japanese and literally means “pictograph.” The word is from “e” (picture, drawing) and “moji” (letter, character). An emoji is a small image, symbol, or icon used in electronic communication (i.e., text messages, email, and social media) to express the emotional attitude of the writer, to convey information succinctly, and to communicate a message playfully without using words. Let social media platforms have fun with emojis. I do not care.
This afternoon, the wind was too strong for a hike on “My Mountain.” I would rather not have a tree or tree limb hit me on the head. Archived articles have my Mother's Day hikes on House Mountain. My hiking log has records that may not be on this website. Further, I have almost “hocked up” the shovel loads of tree pollen from my throat, but not yet all of them. Wisdom dictated that I rest and “hock” at home today.
Mother's Day, VE Day (Russia), and the Memorial Service
Mother's Day: Today marks the twentieth Mother's Day after my mother “went to see Jesus” on Wednesday, 12/27/2000. My most recent article that included comments about my mother was on 5/10/2020. Mom was and still is the finest example of a Christian that I have ever known (and I have known many fine examples). Today, I updated my “Why I Left (published 3-7-2009)” article to add the published date only. I did not, and I still would not, change a word. Mom is enjoying her everlasting life now. Mom, I will see you soon. (Soon, in temporal time, might be a few more decades.)
I also have another mother. She is my “second mother.” I called my adoptive sister on her birthday on 5/5/2021. Her mother is my adoptive mother. My “second mother” is 91 (born on 1/21/1930). She is also the finest example of a Christian that I have ever known. (I can have two finest examples.) My most recent article about my “second mother” was on 1/24/2021. I wish that my adoptive sister would accept my social media friend request. My sister and I are of the same Irish spirit. She may accept that friend request when she gets around to it.
My maternal grandmother was Lula Frank Amos Wood (6/16/1901-8/12/1991). My paternal grandmother was Molly Gertrude Archer Ferrell (11/30/1892-6/11/1971). Granny Ferrell joined Papaw Marion Ferrell (4/13/1880-11/21/1970) less than six months after he passed. I was 10, almost 11. I remember. Granny Wood joined Papaw Aby William Wood (9/4/1901-3/14/1983) just over eight years after Jesus took him home. I was 31. My wife and I were living in Charleston, Missouri. We drove into Tennessee. I was honored to perform Granny Wood's funeral and graveside. I remember.
I thought that this Mother's Day would be easier. It would have been if I had hiked today. I remember, honor, and continue. I will see my mother, Granny Ferrell, and Granny Wood at home eventually. I am glad that my “adoptive” mother is still with us. I pray my deepest love and blessings for her.
VE Day (Russia): The Russians celebrated Victory in Europe Day (75th anniversary) today, even if this once-great nation forgot to celebrate it yesterday. The following photograph is from “Putin reviews Russia's military might on 'Victory Day' amid tensions with West,” NBC News, by Reuters, 5/9/2021.
From 1994 to 1999, I walked that same area more times than I could count. At least the Russians remember the World War II sacrifices. Victory in Europe was on 5/8/1945 or, for Russians, on 5/9/1945. Place your current life situation into the reality of that time back in 1945. That will give you perspective in the short term.
Memorial Service: The memorial service for the husband of my first cousin was at 2 PM today in my hometown. He passed away two days ago on 5/7/2021. This morning, I contemplated that we might drive the 1.25-hour, one-way trip to attend. My shovel loads of tree pollen in my throat were about gone. “Out of an abundance of caution,” I decided that we would forego those plans. I am still hacking up tree pollen to some degree.
I wonder if my other first cousin will return my voicemail from yesterday to give me the phone number of my cousin, whose husband passed away. I had thought that I had her phone number, but I did not. That's my fault. Help me out, Cousin Debbie! Call me back! Of course, after I am fully over this tree pollen nasal infestation, I have the power and will in my body and spirit to drive to my cousin's house, unannounced, to say howdy! That's how a Ferrell does it anyway.
Conclusion
Writing this article helped me, as I knew it would, to get over my pensive mood. I apologize for my temporal weakness by being sentimental. Well, no, I do not apologize. I am still in this temporal world. My everlasting perspective has to take a back seat at times.
Dear Lord, will you honor my prayer? I have prayed, before and after my “bionic” life started on 3/29/2016, that I would be hiking House Mountain at age 90. I would “vapor lock” as I touched the rock on the west bluff and go home! Those still here would have two choices: come get my lifeless body or leave it there. (Buzzards must eat.) Let's see how my life comes to an end. It's not ending today, apparently.
The circle will be complete at our heavenly home. It is not complete today. We are completing the heavenly circle slowly, day by day. I am no longer pensive as of 5:50 PM.
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