FORTY Schmorty! Life keeps happening

MATTIE: Just as we gracefully move away from the holidays and settle into financial recovery isn’t this the perfect time for an appliance to “kick the bucket?” This afternoon I took my cup of water out of the microwave oven with great anticipation of enjoying a few minutes with my Jasmine green tea. My cup was cold and the water was cold. I couldn’t believe it, “Microwaves don’t die!” “Noooooooooooo!”

EVE: That is the worst way to try and relax. Another stressful moment provided by life and electronics. We get so used to having them in our lives we forget there was a time when these conveniences were not even invented.

MATTIE: Well thanks to General Electric they leave their phone numbers right on their product so you can call them when ever you have a problem like I did today.

EVE: So you called them up only to hear the words…

MATTIE: Bottom line, I need a new microwave. Sure I could replace the needed “Magnatron Tube” (Doesn’t that sound like a word from the sixties?) It’s only going to cost $130.00! Oh and did I mention the repairperson making a trip to my house for $89.00? Let’s total it up…hum that’s a whooping $219.00! The very funny thing is that I was quoted the price of a new microwave coming in at exactly $219.00! Oh man oh man! I guess I’m off to Sears.

EVE: Or you could drive to Target and get a cheap microwave for $39.99!

MATTIE: What’s the website Anita gave us to recycle things like microwaves? I’m getting in contact with them because G.E. does not recycle their own rundown appliances. I think it’s time they do!

EVE: I have one for cell phones but I’m not sure about microwaves. I’ll look into it.

MATTIE; Wait a minute I just found it! I can either contact:

www.collectivegood.com

or

earth911.org

Oh yea we’re cooking now!

EVE: Sorry about your nice cup of tea this afternoon, Mattie:(

MATTIE: Ah thanks but no worries Eve I’ll make this an adventure!

MATTIE: Oh tidings of comfort and joy we bring to you with our Christmas Podcast! It’s Christmas Day so let’s celebrate with all the joy and wonderment like a child. I think perhaps as adults it’s easy to lose the joy and hope that this day truly represents. I feel this season is a wonderful springboard towards how we all should be 365 days a year! What a great perspective…Hmmm!

EVE: I love this time of year! It just feels right to be kind and generous and full of wonder. It reminds me of my favorite line in the song Christmas Time Is Here from the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas, “Oh that we could always see such spirit through the year.”

MATTIE: Here’s an amazing quote to think about: Pastor Harry Said at the Christmas Eve service:

“Peace is feeling like you have everything you desire, BEFORE you have everything you desire.”

I say:

As long as there’s peace, you have everything you need.

As long as you have joy, you have everything you need.

As long as you have love, you have everything you need!

EVE: That was a beautiful service and a perfect sentiment to bring in the new year. Peace on earth. Goodwill to men!

MATTIE: Hey Eve, have you ever heard of that poem that’s been going around the internet pertaining to a eulogy read at a funeral for a woman who had passed away?

EVE: I haven’t heard it.

MATTIE: Well it starts off with the dates of the day she was born and the day she died. What was read was how she spent her “dash years.” You know the dash in between the beginning and the end of her life?

EVE: An interesting phrase for a persons entire life.

MATTIE: It really got me thinking about my own dash. You know what?

EVE: What?

MATTIE: I choose to live my dash to the fullest, one dash at a time! It might even look like this one day “—————” What do you think?

EVE: Ah yes! You nailed it! There is only one way to find out what your dash looks like.

MATTIE: Here, see for yourself:

THE DASH

©1996 Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood up to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.He noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears. But said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she had spent alive on the earth. And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash — What matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about it long and hard . . . are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real, And try to understand the way other people feel. Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, And love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved them before. Treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, Remembering this special dash might only last a while. So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, Would you be proud of the things they say, about how you spent your dash?