by Sharon O | Mar 30, 2026 | Uncategorized
I remember this season with little children, Palm Sunday was the time of making palm leaves and acting out the ‘waving of the leaves’, for Jesus.
The children would get so excited in Sunday school singing and prepping their dances down the aisles.
I miss those innocent little ones sometimes.
Not knowing the fullness of what Easter would mean in the days to come.
Oh, it was fun. And the candy baskets for us to look forward to giving
In our house, we didn’t do a great deal of candy, we tried to do books and socks and oh so boring gifts for little people.
We would look for pretty dresses or nice shirts and pants for their Easter day. On Sunday morning.
I have a picture of my childhood, with my sisters and I outside dressed in Easter kind of clothes, three little girls about ages 6, 8 and 10.
Our dresses were alike maybe our grandma made them, white ankle socks with patten shoes, little purses that matched and smiles that said, ‘we are happy.’
Well, we know the real story of that one, but the picture is sweet and very much childhood in its ‘cuteness.’
Easter has a lot of heaviness to it, the story of Jesus and his coming here to die for us. You cannot have Christmas without Easter. They go together. Both had pain and moments of sorrow. The purpose of HIM coming was to save us. We often forget the baby in the manger was grown up and now is the man on the cross. It’s hard to grasp.
As a mom I often wonder how on earth did Mary hold it all together.
It is a serious, sad time for everyone.
I will try to write more as the days move closer.
Easter is not just cute dresses and patten shoes, it is trauma with love stamped all over it.
I remember this season with the little children, and we tried so hard to protect them from the intensity of the story.
by Sharon O | Mar 23, 2026 | Uncategorized
I have to share a funny story.
In our church we have what we call ‘the classic’ group.
Which is basically anyone over the age of 55.
Last Saturday was our gathering time to get together for games and snacks. It started at 4:00 and ended at 6:00.
Then we clean up the room and go home.
Our table decided to play the dice game called Farkle.
It is a low-key game of dice and there are specific rules on how to play it, the table was a good mix of men and women.
It should have been an easy night.
One lady was in her 80’s and she had her self-assigned position of knowing the game (even though we were not sure if she did).
We played according to the rules and then she would say, “Oh you know sometimes the rules can change, if you need them to do that.”
Surprising most of us who had played the game before.
She would role her dice and then… oh a rule change, we all were quiet some kicking each other under the table as if to say, “shush just let her play.”
She was a strong force to contend with and one of the ladies asked if she was a schoolteacher, “Oh yes for many years.”
We could tell.
You know how you instantly feel small.
She was not mean or hard to deal with just funny because the rules of the game changed many times during the short time we played.
I had to think of what it might be like to be in your 80’s and possibly in a room of people you don’t know for the first time in a long time.
It took courage for her to speak up.
To show her control, to allow others to listen to her.
We were like her students one more time.
When we left to go home, I realized she was just trying to fit in, and she was doing a pretty good job of it.
I will always think of her whenever I see her from now on.
A courageous widow lady just trying to help us along on game night.
I just had to share this funny story.
by Sharon O | Feb 19, 2026 | Uncategorized
Our pastor has been teaching a series on the word abide, as well as other concepts.
He is a fabulous teacher, encourager and challenges us always in our walk with the Lord.
To abide: to bear patiently; to endure without yielding; Withstand; to await; to remain stable; to continue in a place
and another form of the word is to dwell or remain.
I choose to abide in the comfort of the Lord.
There has been many other words he has chosen to teach on, each have power and consequence in our lives.
Each day we are given the choice to do what is right, what is true and good.
If we choose to abide in Him, we choose to be stable and strong and even if we are not feeling like that,
there is hope in the direction we are going.
He gives us strength to withstand many things that perhaps could have knocked us down.
There is a song we sing that says, “he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high, shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.”
It is a promise.
I hold onto it and choose to abide in his presence. Always.
These are just a few thoughts as I continue into my evening, for His glory always.
by Sharon O | Feb 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
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Birthday weekend for our twins who are turning 22 .
And yesterday was my sister Mary’s birthday, she passed away in 2019;
The twins were a great surprise for us, Our daughter had a bay five years earlier who was a preemie and in NICU. She was 2 pds 11 ounces and 17 inches long.
We didn’t have twins in our family and the anticipation of two little girls was almost more than this grandma could deal with, they arrived weighing 4 pounds each,
Tiny babies always dressed in little red hearts. Valentines babies.
Now they are grown up and one is a mommy herself to an almost two year old little girl and the other one is in a serious relationship too.
Both are beautiful and we are so proud of them,. They wanted to go to red robin and have cake and ice cream.
One wanted vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and one wanted carrot cake and cream cheese frosting.
Just because they are twins they don’t always have to have the same thing. And YES they are considered identical.
So we are celebrating them this weekend,
I said my ‘thoughts’ on my sister Mary, telling her I miss her. as we move on.
Recovery is still taking place I am half way through PT and it is brutal. I pray I survive this season.
by Sharon O | Feb 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Today is the thirty-day mark with this knee. I never realized how painful bone surgery was and to think my husband had two knee replacements and shoulder surgery.
My next one will be a replacement surgery but not until next year. You know the insurance issues that have to take place.
I have rested and rested more. Recently I started Physical therapy and that kicks my behind for an hour. I am ready for my chair and ice when I get home.
My brain has not been in a writing mode, but I will get there soon, I hope.
I have to find a rheumatologist for some answers on this knee my bones were very angry, and I was walking on a lot of red angry nerves.
So much has happened in the last few months I am just taking one day at a time.
Spring will be here. The sun will come out, and the dark rainy Oregon days will change.
That is about all I am doing tonight will come back tomorrow.
by Sharon O | Jan 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
This is another new year. I have not written here for sometime, since My brother-in-law passed away, that has been really hard.
Then Our anniversary came and that was celebrated by us. Thanksgiving came and then Christmas.
Now I am recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery so it will be a while before I am back to regular writing.
Plus, we purchased a new computer as I was locked out of my old one. SO, challenges on many levels.
i will return when i CAN.
by Sharon O | Nov 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
A very special man in our family recently passed away.
Two months ago, it started out as a middle of the night ambulance ride.
Those always rattle one’s heart especially when it is quiet and then the urgent takes place.
He had a dissection of the aorta which was extremely serious and life threatening in its severity.
He made it through that long surgery then a few days later he had an aortic aneurism which was another serious surgery.
Then he had leg surgery and final number was four very major surgeries in 14 days.
Way too much for most people and he was not an exception.
The stress and the seriousness of the situation was very difficult for all of us.
So much to do and so little ability to know what he could do once he came home.
The days moved into a few weeks with him home and managing specialized care.
Then it all became too much.
He left us a few days ago. His heart just couldn’t do it anymore.
Saying goodbye is not easy.
Remembering him not easy either.
How will I remember?
He was gentle, and kind, he was peace and calm, he was deep-thinking
and a caring man.
He was like my brother I knew him over 60 years.
He was the one who nicknamed me mouse.
He was the one who encouraged me to think on my own.
He was an educator and had a way with kids, and also the elderly.
He was patient and soft, his words challenged me to think.
He loved my humor.
He listened more than he spoke and within that listening you felt heard and known.
I will miss him always.
The house where they lived is not the same now since he is not there.
The atmosphere is different.
My sister is alone and entering into the widow hood the best as she can.
We all will take that turn and walk down that road too.
A very special man in our family left us sooner than we all wanted.
I’ll say goodbye till I get to see you again. 
by Sharon O | Oct 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
No matter how busy our lives, there are ways to make sure neither distance nor everyday demands
keep us from friends we don’t want to lose.
Our friends are important to us especially as we age.
I am one of these people if you get to know me, and I allow you into my life.
It takes a lot to lose me.
You would have to do something very hurtful for me to take a break and write you off.
Relationships are supposed to challenge us.
They are supposed to show us what we can tolerate and what we cannot.
I have had people in my life that I chose to give distance to.
It was not healthy, it was not helpful, and it was not an encouraging friendship.
Because of my ‘growing up years’ that would bring many moves which in turn did not allow friendships to develop.
Going to a new school as a shy child was like having no anesthesia for painful things.
I am not a social butterfly.
I enjoy quiet time. I enjoy alone time.
When I was a little girl, I would get up and go outside to play with caterpillars and other things like kitties.
It was peaceful outside.
As I have aged, I have learned to value friendships that walk alongside me, as I realize being alone is not always helpful.
As an adult I don’t think of myself as shy, but I am also not outgoing in a crowd.
I am an observer.
I am content to just be who I am without an audience.
When was the last time you challenged yourself to step out and talk to someone new?
When was the last time you signed up for something you have never done before?
We need to hold close those people in our lives that have stayed our friends for many years.
We need to call or write or send them something just to say, “I’m thinking of you.”
We need to also press in and allow ourselves to meet new people and perhaps we might surprise ourselves.
With a new long term better than ever God planned friendship.
No matter how busy our lives get we need to be sure distance, or time does not keep us from those who we value and care for.
by Sharon O | Oct 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Life has a way of challenging us.
When I look around and observe people going through many difficulties, trials and testing’s, I wonder to myself, why.
We are not promised an easy life.
In fact, we are challenged to press on towards our calling in life and see to it that we help others in the process.
It is not easy not comfortable at times.
I know a few people who have gone through extreme health issues lately.
I know some who have gone through family trials.
What do we do when we feel pressed on all sides and just not able to move one foot in front of the other.
We remind ourselves that THIS too will pass and soon we will look back and be able to say, we did it.
I don’t know about you, but I like things in life easy.
I like no conflicts.
I like seasons to come and go with no hardships and not any intense challenges.
In reality that easy life does not build character,
Or trust. OR belief in our ability to make it through.
It is ok to just move from day to day and not have any challenges but when I observe my little great granddaughter who is 14 months.
I see her get up every day and try harder, do more, walk with balance and enthusiasm.
Her mom videotaped a moment where she was playing and just started twirling around and around until she fell down.
Then she got up and did it again, hoping to improve her new skill.
That is what I am talking about.
Challenging ourselves to do more and do better.
Even in the middle of life’s crushing moments.
Press on to the next moment, the next day or the next week.
It is so important to have hope and not give up and give in.
There are many choices and many options for us.
I encourage you in the middle of the trial Life has a way of challenging us.
Let’s put ourselves to the test and win this battle.
by Sharon O | Sep 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
The younger generation is not only fun to watch but awesome in helping us old folk.
Our granddaughter has a boyfriend who happened to be over at our house with her.
I had not been able to figure out my start page for my blog site for some reason it was not available.
Before we took them out for dinner, I asked them to see if they could help me.
I am not computer smart I know some things but not enough of the ‘technical stuff’.
He came into my den room, juggled the mouse around went up in the upper left corner of the space bar, and opened the site.
I was super impressed it took him about ten to fifteen seconds to help me.
He said, ‘How did you have so much scrunched up in that corner?
I don’t know, apparently every time I tried to log in, it added another little log in square.
Well, the moral of the story is do not discount these twenty something young ones.
They knew exactly what to do.
I even bought them dessert it was worth to me to be able to get back into the routine of writing.
The next issue I have is to set up my new computer and make it user friendly so I can use it.
So far, we are not having success with it.
This computer is old, and it forces me to use my iPad for some things because it took three days to log into amazon.
Good grief I am too old for this.
So that is my sad story for the week.
I appreciate so much my grandchildren and the younger generation.
Sometimes I feel old, but they remind me they can help this ‘grandma’.
I just have to ask them.
