Category: love

Who Are You Today?

Who Are You Today?

Who are you today?
Is the person I know there?
Or have you gone away?

Right know you still know my name,
But whether you love me or have me
Depends on whether I play along with your mental games!

They say I should not argue or disagree,
And never contradict,
But the mean things you say I know cannot be.

You are living in delusions and bad dreams,
And you believe all you see there,
Even at the expense of tearing your family apart it seems.

You claim things are stolen, carried away,
And even when for you we find them;
You cannot possibly be wrong so, “that is not them,” you say!

Some things you even tell us where to look,
And when we bring them to you,
You are surprised and shook.

Some days you are almost you.
Other days you are angry and mean.
Your character changes by whose talking with you.

You scream, yell, beat your fists,
Play the victim, the martyr, the guilt and pity cards.
Your words and personality are a constant twist.

You’ve become so ugly and mean,
Your loved ones cringe at your name on their phone,
Because of the stress the conversation will glean.

We try to help you any way that we can,
But the more we do,
The more the flames of your delusions fan.

We watch as you steadily decline,
In both body and mind,
Knowing the help, you need you will never agree to find.

I see only glimpses of the person I once knew.
If you could truly see and hear yourself,
You would know this is not you!

You used to worry so much about what people would think.
Now the things you say and do,
Would have made the real you, in shame shrink!

You talk about and try to end your life.
You say you wish you have never married, never had kids.
Your words drip with hate and we do our best to take it in strife.

Who are you today?
Will you talk to me, love me, hug me,
Or bang your fists, scream, cry and send me away?

Who are you today?
Will I know you at all except by your face?
And will your words be more things I wish you wouldn’t say?

Who are you today?
Will we get a tiny glimpse at least for a moment,
Of our loved one today?

Who are you today?
We beg you to get help before it’s too late.
And this person stays, and the real you goes completely away.

Who are you today?
We know it will happen eventually,
But if you just let us get you help, it wouldn’t have to be today.

Ginger Burow
11/14/24

Alzheimer’s and Dementia are rude and cruel diseases, not only to the individual that has it, but also to everyone they love and that loves them. It turns them into people they would never aspire to be, causing them to act in ways that would mortify them if they were in their right minds.

As a family member it calls into question everything you thought you knew about them and yourself. You constantly have to remind yourself, they don’t know what they are doing or saying. But just like what they are doing and saying they believe is real when it isn’t, it is also very real to you that they are treating you this way and talking to you in this manner, and accusing your of atrocious things. It is very hard to accept that the person that is supposed to love you, can be the meanest, ugliest person to you. That they can speak to you with a voice dripping with disdain, venom and hate all because you didn’t agree with something they said. They can be so angry an unbelieving that they need medical help, that they hate you, wish you were never born, want to kill themselves, and sometimes you.

Your soul aches and pities them wanting to help, but they refuse. Your mind and heart reel from their words, actions and voice unable to believe that they really don’t know what they are doing and saying, but knowing there is no other answer, because the real person would be distraught if they could really see their own behavior.

Love is the answer, and you try to keep that going and in mind, but some days it is very hard to remember this person loved you. Try your best to remember who they were instead of who they are now. Take a moment alone to cry when you need to, and realize you may need it more than you allow. That is where distance has become a friend. Just for a few days when things are super ugly you minimize contact just until the current rage calms a bit. Then you get a few days of someone close to who they should be. Oh for those few days!

Faith and God are the strongholds, along with family. Staying strong as a family even though this loved one may be trying desperately to tear you apart in order to bolster their delusional beliefs is a major key. Support one another and your dementia patient as best as you can. You will need each other as this progresses. Sometimes sharing your experiences about the situation is the best way to release stress and gain a hold in the moment.

Pray without ceasing. Pray for comfort, strength, peace and love. But above all pray for help through God’s wisdom as to how to proceed and confront each situation as it comes. Pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf, guiding your thoughts, words and deeds while working with this person and your involved family. Pray for peace and joy in each day amidst the storms and the power to recognize the blessings that are still there.

Lastly, take a walk. Look to God’s glorious and beautiful world to show you there is still wonder and beauty to be had. Then fill your soul with it every chance you get, especially in between the gathering storms, so that His inner peace might lead you. This is appropriate for all life’s trials.


A Holy Week Correlation to the COVID-19 Pandemic and an Easter Challenge!

Jesus suffered and died because sin spread like a Pandemic across His world, leaving it in need of a cure – a Savior!

The Corona COVID-19 Virus has become a Pandemic spreading across our world leaving it once again scrambling for a cure, a vaccine, a definitive end as people are sick and some are dying. Jesus is still that cure. He will provide healing. Has His world turned to Him fervently in prayer? I haven’t seen it yet, not really, not like they ought to be doing.

When Jesus was arrested, the disciples hid, isolating themselves from the crowds in fear. Though they loved Jesus they lived in fear that they too would suffer his fate, just for being identified as having been close to Him. They prayed and worried.

We are isolating ourselves from each other, family, and friends in fear of catching the virus or spreading it to others unknowingly. We are worrying, but are we praying? Really praying?

Currently our faces are covered to help prevent the spread of the virus from us to others, even if we don’t seem to have it. Unfortunately these coverings do not prevent us from receiving the virus from the uncovered mouths or places where it lingers or floats.

The spreading of God’s word by us should be the same. Our faces may be covered, but it should not prevent the spreading of the Word or sharing of prayer. We have phones, computers, tablets, I pads and countless apps and abilities for texting, videoing, talking and sharing the Good News! It is Easter! We should be spreading the story faster than the virus is spreading. Cover the virus not the Word of God. The world needs it now and always.

What have you done to spread the word and share hope during these trying times?

The disciples and many of Jesus’ followers stayed in isolation after Jesus’ crucifixion, still fearing for their safety as well as feeling lost and confused about what to do without Jesus. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to Jesus’ tomb to do what was necessary and customary because these things were essential for a proper burial. They risked everything to do what was right and needed to be done.

Because they buried their fear and continued to do what was necessary and essential, they were the first to receive the Good News that Christ had risen. Along their way, they were the first to see Jesus the risen Lord!

Today as many follow instructions, staying home in isolation and practicing social distancing in order to quell the spread, many, called “Essential Services Workers” are required to work on the front lines to help the sick and to keep all necessary and essential things operating the best they can for the good of all. They are the first to see all the bad as well as the good that happens.

When the storm quells, they will be the first to know that it is real and feel the joy and relief as they spread the news! They will be the first to show true hope for others. They are called upon to put themselves out there for all of us. They need our support and prayer.

Jesus observed the Passover meal and dined with His disciples before His time of trial began, knowing full well what was happening. He took the time and sat around the table with those that had become his students and family.

Our lives had become a crazy, fast paced ordeal before this virus struck. Most families did not even see each other enough to spend an evening once a week at the dinner table together. Granted it may go back to that again when this ends. For now, though, you are isolated at home with your families. You are teaching them, playing with them, watching TV and movies with them, and sharing activities that you may not have done together for a long time. Hopefully, you are sitting with them to eat around the dinner table.


How many times did Jesus tell his disciples and followers, that he would suffer, die, be laid in a tomb, rise again in three days and then go to be seated to rule his kingdom? They never really got it until it was over.

Time with family no matter the circumstances is precious. They will remember this time spent. The question is how will they remember it? That is for you to decide.

Be a witness of God’s love to your families in this time, whether parent or child After all, it is the faith of children and its doubtless strength and belief that Jesus tells us all to aspire to have.

Now is the time! This Easter may not be the big event with your larger groups of family and friends that you had originally planned. Do something to make your family’s Easter special. Next make a video of your Easter fun. Share that video online and tag all your missing family and friends in it so they can see how your family celebrated Easter and the Risen Lord. Then encourage your friends and family to do something and post their fun. Then as this goes on you could turn this exercise into a family fun time weekly.

This is not the worst of times, but only a difficult and different time. Christ is still with us and He will lead us through this. The events that created these circumstances are not good but that does not mean we cannot make good out of the bad.

We will remember this Pandemic and that there was illness and death and fear. We will also remember that there was family, community, new opportunities, and new ways of worship that may have reached even more people. We will remember that for every bad aspect of this, there was also good. Remember those things and work to make more good come out of it.

After all, Christ has Died, Christ has Risen, and Christ will come again! That is what Easter is really all about! And we are Easter people!

“Happy Birthday! Happy Un-Birthday! Happy Day!”–Back into Blogging!

Happy Birthday! No, today is not my birthday; my birthday was actually back on Christmas Day! But I have this great friend that was at my surprise party for my birthday. He told me happy birthday numerous times that evening and vowed to tell me every time he saw me or thought of me from then on. Just because he can. That was back on December 21st and I hadn’t seen or heard from him since then.

Then out of nowhere, I get this singe text. “Happy Birthday!” It made me laugh and smile, and made my day, as I saw who it was from and remembered what he had said.

I have been after myself for some time, but really seriously since New Year’s to reinvent my blog and start writing again. My problem is inspiration and ideas just seem to elude me. At least when I am seriously trying to find then anyway.
When I can’t allocate time to them then there they are. I t is like they know I cannot address them due to the current situation. Usually by the time I can pursue them they have disappeared. Happily hiding in some corner of my brain laughing at me I am sure.

Write it down right away is the common advice. Well it’s hard to write in the shower. Or while you are driving or doing other activities that do not allow for writing at that particular moment. Chanting it until I can write it down can work in some situations, but usually not at work or public. People tend tilt their heads and look at you sideways a lot like your dog does when he is unsure. The difference is then these head tilting people call other people to come take you away.

As it has been for a while now, it seems I only have inspiration to write during rocket season. If it is not high flying, explosive projectiles, the teenagers that develop them, and the thrill of the hunt, I lose interest quickly and cannot find ideas.

I do find fascination and some inspiration in nature. I post pictures almost double daily on Facebook of things I see. It is just when I want to write something of interest it does not always come. Some days the picture inspiration does not come either. Hence why there are so many of the same windmill. By the way I love windmills!

I was pondering this as I listened to John Maxwell‘s Maxwell Minute for the day, entitled, “Fresh”. He was talking about surrounding yourself with people that encourage you to stay fresh. People that encourage your new ideas and do not allow you to grow stale. There in was my problem, I was growing stale. I have known this for a while. I even feared losing my craft all together.

Although, rockets are my most favorite thing to write about these days. They cannot support my writing needs all the time. And many of my ideas I was dismissing because I did not think other folks would have interest or they did not support my ideas. I was allowing myself to throw out every option and grow stale.

So as I thought about this. I was determined to find something to write about and begin finding fun in my favorite talent and craft again. Writing and pictures have always been who I am. The problem was I still did not have a writing prompt or idea to get me started.

Then the text arrived. “Happy Birthday!”

My first thought was who saw my pictures on Facebook and is sending late congratulations? My second at seeing the name only at a glance at first was what is my son up to with this? Then I realized I had not read the whole name and it was not my son. The light went on and I started laughing and responded in kind.

Another John Maxwell tidbit is to find value in others by just being nice to them. Say hello, hold the door, smile, compliment them and through these things both of you find value and feel better. My friend had just helped me find value in myself and what I was trying to do, whether he had intended to or not. As for him, my whole family has found much value in him and his friendship for years. He is a blessing and an inspiration. That being said, I now had an idea.

This day was not my birthday, but suddenly it was a Happy Day! Either way it was still my Un-Birthday as the Mad Hatter from Alice and Wonderland says. And guess what, I have 364 of those so why not enjoy and celebrate them!

Then I thought about Frosty the Snowman, and every time someone puts the magician’s hat back on his head and he comes back to life he says, “Happy Birthday!” After all every time you wake up, it is a “birth” into a new day. So now, I am back to having 364 new “birth days!” Thank the Lord you only have to count 1 day for each of those, and no I am not counting them in total. Years are enough, if you want to feel old, which I do not, then count days of life in total! Yikes!

The point is each day is new! A new day! A new opportunity! And yes, chances for new ideas, new actions, new freedom, new inspirations, new experiences, new attitudes, new friends, new fun with old friends and family, and new life!

So, no, today is not my birthday! It is my Un-Birthday, a “birth” to a new day, and a Happy Day if I so choose to believe it and continue to follow my dreams, no matter how large or small. Because it doesn’t have to be big million dollar ideas, but all of those started somewhere, probably with a small idea.

So who knows what ridiculousness I might put out here for you to read, Ii will just have to run with whatever ideas come my way. I am a little bit silly, goofy, crazy and impulsive at times so just go with it if you will.

Remember that you probably have a gift or talent you may not be fostering at the moment. Don’t you think it might be time to start? Do not let your dreams die! Follow them even if you have to start them much smaller than you think they deserve. Something is better than nothing, and something can grow! Nothing just becomes stale.

I have come full circle in this little thought game. This is how I am starting fresh! What will you do?

“Happy Birthday!”

P.S. This is actually the second writing of this article. The first one was eaten in its entirety by technology! I told it to SAVE and it said, “Cannot perform this task at this time please refresh page!” And it made all my work go away.

The first piece was off the cuff and perfect (at least to my thinking). Recreations are never as perfect as the originals. Sometimes they are better, sometimes they fall way short. If you are lucky, then they are different but just as good. I think this one turned out well. I just wish it could have been the first one. Who knows, by the time I would have edited it, maybe it would be this one.

Biggest lesson is never trust technology and always have either a second version on another platform, or my old trusted, never disappears unless you personally destroy it, paper copy!

Once Upon A Christmas Day

Once upon a Christmas Day,
On the floor asleep I lay.
Cuddled beneath the Christmas tree,
With a fire blazing in the stove next to me.

The lights were shining with colors bright,
Casting warm reflections in dawning light.
My eyes though mostly still asleep,
Still saw their beauty in the dreams of sleep.

Around the tree and my resting head,
Dozens of presents had been shed.
Bright colored wrapping covering each one,
Each tied with a bow when it was done.

Stockings were hung from cabinet knobs,
Filled with goodies by the gobs.
Pretty decorations sat here and there,
Santas, Snowmen, and Angels placed with care.

A miniature village covered the shelves,
Seemingly put there by Santa’s elves.
All of these show beauty and splendor,
And inspired joy on a morning yet tender.

Two things stood out most important of all,
Displayed on a table, not decking the hall.
The first was a Bible opened to Mark,
Telling the story the angels did hark!

The second was a crèche depicting the scene,
Of the Christ child’s birth in a manger mean.
Despite all the trappings, He is still the reason,
There would be no true Christmas, He is the season.

We enjoy all the lights and the glitter and bows,
But may each person who celebrates, truly know;
That it is only this way because God made it so,
It’s according to his plan that this Jesus we know.

There is no meaning in all at Christmas we share,
If Jesus Christ our Lord is not kept there.
There is no reason to have great joy,
If the Savior does not this Holiday employ.

Once upon a Christmas day,
Christ was born in just God’s way.
He came to save us from all sin,
So that the Devil should not win.

It’s all according to God’s plan,
That His true story the world should span.
So as I awake to Christmas bright,
I first celebrate the Christ, born Christmas night.

Christmas Open House

Christmas Open House

Some families celebrate on Christmas Day
As do we in many ways,
But for me Christmas Eve is the traditional part
And it is there that I find my heart.

On the twenty-forth we can all be found,
In my parent’s house gathering ‘round;
Putting finishing touches here and there,
On decorations and food and getting it all prepared.

By evening time the house is bustling,
Full of family and friends each room is bursting;
There is joy, laughter, stories and more,
And listen, the bell, there’s more at the door.

The kitchen counters are lined with food galore,
That won’t run out because the ‘fridge has more;
And while we eat we enjoy the beautiful, tall tree
With its lights shining bright and festively.

Before we gather round to open the gifts,
Prayer, song and praise to our Lord our voices do lift;
And from the Bible we read from Luke 2,
The story of Jesus born for me and for you.

There are kisses, and hugs and greetings for all;
There’s visiting, music, and games in the hall;
In the back room amateur musicians sometimes play,
Bringing life to Christmas Carols in their own way.

It’s a Christmas gala brimming with life,
Where all is joy and none is strife;
Where the reason for the season shines through
In love and joy that is true.

So each Christmas Eve as this open house begins
And we prepare our hearts to greet family and friends
This Christmas tradition brings us all cheer
Knowing it will be spent with loved ones all near.

The Season is So Bright (Villanelle)

Oh the Season is so bright,
Filled with decorative, fancy fare;
Beautiful, colorful, twinkling lights.

To the eye what a delight,
With cards and food and gifts to bare;
Oh the Season is so bright.

Buildings adorned to the heights
With bows, and trees, and holiday ware;
Beautiful, colorful, twinkling lights.

What joy that fills our busy plight,
As love and stories and songs we share;
Oh the Season is so bright.

What a wondrous shining sight,
That as we pass, we stop and stare;
Beautiful, colorful, twinkling lights.

The excitement of Christmas night,
Reminding us to stop and care;
Oh the Season is so bright;
Beautiful, colorful, twinkling lights.

Fredericksburg’s Annual Church to Church Walk

Last evening, December 13, my husband, Steve and I attended the annual Church to Church  walk put on by the Gillespie County Ministerial Association, here in Fredericksburg. It was Steve’s first time, I have been several times before and always enjoy it. Last night was an amazing experience though. For the first time ever all churches were full to overflowing with walkers participating. As would be expected, many for the first time.  In fact, the count was 393 people. I don’t think I have ever seen more than 150-200 in the years I have attended. It was nice to see more folks coming out to join in the Christmas festivities centered around the Lord.

The program did not disappoint.The theme was “The Coming Of the Lord.” Each church had a sub theme discussed at their stop.

We began at Zion Lutheran Church with a short intro by Reverend Bobby Vitek, GCMA President and also of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, after which the group joined in the singing of “O come, O Come Emanuel.” Reverend Jeff Hammond of St Barnabas Episcopal Church offered a short reflection on “Wake Us Up to Your Coming.” He talked about how even when our eyes are open we are sometimes not really awake, especially spiritually, and he called for the Lord to really awaken us this Christmas season.  The first stop ended with a choir presentation of “Prepare the Way of the Lord” by the Bethany Chancel Choir.

In spite of some confusion as to which way is East and which is West, Pastor Bobby, gave directions on how to get from Zion to our second stop of Bethany Lutheran Church, and the group was out the door.

Reverend Casey Zesch, Bethany Lutheran, began  the second leg of our journey with responsive readings followed by the singing by the group of the hymn, “Prepare the Royal Highway”. Pastor Travis Meyer, also of Bethany presented thoughts on “Prepare Us for Your Coming”. He spoke about how now that we are awake to Christ’s coming we also have to be  prepared for it. He told the story of St. Nicholas and how he prepared the way by helping those less fortunate. St. Nicholas anonymously threw coins through the window  into the   drying stockings of the daughters of a man who was in danger of having to sell his daughters into slavery just so they would be fed and he could continue to survive. Nicholas’s contributions helped the family to stay together and to survive the hard times they were facing.  We not only prepare ourselves but also the world since Christ is the Way to salvation, the royal highway himself.

“A Christmas  Alleluia” was performed by the Oak Hills Worship Team and then the large throng of walkers headed out the door to Holy Ghost.

Fredericksburg Police provided safe passage across Main Street for the group as they walked and visited in the fast chilling December air.

Reverend David Priem provided the responsive reading at Holy Ghost, with “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” as the hymn afterwards. Reverend Michael Burdick, Victory Fellowship supplied the reflections on “Open Us to Your Coming.”  He asked us that as we now may be awake, and are preparing for Christ’s coming, are we really open to it? Have we really opened ourselves, our hearts, and our lives for Christ to enter in?

The Victory Fellowship Praise Team invited us to sing along with them on “Joy to the World” after the message. Then once again we were all headed out and  down San Antonio Street to the last stop, St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

“Comfort My People” was sung by the St. Mary’s Choir as walkers filed in. Father Enda McKenna, then began with the responsive readings followed by “Soon and Very Soon” sung by the group. The Reverend George Lumpkin of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church(FUMC) took us through a humorous and surprising message on “Surprise Us By Your Coming.” The basis of this message being that we as Christians wait and pray for God to show up in our lives and then we are surprised when he does. The best excerpt from this being when a friend of his that looked like the traditional picture of Jesus, walked up behind his choir director in church and she turned around and hollered, totally surprised that “Jesus” was standing behind her in church!

The FUMC choir sung “Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah” after which Father Enda gave a closing benediction and instructions on where to go for refreshments and fellowship to end the evening. For those that had taken their cars on this walk, the evening was at a close after refreshments. The rest of us visited a bit  and then made our way back to Zion and our rides home.

It was a wonderful and blessed evening filled with Christmas joy, songs and spiritual preparedness for the season ahead. I personally enjoy going as a way to get myself in the right frame of mind about the season and what it is truly about.

If you missed it this year, it is an annual event so there will be next year. Keep watch on your local church calendar or the chamber calendar next December. If you are looking for a new tradition to start with your family this is a nice one. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving All

I had planned to post something  that I had written in the past for Thanksgiving, only to discover I couldn’t find anything I had written in the past for Thanksgiving. How sad, I thought, such a wonderful holiday and I have never taken the time to write a word about it. Well, now I shall remedy that, even if at the moment I have no idea what I plan to say. So you will just have to bear with me a bit!

It is odd that I haven’t taken the time to write about this holiday since I know it is one of my favorites and I know many say the same. I think it stands out as such because it involves all the wonderful aspects of a holiday without so much commercial fuss.  Yes, it does still have some, but not like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween.

It is designed as a holiday of thanks and sharing of all that we have, so we take the time to get together with family and friends and prepare and share food, 1452392_687153997972401_473183348_nfellowship, fun, parades, football, hunting, church, prayer and thanks. We share sheer joy at just being together. Our gifts for this particular holiday are our food, our joy, our love, and our companionship. We wrap them in smiles, hugs, tears and laughter.

We relax, visit, watch football, play games and eat all day long, and in our case late into the night. In fact sometimes it becomes a campfire party later in the evening.

The biggest stress is preparing food and cleaning at the house. Yes I said it that way on purpose because quite often all the cleaning never gets done (mostly dusting, the floors and bathrooms are clean-hey if you can’t handle that, write your name in the dust and then politely leave through the same door in which you came),  and my family never seems to mind. What didn’t get done will get finished as the Christmas decorations go up next week. Besides, I live in a sand field and I can dust today and it will look like I never did by tonight, especially if the windows are open which they have been off and on lately. But I digress, that is not the point. The point is we get together for this holiday to give great thanks and to just plain eat and have fun.

The stressful stuff starts on Friday as we start shopping for that next biggest holiday of Christmas.  But for Thanksgiving Day, wake up, watch the sun rise and go enjoy your family.img_8693 I know that is what I am going to do. Actually most of them are coming to my house. I wish every last one of them was, but unfortunately some due to circumstances just cannot. I pray that where ever they are, they are safe and have a wonderful day anyway.

God bless and give thanks for all you have, and pray for those less fortunate than you that may not being having such a wonderful day. May God bless and keep them and fill their needs as well.

Happy Thanksgiving All may you have a wonderful and blessed day.