April 16, 2020 (Thursday)
I wrote a blog on April 3, similar to this one, citing the events of my life within the previous nine decades, but I will try in this present blog to say something intentionally positive about memories that bring joy to my heart. A comprehensive list of happy days could fill several books.
A reverie might be described as a pleasant daydream. Here are a few of my reveries from almost nine decades of life. Just a few highlights to help me “accent the positive.”
1930s –My parents’ marriage was sometimes troubled, and my sisters and I would stay for days with my mother’s parents. I remember Big Dad going to bed and inviting me to come to bed, where I would nestle on his huge arm as he told me bedtime stories.
1940s –In 1942, the Conner family took me to church where I accepted Christ and was baptized. Without many religious influences at home and no means of transportation, I drifted away, but in 1948 I returned and suddenly was singing and preaching and planning to prepare for the ministry.
1950s – When Wanda and I married on October 3, 1953, we went to Turner Falls in Oklahoma to celebrate our love for each other–a celebration that would last 48 years.
1960s – After serving part time in several churches during the 1950s, making lifetime friends, we served as full time pastor in First Baptist Church of Kosse, Texas, Vickery Baptist Church of Dallas, and First Baptist Church, Rockport, making friends in every place. Many of those friends are now with the Lord.
1970s-1980s) Our five children went off to college and got their masters degrees with honors. Wanda and I were very proud and thankful for them. They are the joy of my life. I baptized them and performed their weddings.
1980’s – Our nine grandchildren were born, 1980-1994. I’ll never forget being called, “Grandpa” for the first time. Wanda did her best to spoil every one of them, and they all loved her very much.
1990s – I retired from the Rockport church in 1996, but kept on preaching in another pastorate and interim pastorates and pulpit supplies until this year (2020). I soon realized after retirement that I love to preach and the Lord has showered me with opportunities to do so. For that I am exceedingly thankful.
2000s – Found great joy in celebrating high school graduations for all the grandchildren (1998-2012), and college graduations for six of them (2009-2019). The others all have college credit.
2010s Had happy experiences performing weddings for four grandchildren. Also thrilled with the birth of our great grandchild in 2014.
These kind of blogs may be boring to you, but I felt I should write them, and I know that a few of my friends and family will find them of interest.
If you are inclined to join me in this exercise, remembering the joys of your life, you might enjoy listening to “Reverie” by Debussy as you meditate on your memories.