Believe?

I don’t or advocate any particular belief system; I’m pretty solidly agnostic. But, I have had some odd things happen. You’ve heard people say that something made them question their faith? Let’s just say that I’ve experienced a few things that have made me question my lack of faith.


I have occasionally had readings, generally tarot cards. I don’t really know much about them, and wouldn’t say that I do or don’t believe in their power (is that the right word?), but it’s fun to have the readings.

Ten or so years ago, I was read by a lady who didn’t use cards. I sat down and she said she sensed three women all talking at the same time, talking over each other. They were really excited to talk to me. One of them was talking about the peanut butter fudge she served on a blue plate. They were all worried about my grandma. One of them, said the reader, was even more excited to talk than the others because while she was here, there had been something that made it physically difficult for her to speak.

I realized that she was talking about my grandma’s sisters. Three of them passed away within a year of each other, leaving just my grandmother still living. Aunt Almy did make peanut butter fudge; while I don’t remember the blue plate, my sister does. Aunt Tille had died a week before Aunt Almy, at the age of 100. The third, Aunt Ada, towards the end of her life, had a cancerous tumor in her throat which would grow up into her mouth and press against her tongue; she was 95 and too old for treatment, so she just kept getting it cut out each time it got too big. HOW WOULD THAT READER KNOW THAT?!?

Then I remembered their sister, Aunt Onie, who had died of cancer 20 years earlier than the rest; she is the one who relocated to Wood County. Because I still have some suspicion of readers, I don’t tell them if I recognize what they’re talking about, so I just asked the reader, “Where’s the other one?” She didn’t understand, so I said, “There should be four of them. Where is the other one?”

The lady listened/thought (whatever they call it) for a minute and said, “She’s not with them. She came back and is now a little girl about 4 years old.” I just stared at her, like she was crazy. Then, she said, “She’s living somewhere out near Luckey, Ohio.” WHAT? Luckey is about 3 miles from where my Aunt Onie lived!

Yep, there have been a few experiences that have made me question my lack of faith.

The Frank Sisters

     Elnor (my grandma), Leona, Alma, Tillie and Ada

My grandma was one of five sisters. All but one of them stayed in their hometown to raise their families, which made for a big, extended family with plenty of parental figures. Luckily for my sister and me, my mom stayed there, too. As the children of these sisters started having kids, we gained even more caretakers around town.


The families of the sisters spent a lot of time together; they played a lot of euchre and had lots of family dinners. By the time we were old enough to run around town by ourselves, we were comfortable enough to pay unexpected visits to all kinds of relatives in town. Most I knew well enough to help myself to the cookie jar or refrigerator.

Because my mom worked, all of the sisters and many of their daughters or daughters-in-law watched us at one time or another. Regardless who was our actual mother, there was always a nurturing female relative ready to minister to our needs. If we got sick and couldn’t go to school, someone would always be there to take care of us.

We were lucky enough to spend time with the fifth sister (who left town), too. My sister and I spent three summers living with Aunt Onie (Leona) in the fertile farmlands of Wood County, Ohio, where she relocated after her marriage. She, like the rest of Mom’s aunts, cared for us as if we were her own.

I guess you don’t realize it at the time, but now I feel so lucky to have been a part of this big, idyllic familial joy ride. Families don’t always exist in this manner anymore. I’m so fortunate, too, for the influence these five women had in my life.

Lifeguarding

I’m taking a class to become certified by the Red Cross as a lifeguard. I spent the weekend drilling all the rescues over and over; it’s quite a workout. I did take this class nearly 40 years ago and I am struck by how much safer lifeguarding is now. The fact is, when you approach someone who is drowning, they will use you to stay afloat, so being held under the surface is a big danger. Now, guards always carry buoyant “tubes” which are kept between themselves and the victims. We are also taught how to “escape” from victims who may injure us.

I am at least twice as old as anyone in the class, but I can manage. My intention is to be a little more qualified to spend a couple weeks each summer working at a YMCA camp, so it will all be worth it.

Native American Flute

I recently started playing a Native American Flute (NAF). Historically, NAFs are played by improvisation. I read music and have never improvised. I’m trying, but all my melodies sound very WASP-ish. I am white, after all . . .
There are flute circles made up of people who play the NAF, just like there are drum circles. I recently attended one and it was amazing! First, the setting was the Nature Center of a metropark, a beautiful log and stone structure. We met in the birding room, which has 3 sides of windows perched right on the Huron River; it’s outfitted with lodge-style furniture and a nice fireplace. The acoustics are great, too.
I was expecting everyone to show up and play their flute, like happens in a drum circle. I didn’t realize that NAFs become addictive after you obtain the first one. Everyone (but me) had at least 6 different flutes and some people had nearly 20! There are all kinds of them and once you learn to play them, it seems you want to make them.
The people were all so nice; the organizer, Karen, said that everyone who plays NAF is nice. One of the guys kind of took me under his wing; apparently, he had trouble overcoming his past traditional musical education when he started, so he had lots of tips for me. People showed up with drums, too, just to keep everyone in sync.
I’m excited to learn from these people!

Michigan's YMCA Camps

I'm working towards getting my certification as a lifeguard. Taking the class requires some pre-course tests, some of which involve swimming underwater for longer than I can hold my breath, so I'm training towards that goal. Besides getting a free membership when you work (even part-time) at a YMCA, I'd also like to spend some of my summers working with kids at summer camps.
Michigan has a lot of YMCA Camps all over the state; they are usually owned by an individual branch or by the combined branches of a single metro area. YMCA's from four different states own camps in Michigan! Most of them were built in the early 1900's and they contain beautiful old log structures perched alongside some crystal-blue lake. They really are beautiful places to spend a vacation, besides the fun of mentoring kids for a couple weeks.
I would likely start at Camp Storer, located in the Irish Hills area and owned by the Toledo metro YMCA/JCC. This particular YMCA Program is special for a couple reasons. The local Jewish Community Center has partnered with one of the area branches, adding religious and cultural diversity. Another great thing about Toledo's YMCA/JCC network is that a membership is good for every branch. In most programs, you have to join an individual branch; making you a "guest" at any other branch. This serves to keep people from the 'hood in the 'hood, and I'm happy that Toledo's Y Leadership is truly practicing the Judeo/Christian principles espoused by "Corporate YMCA."
The picture is from Camp Nissokone, owned by the Metro-Detroit YMCAs, located in Oscoda. The hospital where I work actually rents this camp for a week every summer to hold session for kids who are transplant recipients. I may vounteer there, too.
My first attempt at the lifeguard testing is Monday. Wish me luck!

Inauguration Day

Twenty years ago, I went to Bill Clinton's first inauguration. I was so lucky to be able to attend. My aunt was a guest on a bus trip sponsored by a Michigan State Rep for whom she had campaigned; I got to tag along with them.
D.C. was jam-packed and it was really exciting to be a part of it. I'm from a really little town, so most cities are exciting to me, but Washington during an inauguration is amazing. Of course, we were just part of a throng of people, so we couldn't see the festivities that well. Eventually, like many others, we got cold and went to a lounge to watch the rest on TV with some drinks.
There was a State senator in our group, too, and some folks quickly figured out that we got better service if we addressed him, loudly, as "Senator." We even got to attend an inaugural ball.
Regardless of your politics, it's fun to be a part of an historical tradition that brings together so many people. It's a wonderful memory and I had a great time, but I'm glad I'm not freezing in that crowd today!

Routine Reestablished

Yep, it’s been quiet here lately. It’s tough to reestablish a habit, ya know?
In the meantime:
• I put down one of my oldest pets, Mama Kitty. She had a good life and brought me much happiness.
• I suddenly find myself reconnecting with my property. I have lots of ideas for the house and yard and I’m fascinated with yard décor. This weekend, I placed the pictured St Francis statue to oversee my pet cemetery. He’s just one of many new items for the yard. I don’t know where this is coming from, but I did recently decide against relocating, so maybe I’m just recommitting to my home?
• I’m all out-of-sorts with the holiday closings of the rec centers at work. I keep showing up in a bathing suit to find the pool closed!
• A Facebook friend is chronicling the illness, death and responsive grief of her husband on her page. I commend her openness, but I’m so glad I wasn’t on FB when I lived through it.
• I LOVE January! The promise of a new start in a new year is so invigorating! I’m still working on my resolutions.
• There will be no trip to Treasure Island this year; I’m in financial recovery mode from Morocco and saving to see the lavender fields of Provence in June. I’m on a serious budget! (Except for yard décor, that is . . .)
• In the absence of a full-blown vacation, I need a road trip.