“Battery exhausted”

My personal electronic devices are so smart, warning me to recharge. Before shutting down after working a few hours, they have just enough energy to alert, “Battery exhausted.”  As a user, I quickly respond.  At the end of the day (or a night’s work,) I too can feel it.  As an aging human, I recognize the need, but struggle to recharge myself – response not so quick.

Solar, grid, and car power do it for them.  Sleep, food, change of activity, prayer, reading, and good music re-energize me; (Google defines the verb: “give fresh vitality, enthusiasm, or impetus to.”)

One of my favorite movies is Chariots of Fire (1981.)

[In the UK] "... determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory ..."  – Google.
As a guest and athlete in Paris, Liddell delivers a Sunday sermon at church during the Olympic Games, quoting from Isaiah 40:29-31.

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Memory Prompts on Mother’s Day

I miss my parents; today I especially miss my mother.  After they both passed on, my older sister lovingly organized things for distribution as the eldest daughter traditionally does.  To us siblings and spouses, she wrote about the upcoming family gathering and included a detailed list of “Parents’ Belongings Distributed” and “Inventory Items to be Distributed.”  I share a few in hopes of prompting memories of Mother on this special day.  I quote:

Set of Dicken’s books, set of blue Shakespeare books, and misc. antique books.

Cloth hanging birthday calendar from pantry door (gift from Kay.)

Llama rug from [CRT] condo entryway (from Ned’s mission.)

Swiss “house” music box.

Stones from Jerusalem inside inlaid box.

Two black fancy hand purses formerly belonging to [her mother and maybe her maternal grandmother.]

Misc. porcelain flowers, nut cups …

Antique wood chair with needlepoint “panda” seat.

Small wood standing “sewing cabinet” with fold-open top doors.

Carved African wood canoe with rowers.

Hummel figurines.

Carved olivewood Nativity set from Bethlehem with log backdrop.
Two paintings of Nauvoo (from condo dining area.)

African letter opener …

Old [portable] typewriter in black case.  [A special granddaughter lovingly received it.]

The hanging “red apple” decoration which Mama kept on the condo front door; (I didn’t dare throw it out in case someone like a grandchild is nostalgic about it!)

There are a lot of smaller … “treasures” which could be shared with the grandchildren for mementos.

We know it’s not leftover things that matter most, but memories are so precious.  I thank Heavenly Father for my amazing mother, who continues to care for and help guide the family.  Her saving mission goes on.  Like great music she led me to crave, my mother keeps giving with love.

Kay & Ned surrounded by parents and grandparents