When I'm Gone

I'm struggling with this one but it's heavy on my heart.  I think it's because I have lost three friends in two weeks.  Two of them I went to school with and the other was a neighbor for many years.  So where do I begin?  I really don't know, so I'm hoping as I type, the right words will come to mind.  You see it's hard to see these families in so much pain and there's nothing I can say or do that will ease that pain.

I know there aren't any answers, but that doesn't stop me from asking why.  I understand that sickness can ravish a person's body and there aren't anything doctors can do.  But I wonder what makes it that one person with the same disease can be healed and the other isn't.  I know everything I've been taught is God has a plan.  Again I just wonder what could the plan be that a person is taken from us here on earth.  Surely there is more to be done here for a person my age.  How does God determine who and when a person's time here is done.  Again, let me stress to y'all reading this, I'm not questioning God's will, I know it's his time and I know there are reasons, it's just sometimes I don't understand.

I think about these three friends and I know they lived their lives their way and I don't see anything wrong with that because I'm the same way.  There are certain things I want my way and I don't care what anyone thinks about it.  This brings me to my friend Conley White, which is why I'm writing this.  Conley was a singer/songwriter who lived his life "his way" and that's the way he wanted his last days..."his way."

Ya'll that have been following me for a while know I love the trusty Google.  So I reached out to the Google to see what I can find about my friend Conley.  I found so much more interesting stuff than I knew but one thing I found that ya'll might want to hear is this interview with KHLT Recovery Radio Station.   During this interview Conley talks about his struggles with addiction, his recovery and how he tries to help others, especially what he calls a newcomer to recovery.  He gives his CD's away at meetings to these newcomers and I quote "hoping to give them HOPE."   He also talked about going to AA meetings and that every time he went to a meeting as soon as he walked in the room he would pray and again I quote "God if there is somebody in this room I can help and encourage please point them out to me.  God is a gentleman, he's not going to show up where he's not wanted."  He said more times than not, someone would come up to him after the meeting and ask him for help. This is powerful, I don't care who you are.

LESSON TODAY:   Searching for the right words and low and behold they're right here in this interview.  Monty Dale Meyer, the person interviewing Conley, last words on the interview are going to be my lesson today and I quote..."Do something now that will make the person you will be tomorrow proud to have been the person you are today."  Now that's a lot to take in so if you're like me, you might have to read it more than once.  I want to add to what Mr. Meyer said by saying myself...if you're struggling for whatever reason, don't be afraid to reach out to someone.  If anything I've said in this post or anything you hear in Conley's interview makes you feel help is needed, then I pray Conley's prayer that if you need encouragement, don't be afraid to reach out to someone. That someone might just be a message from our friend, Conley White.

  LOVE TO ALL,
  Sweet Southern Sass

Here For A Good Time

"I'm not going to lay around and whine and moan 'cause somebody done done me wrong.  Don't think for a minute that I'm gonna sit around and sing some old sad song." George Strait

 This might sound like I'm whining and maybe I am but not for a long time because "ain't nobody got time for that."   I'm one of those people that don't sit around long waiting on a good time.  I can make a good time all by myself.   I can make a good time out of cleaning the house 'cause I will turn the radio way loud or in my case the Spotify and dance with the broom.  Yep, I bet my neighbors (if I had any) would think the witch was loose if they came by my house and looked in.  Well, you know what they say.  If the broom fits, ride it.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this so I hope it gets good somewhere along the way and makes you laugh or giggle a little.   It doesn't take a lot for me to have a good time.  Just this week I met a friend for dinner because I had made her something and wanted to give it to her.   There was absolutely NO alcohol involved but we laughed so hard I thought we would be thrown out of the restaurant.  Luckily they didn't because those dang half price tacos were good.  I mean if I'm going to be thrown out, at least let me finish my tacos.

Y'all know how it goes, when women get together they gonna talk about any and everything. I wished I could tell you all the funny stuff but I promised anything that was said at Big Daddy's would stay at Big Daddy's.  Yes I pinkie swore that my lips were sealed, never to repeat to anyone.  Hold on a minute though, she had to pinkie swear too so don't go thinking she was the only one with something I can't tell.  So you see, that's why we all need a night out.  If nothing else, just to laugh and enjoy the company of someone that will lift you up in conversation, motivation and if you're lucky enough, like I was, you will be inspired before the night is over.

I'm sure you wondering how could a "girls night out" be an inspiration.  Y'all know I'm about to tell you, so hold on.  Have you ever met someone that just talking to them gives you a feeling of peace and maybe even a little comfort?  Yes of course you have!  So that's what happened just talking to my sweet friend.  I'm not sure if it's her voice or on this particular night, her ability to tell that I was feeling a little sad.  Keep in mind, I have absolutely NO reason to be sad, but I've had questions weighing on my mind lately that I just can't get the answer I'm looking for.  I'm not exactly sure what she said but the thing I remember is her telling me that I was beautiful, smart and lots of fun.  This might not be EXACTLY what she said, but that's what I heard and this is MY story, so I'm telling it my way.  She said all this while I was dabbing at my eyes, trying not to cry.    Needless to say, she knew she better do something quick or the flood gates were about to open wide.  Being the funny person she is, she said something that made me almost fall off my chair.

LESSON today?  Take a minute and remember the last time you had a night out.  If it's been a while, get on the phone right now and plan one soon.   Go ahead take the chance, dance the dance but don't you dare call  someone that's not going to be fun.   Don't you waste one nano minute calling someone that is negative.   No, no, no we don't need that kind of  people at our party 'cause life's too short.   We don't know what tomorrow brings,  we ain't here for a long time, and for the love of Peter, Paul & Mary, do not end up with a "tear in your beer" as Hank Jr. says.

    Love to all,
    Sweet Southern Sass