Thursday, April 20, 2006

Thursday Thirteen


Thirteen things I know with absolute certainty

Have you noticed a shift to the phrase "I feel" when "I believe" or I think" or "I know" would sound too . . . dogmatic or pushy? Particularly women use this term. We all have opinions and beliefs, so why toss a perfectly good verb into the closet? Feelings are sweet, soft, and warm or loud and hurtful, and life would be boring without them, but for the long haul, give me a solid unshakable foundation any day. Your mileage will vary, but there are 13 things in my life I know.

1) I know with all my being and intelligence that I am special and unique because I was created in the image of God and am not a product from the slimy ooze 50 million years ago through endless cycles of trial, error and death.

2) I know God knew me personally as I was being formed cell and sinew in my mother's womb.

3) I even know when my own life began.

4) I also know when my present life on earth ends that I will be in heaven. In God's economy, nothing is wasted, including our experiences and pain. I will some day have a different kind of body, a resurrected, perfect physical body with a personality.

5) I know I was blessed to have two parents, married to each other for over 65 years, who loved me and made me feel secure even as an adult. I had a father who was always employed and a mother who was able to stay home with her children.

6) I know my parents also blessed me with two sisters and a brother, all wonderful people and friends, and a large extended family.

7) I know my parents loved me enough to mold my spiritual life and values and my formal education, seeing to it that this foundation was not left to chance, the government or to my own choices.

8) I know I am loved and cared for by a man who wanted to marry me and establish a home and a life together over 45 years ago.

9) I know that all my children are a blessing from God, chosen by him from the beginning of time to be in this family.

10) I know that having my adult children live in the same city as we do is a blessing few enjoy.

11) I know that friendship is a treasure and that old friends, some from childhood and many from years past, and new friends of just a few months duration are a blessing.

12) I know that good genes and good habits (examples from my parents) have provided me with good health, and I know I took this for granted when I was younger.

13) There's a well known radio commentator who claims to have "talent on loan from God," and I know this is true for all of us and loans must be paid back.

Christmas 1979


Christmas 25 years later



(If you participate, leave your link in the auto-link and it will post here, but please leave a comment.)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

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36 comments:

Joan said...

This is another great one, Norma!

Eliminating our current language trend of saying "I feel" instead of "I believe" or "I think" is one of my crusades. Just a couple of hours ago my daughter, who is a teacher, emailed me a letter her principal wrote and asked her to "look over." (All my family sends me their editing jobs, so my daughter was passing on the editing of the letter to me.) This principal used the "we feel" and "I feel" terminology at least 4 times. One of my suggestions was that she get a backbone and say "we think" or "I believe" instead of the weak-sounding "feeling." (I didn't really say the backbone part!)

Just D said...

As always, you make me think. I wonder what I 'know' v.s. what I 'feel'...

Barb said...

Beautiful things to know. :) Wonderful list. Awesome God. :)

Undercover Angel said...

What a wonderful list! My TT is up now too!

Louise said...

You are very blessed to be so confident in your beliefs. You set a great example to those of us who perhaps aren't so sure.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Interesting list. Thank you for visiting my T13.

Wystful1 said...

Number 5...that's astounding! 65 years is something to be proud of!! Wow.

My T T is up

Chaotic Mom said...

This was a very special and touching list. Something worth printing to keep permenantly posted, no? ;)

Tanya said...

Great family snaps. You all look very happy.

Thanks for seeing my TT.

-tnchick- said...

Beautiful photos... and #5 isn't something you see much these days. I hope that's me some day.... I'm only on year 13! Thanks for sharing this great list. My 13 is up.

Just Me said...

Family is so precious. Now my children are grown and having children of their own I marvel that all their lives have come about because of choices I made - after all without my children there'd be no grandchildren!

Thanks for sharing :)

My TT is up
Elle xx

Jane said...

Wonderful list Norma. I know that I know that I know! Maybe the reason that so many people today use the 'I feel' instead of 'I know' is because they are not willing to committ to knowing anything....to take a stand. It is very disheartening. Thanks for being identified with what you know!
My list is up too!

Carmen said...

It's good that you know all these things, and it's good that you have all those blessings. Now, if you could just get a daughter in law. ;)

My list is up
http://carmenhasgonetoplaid.blogspot.com/

Melzie said...

Yet another fabulous list!!! :) You're lists are always so wonderful and positive! Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful list. Thanks for sharing the pics. You have a lovely family. My TT is up. Have a wonderful day. God Bless...

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

What a beautiful post!! I loved reading it. Have a great day!! Sandy

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Nice 13 lists. By the way nice pics too. Just dropped by. My TT13 is up too.

Anonymous said...

I know that you know you are blessed.

My 13 are up.

Bonita said...

I liked your image of 'God's Economy', with nothing wasted....think, even our breath is reused, recirculated through the veins of plants in the garden.

Frances D said...

Such love and gratitude.
Such a beautiful list.
Mine is up too.
Blessings and see ya next week,
Frances

feedscott said...

God knew you before the womb B)

Thanks for stopping by future lines, and seeing counts to B)

pvtB)fs

Kelly said...

What a fabulous Thirteen!
You have a gorgeous family!

Thriftin' Gal @ Junk In My Trunk said...

You are so right! I really, really loved reading your T13, made me feel good and very thankful for all my blessings! :)

Courtney said...

Great list, and I really enjoyed the photos too!

Melli said...

Well, I know a few things myself!
I know you are very smart. I know you are truly blessed! And, I know you have a very beautiful family - and that they are all blessed to have you!

My TT is up!

amy karp | PHOTOGRAPHY said...

wow Norma - Number Five is a wonderful thing.

Mine are up…..Go check out my T13

Amanda said...

Very interesting post. And what great pics, too!

My 13 are up.

Anonymous said...

Yet another post that makes me think... I agree with Louise, you really are blessed to know so many things.

Chana said...

Beautiful list. Love the fact that you give God so much credit! It's always good to know that there are still those that still marvel at the world God created! Isn't beautiful!

Anonymous said...

That's a great list hun. I love hearing about how God has blessed you and has made such an impact on your life.

Pink Chihuahua Princess said...

This is such a special list. You sound as if you have such peacefulness in your life and that is wonderful.

My TT is up. Happy Thursday!

kristarella said...

Correct!

Moogie said...

This is a wonderful list. You have such a beautiful family.

My list is up! T13

Anonymous said...

Amen to everything you posted! What a fantastic 13! God bless you and yours.

Leanne said...

How beautiful. Many of the things you know are things I'm still learning, I hope one day I can be confident to write a list just like this one.

Thanks for sharing, and thanks for stopping by my place!

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Wow Norma, I really loved your list. It's very inspiring. Thank you so much for making this list. I know I still have a long way to go with my life, but I'm thankful that through your entries, I'm somehow confident to face challenges and realizations. Thanks again.

PS Sorry for the late visit. Have a great week :)