Rays Retreat Ramblings

Suddenly

Flipping thru the news channels and watching the stories of all who have died this week. Too young. We had two deaths in our area yesterday. One was an innocent much much too young 6 year old - drowning at Otsego Lake. The other was an 80 year old.

The death of a young child is horrifying for everyone from any innocent bystanders, to those attempting to help, to the professionals (EMS and police), and most of all to those who have loved and cherished this child.

The 80 year old at least has had a chance to live their life to its fullness.

Yet, they both share the horror of the suddenness of death, and how just that sudden, unexpected we loose a dear loved one.

It does not matter if we have had the loved one six years in our lives or 64 years in our life... it is 'never the right time' for the loved ones.    We are never ready to say good bye. And, wish we could hold them tight and say I love you one more time.

Multides of flowery messages get sent from email to email stating exactly these sentiments. We all quickly read through them, nod our heads and click our forwarding to our friends. But do we really STOP, and take the time to do just that? Letting our cherished family and friends know what a difference they make in our lives.

I urge you to do just that - it can happen to anyone of us just that suddenly, our loved ones can be taken from our lives.

Mike Birthday Weekend

Mike enjoyed his birthday. Bryan/family arrived yesterday afternoon to celebrate with us. They took the boat out fishing, and enjoyed a good time. Bringing home fish for a meal.

Daylen was delighted. Toad hunting was good early evening, and she made several captures. She practices catch and release.

Our two granddaughters enjoying a snack. Daylen, age 5 and Chandler age 3.

Wednesday

Aren't those colors pretty? Its the veggie pizza I made this past weekend.. yum, yum. Made a great lunch for us.

 

Here's Kelly and Dave, from Dayton Ohio as they leave us for a week exploring the Upper Peninsula. We'll be seeing them again this Sat. as they head back home.

A Fathers Day Reflection on a News Story

Hope all the Fathers enjoyed a day with family that appreciated them. Fathers can have such a major influence in our lives. I read an interesting  quote the other day.... 'We've begun to raise our daughters more like sons... but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters'.... Very True!!!

There's been a newstory in the papers this past week of a Kalkaska man who thought he was the 'stolen baby from a baby carriage on Long Island 55 years ago. So this isn't a young man or teenager. This is a grown man who for years has 'thought he just didn't fit into his family'.

Oh get over it! At some time as children, we all thought we were the odd one in the family. How did we ever land in this bunch of misfits, when its obvious we came from royalty?  Especially when we became teen agers and longed to escape our mundane lives didn't we all dream that our long lost parents... The Rockefellers or Queen of some romantic country would come to claim us, and we would leave behind the normal ordinary life that we had landed in.... Then as we grew into young adulthood, a few immature folks still blame their families, parents with their own bad choices.

By middle age, and late middle age of late 50's 60's its a crying shame that a man is still longing to discover he never belonged in his family! Get over it. Well, he will now. The FBI DNA testing proves the fact that he was not a stolen child.

There have been several news stories on him this past week, but here's a link of one of the stories in the Traverse City paper if you didn't catch any of it.http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_169080439.html

And I hope that if his father is alive he remembered with much love and gratitude on this Fathers Day.

Happy Summer Days and a Happy Fathers Day

Lions

Yesterday, I was not in a good space. NOT AT ALL. Couldn't even keep my fingers still enough to type. IF there would have been lions nearby, I would have asked for them to be sent in..........and Lord forgive me, but I understand why some Christians were fed to the lions.

I don't know how many times we are asked if we get very many difficult or just obnoxious people. And honest,  we always say they are few and far between. Well this weekend, they've been plentiful and we've had more in just this weekend, than the entire 7 years we've been here. That is no exaggerationj.

What really frustrated me is the fact that I pride myself on staying centered, staying calm and professional. I totally lost it yesterday....................................

I am happy to report that I am in a much better 'space' today. Coping much better. I will also keep the lions in Africa where they belong.

I will not even go into detail of the many many frustrating conversations we have had the last two days.

Today Kelly and Dave from Dayton, OH rolled in on their Harley ready to start their northern Michigan vacation. They stayed with us the first time last year and spent the entire week here exploring Michigans Mitt on their bike. This year, this is just a stopover as they continue north to spend the week in the Kewanaw peninsula. I am very envious. They will be back as they head back for home next weekend.

We also talked to 'the gang' from Ohio who have the newly engaged couple visiting them. Again, we are all happy that Dan and Laura are engaged. They'll be here around 4th of July for a visit.

Impressions

Its good to be busy again here at Rays Retreat. Its been since snow season that we've had a full house. The motel is a hungry monster and gobbles up money always unsatisfied, always wanting more.... so its resting a little more contented last night and next two....

Its keeping us jumping trying to keep the guests happy. The Big Ticket Festival is happening, bringing in carloads of 'Christians'... a title I think many use loosely. now I'm being sarcastic here... but give me a motel full of 'heathens' anyday. ...please don't take offense if you're a 'Christian'... I am too, and it saddens me that so many are running around town leaving some bad impressions. We 'Christians' know that being Christian doesn't mean perfect, and there are always those who use the term loosely. But the outside world looks at that... and there's the example, the excuse they don't even try church.... because of 'all the hypocrites'.

Enough. That's another day's sermon. We all need to remember to think about what kind of impression we are leaving with people, Christian or not.

First Comes Love

Have you heard the news? Ann just told Mike and I....
Dan popped the question, and Laura said YES!

My tail is wagging. I like Laura. This is a good move Dan. She's a keeper.

Lets see.... first comes love,
                  then comes marriage,
then comes Dan walking the puppies.... right?  A happy couple need a puppy in their home.

Can't wait to give them licks of congrats.
----------------------------------------------------Sparky T. Ray

Summers here

As Sparky may have told you, we enjoyed a summer weekend with Merill, Linda and Lucky. Things were slow around the motel, so we were all down at Otsego Lake State Park. Spent most of the day and evening Saturday out on the lake. This past weekend was the Otsego Lake Fly In... we had a great view of the water planes as they competed.

Wish Upon a Star

Its true! ... If you wish hard enough it will come true... you don't even have to wish upon a star..........just wish long and hard.

There I was Thurs night just wishing Merrill would come see me,
and he did! Along with Lucky, and Linda.

Lucky is a great little Corgi. Who likes to whisper secrets in my ear.

Lucky is also very lucky!! .... Gizzy and I did get to enjoy a great weekend camping with Lucky, Merill, Linda, Ann and Mike
but Lucky gets to go out on the boat!!!
That's a lucky dog.

Cute tongue. .......................................................Sparky T. Ray