Three Rights

The Right Person.  The Right Place.  The Right Time.

Today, I listened to a YouTube by one of my fav country artists from the 80s:  Larry Gatlin.  He had several hits, sang with his brothers, and then wasn't around for a while.  I found out that he had checked himself in for some drug and alcohol problems.  It always amazes me that people who look like they are on top of the world, really aren't.  Great career, great money, somehow often leads to some really bad choices.  He had an interesting way of looking at it, however.  And that's what he spoke about.

How often do you look back on a situation and -know- that a person who crossed your path was the right person, at the right place, at the right time??  People come in and out of our lives all the time.  Some of them with good things for our situation, others aren't so good.  But maybe even the bad is all part of the plan as well, as we all make choices, both good and bad, related to what options are before us.  And we learn from the bad ones as much as the good ones.

This time of year always makes me think of my realtor, as this is the month I first saw, then decided to purchase my home.  I was making inquiries when I was still living in Ohio, and started talking with Michael.  Even though I wasn't ready to purchase, every few months, he would check in with me via email to see where I was at with the move, with housing choices.  Four years later, I was finally ready.  And he has been the right person, the right place, the right time.  He was set into my path long before a house was a true reality.  But when it came time, we'd already had so many discussions, it was easy. We visited one home- but never went inside, as the neighborhood was not good.  I had found a house in an area I liked and started visiting with another realtor, but he wasn't the right person, place or time.  Michael called me up and wanted to show me a house, so we met.  It was nice, a little over priced for size, and I wasn't sure my idea of a price would get me the house.  On a whim, we circled the block for a look at a foreclosed home.  We went in, and it was an immediate mm hmmm in my head, but making a decision that quick on a big purchase was scary.  I told him I would let him know, and not 10 minutes later after leaving the house, I called him and said "that one's mine."  He made everything else happen, advised me on how to get the necessaries done.  And I signed for the house 7 weeks later.  

Mighty things that can change a life happen because of the right person, the right place, the right time.  And it's never in our own timing that things always work out. Sometimes we have to wait while other things happen first.  But when it all comes together, it happens quickly, and it can be amazing! 

We all have paths to take.  Some take what seems to be a shortcut through drugs, alcohol, or other things that are just as bad for a person.  Sometimes we seem to lose it all in what seems no fault of our own.  But pay attention to the people and the places, and the timing will fall into place.

Life isn't easy, but it can be beautiful.

*Note:  I wrote this back in October,
but failed to post it because I thought
it needed to be polished up, to be said
better.   I should know that when I write
a blog, to just post it, to stop worrying
about the perfect, and go with my gut.

Dad's Meds

When someone has cancer ......
When someone has chemo .....
When their desire is to stay in their home ......


There are so many things the average person doesn't think about.  The meds my Dad was on were very powerful toward the end.  Something a doctor might prescribe after a procedure, such as percocet, would make our own pains tolerable.  But those couldn't touch the pains Dad was having.  His prescriptions were so much more than that.  So what happens to those meds after he's gone?  Because of the newer regulations for hazardous waste, they can't be thrown out, or even flushed in the toilet.  They can't be re-used or given to another patient, or any one else.  And the instructions from Hospice were for Mom to have them gone within five days.


Today we checked around and found out where they could be dropped off.  We drove over to Valley Health Center and found the drop off location to get them out of the house.  It was a relief in having that chore done, checked off the list.  Something we could do to help Mom so that she doesn't have to do it all on her own.


Have you ever flushed meds in the toilet?  I'm guessing we all have a time or two in the past.  But that's no longer an option. Those meds get mixed in our water supply, they're difficult to filter out, and for that reason, we all should be aware of our local or county rules are for disposing of expired meds.  Some locales have a special day where you can drop all these things off, usually along with other potentially harmful things, such as chemicals and paints.

Do the right thing and be kind to the environment.

On a more personal note, here we are, six days out and its odd.  I was sitting on the couch this evening, and half expecting my Dad to come lumbering down the hall after his shower.  But that's not going to happen, and it was an eerie feeling.

In the last two years or so, getting around was becoming increasingly difficult.  And while I didn't expect him to be a helping hand in whatever project needs doing, I relied on his advice.  I loved being able to explore options as to the best way to handle getting the job done in ways that were both efficient and long lasting.  I will miss that most of all.  Love you, Dad!