Throw Back Thursday . . .

. . . appeared in my Facebook feed a few weeks ago and I had no clue what TBT meant.  I still don't know how it originated, but have laughed more than once when seeing old photos.  It's mostly true: "A picture is worth a thousand words," however, being a word person, myself, and not knowing how to pass along pictures via the internet, I thought I'd use today's post for a TBT edition peculiar to me. 

Thursdays are BIG days at my house.  Two Thursdays out of every month are designated as treatment days.  Treatments haven't always been on Thursdays though.  In the early eighties, when I had my first series of chemo treatments, Monday was the day--and I was adamant about the day, allowing nothing to change the schedule.  I was focused; had life planned and did not like interruptions.  Boy, was I naïve!  In California, when it became necessary to be treated again, everything was different, including the day.  This time it was on a Friday, again, according to my planned schedule.  Treatment in Tennessee was bumped around depending on when the doctor was in the clinic, but I was still in charge, or so I thought.  You may be wondering what this has to do with TBT and it's this:  As I understand the point, the photos are to help take us back to earlier times, hopefully to remind us of times gone by that cheered us or helped us along our life's journey.  Leading the way in the cheering section, for me, have been the incredible nurses who care more than you would think possible.  As I focus on Thursdays in my life now, I am more aware than ever that I am not now, nor have ever been in charge.  It is by God's grace that I am even here to have Thursdays.  I have finally come to accept Paul's words in Philippians where he talks about being content whatever the circumstances. 

Last week brought back lots of mental pictures of times gone by, especially birthdays celebrated for Tommy, III through the years.  Elizabeth, Tommy and I planned his birthday dinner early in the week and I paced myself so I'd have energy to get it made.  He wanted lasagna and German chocolate cake.  Being in the kitchen, cooking what is requested is one of life's greatest pleasures for me.  As I measure and mix, sift and stir, I "throw back" to all the times I have done these things before. 

I never make German chocolate cake that I don't remember the first time I made it.  Tom, Jr. raved about the cake he  and an army buddy of his enjoyed in Munich.  The friend and his new wife were paying us a visit in Oxford, I was eight months pregnant and had never before made such a cake.  I remember sitting on a stool, stirring the icing, hardly reaching the stove.  Tom's friend took one bite, turns to Tom and says:  "This is a lot better than the Sara Lee cake we bought in the commissary." If looks could kill. . . !  Then there was the time I made German chocolate for Tommy's birthday and left the layers, covered on the counter, to cool overnight.  I discovered the next morning that one layer had mysteriously sunk through the rack, making repairs necessary.  As we were enjoying cake and ice cream with some of Tommy's friends, one asked if I had been told he had put his elbow through the layer.  We still refer to German chocolate, at times, as "elbow cake."  Good memories of good friends sharing good food together. 

This afternoon, on this TBT, I have been watching baseball and snapping beans, remembering all the summer Saturday afternoons I shelled peas and watched baseball.  The differences today being beans instead of peas and the game has been the SEC tournament instead of the Braves. 

Keep posting your pictures.  I love to see you, your families and the things that bring you joy.  One day I might join this century and learn to post pictures too.  Til then, you'll have to put up with my words.

Blessings,
Pastor Margaret