Kittens in the Subway

The news story reports that the New York subway system shut down 6 miles of track yesterday as personnel searched for two kittens who were reportedly loose on the tracks. The danger, of course, was that they would either touch the deadly third rail, or be hit by a moving train. 

Commuters were inconvenienced and the NY Police Dept was brought in for crowd control. As I watched the film footage from the local ABC affiliate in New York, I thought at first how adorable the kittens were. I am, after all, a cat person. But let's take a step back here. Is this a uniquely American attitude towards animals? To shut down the public transportation in THE major metropolitan center for hours, just to avoid the death of two homeless kittens? I mean, these animals are considered a food source in some parts of the world. And even here, hundreds of thousands of them are euthanized every year after being abandoned. Looking at the film footage, one can easily see that the subway system is a dumping ground for all sorts of refuse -- trash is piled up along the edges of the rails, and strewn along the pathways. Rats and mice can be seen scurrying in and out periodically...certainly no one is stopping the trains for them! 

Well, if they hadn't halted service, and rescued the kittens, the story could have gone one of two ways. Either no one would have ever known, or it would have blown up in their faces, and they'd have been vilified. So...August and Arthur, the rescued kittens, are now safely in the Brooklyn Care Center, awaiting adoption, the subways are running again....and here's a picture to coo over! 

Train Up A Child....

My very best life-long friend is going through a trial at the moment - a family situation that is breaking her heart. When I logged into my Facebook account at lunch today, I saw that her status read "Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me..." 

As I read that line, I immediately began to think of other scriptures that applied to her situation. Matthew 18:19 of course, since I've been praying with her about this. Psalms 138:8, which is a promise my mother clings to in any time of trouble. Romans 8:28 leapt to my mind...and then I began to think further. 

How is it that these scriptures come so swiftly to mind? 

The answer to that, of course, is that I was brought up in a household that serves the Lord. My parents took me (not sent me) to Sunday School. Reading the Bible, memorizing scriptures, even hearing my parents quote scripture to me, and to others...all of these served to hide the Word in my heart, so I would have it when I needed it. 

When I am afraid, when I am sorrowful, when I am in pain, there is an answer to those problems waiting for me. A promise, and He has never failed to keep a promise, if only I know where to look. My hope is that I have managed to pass this on to my children...that someday, if my parents are not here, if I am not here, they will still know where to turn for help. For His mercy? Endureth forever. 

Roots

Ok, the title? It's a trite, over-used phrase. I know this, but it is the title that fits this post, and my thoughts for the day. 

My husband has family visiting from out of town. Just to clarify, hubby is the youngest of 9 children (all of whom are now grown). One of their siblings, our beloved Ginger, has already gone on to her reward...But the rest of them? They, and their dad, seem to see each other...sporadically. Years can go by, and brothers and sisters haven't seen one another, sometimes haven't even talked on the phone. I don't understand this.

My mother is also one of 9 children, and only 5 of them are still with us. But when I was growing up, as long as I can remember, my Momma's family was my family. If you say the words family, or relatives -- my aunts and uncles, my 26 first cousins on that side -- that's who I think of. Multiple times each year (and almost every holiday), we gathered at the family home place in East Texas. There were certain fixtures that never changed...when my Grandma was alive, she would be in her rocker in the corner of the living room, and as a young child, that was the first stop - go hug Grandma's neck. I realize now that my parents must have trained me in those behaviors - part of learning manners as I grew! But...I would love to have another chance to hug my Grandma now...

At times over the years, various uncles or aunts lived far away - Virginia, Colorado, Tennessee, Alaska -- so if they were present for a holiday, it was a big deal! I can remember waiting on the front porch to see whose car would turn into the drive next - and there was great joy when the cousins "my age" arrived: Jessica Lynn, Kevin, Deanne and myself - all born the same year. 

Hours spent playing under the trees, building a "fort," waiting for dark to pop firecrackers (I can't remember who was so scared of them, but someone always cried!), and at Christmas we all wanted to go hunt that Christmas tree with Aunt Dorothy Faye. 

Sometimes we met in different places - there were reunions and graduation parties at Roseland Pavilion in Baytown, and as cousins grew older, there were weddings (the first one I can remember was LaVerne's - I can't remember the wedding, but the rehearsal dinner for some reason!), and occasionally, funerals. I was 12 when my Grandma passed away - and I will never forget it. We'd been at Aunt Ruth's house for several days after her stroke, and Uncle Joe was standing next to her, monitoring her blood pressure, and when she breathed her last, he looked up and said "Daddy's got her now..." 

Heartbreak? Yes, we had our share. Cousins, aunts and uncles taken from us too young, and they are forever missed. But we had the privilege of knowing them, growing up together, and we have memories to treasure. That's important! 

I'm blessed to have memories - good and not-so-good -- of all of my cousins. I recognize them when I see them, and conversations can pick up...like we've never been apart. No matter what happens to us in this world, each of us has people we can turn to - in an emergency, I don't believe any of us would turn family away. We share our roots. We come from the same tree. And that...that by itself is enough. 

So, if you're a Blackmon...and you happen to be reading this...as I typed this list, I just drifted through my memories of each person....I invite you to do the same:

Ruth, Marie, Paul, Rachel, Lois, Dorothy Faye, Mary Ellen, Lyndal and Joe. 

LaVerne, Marjie Ruth, Richard, Lonnie Wayne, Jeffrey, Kenny, Rhonda, Jessica, Stevie, Martha, Jerry, Jonathan, Mike, Leslie, Fairie, Jackie, Marla, Janice, Karen, Kevin, Timothy, Lisa, Gina, Deanne, Kendra, and Mark.