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When I started out on this Facebook Road, I had no idea where it would take me or where I’d end up. But on this journey, I’ve met many people, some I never want to lose and some, I’ve had to unfriend, not many of those though.
From 2009, traveling 16 years on this road, there have been many changes, but the avenue remains. New scenes arise and a little of the old ways continue to keep us entertained. I’ve never met the designers or the ones working behind the curtain, I just know they are always working, listening and watching. They’re like the old peddler going from house to house promoting his goods and services. They’ve found a way to penetrate every aspect of our lives and minds, enticing us to tell things we’d never reveal with an eye to eye, real life person. And yet here we are, face to face, sharing our deepest emotions to strangers we call friends.
It doesn’t seem so invasive though, as friendships are cultivated day in and day out.
Humorous memes, family pictures of babies, and pets displayed with great admiration, groups of every walk of life. History shared for all the world to see as it maps places from sea to shining sea…north, south, east and west…a world to explore. Personal stories, along with music, all come alive on this road of secrets no longer hidden within.
Likes and loves and laughs and tears galore, Oh, my! Accepted now, as a way of life.
I don’t know why, but I felt I needed to write something about it today.
You have all, become, a part of my everyday life.
I sit most days contemplating things. I’m 71 years old. I don’t sleep much at night, and I sleep late in the day. My husband, Bob, still works a full-time job at home with his computer, and that’s OK, really. But I can’t seem to find my purpose anymore.
An illness and age restrict me. If I try to explain how I feel to anyone, well, they don’t understand so I keep quiet.
I pray, a, lot and I know He (Papa) always listens, and He blesses me more than I deserve. Still, I feel alone. I know He’s always with me. But like someone once said, “I need a meat, on some bones, someone.” I do get phone calls from people needing prayer and I cherish those times. God is good!
I know we all have our secret desires and thoughts. The elder folk are living in a-space-in-between.
“I’m too old to be young, and too young to be old.” As Evelyn said in, ‘Fried Green Tomatoes.”
I can’t drive anymore. I can’t sing like I use to; horsey throat came along. Sitting too long causes my sugar to go up. So, writing and reading are limited. Walking makes me want to fall down. Yet I know I must move to keep my strength up. I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. I’m not giving up though. I do have a strong will, and Holy Spirit is my helper.
So, I’ll keep going through the motions. I’ll go until I can’t go any longer and then I’ll go home.
I’m not complaining mind you; I just need to vent. And since Facebook isn’t really real, LOL! It is the perfect place to vent.
Maybe some of you can relate.
In my youth, when I’d be around the elder folk. I used to wonder why they walked like they did. Bent, slow and shuffling their feet. Why they were constantly telling stories from their past. Why they couldn’t eat certain foods and why they smelled funny. Well not funny, but different.
I wondered why they couldn’t cut their toenails and why the women wore funky, baggy clothes. Polyester pants with elastic waist bands and blouses with pockets. You’d never see them in blue jeans and tank tops. I wondered why the ladies didn’t want to wear a bra and why my uncle chopped his food into tiny little pieces in order to eat.
Why it was that the elder folk seemed to yell at each other and why they couldn’t get in and out of the bathtub without help.
Why they would make up silly little words, like, blah, blah, blah, when they tried to express themselves and couldn’t remember where they put things. They were constantly saying, “I use to~”
Now, I know.
Getting older is a blessing. It is not for wimps or the faint of heart. It is a challenge every single day just to roll over in bed and getting out of the bed is a workout in itself.
So, I sit in quiet, and solitude and I wait for the hours to pass. Weather I’m here or not the hours will continue to go bye.
Young people, if I could only help you understand. Don’t take youth for granted. Don’t waste precious time. Once time is spent it can never be regained, it’s gone forever.
I used to sing a song, (There is that use too I was talking about.) I’d sing “One day at a time.” It was my signature song. I sang it many times in my youth as a solo in Church. Now looking back, I see it was prophetic.
I’m only human, I’m just a woman, Lord, help me believe in all that I am and all I can be, show me the stairway I have to climb, Lord for my sake, teach me to take, One day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking from you. Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine, Lord, help me today, show me the way, One day at a time.
Lord, I know you remember, as you walked among men, well Jesus you know as you’re looking below, it’s much worse now, than then, pushing and shoving clouding my mind, Lord, for my sake teach me to take, one day at a time.
It’s only at the end, well, maybe not the end just yet, but it’s not until many years later that you begin to realize what life is all about. Where it has taken you and where you are at this point.
Take it from an elder folk enjoy your life. Do the thing, you think you can’t and be kind to everyone you meet. We are all on this journey.
Make your journey meaningful.
You’ll have many, many disappointments. Let it go, forgive and move on.
The choices you make in your youth will determine what memories you’ll have when your youth has been spent. Spend it wisely.
There is absolutely no way for me to stress to you what the elder folk’s life, is, like, because you haven’t gotten there yet, but I can tell you from experience, I know what it is to be young and I know what it is to be elder…please, take my word for it and heed my instruction…enjoy the good times, have faith in the hard times and embrace the moments you’ve been blessed with. It will be gone before you know it. Did you just blink? That is how fast it goes. You’ll be there in a blink of an eye. I’ll be in heaven then.
Now, where did I put my phone, I need to call my boys! I miss them and love them more than all the time in the world or time to come!
Love,
An Elder folk
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2025
Psalm 37:25 King James Version I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Ecclesiastes 3 King James Version To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
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Tucked within my pocket is a smile just for you
And when I take it out, and share it, like I do…
Joy breaks forth like springtime, birds singing little tunes…
Butterflies giving kisses to each flower they choose…
Animals dancing as they watch~
Eyes brighten as their faces come alive…
A tiny bee in the garden, gathering nectar, for his hive…
Just a little Jesus, is all we really need
To spread a little sunshine, a little Jesus we receive…
You see…
The road often gets bumpy…and our burden too heavy to bear…
But with a little Jesus with hope and love to share…
Our cares don’t seem so heavy, friend, Jesus is always there!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 18, 2025
1 Peter 5:6-8 21st Century King James Version
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.
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There is a song known only to the Redeemed,
Even angels cannot sing…
Blood and water poured forth, from God’s son, now King…
Saved by grace through faith, when we believe and confess…
The savior’s birth and death…
Risen from the tomb…
He drives darkness from the room
Soul, set free…
Sing, Redeemed! Sing!
To the King of kings!
Blessing and Honor and Glory
To the Lord of lords!
Holy sacrifice…
Accepted and proclaimed!
Tried and true…
Veil torn in two…
Souls made new; we sing the song of the redeemed.
Child of God I am!
A soul redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
Yeshuah, I love you!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 10, 2025
Jeremiah 31:3 King James Version – The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
John 15:9 King James Version – As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
John 15:12-13 King James Version This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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I have been young and now am old.
I’ve beheld Messiah’s face, the sacred mold…
He stirred the dust and man became…
A living soul, forever he’ll remain…
Spirit warrior, mystery fresh
Word of God, became flesh…
Yeshua, Savior, born in lowliness…
God breathed, a holy kiss.
A road traveled in wilderness
Revealed what was, and is, and will be.
Redeemed mankind for all who see,
Will rest in blessedness,
For all eternity!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 10, 2025
Psalm 37:24-26 King James Version Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
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Baby girl held within my arms
What joy I behold!
Giggles and wiggles and tiny hands
Grasp my face tenderly, as I stand…
Gasps so deep I cannot speak…
As ecstatic joy erupts from my soul…
Sweet kisses upon her cheek
Rolls of laughter we two, share…
Eyes beholding eyes we stare…
Behold! Breathless joy is in the air…
A grandmother, and her baby girl,
Love, second only to Jesus, in all the world!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 10, 2025
2 Timothy 1:4-7 KJV Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
~Lois is the only grandmother named in the Bible. She was a Christian woman who helped Timothy learn about the Bible.~
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Sitting side by side
Holding hands together
With her precious little man.
Bright eyes and happy face
Heart full, while they sit and embrace…
Grandma and grandson…
Together at their own pace…
Oh, the love of little boys
It stirs within, her greatest joy
A love like no other…
Even more than being a mother…
For now, she is grand…
Her life will go on and on…
Her prayers being answered for perfect peace…
At journey’s end…
She’ll live and begin, again and again…
Grandchildren, living proof, life never ends…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 10, 2025
Proverbs 17:6 King James Version Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
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I see you…
I may be in another place, but darlin, I see your beautiful face…
At night when you look up in the stars, you’re looking straight into heaven…
Guess what? I’m looking right back…
No, you can’t see me now…
But sweet baby girl, everything will be alright…
Lie down in quiet sleep, in the stillness of the night…
I’m right there with you, in the center of your life…
I see you laugh, and I see you cry, when you’re afraid, but understand
You are not alone…
I’m with you to the end of the line kid; I’ve been with you all along…
You’ve got a lot of living to do…
Darlin, don’t fret
And never forget…
You’re daddy’s little girl!!
And when you hold your darlin’s near, look to the stars
And do not fear…
Life holds you for all eternity
Look up daughter, you’ll see me!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 15, 2025
I wrote this and I dedicate it to my beautiful, adopted niece, Rachel Eileen Watson, extraordinary woman of God!
Psalm 19:1 King James Version – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Jeremiah 31:3 King James Version – The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
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Photo by: Marla O’Neill
Silence speaks, as everything in nature seems to sleep
I peek through my window and see blankets of white.
All is still and quiet, no sound of any kind, my soul takes flight…
No tweeting birds, or squirrels at play
It’s surreal, a wonderland of mystery displayed…
Vibrant, crisp, cold air, lingers everywhere…
Sleep sweet earth, for a little while,
Your journey awaits through this silent trial…
Wait for Spring, to bring forth new birth…
You, are of the greatest worth, if only you are aware…
Listen to the silence, it’s a priceless treasure,
To be held for a moment, you cannot measure…
Breathe, let it hold you until you’re full…
Soon it will all go away…
Can you hear Silence say…
Dwell in the sweet secrets I have for you, today!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 24, 2025
Psalm 147:16-20 New King James Version
He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
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Life is an archive of souls.
Running through time, eternity holds.
A sphere not seen by physical eyes.
Child, everyone here dies…
But realize…
“I am the resurrection and the life! Anyone who believes in me will never die…”
At Lazareth’s graveside. I cried…
It’s OK to grieve the loss of loved ones, but understand…
Sorrow is for the night, but Joy will come in the morning!
Like an hourglass pouring tiny grains of sand…
Caught by the Father’s, unseen, loving hand
He takes us to the promised land.
So, weep for a while, child…
Then dry your eyes and know this
The reunion will be such bliss…
On the other side!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 2, 2025
John 11:35 New King James Version
Jesus wept.
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Artwork by: Youngsung Kim
You never know what a day can bring…But you can have the One who will see you through it, no matter what!
After having a wonderful Christmas with my Tampa family, we left for home the day after Christmas.
Bob and I were both tired, but I had no idea what he was experiencing, because he didn’t say anything. We stopped at Walgreens in Crystal River, I believe that’s where we were, I needed some Aquaphor for my foot, where a cancer had been removed. I noticed he was eating something, and I asked him what it was. He said it was tums.
It took about 5 hours to get home but just before we arrived, he said, “I have to tell you something.” I said, “Ok what is it?” He said he needed to go to the hospital that he had been having indigestion for 3 days. I was like. “WHAT?” So, we came home first then headed to the ER.
It was very crowded, and people were coughing and looked miserable. Then as we sat down, we heard a woman begin to moan and cry out… “Why? Why? Oh God! Oh God!” I felt heartsick for her. She was in a room near the waiting room, I’m guessing she was with a doctor. Someone she loved must have died. I could hardly contain myself knowing the pain and hurt she was suffering. I began praying silently in the Spirit. Knowing I could possibly be facing the same situation unless God intervened. As I prayed for her, silence came. I don’t know what happened because we were called.
They did an EKG and that came back normal, but we had to wait 2 hours for the blood work to come back and then they’d do the process again. They were ruling out blood clots. Which thankfully none was found.
It wasn’t a good report at that point. We were told that the heart was in distress. So, he was admitted to the hospital, and they scheduled him for a heart cath.
The next day they did the heart Cath and found some blockage, but he didn’t need a stent/s it could be treated with medication.
Thank the Lord for family in healthcare I had an angel escort me through the hospital (Bob’s daughter) otherwise I don’t know what I would have done. The hospital is huge!!
And I had two more angels (Bob’s other daughter and friend) escort me, to and from the hospital because I don’t drive anymore. God is faithful, especially, in the trails. He always makes a way. Thank you, Papa God, you’ve been with me my whole life.
You gave me Bob when I didn’t think I’d ever find love again and I know you won’t take him from me now. I know we’re all going to leave this planet one day but not yet!!
Many have already gone…but with Jesus, we will see them again.
Thank you for your grace that passes understanding. Thank you for family and friends that go over and beyond the call of duty, to help when we need it the most. Thank you for praying family and friends that stand in the gap and make up the hedge when it’s so very difficult to even think when faced with life threating circumstances.
Lord, thank you for sparing Bob’s life and James’s life and Pastor Perry Dissmore, seems they have something in common at the end of this year’s 2024. But you’re not finished with them yet!!
Thank you for being with Bambi and Charles and helping them cope with the extremely serious situation they are facing.
There’s so many Jesus…I pray that 2025, will give us new hope, new beginnings and better health so that we can serve you and continue to be a blessing to all we love, know and greet! Amen!!
I wasn’t going to post anything about this but since it all turned out good, I wanted to give God Praise and thank family and friends!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 30, 2024
Isaiah 43:19 King James Version – 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Romans 6:3-4 New King James Version – 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
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