Share 4 Somethings – November 2024
This month has been a whirlwind of emotions—of doing, grieving, reflecting, and enduring. In these moments, I’ve been reminded of the beauty and fragility of life, the weight of our choices, and the quiet importance of showing up.
For the 2024 edition of “Share 4 Somethings,” Jennifer asks us to share each month:
- Something loved and/or disliked
- Something accomplished
- Something improved upon and/or that needs improvement
- Something noticed
I’m also sharing my previous month’s One Second Everyday video . . .
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something Loved
- ELECTION DAY FROM THE INSIDE
Last month I shared here that my husband Jeff and I had been asked to be local poll workers for the general election on November 5. I was honored—and a little nervous—to step into such the role.
Now I’m back to report: it went great!
It was gratifying to facilitate democracy at its most local level. Jeff and I were tasked with handing out the ballots after voters checked in. It kept us busy the entire day, but we loved seeing the hope and eagerness on the voters’ faces.
We also got a behind-the-scenes look at the many layers of security in our precinct to make sure every vote was counted. At the end of the night I felt more connected to my community and deeply grateful for the experience. I hope we’ll be asked to help again in future elections.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something Accomplished
- CELEBRATING UNCLE BOBBY
Last month, I also wrote about celebrating my Uncle Bobby’s 86th birthday with a family meal and singing. It was a beautiful day, where time felt sacred, and one I hope we’ll remember for a long time to come.
And now, that day is seared in my memory as even more sacred because, sadly, Uncle Bobby passed away last week.
He lived a long, meaningful life, and I’m so grateful to have shared this past year even closer beside him as our family journeyed with him through his cancer diagnosis. He remained gentle and kind even in his final days.
Death is a strange companion to life—it reminds us of what we’ve lost while amplifying the love that remains. Here are 5 of Bobby’s 7 nieces and nephews that were able to attend his funeral in Arkansas last Saturday.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something that Needs Improvement
- WRESTLING WITH JUSTICE
Ironically, after spending days in the hospital with my incredible uncle, I would come home to read Ghosts Over the Boiler, a striking and powerful collection of essays written by men sentenced to die on Alabama’s death row (I highly recommend the book!).
One of the co-authors was actually put to death by nitrogen hypoxia the day after my uncle died, the third person in Alabama to die this way in 2024. The man was guilty of a horrendous crime. No doubt. He deserved to face consequences.
But is killing the proper consequence for killing?
I don’t have all the answers, but as more and more states and nations abolish the death penalty, recognizing its flaws as it grows in disfavor with the general public and those in the legal system and with humans all over the world, I wish Alabama would abolish it too. But it hasn’t. Yet.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something Noticed
- A LIFESAVING INCONVENIENCE
And then, life reminded me of its fragility again, but in a more mundane way.
This week, I made it through another routine colonoscopy—the day before Thanksgiving. I’ve had several colonoscopies over the years, and while of course I never like the process, it’s not all that bad. And, as I often say, I’d rather have a colonoscopy than colon cancer.
The doctor advised me to have another colonoscopy in one to two years; I’m not happy about having one again so soon, but I’ll do it. If you’re due for one, I encourage you to schedule it soon and get it over with. A day or two of discomfort could very well save your life.
What is something you are loving, accomplishing, improving, or noticing this month?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’m linking at these blog parties
Such a bittersweet season for you and your family, Lisa. Praying that the upcoming Christmas holidays will be a time of joy for all of you. Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Yes, there are so many times we have to hold multiple emotions at once: gratitude for my uncle’s good life and sadness at our losing him.
Great post, Lisa. Here is my contribution.
1. Something loved—So, many things come to mind. Today, I will say that I love doing puzzles and I am working on a glitter series puzzle that fits the snowy season.
2. Something accomplished—I completed my non-fiction manuscript and submitted to my editor for round one of the editing process.
3. Something improved upon and/or that needs improvement—My puppy Riggs hasn’t been his best self, so we have put him in some private training lessons.
4. Something noticed—The snow is beautiful when it peppers the air like tiny glass crystals.
I love doing puzzles too!!! I need to choose one from my stack and spread it on the table soon. I used to only do them during winter breaks when my daughters were young, but now that I am free to do them anytime, I forget to do them. 🙂 Congrats on finishing your manuscript and submitting to your editor. That is an amazing feat! Hope that Riggs learns to channel his inner goodness for you soon. lol. We are hoping for a good snow this year ourselves, but in Alabama it’s a rarity. Thanks for sharing your 4 things!
I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure that makes the memories of his most recent birthday even more bittersweet. How neat to be able to help out with voting on the inside. It is a process that I feel like so many know not much about.
Thanks, Joanne. Yes, I am most grateful that we didn’t delay the family meal with my uncle any longer than we did, or we would have missed making that beautiful memory with him. Just another reminder to take advantage of the days we have!
I’m so sorry to hear about your uncle. I’m glad you got to be with him before he passed on.
My husband has wanted to work the polls. He didn’t think about it in time for this election, but wants to look into it next time.
I’ve always thought that Genesis 6:9 (“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image”) and Romans 13 (about obeying governing authorities because “he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer”) were the basis of the death penalty. But then we also have biblical admonitions to show mercy. It’s a difficult issue. I’m glad I don’t have to make those decisions and hope I am never in a position to have to.
Colonoscopies are no fun, but I am thankful there is a way to check for colon cancer.
I agree with you Barbara; the death penalty is a difficult issue. I read somewhere this year that many of those who actually have to press the button or give the injections or whatever method is used, often struggle with it, and that when they used to do executions by firing squad, they wouldn’t tell which shooter among all the shooters had been given the real bullet that did the killing, so everyone could at least presume it might not have been themselves that did the killing. So many things to consider….
Hi, Lisa – My condolences on the loss of your uncle Bobby. Your post is a great reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of embracing each present moment as fully and meaningfully as we can.
Thanks, Donna. You sum it up so well here: “the fragility of life and the importance of embracing each present moment as fully and meaningfully as we can.” Death is always a fresh wakeup call to do just that…at least until we forget again.
Hi Lisa, I’m sorry to hear that of your loss of your Uncle Bobby. A lovely photo of you all though for you to treasure. Thank you for sharing with us at #WBOYC? and have a beautiful December x
All your details were prepopulated in my comment box??? Email inc.
Thanks for letting me know. I just now updated my cache plugin so hopefully that will solve the problem!
Thank you, Sue. I am SO glad that we took photos of that day with my uncle. And my sister took lots of video as well. I’m grateful for modern technologies that help us remember those who are no longer with us.
I’m sorry about your loss but how lovely he got you all together for a celebration so recently. That happy memory would have been so precious for him, and for all of you. It’s a gift, the time spent with people.
I’m glad the voting went well, I was worried for you because there were some crazy stories out there.
#WBOYC and #ShareFourSomethings
“It’s a gift, the time spent with people.” – Yes it is, Lydia. It’s a gift I need not take for granted (which I often do!).
I was thankful the voting went well, too, especially in light of stories that we have heard from previous elections. Crazy things for sure.
So sorry to hear of your loss, but also how timely was your get together? I was thinking of you on election day – and also on the concept of showing up. Thanks for linking up with us and wishing you a lovely December.
Thanks, Joanne. The timing of our get-together with my uncle ended up being better than we even knew at the time. When it came time to choose clothes for his burial, we chose the ones that he wore that day of the family meal. I think he would agree that it was a beautiful memory for him to go out on.
Oh Lisa, I was so saddened to read this. I’m so sorry about Uncle Bobby’s passing. It’s sooo hard, and somehow especially punctuated by the Holidays. I’m so glad you were able to share such a lifegiving memory with him. I’m glad you have cousins w/ whom always to remember to honor your precious uncle.
Sending much love
xo
Lynn
I appreciate your condolences, sweet friend. It’s been harder losing my uncle than I even expected it to be. It’s only been this year that I got to spend one-on-one time with him as I took him to doctor appointments, etc., instead of several of us spending time with him as a family (which was also good). He was a very good and gentle man. And yes, I am grateful too for my cousins and siblings who share their memories about him (such as, he and my youngest sister went golfing together once in her youth! I never knew that, ha).
Lisa, I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I hope the memories of your family get-together to celebrate uncle Bob’s birthday gave you much comfort. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Thank you, Natalie. I will be forever grateful for those good memories we made with my uncle at our last family meal together. He was so happy that day!
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing with us via the linkup for #WBOYC. I too lost an uncle this past week and his funeral was a lovely celebration of his life. I wish you and your family well. I enjoyed your post and your various responses to the questions.
I’m sorry to hear that you lost an uncle this past week, too, Debbie! Uncle Bobby was my last uncle; I have two aunts left. I told one of them at Bobby’s funeral that we’re not going to allow her to die (as if we ever have control over that).
I’m saddened to hear of your uncle’s passing Lisa. You know you have a lot of insightful food for thought here. I’m pausing to reflect.
Thank you so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
I appreciate your care, Paula. I’m thankful my uncle made it to 86 years old; he had a good, long life, yet even at that age we weren’t quite ready to let him go.
I loved this post and I find myself sharing some of the same thoughts you have about the death penalty. and honestly, I do not have answers either. Definitely a topic that is nuanced, and for me, deserves prayers for clarity. In other news, my hubby just had a colonoscopy on Monday! He was not happy and called it (jokingly) “spousal abuse” because he had it as part of a physical I scheduled for him. But as I tol him, he has not had a physical since he left the military 7 yrs ago. It was time 🙂
The death penalty definitely is a topic that we need to talk about more openly. I used to be so certain that it was a good thing, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to question my positions on a lot of things, and often end up changing my position altogether.
I’m glad your husband got his colonoscopy done, even if it was because you scheduled his physical. lol. My husband is up to date on his, but I keep gently prodding my brother to go get one done because he is way past due and we have a family history of colon cancer. It’s a yucky process, but there are worse things. 😉
I am so sorry for your loss!! I had a recent colonoscopy as well, but thankfully don’t have to go back for several years. I agree, we should do these routine things, they are SO much better than dealing with the cancer that possibly could have been avoided, or at least caught early. Have a great week!
Congrats on having your colonoscopy done, Cindy! 🙂 And that you won’t have to do it again for several years! You can check that off your health to-do list. I try to stay current on these tests even though they are annoying because yes, it’s better to catch things early if we do end up with something.
Lisa, I stay current on all my health stuff as well.
I love the whole 1 second every day. I think I might start this in January. I think it wold be interesting to work at local polls. I’m so sorry on the loss of your uncle, but so glad you got to celebrate him. A reminder of how fragile life is. Definitely some food for thought on your justice thought.