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Your Sibling

1/9/2022

Your sibling should be your best friend and your worst enemy.
Your sibling should be your hero and your arch nemesis.
Your sibling should be your loudest defender and your biggest tormentor.
Your sibling should be your partner in crime and your biggest prosecuting witness.
Your sibling should be your most trusted confidante and your biggest blabbermouth.
Your sibling should be the one you run to and the one you run from.
Your sibling should always be there for you and your sibling should sometimes give you space.
Your sibling should want to spend time with you and should never ever want to see you again.
Your sibling should be your role model and your worst influence.
Your sibling should be the one who calms your nerves and the one who gets on your last nerve.

Your sibling is a friend God, hand-picked for you. There should be no better earthly friend than your sibling. And a sibling relationship should never be taken for granted.

Ruth McDonald Mair
1-8-22

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Friends With Differences

10/25/2021

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You and I don’t like the same food…I’ll still be your friend
You and I don’ have the same favorite color…I’ll still be your friend
You and I are of different religions…I’ll still be your friend
You and I don’t have the same taste in music…I’ll still be your friend
I prefer chocolate cake, you prefer pumpkin pie…I’ll still be your friend
One of us has kids, the other doesn’t…I’ll still be your friend
You like the bright lights of the city, I like the wide open country skies…I’ll still be your friend
One of us has tattoos, the other doesn’t…I’ll still be your friend
You and I are not of the same race…I’ll still be your friend
You prefer to travel, I prefer to curl up on my couch with a good book…I’ll still be your friend
I love summertime, you like wintertime...I'll still be your friend
You can sing, I can't carry a tune in a bucket...I'll still be your friend
One of us got the Covid vaccine, the other did not….I’ll still be your friend

You see, I will still be your friend no matter our differences. The question I ask today is, will you still be mine?

Ruth McDonald Mair
10-25-21

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The Fitted Sheet

6/25/2021

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Regrets. We all have them. They are a natural part of life. If anyone says they have absolutely no regrets in life, they are probably not being honest with you or themselves. Looking back on your life and wondering, “What if…” is not a regret. A regret is when you look back and say, “I wish I had…” or “I wish I hadn’t…” and truly meaning it, truly wishing you had made a different choice and taken a different path. One of my biggest regrets in life is not learning how to fold a fitted sheet. Seriously. My mama could fold a fitted sheet and it looked like it had never been unfolded. I clearly remember the day she tried to show me how to fold a fitted sheet. At the time I was one of those know-it-all teens (we have all known one or twelve of those). It was a summer day, and she had washed all the bedding and hung it on the clothesline. When she brought it in, she said, “Come over here and I’ll show you how to fold this fitted sheet.” I rolled my eyes as I huffed and puffed over to where she was. After she made the first fold of the sheet, she could tell I was not the least bit interested so she told me to forget about it. Which I gladly did. I never got a second chance to learn how to fold that fitted sheet because, unknown to me, cancer was already taking over her body and she passed away the next summer, four days after my 17th birthday. I think back on that day, and I realize she was not only trying to teach me something basic, but she was reaching out to me, trying to make the best of what she already knew was her final summer. Had I just spent five minutes with her that day, learning how to fold that sheet, my regret would be a wonderful memory. Now days I think twice about my decisions, especially when the feelings of others are at stake. Will spending a few minutes or a few hours with someone really put a damper on my plans? Will spending time with someone reap a beautiful memory down the road? Will it brighten someone else’s day if I take a few minutes and spend it with them? How about we all take time to learn to fold that fitted sheet before it’s too late.

Ruth McDonald Mair
6/25/2021

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My Big Brother

4/17/2021

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Let me tell you about my big brother. His name is Earl. He believes in Jesus and is a Christian. He is nine years older than me so we were never really kids at the same time. When I was a toddler he was a kid. When I was a kid he was a teenager. When I was a teenager he was an adult. So needless to say, with the age gap, we didn't exactly play well together. There were times I thought I could never hate anyone more. There were times I wished he wasn't so bossy. We argued and we fought. We used blackmail threats to ensure we kept each other's secrets (I probably have more on him than he does on me, though...just sayin'.). There were times I was sure we would hate each other forever. But now that I have caught up and we are both adults, things are different. We have conversations. We may not always be in agreement, but it doesn't end up in a full blown WWE match in the middle of the floor. Despite all the pains growing up, my brother was always there for me. He still is. He has been there for me in good times and has never once balked at helping me through the bad times. His arms are gentle enough to give the best hugs ever, his shoulders are strong enough to help carry anyone's burden, and his heart is big enough to love unconditionally. I can only pray that my brother knows just how much he means to me. I am truly blessed by God to have such an amazing big brother! I love you, Earl!

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Where Did America Go?

1/28/2021

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Sitting in the park one day
Not so long ago.
I overheard a child say
“Dad, where did America go?”

I sat there thinking back in time
As teardrops filled my eyes.
A million thoughts raced through my mind
And I heard the dad reply.

“Well, son, it wasn’t very long ago
That America was grand!
Good seeds were all we had to sow
And love filled up this land.

But somewhere in the days and years
Good and evil went to war.
And as we all faced many fears
America was shaken to her core.

If you stood for what was right
The price was high to pay.
It seemed that people lost their sight
And many fell along the way.

This great land that we once knew
Has lost her grit and brawn.
She’s been silenced for me and you
So, son, that’s where America’s gone.

But if we during these hard times pray
To regain the strength we lack
God will bless us once again
And America will be back.”

~Ruth McDonald Mair~
1-28-2021

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2020 Helped Me Grow

12/31/2020

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Over the last several weeks I have heard many people say that they cannot wait for 2020 to be over. I hear them say what a horrible year this has been and that hopefully 2021 will be much better.

No matter how difficult 2020 has been, I cant help but be thankful for this year. I am not one to easily alter my "routine." But this year I learned that not only can I make alterations, I can embrace the opportunity to learn from from them.

When I walked out of my office on March 23, I truly expected to be back there with my coworkers in two to four weeks. Nine and a half months later, we are all still working from home, holding staff meetings via Teams, and overcoming obstacles together all while being distanced. I miss seeing my coworkers in person each day, but I believe we have all become stronger as a team, not only professionally but on a personal level as well.

My church was shut down for many weeks, but that did not deter my church family. Our pastor took the lead, and with so many people willing to help, our services were live-streamed in a very short time. We are now able to attend in person, but the services are still being streamed for those who cannot attend in person. We have no hymnals, but we still sing. Sometimes I feel the singing is actually louder, maybe because with no hymnal in hand there is no reason to be looking down while singing so our voices are actually lifted, the way God intends. We don't pass the offering plate, but we are still able to drop off our tithes and donations to support our church and the mission fields. There is physical space between us as we sit in the pews, but I believe the spiritual connection is stronger than ever. Many physical changes have occurred, but God has remained steadfast.

The above examples are only two areas of my life that were affected by the turmoil and struggles that COVID 19 presented. However, in the midst of all this, my eyes and heart have been opened to see that no matter how bad or good a year happens to be, God gives us the year to embrace life and make the best of all we have. He likes to grow us through our challenges.

In closing, I want to send many thanks and much love to each person who has touched my life in 2020. It is my prayer that we can all complete the upcoming 2021 journey together.

Wishing you all peace, happiness and God's continued blessing in this new year.

Ruth McDonald Mair
12/31/2020

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The Unbroken Circle

10/16/2020

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Another family circle is now complete in Heaven. My Aunt Hazel was called home last night. She was the last of ten siblings to climb those golden stairs and walk through heaven's gates. While it is a sad time for the family left here on earth, there is a family rejoicing in Heaven this morning.

As I was growing up our family had huge reunions at Easter and Thanksgiving. These were always held at someone's house, not a rented venue like now days. My mom and aunts would clean and cook for days in preparation of the big event. In attendance would be most, if not all, of my aunts, uncles and cousins...all under one roof. It's funny to think that many people can fit into one house, and even funnier to think that anyone who wanted to stay overnight had a place to sleep! The adults would sit and talk, while all us kids played and had a great time together. When the time came to eat the long-awaited meal, silence overcame the mingling as every head bowed and every eye closed while the blessing was said. I loved those gatherings...it was fun...it was family...it was love.

With that memory alive in my heart and mind, I can only imagine the family reunion that took place last night with Jesus in the center of that unbroken circle and God embracing them all.

Pictured below:
Center: Chester T. Southworth, Sr and Rosie Sargent Southworth (Ma and Pa)
Top Left: Chester T. Southworth, Jr and Jerry Southworth, Sr
Top Right: Bryant William Southworth
Bottom Left: George Owen Southworth
Bottom Right: (Standing L to R) Lethie Francis Southworth McDonald, Edna Mae Southworth McDonald, Rhoda Lee Southworth Mauer, Florence D. Southworth, (Seated L to R) Virginia Hall Southworth Wykoff, Hazel Heath Southworth Withrow

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Before You Grumble to God

7/19/2020

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The next time you kneel in prayer, pray for yourself first.

Before you grumble to God about the neighbor who seems to not want to talk to your child, ask God to enlighten you. Has this person lost a child of their own, maybe one that was close to your child's age?

Before you grumble to God about the kid that rode his bike through your yard this afternoon, ask God for understanding. Perhaps he was only in a hurry because he wanted to spend a few rare minutes with his dad before he left for his second shift job at the factory. Maybe if he had not taken a short cut he would have missed his dad by mere seconds.

Before you grumble to God about the lady who was taking her own sweet time at the grocery store, ask God to grant you patience. Maybe she was moving slow due to the pain she endures because she can't afford that hip replacement the doctor has repeatedly prescribed.

Before you grumble to God about the new family that comes to church in jeans and t-shirts, ask God to humble you. Those jeans and t-shirts might be the clothes they had in when they recently lost their home and all its contents.

The next time you kneel in prayer, pray for yourself first. Ask God to open your heart, your eyes, your ears and your mind so that you might have more compassion and understanding and that you might see more than what appears to be.

~Ruth McDonald Mair~
7-19-2020

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My Tour Guide

3/17/2020

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The Journey of Life. We are all on this journey. Since no two journeys are identical, I just want to share a few things about what I’ve discovered along the way. I have found that the older I get, the more interesting, intriguing and beautiful this journey becomes. Many things have come and gone in my life. Some things have remained the same while other have continually changed. The one thing I’ve found that has always been with me, never wavering, is my very own tour guide. His name is God.

I’ve been granted so many breath-taking sunrises and sunsets, so many beautiful landscapes that I cannot even begin to count them. The only times I haven’t seen any of them are the times I chose not to look for them. God’s always provided them.

I’ve made some amazing friends through the years. Some of those friendships have lasted what seems like forever. Others have fizzled down to just an acquaintance, while still others have completely disappeared. But I know that each friend was placed in my path for a specific reason. Those reasons may not be self-revealing and I may have felt at times that I had no friends at all. But as I reflect, I find that the only times I’ve felt completely friendless are the times I wasn’t a friend to God. He’s always been there for me…and He always will be.

My family! From having grandparents to now myself being a grandparent, plus living out every role in between. Yes, I’ve lost many family members whom I was not prepared to say goodbye to, but I’ve come to learn it is all part of life…part of growing…and a huge part of loving. And I know that I have a family waiting for me on the other side. God has them in His care and He has always been my heavenly Father. The only time I’ve felt homeless is when I failed to invite God into my home.

Ups and downs? Feast or famine? Oh yes, I’ve experienced all those as well. But for every down I’ve known in this life, God has given me a huge boost up. And for every famine I’ve suffered, God has given me a feast. The only times in life that I have truly felt hopeless are the times I was not looking for and talking to God. He has always waited patiently for me to return to Him.

Not enough can be said to even describe the storms of life I’ve endured. But look—I’m still here—and I’m not only surviving, I am thriving! Because after every storm I’ve gone through, God has given me a sense of peace and calm. He has always shown me a rainbow--the sign of His covenant with us. His promise to never destroy all of life with flooding. The waters may get deep and wide, but God is always there, standing on the shoreline, waiting to pull me to safety. The only times I’ve felt scared during the storms of life are the times I took my eyes off God.

Yes, this journey of life has taught me so many things. But the most important—the one that really stands out to me—is to trust God and let him be in total control. He is the most reliable tour guide I will ever know. If you don't already know Him, I would love to introduce you!

Ruth McDonald Mair
3/17/2020

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Adoption. It's Not For Everyone.

2/7/2020

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Adoption. It is not for everyone.

While there are different reasons a person would adopt someone else’s child to raise as their own, the level of compassion, understanding, patience, commitment and love that it takes to make this happen is the same on all counts.

Some people adopt because, for whatever reason—medical, age, etc., they cannot produce a biological child of their own. Some people have started a biological family and decide the best way to grow their family is through adoption. Sometimes people adopt because the child is a relative who has been displaced through death of their parents, neglect, abuse or abandonment. And the reasons are endless.

Many things need to be considered when contemplating adoption. Single-child adoption or multiple? What age—infant, toddler, older? Boy or girl? Open or closed (meaning will the biological parents maintain contact or no)? If open adoption, for how long—one year, five years, entire life? Tell the child they are adopted or not? If yes, at what age to tell them? What type of background is the child coming from—unwed teenage mom, deceased parents, abused or neglected?

When parents adopt, they bring a child into their home who is not necessarily their blood but is most definitely their heart. They bring not just the child, but they bring the child’s personality and background, which is not an offshoot of their own. They bring the child’s happiness and sadness, accomplishments and fears, emotions and scars, handicaps. They bring ALL of it into their home…the good, the bad and the ugly. They dedicate their lives to molding the child into a well-adjusted, happy, successful adult. They deal with the night terrors, the temper tantrums that no one understands the root of, the child’s fears of being left alone in the dark, the child’s fear of a cow looking at them (yes, this was ME at one time). They celebrate the birthdays, the Christmases, the vacations. They dedicate themselves to teaching the child who may seem unteachable, but if loved and cultivated could become valedictorian or salutatorian someday. They deal with the hearing impairment, the speech impediment, the wheelchair. They cheer from the sidelines. They survive the ups and downs. They do everything a biological parent would do.

The love and dedication of an adoptive parent is no different from that of a biological parent. I know. I was lucky enough to be adopted at the age of three. I always knew that I was adopted, but they were never my “adoptive parents.” They were my parents. They never once gave up on me, although I know without a doubt, I gave them good reason to many times! I have an older brother, nine years older, whom they adopted before me when he was young. We were never faced with any form of doubt that our parents loved us BOTH, unconditionally with patience and commitment, until their dying day.

If there are parents reading this that are raising an adopted child, please stand up. Stand up tall and proud. Take a bow and accept a pat on the back and hear my applause for making the choice to be a family to a child who may otherwise have none.

Adoption. It is not for everyone. But for those who have chosen it, you have made a difference. You ARE the difference.

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Your Sibling

Friends With Differences

The Fitted Sheet

My Big Brother

Where Did America Go?

2020 Helped Me Grow

The Unbroken Circle

Before You Grumble to God

My Tour Guide

Adoption. It's Not For Everyone.

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