Miss Ann Says

Category: daily life

• Thy Kingdom Come

  Posted at 3:28 pm by missannsays, on April 14, 2013

  Today the local church (WVCN) I call home “visited” another church. We had our service with Union A.M.E. Church. It was a wonderful time of worship. I truly believe God glanced down and said “Hey! everybody gather around and look at Warwick, NY, the kids are praising me as I always intended.”  Thank you Pastor Bruce and Pastor Kevin for an amazing morning. May it be the beginning of kingdom life in Warwick.

  Our Father who art in heaven;
  Hallowed be Thy Name;
  Thy kingdom come;
  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
  Give us this day our daily bread;
  And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
  And lead us not into temptation;
  But deliver us from evil;
  For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

  Amen.
  

  Posted in daily life, faith | 0 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, prayer, telling the next generation

• Tourist Tuesdays (S1E2) – random

  Posted at 8:48 pm by missannsays, on April 9, 2013

  Things I have learned while traveling and other random travel thoughts:

  Looking at your surroundings may help more than staring at the map. Years ago, a friend and I were at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. We wanted to go to the Eiffel Tower so we were studying the map. A police officer asked us if we needed help. This conversation was in French on his part and very limited French/English on mine. We asked “where is the Eiffel Tower?” He smiled, pointed behind us, and said “un, deux, trois” meaning any of the roads would take us there. It was right behind us?!?

  Some airports close at night. In 2005, my daughters, the same friend as mentioned above, her daughter and I flew into Billings, Montana. As we walked away from the gate, they were turning off the lights behind us. Also always check that the rental car headlights are on or you will be stopped by the police in the first moments of your vacation.

  First class is a cool way to fly. Wide leather seats, real utensils, hot towel, cookies and milk. I have only flown first class twice but awesome.

  No matter where you take your kids, the hotel or campground pool is the most exciting part.

  Once isn’t enough – seven places I have visited and would like to visit again:
  1. Black Hills of South Dakota
  2. The Grand Tetons
  3. Prince Edward Island
  4. Vancouver Island
  5. Alaska – different places than first visit
  6. Edinburgh, Scotland
  7. Ireland

  Twice isn’t enough for:
  1. Paris
  2. London

  Bucket List for outside of the USA:
  1. Australia and New Zealand
  2. Italy
  3. Germany
  4. train trip across Canada

  There are 6 states I haven’t visited and would like to so I can say I have been to all 50 states. I haven’t been to: Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, North Dakota, Idaho and Hawaii.

  Where would you like to travel to?

  Posted in daily life, memories | 0 Comments | Tagged friendship, little things, travel thoughts

• Totally Random Ramblings

  Posted at 10:29 pm by missannsays, on April 8, 2013

  1. Stick figures on rear windows: These seem to be very poplar on SVU’s and crossovers probably because children talk their parents into buying them. I have seen the Disney version, the alien version, 2 parents and 8 children version and the family with the pets version. They are cute and definitely better than the “my kid did_____” bumper stickers but the set that was disturbing was a little boy, a mom with no head and a dad holding the mother’s head. Obviously there is some issue but really does your child need to see that every time they get in the car and it makes me think you are an axe murderer.

  2. Temperature is relative: Hearing that the temperature is going to be in the sixties is exciting this time of year but a few years ago reading that it would be in the sixties when I was in Alaska had me packing my polar fleece and warm pajamas.

  3. Panera Bread serving pasta doesn’t seem like a good idea. Soup, salads, sandwiches and mac & cheese but pasta – not so much.

  4. Since my trip to Washington DC a few weeks ago, I have come to the realization that the people represented by statues didn’t set out to have a “statue of themselves”. They did the right thing, made difficult decisions, fought the good fight and sacrificed for the good of all. They may even think what they did is not worthy of a statue or memorial. Unfortunately I think in today’s world there are people whose goal is to have a “statue”.

  5. “If you don’t do you, You doesn’t get done and the world is incomplete… But when you do you, you inspire the world.” McNair Wilson

  Posted in daily life | 0 Comments | Tagged little things

• tourist tuesdays

  Posted at 4:57 pm by missannsays, on April 2, 2013

  I thought I would do a little something different with my blog. I am still rambling randomly but maybe with a little focus. On Tuesdays, I will be writing about travel, tourist things. Think of it as focused randomness. I am not sure you can have that but at the writer’s conference they said you should engage your readers (ask a question or for their opinion) so this is an attempt at engaging 🙂

  Over the past year I have taken advantage of being a tourist in my own city – New York City to be exact. I have found since I have been leading tours at the Tribute Center I am more apt to go on tours when I visit places. With friends from the Tribute Center I have toured Grand Central Station, the Waldrof Astoria and the Brooklyn Museum. It has really been great fun. I have learned some interesting things and had a great time exploring. Last July, Emily, my daughter, and I did a tour about space travel at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. We were there within days of the Space Shuttle exhibit opening – amazing. Worth doing.

  Also I enjoy discovering local places to eat. One of my friends from the Tribute Center is excellent at finding restaurants for lunch. I so appreciate all the work she does coordinating our adventures. When Meghan, my daughter, and I were in Washington DC a few weeks ago, we asked at the front desk for a suggestion of a place to get a good burger but not a chain restaurant. The gentleman suggested a place that had the “best burgers in DC” and supplied us with directions. We arrived at said *restaurant and commented to each other that it was strange that they suggested a restaurant that was in a competitor’s hotel. We each ordered a burger which was really very tasty and not overly expensive. Success, we just had the best burger in DC. We continued on our way to meet up with the night tour we were taking and as we are crossing the street we see another establishment with the exact same name. Meghan and I burst out laughing. We are pretty sure we just had the best burger in DC at the wrong place. When the credit card bill arrived, it was confirmed we had the best burger in DC at the wrong place. Ah!! the power of suggestion.

  So my question to you is, where should I visit in “your city” and where can I get a “good burger” or a “nice cup of tea” in your part of the world?

  * In DC there is a Hamilton Crown Plaza Hotel which has a restaurant and a restaurant called The Hamilton.

  Posted in daily life | 1 Comment | Tagged little things, travel thoughts

• a good (Fri)day

  Posted at 4:26 pm by missannsays, on March 29, 2013

  
  I saw the flashing lights in my rearview mirror, glanced down at my speedometer and knew those lights were meant for me. I pulled over to the side of the road and pulled the appropriate documents from the glove compartment. As I reached into my purse the police officer was at my window “License and registration”. I pulled the little black folio that holds my driver’s license and my “badge” out of my purse and handed it to the officer. “Please take your license out of the holder and who do you work for?” said the officer. I responded “It’s not me but my husband was one of the firefighters killed on September 11?” The officer took all my paperwork and headed to his car. A few moments later he returned, handed me my paperwork and said “slow it down”. I said “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

  As I pulled away, I felt bad because I really deserved a ticket. I had been driving above the speed limit. Bruce’s (my) badge stating FDNY widow had rescued me from getting a ticket. I was struck by the thought that because Bruce died I didn’t get what I deserved. I was grateful. Then I thought wow because Jesus died I don’t get what I deserve – Jesus paid the price for my sins. Just then I saw the flashing lights again, glanced at my speedometer and was confused because I wasn’t driving above the speed limit. The police car changed lanes, sped past me and pulled over another car. As I drove past, I wondered if they had a “special badge” to void a ticket. I wanted to lend them my badge. I wondered if they knew Jesus loved them and died for their sins. I was struck by how often I don’t tell people that. I was humbled and cried. My speeding story happened a couple of years. Today seemed like a good (Fri)day to tell you. Jesus loves you and died for you. 🙂

  “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

  Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

  Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.”

  Posted in daily life, faith | 1 Comment | Tagged following Jesus, little things

• DC and me

  Posted at 3:31 pm by missannsays, on March 11, 2013

  

  I visited Washington DC this weekend with my youngest daughter. We had a wonderful mother/daughter trip. I hadn’t visited the District of Columbia to see the sights since July of 2001. In 2001, my eldest daughter attended a one week course at American University. I had driven there and back in one day to drop her off. Those were crazy supermom times. When it was time to pick her up, my mom and younger daughter tagged along and we spent a few a days seeing the sights. During this past weekend, I mentioned a few times to M that we did this or that when we were here in 2001. She didn’t remember the trip. She was only 14 years old at the time. She remembered a few things she did on her senior trip to DC in Spring of 2004. And even commented that she didn’t really appreciate all of it. I mentioned that even if she didn’t appreciate the trip it was a worthwhile experience. I quoted my Dad who was famous for saying “travel is wasted on the young.” Which I don’t think he really believed because he gave my siblings and I opportunities to travel. Anyway as we were looking for a parking garage this past weekend, I commented ” July 2001 was the first time I ever remember having to open the trunk and them using that long mirror to look under the car.” Strangely M remembered that, too. Little did we know that would become a normal part of life in today’s world.

  Washington is a beautiful city. It is very clean and doesn’t seem cluttered. As we walked along we mentioned how quiet it seemed in comparison to NYC. I often wonder what people think when they visit NYC for the first time. I love NYC but I think the energy of the city overwhelms people. There is something awe-inspiring about DC. The buildings are so majestic and the memorials are stunning. I felt humbled not just by the beauty of the structures but by the sacrifice and ideals that they represented. I was reminded of what an amazing country I live in. As my Dad used to say “Our form of government isn’t perfect but it is better than any other form of government you will find in the rest of the world.”

  Our 30 hour visit to DC included the Newseum, the Pentagon Memorial, a night tour of the city, the Capitol tour, the Library of Congress, the National Archives and the Museum of American History. We walked a lot. Noteworthy: The Newseum is a newer museum and well worth the time and admission price. The world map that shows which countries have a free press is a moment to be thankful. I was saddened that the Pentagon Memorial doesn’t have a larger number of visitors. I was grateful to visit it with a fellow docent from the Tribute Center who was able to tell my daughter and I the meaning of the various elements that make up this beautiful memorial. He also shared his personal September 11 Pentagon story. The night tour of DC is a must. The memorials are stunning at night and not crowded. The tour bus stops at the Capitol, White House, Jefferson, World War II, Roosevelt, MLK, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam and Marine Memorials. The tour guide disembarked with us and told all kinds of interesting facts. If it hadn’t been so windy it would have been perfect. The funniest line of the weekend was when we were in the Library of Congress and we couldn’t find any books. M commented “There are no books. They are all on a Kindle.” 🙂

  The weird thing about the visit was the reality of “the personal loss in the midst of a national tragedy”. The Newseum had a September 11 section, the road in front of the White House is closed because of 9-11, other places had September 11 remembrances and the Capitol had a memorial to Flight 93. It wasn’t a negative thing. It was almost like a secret my daughter and I shared. And I wondered what secrets the other visitors had as they looked at the various memorials and remembered a family member or friend.

  It was a great weekend to spend time with my daughter and to remember that “freedom isn’t free”.

  Posted in books, daily life, memories | 0 Comments | Tagged little things, respect, September 11

• No parking

  Posted at 10:14 am by missannsays, on March 7, 2013

  I am always leery of parking on the streets of New York City. There are just too many signs stating things that seem to me to be contradicting each other. When I was in my twenties and pursuing my “theater career”, I took acting lessons at HB studios in Greenwich Village. I would park on the street and I got many a parking ticket. Parking tickets in NYC are expensive. Lesson learned so now I use parking garages in NYC which can still be expensive but you don’t have to worry that your car will be there when you get back. FYI: my car was never towed but I worried about it.

  Recently I heard it said that the Christian life (I think this applies to life in general) isn’t a parking space it is a road. I have been pondering this idea of “parking”. I mean think about it if you find a good parking space, it is convenient and safe. Why move? And really what could be more annoying than having to move your car because of that crazy “opposite side of the street parking” rule. Change just for the sake of change may not be beneficial. On the other hand if you never leave your parking space, you have missed the journey.

  On Monday evening the dashboard lights on my car weren’t working. My headlights were working but none of the lights on my dashboard were lit. Well, how big of problem can that be? I can see where I am going and people can see me. I know what radio station I have on. Well, it was actually really a problem because I had no idea how fast I was going. After turning the inside light on and off a few times to try to establish my speed. I realized I had a small flashlight in my car which I could shine on the speedometer so I knew how fast I was going. Just in case you are wondering,I did resolve the issue with the help of some friends and the owner’s manual. When I reset the trip counter I must have turned the knob and it dimmed the dashboard lights.

  In thinking on that experience, I realized that I could see where I was going because my headlights were working but I didn’t know what speed I was traveling at. That is a really good example of my life right now – I think I am headed in the right direction but I am not sure if I am traveling at the right speed.

  Wow and aha moment – maybe that experience was a confirmation that I am on target and moving in the right direction but I need to make sure the “dashboard lights” are on to give me further information. 🙂

  Posted in daily life | 1 Comment | Tagged little things

• 20 years ago today

  Posted at 7:31 pm by missannsays, on February 26, 2013

  “As you go about your lives today, please take a moment with me to remember those six individuals who were simply doing the same 20 years ago and were taken too soon: John DiGiovanni, Robert Kirkpatrick, Stephen A. Knapp, William Macko, Wilfredo Mercado, and Monica Rodriguez Smith, who was pregnant when she died.”- National September 11 Memorial & Museum President & CEO Joe Daniels

  Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first time the World Trade Center was attacked by terrorist. Six people were killed in that attack including a woman who was seven months pregnant. Those six people are remembered on the north side of the north pool at the National September 11 Memorial. Next to Monica Rodriguez Smith’s name it reads “and her unborn child”. Just think today that unborn child would be a 20-year-old man or woman. There are at least 12 times on the Memorial that after a woman’s name it reads “and her unborn child.” Think those babies would be 11-year-old tweens.

  On February 26 1993, Bruce would be doing something in the basement and I would turn on the television to watch the 12 o’clock news. Towards the end of the report they would announce that a bomb had gone off at the WTC. I would yell down the stairs “A bomb went off at the World Trade Center.” Bruce would bound up the stairs and stand it front of the television and state in true firefighter fashion “I can’t believe it! I missed the big one.” No actually you didn’t 🙂

  Let us not forget that many who got out of the Twin Towers safely twenty years ago today would be killed on September 11, 2001. As we say a prayer for the families who lost loved ones twenty years ago today, may we also say a prayer for those that got out safely that day but wouldn’t on September 11. And may we remember those who have gotten out twice but live with guilt and memories of things they would prefer to forget.

  “Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.” ~Mary Jean Iron

  Posted in daily life, memories, September 11 | 0 Comments | Tagged respect, September 11

• Extravagant Love

  Posted at 8:33 pm by missannsays, on February 14, 2013

  Today when I went to visit my mom, the receptionist at her assisted living facility wished me “Happy Valentine’s Day”. I wished her the same and she commented “We should get rid of all these holidays. There should only be Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.” I was about to comment when another woman commented “And 4th of July. We need to celebrate 4th of July because that means it is summer.” I am thinking okay but 4th of July is important because it is the birth of our nation not because it is summer. The receptionist then states ” All these holidays – Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day are just made up. It isn’t fair to people who don’t have a spouse or parents or…” For a moment I was going to tell her the history of Valentine’s Day and then realized that isn’t what she needed to hear. From past conversations, I know the receptionist is a widow (and she knows I am) so instead I said “It is difficult when you walk in stores around Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day and see all the cards you don’t need to buy. I think they should have a selection of cards entitled “this stinks!!”. She smiled 🙂

  Today is the two month anniversary of the Newtown shootings. It is strange but on Dec 14 when it happened I thought oh no the two month anniversary will be on Valentine’s Day. How sad. My prayer for those families has been that they will not doubt that their children knew they were loved and that they will know they are loved by their Heavenly Father.

  “If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
  Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end…We don’t yet see things clearly. We are squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he know us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is Love.”

  Posted in daily life, faith | 0 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, little things

• between Lincoln and Valentine’s Day

  Posted at 7:08 pm by missannsays, on February 12, 2013

  My birthday is between Lincoln’s birthday and Valentine’s Day. It is February 13. To be honest, I don’t think my husband actually ever knew the date of my birthday. He did know it was the day before Valentine’s Day. And if he started hearing commercials for Valentine’s Day he knew my birthday was coming. He was very thoughtful about purchasing gifts and cards – a little last-minute but thoughtful none the less.  One year he had been paying bills before he signed my birthday card and  absentmindedly signed my card  “love your hubby, Bruce Van Hine” I laughed when I read it and asked him “do I have so many husbands that you have to clarify which one.” I still have that card.

  A Lincoln story: When I was a kindergarten aide, the students had a coloring page of a young Abe Lincoln staying in front of a log cabin. One of the boys colored Lincoln’s clothes to resemble camouflage. It was difficult to keep a straight face when I collected his paper.

   A Valentine’s Day memory; On the first Valentine’s Day after September 11, Bruce’s firehouse, Squad 41, sent me one dozen red roses. They actually send them to all 6 widows from their firehouse. It was an amazing gesture. I cried and also chuckled. You see those are the only roses I ever received on a Valentine’s Day. I always told Bruce “don’t buy me roses on Valentine’s Day.They are too expensive and we can’t afford it. Buy me flowers any day but Valentine’s Day.” And he did buy me flowers on other days and I am grateful 🙂

  Posted in daily life, memories, September 11, then & now | 0 Comments | Tagged little things, September 11

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