Here’s a couple of questions for ya: Can the simple act of holding hands avert a disaster of epic proportions? Does the gentle touch of a loved one make everything right with the universe?

Well, it’s like this…

Many moons ago (and, I suppose, many suns ago, as well) back when I was first datin’ the future Mrs. MZM, we attended this really big church here in Houston. And it quickly became our custom to meet in the church lobby before finding a seat in the main sanctuary.

(You know how it is with Singles in church, don’cha? All we had to do was walk into church one time, holding hands, and speculation of our assumed marriage probably reached Iceland by the time we found our seats. I’m just sayin’.)

Anyway, I recall this one particular Sunday morning when I was a running a mite late. As a result, I didn’t get to meet my sweetheart as usual before the service. The choir had already taken their places, the preachers were sitting up there on the dias, and the service was just about to begin. An emotional earthquake loomed large.

The thing was, with over 4,000 seats in the place (hey, it’s a BIG church!), findin’ her wasn’t going to be easy – even if I had a clue where she might be. Not only that, but I now had, like, 30 seconds to search the entire space before I had to sit down (or get escorted out by the Deacons for disrupting the service).

It felt like a disaster of, well, you know, epic proportions. I mean, what was I to do? I just about had a conniption (which is sorta like a hissy fit, only more, uh, manly)!

Then – (sound of angels singing a Heavenly chorus) our eyes suddenly met – clean across the auditorium! It was like those silly romance movies where the man and woman spot each other across a field – their eyes meet – they open their arms in joy – they run, closing the gap – finally joining together in the Greatest Embrace of All Time.

Yeah, it was like that.

In fact (as she explained later), she experienced almost the exact same feelings things I had – near panic at not being able to find each me! I’ll tell ya folks; as far as I was concerned, that was a defining moment in our relationship, and I knew we had something special goin’ on.

The fact is, when you’re in love with someone, there’s just something about holding hands that’s, I don’t know, right. Like that one stroke of the artist’s brush that magically turns an ordinary painting into a masterpiece.

And with Mrs. MZM and me, it’s been the same for more than 26 years; whenever we’re together, you’ll still find us holding hands.

Hey, it’s only right.

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Photo credit: Holding Hands, by nic snell

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Howdy, y’all!

Hey, no post here today; yesterday was my birthday and I’m takin’ a few days off. But I do have an article over at Joyful Jubilant Learning where I ask the pointless deeply profound question, “What’s a hill o’ beans worth, anyway?”

So pop on over there if you’re so inclined!

I’ll be back on Monday. If the creek don’t rise.

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Image: Homie on a Hill of Beans, by boeke

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Fifty-five years ago, an unnamed doctor took one look at me and pronounced these now immortal words: “What in tarnation – ?” (Y’know; after all this time, I must admit the events of that day have become a mite unclear. But I’ll bet I weren’t none too sure about him either! I’m just sayin’.)

Anyhoo -

Yup; today happens to be my birthday (sound of one hand clapping). I am 55 years old young today, a remarkably symmetrical-sounding number that merely reflects my body’s age, not how I see myself.

I tell ya, there were times when there was serious doubt about me reachin’ this particular milestone. Like that time I drove my bicycle right in front of a truck because I didn’t yet know how to use the brakes! (Ended up in the hospital with a scratch or two.) Or the time I accidentally answered the question posed by an *ahem* former girlfriend: “Does this dress make me look fat?”

However, by the Grace of God (and a vast army of extremely diligent angels) I’ve made it this far, and I’ll tell ya Bubba, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Yee-haw, y’all!

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Image: 55, by Eva the Weaver

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Well, here we are, y’all; facing a brand-spankin’ new year! Yessir; we got us a clean slate, just sittin’ there waitin’ for the squeak of a new piece of chalk.

It’s a fresh white page, ready for those powerful and purposeful words locked up inside of us. A big giant turkey, ready to be stuffed with all sorts of good things. (OK, maybe that last metaphor was a little strange… but hey, we are at the tail end of the holidays, you know.)

Anyway, the point is, the start of a new year is traditionally when we take a moment to consider the things we expect, hope, or even dream will happen this year. And yours truly is no exception.

A Look Ahead

First off (and I know you were expecting me to say it), there’s our big annual Middle Zone Musings extravaganza: Blogapalooza. I truly hope y’all decide to participate, ’cause it’s really gonna a be a great time! I’m accepting entries right now, as fast as you can get ‘em to me. (And I’ll take ‘em as late as January 24. But I beg you – please don’t wait until the last minute!)

Now, one of the benefits of goin’ through all the old posts from last year (you know, for my own Blogapalooza entry) is I had a chance to reflect a bit on the things I’ve written. I’m tellin’ ya, after reading so many good posts (if I do say so myself), I am amazed and tremendously blessed for the great friendships and interesting conversations generated throughout the year.

Lemme just say how grateful I am to you folks! Many thanks, and of course a big ol tip o’ the hat to ya!

An Inadvertent Theme

While perusing my posts, though, I did notice was one interesting thing. Starting back in January and continuing over a period of several weeks, I happened to write several articles about facing big changes, taking a leap of faith, and stuff along those lines, namely:

Jan 25 – A Leap of Faith

Jan 28 – Just Close Your Eyes and Floor It!

Jan. 29 – Three Points to Ponder When Your Ship Comes In

Feb 20 – 4 Fundamentals to Overcome the Fear of Change

Feb 21 - How to Reach Your Goals: 8 (plus 2) Tips to Stay on Track

What was ironic (which I believe is a Tasmanian word that means made entirely of iron) about writing these posts is, unknown to me, fellow writer Joanna Young happened to be dealing with some big decisions that required her doing that very thing. As it turned out, Joanna was struggling with a decision to move to an entirely new location in Scotland – a decision that required a leap of faith.

How did you know, she asked me once. Hey, the truth is, I didn’t. I just write ‘em as I get inspired, y’know? Who knew my words would be of any real value to anyone? I mean, you write and you hope, but still…

Learn It and Live It

So it’s a mite ironic, don’cha think, that this year, Mrs. MZM and I are facing the very same thing. That’s right: Comin’ down the pike, right at us is a (sound of terrified scream) big, honkin’ change!

Yup; Mrs. MZM and I are facing a rather large change in our lives. Guess I’d better go and read those articles again, y’know? And of course in the coming days, weeks, and months, you will be regaled (and no doubt amused) by our journey as we discover just what the heck is goin’ on.

In any case, rest assured Middle Zone Musings will still be here, swapping lies stories, laughin’ it up, and learnin’ stuff from that most ubiquitous of schoolmasters, Life.

What About You?

Now, if you’re facing a few big things this year, I’d like to humbly suggest you take a gander at those five posts above. And if you find anything of value in ‘em, please let me know.

So now the Big Question is: Are you facing big changes this year? If so, then would you care to share ‘em with us? Do you need any help, or, if you’ve recently experienced such things, can you offer any great advice for those of us about to take the leap?

As always, the door is open; I’ll leave the light on for ya!

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Photo: Looking Ahead, by jigsawpuzzle

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Hey, just wanted to wish y’all a very Happy New Year from all of us at Middle Zone Musings!

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Photo: Life is a bowl full of heads, by Robert Hruzek

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Yup, this is it, folks! It’s the *ahem* end of 2008! (sound of big sigh of relief)

Hey, if you’re like me (and sincere condolences if you are), then you’re probably wiping your collective brows in relief; amazed you’ve managed to survive (and with any luck – prosper) yet another exciting and thrill-packed year. Am I right?

Well, no worries, folks; after today you’ll have a brand new, bright and shiney New Year to play with. Yup; 2009 is gonna have lots of interesting possibilities, just awaitin’ for us to explore, won’t it?

All we have to do is jump in with both feet!

OK, here we go, y’all! Get ready… get set… go!

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Photo: The End, by Joe Shlabotnik

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Y’know, sometimes it can get a little exasperating.

Every year about this time, Mrs. MZM and I do our level best to watch as many Christmas-themed movies as we can. Hey, it’s what we do, y’know? We tend to like the classics, such as those perennial favorites, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th St. (the original one, please!) or The Bishop’s Wife.

And then, of course, there’s the practically infinite versions of Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. ‘Course, in my humble opinion (which, in this case is, y’know, the only one that counts – bwa-ha-ha-ha!), the one starring George C. Scott as Scrooge was THE very best version – by a long shot. Another, perhaps little-known favorite (although it rarely seems to get air time any more) is An American Christmas Carol, set in America circa the 1920′s and stars Henry Winkler as the Scrooge-like character.

Hey, it’s great stuff, y’know? But still…

In every one of ‘em, it’s the same thing, every time. The fly in the ointment. The fly in the soup. The fly in the – well, I think you get my meanin’, right?

See, at some point in pretty much every one of these shows, there inevitably comes the time when one or another of the main characters makes (sound of dramatic segue)… The Big Pronouncement. Yup; sure as shootin’; somebody is gonna pronounce for us all (uh, excuse me; I have to use my Professional Announcer’s voice here) – The Real Meaning of Christmas: It’s about _(fill in the blank with whatever word they’re using)_!

Oh, it’s not that there’s any lack of choices, you know. Hey, I’ve heard (and you probably have too) anything and everything, from “Santa”, to “magic”, to “family”, to “happiness”; even “joy” (although that one is mysteriously left somewhat, er, undefined). Like I said; there’s no lack of options you’ll hear filling in that particular blank.

But the exasperating thing is, every one of ‘em is totally off the mark.

Hey, it’s not as if all those things aren’t really great. I mean, who wouldn’t want happiness, or lots of presents, or a warm and welcoming family; especially at this time of year? The thing is… well, those things don’t actually capture the heart, the quintessence, the je ne se quoi (which I believe is a French expression that roughly translates as the nub of the gist) of Christmas.

The fact is, It’s all about Jesus.

Here’s the thing, y’all. About 2,000 years ago, an otherwise unremarkable woman named Mary gave birth to an incredibly remarkable baby named Jesus – and the truth is, the world just ain’t been the same since! (On a side note, I always used to wonder – when Mary first looked down at the newborn child she tenderly held in her arms… did she really know who He was? I think, perhaps, she did.)

Now, you may or may not feel like that particular event was a good thing or a bad one for the world. Hey, that’s OK! I like to think it’s a free world, and most folks can pretty much think what they like, y’know? But that’s not really my point.

Nope; my point is, when you get right down to it, the real meaning – and I’m talkin’ ’bout the genuine, indubitably downright incontrovertible meaning – of Christmas is, it’s the day we celebrate the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

It’s as simple as that. Really.

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Christmas Bonus!

(… and I guarantee it’s ‘waaaay better’n a Christmas turkey!)

That side note up there (y’know, the one about what Mary must’ve been thinkin’) gave me an idea (sound of dull thud) for a Christmas Bonus for y’all, straight from the Middle Zone!

I named this year’s Christmas post after the title of my very favorite Christmas song, Mary Did You Know? Written fairly recently by singer, songwriter, entertainer and general troublemaker funny man Mark Lowry, it has already earned an honored place among other Christmas classics.

If you’ve got 5 minutes, it’s down there at the bottom of this post. Believe me, it’s worth a watch watching. (Sorry; didn’t mean to get your hopes up!) An absolutely breathtaking duet with Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, I guarantee it’ll bless your socks off! (Just make sure you’re near a fireplace so you can keep those tootsies warm!)

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Hey, on behalf of Mrs. MZM and yours truly, I wish y’all a very Merry Christmas!

And of course – a big ol’ tip o’ the hat to ya!

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Photo: Merry Christmas 2008, by Robert Hruzek

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