Even tho' I'm watching football games, my mind isn't in it. It's a wandering blog posting kind of day.
The past few months have been memorable in many ways. Most of you know that I live and breath MLB (mostly the Texas RANGERS) from Opening Day, to the close of the season. This season's run to the World Series was as fantastic as imagined. The best part of each game was the people that I shared it with - in that most beautiful of all Ballparks. Cassidy and I were at all of the same games (except that last one, where GREAT friends offered me an extra World Series Ticket!!), and cheered and cried with those guys. Of all the memories I tried to make as my children grew up - I believe this one - of "Mom, Baseball, and Ballpark Peanuts" - my version of that saying - will stand the longest. (Not that Christmas ornaments are any less important - because heaven knows, I have a tree full of 30 years of memories!)
On three occassions Cassidy and I were able to visit other ballparks this season. June took us to Yankee Stadium (where we proudly wore Ranger shirts, made some fun Yankee friends, but lost the game), July found us in the Nationals Park, where we missed by 1 day getting to watch "our" Pudge play for the Washington Nationals, and mid September we landed at Turner Field in Atlanta (albeit that's NOT were we were headed!). When Cassidy and I travel - our mantra has always been "It's an Adventure!" Boy, our original baseball tickets that morning were in Minneapolis to watch the Twins play in a noon game, but we ended up in Atlanta with a 4:00 Braves game. Adventure? Yes, please.
What this says is this: We make plans in life - sometimes they work out perfectly - sometimes they don't. The difference is what you do at the end of those plans. For the past 7 1/2 months, I have been on a different work adventure - changing positions at my place of employment. I've been blessed to meet new people, work with and for great men and wives, and watch my new boss's family set out on a completely different 'venture - without their wife and mother. Each person that I see daily confirms that life takes turns - some small, some huge. The difference in all of these turns is how we face life tomorrow. There are tears in every instance. Some are tears of happiness (we witnessed a beautiful bride marry the love of her life yesterday), some are tears of sorrow (when a courageous lady shows how to live life in the face of dying), and some are tears of disbelief (those Rangers allowing another team take a hard fought win away from them). They are still tears, nonetheless.
The question is - how do I display my daily adventures? I wish all of my tears were of the first kind, but I'll never apologize for the others. When friends rejoice, I will cry tears of joy with them: when friends are hurting, I will cry tears of anguish with those, and the rest of the days - I'll cry at Hallmark and those dog shelter commercials singing "Arms of An Angel". Or... days without the need for any tears would be just dandy too.
I just hope we won't have those World Series kind of tears next year. Because as "that" movie once said....
"There is no crying in baseball."
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Present, Past.... and the Past
Two things... I can't believe I haven't written here since February. It even surprised me when I saw the background - forgot that I had made changes. :)
Secondly - before I start going down memory lane, I have to say that I love my job - my house - my life. Had to say that - so that wandering minds won't wander - or wonder. My present life is blessed with more than anyone deserves.
Three different events brought me to blog tonight. And the funny thing is that they all happened in a three hour time frame. Becky, Dale and Katie.
At the present time, a friend at work is in the trenches of moving - not across town, but across the country. In talking about her world being put in boxes and tubs, suitcases and trucks - I realized I have more "stuff" than I want, or could ever use. I would hate to think that I had to move all this across country, but it has made me think about moving it across town - to charitable organizations. I wish I knew why there was such a desire to hold on to things. I blame it on being at the end of the supply line in North Dakota, unsure when the USAF Commissary would get a delivery. But truthfully, it's deeper: it's a desire to hold on to the past - the memories - times that were good, easy and full of the future. My mind still believes I'll "use it one day". To be nostalgic, those one days are slipping by, and the plans to make that t-shirt quilt or wear that old set of scubs for some dress up event are definitely past - way past.
After work, I went to a facility to see family - a second cousin who was so vibrant in the past, but presently, is such a shell of the person he was. He was the life of the party - full of laughs, cigars, short shorts, and ready for a game of poker at the drop of a hat. (Do you have a mental picture yet? Add in that he is in his 70's.) Alzheimer's disease (or dementia... does it make a big difference in the sadness that he's not the same person we all remember?) has taken so much of the present - and even our past. I remember family reunions where he would take anyone who wanted to go out on his boat - hook a fishing line for anyone who would fish with him, and made more people laugh than I can count. What hurts is that he doesn't remember it. I applaud those nurses, who work in that environment day in and day out. What a huge heart they have.
One more stop before heading home led me to a store where I ran into a former student who I interpreted for. I watched her for a moment, as she worked in her position - in silence - and I was amazed at her attention to detail. We had a great talk - catching up on life, and what has gone on since I saw her last: a car wreck, family changes, a new boyfriend, the frustrations of working where people don't understand that you can't hear or understand them... and so many past emotions flooded over me. I loved the years I worked with high school deaf teenagers. Loved listening to their stories, their jokes, talking about their families, their hopes and dreams as they became adults. Tonight I miss that interaction. Miss the light on their faces when their silent world becomes alive, when they can "talk" to someone - even for a few minutes - to break up the world where they are ignored.
And I am thankful. I'm thankful for friends, family and former students. Each person that I have interacted with today has made an impact on me - some possibly better than others. Whether it will be as much of an impact next week remains to be seen. By this time next week, I will have experienced more memories of the past - more highs in the present, and unfortunately - more regrets that my past isn't as perfect as I would want. So in case my clothes closet hasn't been cleaned out - my craft room is still in as much disarray as it is tonight, and my mind doesn't remember as much as it did last year, I want to come back and read this again - to remind myself that there is more to life than stuff. So what if I don't get home until 8:00 from a work day? Will it count against me if I never have a showcase home? Do 5 (or 6, or 8) extra pounds determine who I really am? The days when I had a great clean house, a 4 course meal on the table at 6:00, and a size 4 wardrobe all mean nothing today. What does have meaning is remembering the smiles - and all the people who have shared their lives with me. For THAT is a present "far too small".
Which brings me to the words of an old song:
"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all."
Perfect present - by all definitions.
Secondly - before I start going down memory lane, I have to say that I love my job - my house - my life. Had to say that - so that wandering minds won't wander - or wonder. My present life is blessed with more than anyone deserves.
Three different events brought me to blog tonight. And the funny thing is that they all happened in a three hour time frame. Becky, Dale and Katie.
At the present time, a friend at work is in the trenches of moving - not across town, but across the country. In talking about her world being put in boxes and tubs, suitcases and trucks - I realized I have more "stuff" than I want, or could ever use. I would hate to think that I had to move all this across country, but it has made me think about moving it across town - to charitable organizations. I wish I knew why there was such a desire to hold on to things. I blame it on being at the end of the supply line in North Dakota, unsure when the USAF Commissary would get a delivery. But truthfully, it's deeper: it's a desire to hold on to the past - the memories - times that were good, easy and full of the future. My mind still believes I'll "use it one day". To be nostalgic, those one days are slipping by, and the plans to make that t-shirt quilt or wear that old set of scubs for some dress up event are definitely past - way past.
After work, I went to a facility to see family - a second cousin who was so vibrant in the past, but presently, is such a shell of the person he was. He was the life of the party - full of laughs, cigars, short shorts, and ready for a game of poker at the drop of a hat. (Do you have a mental picture yet? Add in that he is in his 70's.) Alzheimer's disease (or dementia... does it make a big difference in the sadness that he's not the same person we all remember?) has taken so much of the present - and even our past. I remember family reunions where he would take anyone who wanted to go out on his boat - hook a fishing line for anyone who would fish with him, and made more people laugh than I can count. What hurts is that he doesn't remember it. I applaud those nurses, who work in that environment day in and day out. What a huge heart they have.
One more stop before heading home led me to a store where I ran into a former student who I interpreted for. I watched her for a moment, as she worked in her position - in silence - and I was amazed at her attention to detail. We had a great talk - catching up on life, and what has gone on since I saw her last: a car wreck, family changes, a new boyfriend, the frustrations of working where people don't understand that you can't hear or understand them... and so many past emotions flooded over me. I loved the years I worked with high school deaf teenagers. Loved listening to their stories, their jokes, talking about their families, their hopes and dreams as they became adults. Tonight I miss that interaction. Miss the light on their faces when their silent world becomes alive, when they can "talk" to someone - even for a few minutes - to break up the world where they are ignored.
And I am thankful. I'm thankful for friends, family and former students. Each person that I have interacted with today has made an impact on me - some possibly better than others. Whether it will be as much of an impact next week remains to be seen. By this time next week, I will have experienced more memories of the past - more highs in the present, and unfortunately - more regrets that my past isn't as perfect as I would want. So in case my clothes closet hasn't been cleaned out - my craft room is still in as much disarray as it is tonight, and my mind doesn't remember as much as it did last year, I want to come back and read this again - to remind myself that there is more to life than stuff. So what if I don't get home until 8:00 from a work day? Will it count against me if I never have a showcase home? Do 5 (or 6, or 8) extra pounds determine who I really am? The days when I had a great clean house, a 4 course meal on the table at 6:00, and a size 4 wardrobe all mean nothing today. What does have meaning is remembering the smiles - and all the people who have shared their lives with me. For THAT is a present "far too small".
Which brings me to the words of an old song:
"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all."
Perfect present - by all definitions.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Is it already February 2011?
As much as I do enjoy writing, it has to be "when the spirit moves me" kind of day. Guess the 5th "snow/ice" day out of 9 is a good prompter!
It's been busy - these last few months - all by choice. I've looked for a Travel Template to show my emotions, but guess I'm not THAT computer savy! :)
Since I last wrote, we had that awesome church Garage Sale, where my church family raised/pledged over $10 million dollars to build/send/launch Greater Things all over the world. I reveled in the hoopla about the World Series, hung onto every broadcast and am so proud of "My Texas Rangers"! Thanksgiving was different this year: Joel worked, and both kids were at other family events, so I enjoyed lots of coffee, a bowl of soup and lots of football! We all gathered that Sunday night for our family meal - weird and not impressive.
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| Yes, Mama Mia on Broadway! |
Cassidy and I took a quick trip to New York with a mutual friend the beginning of December - and caught The Radio City Rockette's Christmas Show and Mama Mia on Broadway. Ate some AMAZING food and loved being in THE city with Christmas all around. Pure delight.
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| Yes... Times Square. Do you ever get enough of that place? I didn't! Even at midnight in 28 degree weather! |
The Schrimshers were all together for our Christmas morning (the kids even spent the night here so we'd all wake up and celebrate together)! I was blessed to have 11 days off from work - vacation time (Yippee!) and loved having no alarms.
January was really on the go! Cassidy and I ventured to the other coast - to Los Angeles, CA. Our first time there, and yes, it was amazing. Drove down the Pacific Coast Highway, met up with a great friend, took tours of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, downtown LA and the Staple Center, among other places, ate some awesome food, took hundreds of pictures, and sat in the seats of Academy Award winners at the Kodak Theater.
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| Walking back from Venice Beach - a Venice Canal! In California! |
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| THE Hollywood Sign - from Griffith Park |
The next weekend, Joel and I flew to visit Brett, Melissa and the boys, and loved laughing with them (and visiting South Padre Island!)
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| All 6 of us, at Bob's World - courtesy of Bowen's request! On the way to Port Isabel and South Padre Island. |
Following that, my American Airlines travel buddy and I took off for San Diego, CA. As much as I LOVE New York City, San Diego is my 2nd favorite place to be. Could sit and watch the Pacific all day at La Jolla Cove. THAT will definitely be a repeating destination!
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| The USS Midway. Why does my heart jump when I think of the magnitude of service and sacrifice that was experienced on this great vessel? |
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| At La Jolla Cove. What an amazing place! |
We came home just in time for the massive DFW Super Bowl hype, which occcured in the middle of a Texas weather anomaly - FOUR DAYS OF ICE AND SNOW! No school, no work, and not too much positive production! I'm looking forward to 50 degree weather Saturday - because I have another plane to catch! To meet some more fantastic WHS friends for lunch - to remember, to laugh, to be together once again. A day to make my heart happy.
Today is another "inclement weather" day - once more, no school, no work. So instead, I drink coffee while sitting in front of the fireplace and write this.
And pray.. praying for very special friends who are facing some tough medical issues. Which makes me remember: This body is frail, decaying for all of us... and this world is not our home. It is a blessing to love, and to be loved, and to know that there is always Joy in the "mourning". Through the technology of 2011, we get to share, laugh, cry and pray with and for each other here - through the blessing of internet. I'm so glad I have you to do all these things with!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Recently...
.... time has been kind. After the fast pace of summer, September has been a good month. Oh, not that it's been boring either! August closed out with a trip to Harlingen for a grandson's birthday party, a quick shopping trip to Mexico, and an afternoon on Padre Island with 3/4ths of my family. 
Home for a great holiday weekend, and then a fast trip to Colorado with a fun traveling friend!~ I don't think I'd know what to do with a fully planned out trip - with more than a week or so to put in place. My favorite trips have been the ones where you decide, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if we went to....?" The biggest blessing is that I'm married to an American Airlines instructor - who lets me use all the flight benefits I want. (Well, maybe not all I want, because I'd "want" to go somewhere every weekend!) So, the past month has landed me on the beach, and then in the mountains. The question now is.. "Where to next?" (Actually, I have October weekends already planned: Ranger/Angel games this coming weekend, a family wedding in Hearne Oct 9-10, a hopeful trip back to Harlingen the next weekend, a Memorial walk for the Alzheimer's association to honor some very special people, and then a HUGE church garage sale that will take up the entire last week of the month.) Ah, Fall brings a new energy.
Recently... I've enjoyed 2 relaxing Sundays. Waking up to 2 cups of coffee (from freshly ground beans), reading the Sunday newspaper and watching football AND the Texas Rangers baseball teams - has been wonderful. On top of that, I've spent time with a great friend from our days in Llano, had separate meals with family: i.e. dinner with my son, lunch with my mom and a separate dinner with my daughter and son-in-law. And to top it all - we sat together in worship, and shared a meal with our friends - and their friends to cap off last night. I know I am blessed - that I have been given a wonderful life, with wonderful family and friends. I hope to always remember that - even in the days when it doesn't feel like it - I need to remember it. "Things" will never replace family and friends. Proverbs 15 reminds me: "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." For those of you reading this - consider this blog a 'cheerful look', because you do bring joy to my heart.Monday, August 16, 2010
Back to School?
Not me! The school district where my children went for most of their lives and where I worked for almost 11 years began teacher inservice training today and it brings mixed emotions. First, it began with convocation held at the church where I work, so I was able to sample just a taste of what I sat through so many times. Second, so many of my past co-workers and friends included me in the lunch plans - another "taste" of what I experienced for so many years. And third - I have an excitement for my own child who is part of that world of shaping the world of deaf children, as an employee in this world of education. It is one more piece of the puzzle that you never can predict how it will fit one day.
Many of the "kids" that I have loved for many years are back on college campuses - either as new freshmen, eagerly beginning orientation, or as returning upperclassmen, who are working to "orient" those new freshmen. Some are still here - ready to embark on their journey: some will remain here - for reasons we are yet to understand. One more will return to her campus - with a slew of hard decisions to make.
The "kids" who have many more days (some years) before graduation would probably say they are sad to see summer go. Probably sad to see the late nights leave for early morning alarms, sad to see carefree nights turn into homework and projects and sad to begin to feel the stress of growing up that is closing in. As an extra set of eyes that is watching all of them - I'm thrilled to say I'm proud of them - proud of the people they are becoming and proud of the activities they are choosing to participate in.
The summer has given me many memories - and I'm anxious to make even more. I'm ready for some bleacher sitting - to cheer for some volleyball, some football, some basketball, and some amazing band marching. Along the way, I get to witness another family member choosing to marry the girl he loves, and spend another Saturday with some of my closest friends that I've had for most of my life. I realize we all make choices - some good, some awesome, and some we probably wish we could "do-over". Right now, I'm choosing to enjoy the calm - excited to be watching my beloved Texas Ranger baseball team, surrounded by 3 dogs that think I'm kinda special, and getting to read as much or as little of the day's news that I want. The life of a dog... at least our dogs - is enviable. But then, they don't get to meet and spend time with all those "school" people I do!
Where did I put that Diet Dr. Pepper again? :)
Many of the "kids" that I have loved for many years are back on college campuses - either as new freshmen, eagerly beginning orientation, or as returning upperclassmen, who are working to "orient" those new freshmen. Some are still here - ready to embark on their journey: some will remain here - for reasons we are yet to understand. One more will return to her campus - with a slew of hard decisions to make.
The "kids" who have many more days (some years) before graduation would probably say they are sad to see summer go. Probably sad to see the late nights leave for early morning alarms, sad to see carefree nights turn into homework and projects and sad to begin to feel the stress of growing up that is closing in. As an extra set of eyes that is watching all of them - I'm thrilled to say I'm proud of them - proud of the people they are becoming and proud of the activities they are choosing to participate in.
The summer has given me many memories - and I'm anxious to make even more. I'm ready for some bleacher sitting - to cheer for some volleyball, some football, some basketball, and some amazing band marching. Along the way, I get to witness another family member choosing to marry the girl he loves, and spend another Saturday with some of my closest friends that I've had for most of my life. I realize we all make choices - some good, some awesome, and some we probably wish we could "do-over". Right now, I'm choosing to enjoy the calm - excited to be watching my beloved Texas Ranger baseball team, surrounded by 3 dogs that think I'm kinda special, and getting to read as much or as little of the day's news that I want. The life of a dog... at least our dogs - is enviable. But then, they don't get to meet and spend time with all those "school" people I do!
Where did I put that Diet Dr. Pepper again? :)
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| Ryder... one of the 4 dogs who is in my life.... |
Friday, July 16, 2010
Summer, NYC, Friends, and Life
I've mentioned here that summers are measured to me by mission trips, and how long our college interns are here. With July half over, 5 of 7 mission trips are in the books and both JH and HS camps have gone and returned home. We're down to only a few weeks left with the interns, and before I am ready, school will have started, the Seniors of 2010 will be off on new adventures and the office routine will be back to "normal" (whatever normal is!). With some new office policies in place, my days of youth mission trips may be over. I did manage a week in the New Mexico mountains with our high school camp (highs in the 60's, lows in the upper 40's!) and had a rough time coming back to the Texas 95 degree heat. But the week at camp followed another week out of the office - in a completely different setting!
A new trip was added - a (possibly) once in a lifetime trip to New York City. Putting 13 women aged from 24 to 54 in a 5 bedroom 5 bath, 5 story brownstone in Harlem has more memories, more stories, more laughs and more pictures than you can imagine! Cassidy, one of her best friends from Harding and I joined 10 other women in sharing this wonderland of a home - in Harlem. Yes, Harlem! Flying standby has it's joys (and headaches), and 12 hours before departure from DFW, we found the flights into Laguardia filled with passengers. Last minute changes found us flying into Newark, NJ but we saw more local fare than everyone else! :) Oh, we saw lots more that week - from the Apollo Theatre Amateur Night, to a Comedy Improv show off Broadway - to falling in love with Little Italy (her shopping and food!), eating in Chinatown and TriBeCa, walking through The Bronx and the Bronx Zoo, seeing the city from the Top of the Rock, and from the Staten Island Ferry. We shopped (and shopped in Midtown, SoHo, the Financial District, Little Italy and more!) and ate (and ate some more). We met the local neighbors, BECAME a neighbor, met great men from Ladder 20 and even experienced the NYPD and one of their helicopters in our backyard and on our street. Do it all again? You bet. Tomorrow? If only we could - we would! NEXT year - we'll spend more time in Central Park, more time in Times Square, more time in Harlem, more time meeting the real New Yorkers. Whatever we do, I'm confident we will still leave - having wanted to do more.
Rachel made it back to Arkansas, and Cassidy and I (barely) made a flight back to DFW (remember, we fly standby?) - in just enough time to unpack, wash clothes and repack to be on the road to Camp Pine Springs - near Sacramento, NM with 100 campers and sponsors for a week that matches no other.
I don't know what I enjoy about my life more - the time I spend with my family, my friends, and/or my coworkers. Sometimes, I get extremely lucky and get to be with those people all at the same time. With the woes of the American people today, I know there is so much pain (loss of job, loss of family, loss of acceptance), but when you have the family of God to walk alongside, it becomes so much more bearable.
This was made evident just today - in many ways. My church coworker family lamented the unfairness of the banking world with me, I ran into a very special friend from days when Cassidy was in Junior High (that even tho' it's been way too long since we've seen each other - time stood still for just those few moments, and we were back at that retreat where we bonded), and ALL of my immediate family sat at a restaurant table for dinner and just enjoyed being together. Enjoyed it so much that we moved outside to a picnic table to continue our time together.
3 John 1:4 is a favorite verse, but I do have another great joy - knowing that my children not only walk in the truth, but love the people they are walking with. My mom turned 87 this month, and my dad's 91st birthday will be in just a handful of weeks. He's been gone from this earth for 79 weeks, but he's never farther than a thought away. I find myself laughing at memories, and thoughts of how he must be shaking his head at our ineptness, and in just a flash, I find myself crying again - because I miss his wisdom, his concern for me and my children, and his personal ways of just taking care of my mom - who he was married to for over 68 years. As much as I try to fill that gap, I find myself lacking - and wishing I could do more for her - be available 24 hours a day and make things "easy" for her. Then I realize that we are all very blessed to be in the same county, and able to sit on the same pew every weekend for church. That hasn't happened since I was in junior high myself. (Which brings me back to seeing Amy today - and realizing how fast time races - and how many people I have lost track of, or not spent enough time with.)
So in 3 weeks, I'll be in Houston - for the day - to meet up with some of my high school friends for lunch. It might sound like a long day to some of you - not necessary - even a beating. But after going 35 years without seeing many of them, I don't want to spend one more year missing out on their lives, and our memories. I miss the educator's schedule - having 10 weeks off to go and do what I wish with my own schedule. I miss the freedom of spending the days leisurely catching up with doctor's appointments, cleaning out closets and traveling places on a whim. But the flip side of that is that I get to spend 5 days a week with people that I know have the same interests and dreams that I do - mentoring teens and working for "Greater Things that are yet to come, and for greater things to still be done in this city". A good friend gave birth to her daughter this month, and another good friend will bring a son into this world and into their family next month. I am truly blessed to be part of both of their lives, and to watch so many of my "younger friends" as they parent their children into being the kind of teens and adults that they have become - law abiding adults, who love each other, love their children, love MY children, and love me. It's all about that joy again - the joy of knowing we all desire to walk in the truth.
A new trip was added - a (possibly) once in a lifetime trip to New York City. Putting 13 women aged from 24 to 54 in a 5 bedroom 5 bath, 5 story brownstone in Harlem has more memories, more stories, more laughs and more pictures than you can imagine! Cassidy, one of her best friends from Harding and I joined 10 other women in sharing this wonderland of a home - in Harlem. Yes, Harlem! Flying standby has it's joys (and headaches), and 12 hours before departure from DFW, we found the flights into Laguardia filled with passengers. Last minute changes found us flying into Newark, NJ but we saw more local fare than everyone else! :) Oh, we saw lots more that week - from the Apollo Theatre Amateur Night, to a Comedy Improv show off Broadway - to falling in love with Little Italy (her shopping and food!), eating in Chinatown and TriBeCa, walking through The Bronx and the Bronx Zoo, seeing the city from the Top of the Rock, and from the Staten Island Ferry. We shopped (and shopped in Midtown, SoHo, the Financial District, Little Italy and more!) and ate (and ate some more). We met the local neighbors, BECAME a neighbor, met great men from Ladder 20 and even experienced the NYPD and one of their helicopters in our backyard and on our street. Do it all again? You bet. Tomorrow? If only we could - we would! NEXT year - we'll spend more time in Central Park, more time in Times Square, more time in Harlem, more time meeting the real New Yorkers. Whatever we do, I'm confident we will still leave - having wanted to do more.
Rachel made it back to Arkansas, and Cassidy and I (barely) made a flight back to DFW (remember, we fly standby?) - in just enough time to unpack, wash clothes and repack to be on the road to Camp Pine Springs - near Sacramento, NM with 100 campers and sponsors for a week that matches no other.
I don't know what I enjoy about my life more - the time I spend with my family, my friends, and/or my coworkers. Sometimes, I get extremely lucky and get to be with those people all at the same time. With the woes of the American people today, I know there is so much pain (loss of job, loss of family, loss of acceptance), but when you have the family of God to walk alongside, it becomes so much more bearable.
This was made evident just today - in many ways. My church coworker family lamented the unfairness of the banking world with me, I ran into a very special friend from days when Cassidy was in Junior High (that even tho' it's been way too long since we've seen each other - time stood still for just those few moments, and we were back at that retreat where we bonded), and ALL of my immediate family sat at a restaurant table for dinner and just enjoyed being together. Enjoyed it so much that we moved outside to a picnic table to continue our time together.
3 John 1:4 is a favorite verse, but I do have another great joy - knowing that my children not only walk in the truth, but love the people they are walking with. My mom turned 87 this month, and my dad's 91st birthday will be in just a handful of weeks. He's been gone from this earth for 79 weeks, but he's never farther than a thought away. I find myself laughing at memories, and thoughts of how he must be shaking his head at our ineptness, and in just a flash, I find myself crying again - because I miss his wisdom, his concern for me and my children, and his personal ways of just taking care of my mom - who he was married to for over 68 years. As much as I try to fill that gap, I find myself lacking - and wishing I could do more for her - be available 24 hours a day and make things "easy" for her. Then I realize that we are all very blessed to be in the same county, and able to sit on the same pew every weekend for church. That hasn't happened since I was in junior high myself. (Which brings me back to seeing Amy today - and realizing how fast time races - and how many people I have lost track of, or not spent enough time with.)
So in 3 weeks, I'll be in Houston - for the day - to meet up with some of my high school friends for lunch. It might sound like a long day to some of you - not necessary - even a beating. But after going 35 years without seeing many of them, I don't want to spend one more year missing out on their lives, and our memories. I miss the educator's schedule - having 10 weeks off to go and do what I wish with my own schedule. I miss the freedom of spending the days leisurely catching up with doctor's appointments, cleaning out closets and traveling places on a whim. But the flip side of that is that I get to spend 5 days a week with people that I know have the same interests and dreams that I do - mentoring teens and working for "Greater Things that are yet to come, and for greater things to still be done in this city". A good friend gave birth to her daughter this month, and another good friend will bring a son into this world and into their family next month. I am truly blessed to be part of both of their lives, and to watch so many of my "younger friends" as they parent their children into being the kind of teens and adults that they have become - law abiding adults, who love each other, love their children, love MY children, and love me. It's all about that joy again - the joy of knowing we all desire to walk in the truth.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Family ~ Close and Extended ~ and Tattoos!!
Joel, Tyson, Mom and I have been at a "resort" (i.e. campers and cabins) on Lake Buchanan - near Austin, TX the last two days - just hanging out with family. Cassidy and Jeremy have been at a different "family reunion"... with Jeremy's family as his younger brother graduates from Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Arkansas. Yes, there is LOTS of food and drink, LOTS of water to swim and boat in but most of all, there have been LOTS of laughter and "remember when" times.
I am grandchild #3 of 7 - from my mother's parents, and although I never lived in the same town as the others, I find myself wanting to make time to connect with them more than once a year now - (well, at least the girls!) Although most of us have reached the Fifty year mark, we are missing one - grandchild #6, who died a couple of years ago. In talking about her tonight, many memories came back - of her growing up - of her difficulties, and of her children. Her two sisters (grandchildren #2 and 5) were the ones I was closest to when we were growing up - and even today, I feel sad that I wasn't close to Robin - the one we've lost. I wonder how things would have been different today if she were still here.
Which leads me to.. how different am I? Or even more difficult to answer: how accepting am I?
When parents age, we recognize it easily, but when we see ourselves becoming "the next generation", it somehow looks so much different! How did we get to be so old, and thus responsible? :)
As a side note to the seriousness of most of my posts: Here are just a couple of pieces of conversations today that keep me smiling - and asking myself.. "How did I get THIS old?"
1) An aunt was talking of my cousin losing one of her "ear screws". Does anyone else remember before pierced ears, you actually "screwed" the earrings on?
2) One of my mom's cousins is battling Alzheimers - stage 7 of 10. His daughter watches every move he makes. But with a skip in her step, they take the boat out to go fishing. When he's frustrated that the minnow isn't on the hook, she notices it's not ON the hook - it's on the shank. But smoothly, she takes the line to "fix the problem" yet tells her dad she's just untangling a knot when he asks what's she's doing. What a dedicated daughter - who wishes she could "fix" all of his problems.
3) Grandchild #2 (see above) is going on a mission trip to Ecuador this summer (with her 17 year old son). At the "meeting time" this afternoon, we vote on where to give a charitable contribution. This year, we are supporting an orphanage in Ecuador. Way to go, TJ and Michael!
4) We have a "silent auction" - where we bring items to sell, and the money buys the meat for the potluck, we vote to donate part of it to charity (see #3 above) and it pays for renting the "rec hall" where we meet at the "resort". I have some extremely talented cousins!! :) Tim welds a waist high "wok" and stand - for attaching a propane tank to cook outside (we're having eggs and sausage tomorrow for breakfast!). Ryan wood burns the Texas state seal into a beautiful piece of stained wood. Each of those items sells for $100 and up! Terri makes jewelry, Dan makes Salsa, Beth makes jean aprons, Gladys makes potholders and a baby quilt, Debra, Desi and Delaina tie-dye tshirts, and Diane bakes cookies. Many other items are displayed and the memories last longer than the shopping. On one of the pieces that involved FIERCE bidding, Brian ends it all with the bid "I surrender." Way to hang in there Brian. But your other treasures put a huge dent in your wallet (or should I say, your wife's wallet?)!
5) The differences in generations becomes more and more evident every year. We take pictures of each generation, and the older one (my parent's age) gets smaller and smaller. Time marches on. So we start with the oldest, then move to my age, then to the ones that include my children's age (which by the way, Tyson is the oldest of that group, and Cassidy is #3) and end with 3 litttle ones - from 4 down to 2. The funniest part is that one of the "20 something" cousins states when it's their turn... "Now for all the ink....." (i.e. tattoos).
That one statement says so much. It takes me back to the wild things WE did at their age - and how our parents rolled their eyes at our choices for clothing and jewelry. Imagine how much they are shaking their heads at all of the tattoos on their grandchildren! :) But hearing some aunts (and my mom) talk afterwards, the sweetest words came ~ "I guess it doesn't matter how many tattoos they have - they come visit me and they love me."
I'm beaming - and bursting with awe - that 80 something year old ladies are able to express their displeasure with their grandchildren's "body art" but able to overlook their personal preferences because they love each other. I'm proud to be a "Talley"... never listed on my birth certificate - never in my name, but always in my bloodline. I want to be as accepting, and as accepted as our children. The younger generation spends their money to come here - to this "resort". They take off work, they cook, they clean, they are responsible - and they enjoy spending time with the "old folks". And these "old folks" adore them, and the time we DO spend together. The saddest part is that it's only one weekend a year. So until next year - it's been great. Now if we can only slow down that "body art" piece of the reunion.....
(Dedicated to Tyson, Meg, Cassidy, Ryan (Toph), Desi, Delaina, Michael, Wes, Andy, Nicole, Shaun, Natalie and Erica ~ the generation we will leave this reunion to..)
I am grandchild #3 of 7 - from my mother's parents, and although I never lived in the same town as the others, I find myself wanting to make time to connect with them more than once a year now - (well, at least the girls!) Although most of us have reached the Fifty year mark, we are missing one - grandchild #6, who died a couple of years ago. In talking about her tonight, many memories came back - of her growing up - of her difficulties, and of her children. Her two sisters (grandchildren #2 and 5) were the ones I was closest to when we were growing up - and even today, I feel sad that I wasn't close to Robin - the one we've lost. I wonder how things would have been different today if she were still here.
Which leads me to.. how different am I? Or even more difficult to answer: how accepting am I?
When parents age, we recognize it easily, but when we see ourselves becoming "the next generation", it somehow looks so much different! How did we get to be so old, and thus responsible? :)
As a side note to the seriousness of most of my posts: Here are just a couple of pieces of conversations today that keep me smiling - and asking myself.. "How did I get THIS old?"
1) An aunt was talking of my cousin losing one of her "ear screws". Does anyone else remember before pierced ears, you actually "screwed" the earrings on?
2) One of my mom's cousins is battling Alzheimers - stage 7 of 10. His daughter watches every move he makes. But with a skip in her step, they take the boat out to go fishing. When he's frustrated that the minnow isn't on the hook, she notices it's not ON the hook - it's on the shank. But smoothly, she takes the line to "fix the problem" yet tells her dad she's just untangling a knot when he asks what's she's doing. What a dedicated daughter - who wishes she could "fix" all of his problems.
3) Grandchild #2 (see above) is going on a mission trip to Ecuador this summer (with her 17 year old son). At the "meeting time" this afternoon, we vote on where to give a charitable contribution. This year, we are supporting an orphanage in Ecuador. Way to go, TJ and Michael!
4) We have a "silent auction" - where we bring items to sell, and the money buys the meat for the potluck, we vote to donate part of it to charity (see #3 above) and it pays for renting the "rec hall" where we meet at the "resort". I have some extremely talented cousins!! :) Tim welds a waist high "wok" and stand - for attaching a propane tank to cook outside (we're having eggs and sausage tomorrow for breakfast!). Ryan wood burns the Texas state seal into a beautiful piece of stained wood. Each of those items sells for $100 and up! Terri makes jewelry, Dan makes Salsa, Beth makes jean aprons, Gladys makes potholders and a baby quilt, Debra, Desi and Delaina tie-dye tshirts, and Diane bakes cookies. Many other items are displayed and the memories last longer than the shopping. On one of the pieces that involved FIERCE bidding, Brian ends it all with the bid "I surrender." Way to hang in there Brian. But your other treasures put a huge dent in your wallet (or should I say, your wife's wallet?)!
5) The differences in generations becomes more and more evident every year. We take pictures of each generation, and the older one (my parent's age) gets smaller and smaller. Time marches on. So we start with the oldest, then move to my age, then to the ones that include my children's age (which by the way, Tyson is the oldest of that group, and Cassidy is #3) and end with 3 litttle ones - from 4 down to 2. The funniest part is that one of the "20 something" cousins states when it's their turn... "Now for all the ink....." (i.e. tattoos).
That one statement says so much. It takes me back to the wild things WE did at their age - and how our parents rolled their eyes at our choices for clothing and jewelry. Imagine how much they are shaking their heads at all of the tattoos on their grandchildren! :) But hearing some aunts (and my mom) talk afterwards, the sweetest words came ~ "I guess it doesn't matter how many tattoos they have - they come visit me and they love me."
I'm beaming - and bursting with awe - that 80 something year old ladies are able to express their displeasure with their grandchildren's "body art" but able to overlook their personal preferences because they love each other. I'm proud to be a "Talley"... never listed on my birth certificate - never in my name, but always in my bloodline. I want to be as accepting, and as accepted as our children. The younger generation spends their money to come here - to this "resort". They take off work, they cook, they clean, they are responsible - and they enjoy spending time with the "old folks". And these "old folks" adore them, and the time we DO spend together. The saddest part is that it's only one weekend a year. So until next year - it's been great. Now if we can only slow down that "body art" piece of the reunion.....
(Dedicated to Tyson, Meg, Cassidy, Ryan (Toph), Desi, Delaina, Michael, Wes, Andy, Nicole, Shaun, Natalie and Erica ~ the generation we will leave this reunion to..)
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