contemplate
verb
1. to look at or view with continued attention; study thoughtfully
2. to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about
3. to have as a purpose; intend
4. to think about intently and at length
5. to consider calmly
6. to look at thoughtfully; observe pensively
7. to have in mind as a possibility
I contemplate.
Pretty much everything and rarely do I do something without giving it much thought and consideration in advance.
I want to know purpose and to understand things, so I study. I study and observe.
Thus my need for nature. My need for alone time and quiet. To slow down and sit still.
My needed time to think clearly, quietly, to talk to God.
Clarity. Confidence. Intention. Purpose.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
An Invisible Cord
Jokingly, I have always said to "cut the umblical cord" when it comes to Brooke.
When Brooke was a baby, she was always happiest next to me. I bought a front baby carrier, put her in it facing me and about my day I would go, even in our home. I could cook, clean and do just about everything with Brooke against me. Her favorite place.
My girls are mine. They stay close even though they are far away.
Mariah in Savannah/Key West for Spring Break with her dad's family. Brooke in Florida with my mom and dad for her Spring Break.
It is nothing to get 3-5 phone calls a day from each of them. Telling me about their days, to just talk and connect to home. I let them have their days and let them call me when they want as to not interrupt plans they may have. They never seem far from me.
There is an invisible cord that connects us, an invisible bond. A bond of strength, comfort and balance in their lives no matter where they may be, they are still close. It is an invisible bond that keeps their hearts close to home and to me.
My Mariah calls and texts to share vacation details, girlfriend conversations and sharing secrets.
My Brooke calls for casual conversation.
Giving them their freedom, I encourage them to enjoy life fully. Rich in healthy experiences.
I am ultimately blessed to have an invisible cord to my babies. An invisible bond they draw strength and comfort in.
I do, too.
When Brooke was a baby, she was always happiest next to me. I bought a front baby carrier, put her in it facing me and about my day I would go, even in our home. I could cook, clean and do just about everything with Brooke against me. Her favorite place.
My girls are mine. They stay close even though they are far away.
Mariah in Savannah/Key West for Spring Break with her dad's family. Brooke in Florida with my mom and dad for her Spring Break.
It is nothing to get 3-5 phone calls a day from each of them. Telling me about their days, to just talk and connect to home. I let them have their days and let them call me when they want as to not interrupt plans they may have. They never seem far from me.
There is an invisible cord that connects us, an invisible bond. A bond of strength, comfort and balance in their lives no matter where they may be, they are still close. It is an invisible bond that keeps their hearts close to home and to me.
My Mariah calls and texts to share vacation details, girlfriend conversations and sharing secrets.
My Brooke calls for casual conversation.
Giving them their freedom, I encourage them to enjoy life fully. Rich in healthy experiences.
I am ultimately blessed to have an invisible cord to my babies. An invisible bond they draw strength and comfort in.
I do, too.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
My Grandmother
Grandma is always so happy to see me that she laughs!
Her golden grandchild has arrived.
I'm golden because I am the only grandchild that pays attention to her. I'm certain that I am the annoyance to the rest of my family members as they listen to story after story about amazing me. Amazing in my grandmothers eyes.
Sending her gifts for the holidays, her birthday and sometimes just because. I spend time with her, she doesn't know the others enough to talk about them. So yes, I am golden.
Time changes, but things don't change at grandmas house. That's what I love so much about grandparents. Time stops when you walk in their door, everything remains in its familiar spot, unchanged.
Gifts from me proudly displayed throughout her home. Gifts I have long forgotten about, a part of her everyday life. Grandma's are just like that.
At 87 years old her mind is sharp and her zest for life is still there, but she is slowing down.
She loves the mountains and the rivers. We both love nature. Tulips are a shared favorite flower.
Driving through the country, she tells me story after story about her life, so different than mine. Given up as a child, raised on a farm, making their own butter, soap, canning foods, etc. I capture the history of my family tree and embrace stories of family members I never met and stories of my grandfather that passed away when I was a child.
Stories that would be lost if I didn't listen.
She is an old woman now. Each of us has our own story and her's has many regrets she asks forgiveness for. She has forgiven the things that don't matter. Age does that.
She is a praying grandmother covering her family in prayers, unafraid to die.
My family thinks she is crazy. I love the fire that runs through her veins. She is full of spunk and spice and still gets the same glint of fire in her eyes that I recognize in my dad, my brother and a fire I am familiar with. I call it DNA.
We talk for hours on end, sharing details of our lives. This trip was extra special in learned secrets. We laugh together. We cry together.
I'm thankful for the time with my grandmother.
In my trips to my grandma's house I learn about my family history and along the way I learn more about myself.
Her golden grandchild has arrived.
I'm golden because I am the only grandchild that pays attention to her. I'm certain that I am the annoyance to the rest of my family members as they listen to story after story about amazing me. Amazing in my grandmothers eyes.
Sending her gifts for the holidays, her birthday and sometimes just because. I spend time with her, she doesn't know the others enough to talk about them. So yes, I am golden.
Time changes, but things don't change at grandmas house. That's what I love so much about grandparents. Time stops when you walk in their door, everything remains in its familiar spot, unchanged.
Gifts from me proudly displayed throughout her home. Gifts I have long forgotten about, a part of her everyday life. Grandma's are just like that.
At 87 years old her mind is sharp and her zest for life is still there, but she is slowing down.
She loves the mountains and the rivers. We both love nature. Tulips are a shared favorite flower.
Driving through the country, she tells me story after story about her life, so different than mine. Given up as a child, raised on a farm, making their own butter, soap, canning foods, etc. I capture the history of my family tree and embrace stories of family members I never met and stories of my grandfather that passed away when I was a child.
Stories that would be lost if I didn't listen.
She is an old woman now. Each of us has our own story and her's has many regrets she asks forgiveness for. She has forgiven the things that don't matter. Age does that.
She is a praying grandmother covering her family in prayers, unafraid to die.
My family thinks she is crazy. I love the fire that runs through her veins. She is full of spunk and spice and still gets the same glint of fire in her eyes that I recognize in my dad, my brother and a fire I am familiar with. I call it DNA.
We talk for hours on end, sharing details of our lives. This trip was extra special in learned secrets. We laugh together. We cry together.
I'm thankful for the time with my grandmother.
In my trips to my grandma's house I learn about my family history and along the way I learn more about myself.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Going to Grandma's House
When I was a little girl, every year we took a family vacation to my grandmothers house in Virginia.
Before the West Virginia Turnpike was built our trip truly took us over the river and through the woods to grandma's house we go ... well, something like that through the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.
My grandmother lived in a cottage-like home in Clifton Forge, a small town with a papermill. As an adult to this day I will drive through the town with my car windows rolled down smelling the air to catch the scent of my childhood. Ahhhh ... the olfactory sense that triggers familiarity.
Grandma's house was green, very country and we slept in the old cedar attic in a bed with blankets piled high to keep warm. We would wake up to the sound of the rooster and lay in bed planning the wild run to the bottom of the steps through the ice cold attic. Grandma would tell us to gather the eggs out of the chicken coop for breakfast, to which my mom always warned us about snakes.
I don't remember at what point we stopped going to grandma's house for vacation as a family, but I continued to go alone in my early 20's when I needed to run away. When I needed to escape fast-paced. When I needed to rejuvenate alone in the mountains at grandmas.
Decades later ... I am a woman now and I am still making this trip, to grandma's house.
Rejuvenation happens for me during my five hour drive.
Usually, I will leave home around 4:30 a.m. so I am in West Virginia as the sun rises through the mountains. The massive mountains become walls that welcome, transcend and block off everything I am leaving behind. A much simpler world welcomes me for the next couple of days.
I always stop at Tamarack for coffee. From this point, there is only one hour left until I am at grandmas where there is no coffee pot. For the next couple days I will have hot tea made with water we collect in jugs from a fresh spring. There is no television. No computer connection capabilities and in some places little cell phone service. My navigation system is lost and no longer knows the route, but I do.
The mountains surround me. The freshness of springtime takes my breath away.
Rejuvenation begins.
Before the West Virginia Turnpike was built our trip truly took us over the river and through the woods to grandma's house we go ... well, something like that through the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.
My grandmother lived in a cottage-like home in Clifton Forge, a small town with a papermill. As an adult to this day I will drive through the town with my car windows rolled down smelling the air to catch the scent of my childhood. Ahhhh ... the olfactory sense that triggers familiarity.
Grandma's house was green, very country and we slept in the old cedar attic in a bed with blankets piled high to keep warm. We would wake up to the sound of the rooster and lay in bed planning the wild run to the bottom of the steps through the ice cold attic. Grandma would tell us to gather the eggs out of the chicken coop for breakfast, to which my mom always warned us about snakes.
I don't remember at what point we stopped going to grandma's house for vacation as a family, but I continued to go alone in my early 20's when I needed to run away. When I needed to escape fast-paced. When I needed to rejuvenate alone in the mountains at grandmas.
Decades later ... I am a woman now and I am still making this trip, to grandma's house.
Rejuvenation happens for me during my five hour drive.
Usually, I will leave home around 4:30 a.m. so I am in West Virginia as the sun rises through the mountains. The massive mountains become walls that welcome, transcend and block off everything I am leaving behind. A much simpler world welcomes me for the next couple of days.
I always stop at Tamarack for coffee. From this point, there is only one hour left until I am at grandmas where there is no coffee pot. For the next couple days I will have hot tea made with water we collect in jugs from a fresh spring. There is no television. No computer connection capabilities and in some places little cell phone service. My navigation system is lost and no longer knows the route, but I do.
The mountains surround me. The freshness of springtime takes my breath away.
Rejuvenation begins.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
The Sabbath
Last Sunday I asked Brooke if she wanted to run to the store.
Brooke: "Mom, what is that day called?"
Me: "The Sabbath."
Brooke: "Yah, let's just stay home and relax today."
Remember the sabbath and keep it holy.
Probably the most ignored of the 10 Commandments.
Exodus 20
8. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son,
nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor they cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
A commandment with the longest explanation, on purpose.
A law of God that made the top 10 list.
Easiest to ignore. The easiest commandment to forget.
A valued law for Brooke. Her perfect day, blessed by God.
We are trying to plan accordingly.
Brooke: "Mom, what is that day called?"
Me: "The Sabbath."
Brooke: "Yah, let's just stay home and relax today."
Remember the sabbath and keep it holy.
Exodus 20
8. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son,
nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor they cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
A commandment with the longest explanation, on purpose.
A law of God that made the top 10 list.
Easiest to ignore. The easiest commandment to forget.
A valued law for Brooke. Her perfect day, blessed by God.
We are trying to plan accordingly.
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
-The 4th Commandment
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Blessings In the New
This has been a winter like no other, a spring like no other I have experienced. I can't help but think there is some parallel between this summer-like weather in spring and my fresh, new beginning.
Timing. Blessings. God-breathed.
It has been almost a month now and I feel like a new person. As each week passes, I master this new season in life.
A new routine with deep focus.
I'm a morning person. Today, I was awake at 5:30 a.m. and I still treasure the early morning before the sun comes up. The girls will get on the school bus at 7:15 a.m. then my new eight hours begin at the gym.
I have found a new favorite, Kickboxing and a familiar old favorite, high impact step & sculpt class starts my mornings out pushing me to the limit. This new amazing gym is simply another blessing.
Still, a whole day ahead of me.
I bask in the sunshine reading books. I spend time at the library picking out older, classic movies I have never seen, checking out magazines is another "new" for me.
I'm learning to bargain shop. Time was of the essence before and for this girl who loathes shopping, to get everything in one stop was good enough.
Did I mention I save $220 per month NOT commuting to work? I am on a new quest to see how much I can save on gas and I plan my errands in a perfect loop.
Gone is my meeting calendar and welcome my social calendar. Yes, I have a calendar so I don't forget lunch dates, social commitments and upcoming spring/summer events I don't want to miss.
I am home everyday for the school bus. What a difference this makes to my kids. A little something new for them that they appreciate. Another new first for me.
Dinner early. Back to the park to walk. Sometimes by myself or sometimes with my friend, Dawn. Walking with a partner is easier chatting the miles away. We average between 3 1/2 to 5 miles per night! I know!
This window of time is a season, it will not last. This girl still knows how to make the most of everything.
Timing. Blessings. God-breathed.
It has been almost a month now and I feel like a new person. As each week passes, I master this new season in life.
A new routine with deep focus.
I'm a morning person. Today, I was awake at 5:30 a.m. and I still treasure the early morning before the sun comes up. The girls will get on the school bus at 7:15 a.m. then my new eight hours begin at the gym.
I have found a new favorite, Kickboxing and a familiar old favorite, high impact step & sculpt class starts my mornings out pushing me to the limit. This new amazing gym is simply another blessing.
Still, a whole day ahead of me.
I bask in the sunshine reading books. I spend time at the library picking out older, classic movies I have never seen, checking out magazines is another "new" for me.
I'm learning to bargain shop. Time was of the essence before and for this girl who loathes shopping, to get everything in one stop was good enough.
Did I mention I save $220 per month NOT commuting to work? I am on a new quest to see how much I can save on gas and I plan my errands in a perfect loop.
Gone is my meeting calendar and welcome my social calendar. Yes, I have a calendar so I don't forget lunch dates, social commitments and upcoming spring/summer events I don't want to miss.
I am home everyday for the school bus. What a difference this makes to my kids. A little something new for them that they appreciate. Another new first for me.
Dinner early. Back to the park to walk. Sometimes by myself or sometimes with my friend, Dawn. Walking with a partner is easier chatting the miles away. We average between 3 1/2 to 5 miles per night! I know!
This window of time is a season, it will not last. This girl still knows how to make the most of everything.
"Leisure is a beautiful garment, but it will not due for constant wear." - Unknown
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Franklin Creamsicle
I've realized I never told the story about Franklin Creamsicle.
Last summer, for Mariah's 16th birthday luau, Brooke had repeatedly asked the important question, "Who are you going to split my birthday gifts with?" After the 3rd time she asked, knowing she needed an answer, I told her that I would split her gifts with her daddy by using her social security as his 1/2 of the contribution. That was the magical answer she was looking for.
Brooke's birthday is November 8th and I started worrying about her 1st birthday without her daddy at the beginning of summer.
I wanted the "WOW" factor for her.
Let me back up a moment ... we have a cat named Mocha. Mocha doesn't care for Brooke. Brooke truly loves animals and desperately has wanted for years something to hold and love, thus began her quest to find an animal on the internet looking at turtles and a chinchillas.
She needs a persian of her very own.
Persians are expensive and I wanted to make sure I bought the perfect one, so began my search in five states for breeders with kittens ready to come home the beginning of November.
Boy or girl? Flat face or babydoll face? Solid color or multi?
I had about 15 pictures of newborn persians from breeders and needed to put a deposit on one. I had a plan! Sending the pictures to my colleague Rachel, in return she sent me an email with all this kittens stating, "These are my aunts kittens in California that are all sold, but aren't they cute?"
That was the start of needed conversations. Brooke said she wanted a boy and she fell in love with a little red & white kitten with the flat face and "sad" eyes. Beyond thankful, the breeder is located only 20 minutes south of Canton. I would have drove to New York or Wisconsin!
Carefully wrapping the kitten carrier in pretty birthday paper and a fun bow placing it on her bed, Mariah and I handed Brooke a homemade birthday card with the picture of the kitten she chose months earlier signed, All our love, Mommy & Daddy.
I'm thankful for the videotape that was rolling during the moment of her realization, a memory forever captured. The look on her face of confusion, yet excitement when I told her to look in her room ... it was love at first sight!
A very handsome Franklin Creamsicle is now 6 months old and a member of our family.
Brooke's 12th birthday by far was the best!
Last summer, for Mariah's 16th birthday luau, Brooke had repeatedly asked the important question, "Who are you going to split my birthday gifts with?" After the 3rd time she asked, knowing she needed an answer, I told her that I would split her gifts with her daddy by using her social security as his 1/2 of the contribution. That was the magical answer she was looking for.
Brooke's birthday is November 8th and I started worrying about her 1st birthday without her daddy at the beginning of summer.
I wanted the "WOW" factor for her.
Let me back up a moment ... we have a cat named Mocha. Mocha doesn't care for Brooke. Brooke truly loves animals and desperately has wanted for years something to hold and love, thus began her quest to find an animal on the internet looking at turtles and a chinchillas.
She needs a persian of her very own.
Persians are expensive and I wanted to make sure I bought the perfect one, so began my search in five states for breeders with kittens ready to come home the beginning of November.
Boy or girl? Flat face or babydoll face? Solid color or multi?
I had about 15 pictures of newborn persians from breeders and needed to put a deposit on one. I had a plan! Sending the pictures to my colleague Rachel, in return she sent me an email with all this kittens stating, "These are my aunts kittens in California that are all sold, but aren't they cute?"
That was the start of needed conversations. Brooke said she wanted a boy and she fell in love with a little red & white kitten with the flat face and "sad" eyes. Beyond thankful, the breeder is located only 20 minutes south of Canton. I would have drove to New York or Wisconsin!
Carefully wrapping the kitten carrier in pretty birthday paper and a fun bow placing it on her bed, Mariah and I handed Brooke a homemade birthday card with the picture of the kitten she chose months earlier signed, All our love, Mommy & Daddy.
I'm thankful for the videotape that was rolling during the moment of her realization, a memory forever captured. The look on her face of confusion, yet excitement when I told her to look in her room ... it was love at first sight!
A very handsome Franklin Creamsicle is now 6 months old and a member of our family.
Brooke's 12th birthday by far was the best!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
We Made It
In January, after making it through the first year of her daddy's death, Brooke slipped into a depression.
I contacted the professional I worked with from the Suicide Crisis Agency that I had spoken with after Keith's suicide last year. She said it is very common in adults and in children to make it through the first year of a death successfully only to have depression slip in during the second year.
Survival is the first year. The second year is the reality of "this is how life is now."
This, plus Mariah's dads diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's was a bad combination for any adult, let alone a child. Brooke was ready for help.
Knowing I don't have time to play around with just any counselor, I was in search of the best of the best.
I was referred to a specialist in this area that is an expert in traumatic stress, certified in traumatic loss and experiences, chronic/terminal illness, depression and more. She has much experience in war zones, working with military families and conducts seminars to professionals in the medical, educational and social service fields. She is a founding member of the county's Traumatized Child Task Force. Her credentials go on ...
It's easy to pick the best doctor or specialist when insurance pays ... but my insurance did not cover this. At $100 per hour, I am so relieved to say tonight was our last session. Brooke is doing great. In fact, she wanted tonight to be all happy thoughts, because everything is going so well and there is nothing negative that she can think of to share. She is just happy.
I am thankful.
Tonight I wanted to talk to the specialist alone, before Brooke came in. I wanted her professional feedback of our quest through recovery. She gave Brooke a clean bill of health, that Brooke has an amazing support system of love and it made all the difference.
She also told me two times that I went over and beyond doing every thing right in helping my daughter. That I could not have done more. Her words meant everything. Today's $100 = PRICELESS!
I told her there were no rule books to follow.
We made it through her daddy's suicide.
We made it through a tough year of new firsts.
We made it through depression.
We made it.
I contacted the professional I worked with from the Suicide Crisis Agency that I had spoken with after Keith's suicide last year. She said it is very common in adults and in children to make it through the first year of a death successfully only to have depression slip in during the second year.
Survival is the first year. The second year is the reality of "this is how life is now."
This, plus Mariah's dads diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's was a bad combination for any adult, let alone a child. Brooke was ready for help.
Knowing I don't have time to play around with just any counselor, I was in search of the best of the best.
I was referred to a specialist in this area that is an expert in traumatic stress, certified in traumatic loss and experiences, chronic/terminal illness, depression and more. She has much experience in war zones, working with military families and conducts seminars to professionals in the medical, educational and social service fields. She is a founding member of the county's Traumatized Child Task Force. Her credentials go on ...
It's easy to pick the best doctor or specialist when insurance pays ... but my insurance did not cover this. At $100 per hour, I am so relieved to say tonight was our last session. Brooke is doing great. In fact, she wanted tonight to be all happy thoughts, because everything is going so well and there is nothing negative that she can think of to share. She is just happy.
I am thankful.
Tonight I wanted to talk to the specialist alone, before Brooke came in. I wanted her professional feedback of our quest through recovery. She gave Brooke a clean bill of health, that Brooke has an amazing support system of love and it made all the difference.
She also told me two times that I went over and beyond doing every thing right in helping my daughter. That I could not have done more. Her words meant everything. Today's $100 = PRICELESS!
I told her there were no rule books to follow.
We made it through her daddy's suicide.
We made it through a tough year of new firsts.
We made it through depression.
We made it.
Monday, March 12, 2012
What Would You Do?
Yesterday was Mariah's dads birthday. 43 years old.
What would you do if you knew it was your last birthday to celebrate where you can still walk and talk?
That thought pondered my mind all day.
Aggressive Lou Gehrig's is quickly taking his quality of life. His voice is holding on strong, thank God. Eric loves to talk and I am guessing that will be the hardest function he will lose.
A last family vacation begins in two weeks. He was hoping he wouldn't be in a wheel chair and isn't.
He has been in Florida for the last month again staying at Danny & Holly's, his cousin and best friends house. He needs the warmth for his muscles to function. Mariah feels relief that he is in good and happy hands.
March 11, 2012, his 43rd birthday.
How would you celebrate your last quality-of-life birthday?
I would want to be outdoors, in the sunshine, in nature. It was an unusually beautiful 65 & sunny day so I took my girls for a birthday celebration for Mariah, even though she didn't know why.
We went to Taggart's for ice cream. Mariah had never been there and loved it. A walk in the park then home where Mariah and I sat outside basking in the sunshine reading books from a collection we are sharing, while Brooke played with the neighbor boys, Andy & Bradley.
What would you do if you knew it was your last birthday to celebrate where you can still walk and talk?
Happy 43rd birthday, Eric.
What would you do if you knew it was your last birthday to celebrate where you can still walk and talk?
That thought pondered my mind all day.
Aggressive Lou Gehrig's is quickly taking his quality of life. His voice is holding on strong, thank God. Eric loves to talk and I am guessing that will be the hardest function he will lose.
A last family vacation begins in two weeks. He was hoping he wouldn't be in a wheel chair and isn't.
He has been in Florida for the last month again staying at Danny & Holly's, his cousin and best friends house. He needs the warmth for his muscles to function. Mariah feels relief that he is in good and happy hands.
March 11, 2012, his 43rd birthday.
How would you celebrate your last quality-of-life birthday?
I would want to be outdoors, in the sunshine, in nature. It was an unusually beautiful 65 & sunny day so I took my girls for a birthday celebration for Mariah, even though she didn't know why.
We went to Taggart's for ice cream. Mariah had never been there and loved it. A walk in the park then home where Mariah and I sat outside basking in the sunshine reading books from a collection we are sharing, while Brooke played with the neighbor boys, Andy & Bradley.
What would you do if you knew it was your last birthday to celebrate where you can still walk and talk?
Happy 43rd birthday, Eric.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Making Time For Quiet Moments
I have a picture that hangs on my wall from a dear friend.
That is exactly what I am doing.
It is not uncommon at all for me to spend my free time unplugged from the world. I can easily spend an entire day at home without the television or radio being on. Most often I prefer it. I can take a roadtrip by myself for hours on end and never touch the radio. I love the quiet.
Rest. Refreshen. Rejuvenate.
Right now I am making time for quiet moments. I am being still.
"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Make time for the quiet moments
as God whispers and the world is out.
That is exactly what I am doing.
It is not uncommon at all for me to spend my free time unplugged from the world. I can easily spend an entire day at home without the television or radio being on. Most often I prefer it. I can take a roadtrip by myself for hours on end and never touch the radio. I love the quiet.
Rest. Refreshen. Rejuvenate.
Right now I am making time for quiet moments. I am being still.
"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Brooke Is An Aunt
This morning Debbie text us a picture of Rylan Lambert, Ryan & Lauren's baby girl that was born today.
Brooke is now an aunt.
Keith would have been a grandpa. Oh the waves of emotions that hit unexpectedly. He should have been here. He would have loved it and I would have forever referred to him as Grandpa.
I can see him now, pulling up his shirt to show me his ripped, 6-pack stomach. Smiling and nodding his head, "Yeahhhh." My gosh, he had an incredible body! The type of body statues are made to resemble. At 48 years old he was still built like a brick house.
Good genes, because that boy always ate junk food. I'm glad Brookie gets that from her daddy.
Brooke was excited to see a picture of her niece.
I wish Keith was here, he would have been so happy to see his granddaughter.
Brooke is now an aunt.
Keith would have been a grandpa. Oh the waves of emotions that hit unexpectedly. He should have been here. He would have loved it and I would have forever referred to him as Grandpa.
I can see him now, pulling up his shirt to show me his ripped, 6-pack stomach. Smiling and nodding his head, "Yeahhhh." My gosh, he had an incredible body! The type of body statues are made to resemble. At 48 years old he was still built like a brick house.
Good genes, because that boy always ate junk food. I'm glad Brookie gets that from her daddy.
Brooke was excited to see a picture of her niece.
I wish Keith was here, he would have been so happy to see his granddaughter.
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