My son Jay's laugh is one of my favorite things in the whole world. When our little family of 8, now 7, gets together, either Susan or I usually do something that makes him laugh. This Christmas it was Sus.
We were winding down on opening our massive array of gifts when Susan hopped up and walked over to my area. She surveyed my things and checked to be sure nothing remained unopened. So...she then grabs one of my bags, takes the gift out of it, and runs off to the bedroom. We all just sit and listen to her rummaging around in there. Then she runs back in with the same bag containing another gift for me which she had forgotten. Trying to make herself heard above Jay's hysterical laughter, she tells us that they are a very "green" family! Someone, it may have been Jay when he composed himself, commented that recycling a bag during a party was, indeed, extremely green!
What a wonderful day. What a wonderful family.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The Christmas Stockings
Right after Madeline was born some 17 years ago, in a classic grandmother haze I purchased her a Christmas stocking. Not just any stocking--she easily could have been placed in this stocking. It was more suited for a giant than for a tiny baby....so, to perpetuate my mistake I got Susannah one, too, when she came along two years later. What was I thinking?
Here they are, with a normal person's stocking added for comparison. I'm not kidding. The things are 32" long by 16" wide--I measured. Just show me the chimney these puppies could hang by with care!
So...when most folks say they only lack shopping for stocking stuffers, that is a good thing. With me--not so much. I am accepting donations of large items a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old diva would love! I'm thinking of beginning with grapefruit.
So...when most folks say they only lack shopping for stocking stuffers, that is a good thing. With me--not so much. I am accepting donations of large items a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old diva would love! I'm thinking of beginning with grapefruit.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Forever a Favorite Photo
This was taken by Susan at her home on Thanksgiving Day, 2009. Jack lived only about 4 more months. Isn't that amazing? The ONLY good thing about Alzheimer's Disease is that many people who have it (Jack was one) don't realize the devastation they are suffering. And especially with Jack, that devastation did not include any physical pain or disability.
You can't imagine how hard it was to take someone who looked like this back to Silverado and leave him.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The First Christmas Without Jack
Several people have expressed concern and sympathy to me concerning this Christmas season. In church this morning I experienced some realizations. I went to the 11:00 service (can you say "sleepy-head?")
Two years ago I sat in the same service at the same time of year in about the same location. On November 21, 2008, I had just had to move the one I had promised 51 years earlier "to have and to hold" into Silverado Senior Living. It was a wonderful place, but it was not our home. When the notes of the first Christmas carol fell on my ears, I completely lost composure. This was probably the only time this happened in public, but I had to sit down because of uncontrollable sobbing.
That Christmas, 2008, and the previous one were the hardest for me. Jack was hospitalized in 2007, released on December 24th. That was actually the lowest point in our whole journey with the insidious disease. So...I appreciate all concern so much, but this Christmas is joyous knowing that Jack is free of the humiliation and suffering of his last 10 years.
Two years ago I sat in the same service at the same time of year in about the same location. On November 21, 2008, I had just had to move the one I had promised 51 years earlier "to have and to hold" into Silverado Senior Living. It was a wonderful place, but it was not our home. When the notes of the first Christmas carol fell on my ears, I completely lost composure. This was probably the only time this happened in public, but I had to sit down because of uncontrollable sobbing.
That Christmas, 2008, and the previous one were the hardest for me. Jack was hospitalized in 2007, released on December 24th. That was actually the lowest point in our whole journey with the insidious disease. So...I appreciate all concern so much, but this Christmas is joyous knowing that Jack is free of the humiliation and suffering of his last 10 years.
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Negative Impact of Darkness
In Bible Study Fellowship Lesson 6 we had this question: "Explain the negative impact of darkness and how light dispels darkness." I can't quit thinking of my experience many years ago with complete darkness, and how terrifying it was.
It happened in 1998 when our entire family of 8 went to Disney World. Since I don't ride any of the "scary" rides, (i.e. roller coasters no matter how small), I opted for an attraction at MGM Hollywood Studios that wasn't going to scare me. It is called Sounds Dangerous and stars Drew Carey. Thank goodness Jack went along with me, but everyone else opted out. There was a warning for people who are afraid of the dark--but that certainly wasn't moi or Jack. That stuff was for kids.
WRONG! When time came for the presentation to start, this big auditorium was cast into total, pitch black darkness. No exit signs, no projector lights, nothing. My heart immediately started racing. I clutched Jack's arm with a death grip. I tried closing my eyes, but I knew that darkness was still there. I can't relate what a negative impact it had on me. Jay reminded me that there are sounds which further mess with your perceptions, but I don't even remember the sounds. All I can remember is......
LOOKING DESPERATELY FOR ANY SPOT, ANY PINPOINT OF LIGHT!
I just read online that this presentation lasts 12 minutes. I guess it stayed dark that long. It was awful. Honestly, hell would not have to have heat or flames to be unbearable. Total darkness is enough.
But...there's good news! John 1:5 says, "The Light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!" Thank you, God, for sending your Son, the light of men. And thank you for somehow letting me hang on that 12 minutes heart-attack free.
It happened in 1998 when our entire family of 8 went to Disney World. Since I don't ride any of the "scary" rides, (i.e. roller coasters no matter how small), I opted for an attraction at MGM Hollywood Studios that wasn't going to scare me. It is called Sounds Dangerous and stars Drew Carey. Thank goodness Jack went along with me, but everyone else opted out. There was a warning for people who are afraid of the dark--but that certainly wasn't moi or Jack. That stuff was for kids.
WRONG! When time came for the presentation to start, this big auditorium was cast into total, pitch black darkness. No exit signs, no projector lights, nothing. My heart immediately started racing. I clutched Jack's arm with a death grip. I tried closing my eyes, but I knew that darkness was still there. I can't relate what a negative impact it had on me. Jay reminded me that there are sounds which further mess with your perceptions, but I don't even remember the sounds. All I can remember is......
LOOKING DESPERATELY FOR ANY SPOT, ANY PINPOINT OF LIGHT!
I just read online that this presentation lasts 12 minutes. I guess it stayed dark that long. It was awful. Honestly, hell would not have to have heat or flames to be unbearable. Total darkness is enough.
But...there's good news! John 1:5 says, "The Light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!" Thank you, God, for sending your Son, the light of men. And thank you for somehow letting me hang on that 12 minutes heart-attack free.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A Tale of Two Dogs
Recently my friends John and Jean Martin came from Houston for our 55th Poly High School reunion. I got to go out to dinner with them and catch up. John was best man in our wedding 54 years ago, and we were very best friends as newlyweds. I found the story of their dog, Pico da Guy(!), very interesting. J & J got Pico at the same time we got Charleigh-Girl. The circumstances were similar. John wanted Pico. Jean didn't. I wanted C-G. Jack didn't. So...Jean, who keeps great books, decided to run a tab on the cost of owning Pico da Guy. Pico weighs 4 1/2 pounds. His value at this time is approximately $3333 per pound, with a grand total of $15,000!!!!! Needless to say, Pico has had the best of everything.
The second tale is of Nia, owned by Jack and Barbara Ewing, friends of friends at Silverado. Nia is a sweet little white fluffy thing. The similarity between her and Charleigh-Girl involves the two Jacks. These two big guys insisted on carrying, in their arms, these two little dogs everywhere they went. Everyone, including our vet, thought something was wrong with their legs. It is a little more reasonable for Nia, but Jack Stovall carrying gangly little C-G was a sight to see. It is now such a sweet and clear memory for me.
Oh, Jean seems to love "da Guy." And Jack Stovall took ownership of and loved Charleigh-Girl right away. He eventually forgot her, but she never forgot him.
The second tale is of Nia, owned by Jack and Barbara Ewing, friends of friends at Silverado. Nia is a sweet little white fluffy thing. The similarity between her and Charleigh-Girl involves the two Jacks. These two big guys insisted on carrying, in their arms, these two little dogs everywhere they went. Everyone, including our vet, thought something was wrong with their legs. It is a little more reasonable for Nia, but Jack Stovall carrying gangly little C-G was a sight to see. It is now such a sweet and clear memory for me.
Oh, Jean seems to love "da Guy." And Jack Stovall took ownership of and loved Charleigh-Girl right away. He eventually forgot her, but she never forgot him.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
A Lesson in Humility
If you're reading this you probably know that Kara Smith, AA flight attendant, accompanied me to Haiti. It's probably more accurate that I accompanied her. She knows how to open doors, figuratively and literally, as you will see.
The Miami airport is much worse than Chicago if you ask me. We arrived on our return from Port-au-Prince at Gate 2 and had to go to Gate 30 on the train to even start walking to customs. We walked for at least a mile at top speed (for me at least!) because Kara had to work the next day and was hoping to get on an earlier flight to DFW. We arrived at the gate at 4:10, the exact time the plane was to depart, but they were delayed and let Kara on! She was hesitant about leaving me, but we thought surely I could get on one last flight for home by myself!
When my flight was called, I marched right up because I had had to spend double miles in order to get home, thus I was flying in first class! As I got in line, an "old" couple got in front of me, and I could see from their boarding passes that they were in Group 1--that's coach! I was hoping the ticket agent would catch it and make them wait. How's that for a Christian spirit on a humanitarian mission! Sure enough, she did and made them step aside for moi. I then march through the door to the jet bridge and stop. I can't find the door through which to proceed. There is a metal elevator-type door, and a glass door which I can tell isn't the one. I kinda fumble around, and the next man through stumbles around behind me. The third or fourth man after me finally walks up to the "elevator" door, and it opens revealing the jet way.
Kara had told me at least once, maybe twice to "keep going" when I got to one of those doors. I just forgot.
The Miami airport is much worse than Chicago if you ask me. We arrived on our return from Port-au-Prince at Gate 2 and had to go to Gate 30 on the train to even start walking to customs. We walked for at least a mile at top speed (for me at least!) because Kara had to work the next day and was hoping to get on an earlier flight to DFW. We arrived at the gate at 4:10, the exact time the plane was to depart, but they were delayed and let Kara on! She was hesitant about leaving me, but we thought surely I could get on one last flight for home by myself!
When my flight was called, I marched right up because I had had to spend double miles in order to get home, thus I was flying in first class! As I got in line, an "old" couple got in front of me, and I could see from their boarding passes that they were in Group 1--that's coach! I was hoping the ticket agent would catch it and make them wait. How's that for a Christian spirit on a humanitarian mission! Sure enough, she did and made them step aside for moi. I then march through the door to the jet bridge and stop. I can't find the door through which to proceed. There is a metal elevator-type door, and a glass door which I can tell isn't the one. I kinda fumble around, and the next man through stumbles around behind me. The third or fourth man after me finally walks up to the "elevator" door, and it opens revealing the jet way.
Kara had told me at least once, maybe twice to "keep going" when I got to one of those doors. I just forgot.
Mimi the Blogger!
As if it's not bad enough that I'm on Facebook, now I've figured out how to have my very own blog! I love to read blogs. I love to write blogs of info. So...I think I'm a natural for this. Of course, right now I'm trying desperately to think of what to write on my first blog. That won't last long, those of you who know me will realize.
Welcome to my world. I'd be pleased if you'd share some of my adventures and musings.
Welcome to my world. I'd be pleased if you'd share some of my adventures and musings.
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