What a fantastic day..... you know, one of those days that you will always remember. For most it would just sound like another fun summer day. But for me, and I won't be able to convey why, it was a day I will always cherish. It's been a somewhat disappointing summer, hurting my leg and unfortunately taking so long to rebound. It has really slowed me down. But today, I spent the day at the Columbus Zoo with four of my grandkids and my daughter. I had purchased memberships for both Kerri and Mikey's families, and I had yet to visit this fun Columbus spot. They spent the night which is always a treat and then we headed out bright and early this morning. We hit all the environments of the wonderful animals and took in Cora's squeals of delight as she experienced her very first trip to the zoo. After a fun lunch, we headed to the rides. The year before I had watched Trey leave heartbroken because he was too short for the log ride. Riley decided not to ride either as it would leave his brother watching from the sidelines. So needless to say, they were bursting with excitement. I felt like a kid again. I was giddy. We were drenched and the smiles on their faces were PRICELESS!!! Cora even got into the action and we road the flying elephants together. I'm not sure she knew what to think but she really thought she was something special. Then I rode one of my childhood favorites... the swings that glide around, high in the sky with your feet dangling in the air. Next to me was my Evan, looking at me with that toothless smile and saying, "this is my favoritest ride, ever".
At that point I realized that this was a day I will always remember when I think of one of my happiest. It really isn't about the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.

One Fantastic Day

I love the book of Isaiah. It is my favorite book of the Bible. Beginning around chapter 40 and going through to 50. I find so much comfort in it. It reminds us of who is really in charge; something that I find very important today amid all the economic strife. It also reminds me just how big He really is; something our finite mind could never truly grasp, but Isaiah helps us to try. It points out how He has chosen us and we are more important to Him than anything. If we ever wonder which way to go, all we need do is ask (and we can trust His answer to be right) Read these chapters for yourself, He will say to you exactly what you need to hear. These are just a few of the wonderful, rich words that have seen me through a lot of difficult times. I have note after note scrawled all through these pages. It's fun to go to my ipad and read these verses from The Message. (I've downloaded The Message, what a wild and crazy world) I like to mark certain scriptures as prayers for people in my life. Isaiah 46:3&4 was marked for my dad and it remained true for him until God took him home. The Message says this: "I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, and I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you." It truly blows me away to realize, as I read Isaiah, that the God, the one and only God of the universe holds my hand on this journey and won't let go all the way to the end. And that is just the beginning.

I just realized today how quickly (once again) summer is passing by. We had a great vacation but it won't be long until the start of a new school year. I really hope I can spend some time with the grandkids (pool, zoo, creekside, ice cream etc. etc.) just enjoying summer. I am trying to take better care of my knee this week so maybe that can happen. I'm trying not to get frustrated but if its not better by the end of the week, I'm going back to the doc. This is one of the tough times of the year with Mike's travel schedule. Hope I can do some fun things to pass the time.

Thirty seven years. It's hard to believe. I'm not sure what I ever did to deserve a man like my husband. He loves me unconditionally, supports me in whatever I face and believes in me when nobody else does. Thanks so much for being everything and more than I ever dreamed of. You make me a better person. At the risk of sounding really sappy, you complete me. Yea, that sounds pretty sappy but oh well, too bad. It's a perfect description of my relationship with my husband. Happy Anniversary Mike!

My Dad built this snowman for me. Yes, that adorable little girl is me! As you can see, whatever my Dad did, he did it all the way. He had no time for doing something halfway. But I'm not referring to just the building of snowmen, how he kept his yard, or or how serious he took his job as an usher at our church. You see, my dad had a heart bigger than the grand canyon and he filled it up with love. Unconditional love for his God, his wife, his family and his friends. Oh yes, and for life in general. He loved every minute of every day. My dad .... words just fail me. I still feel him here with us, that great big smile and that great big heart. Simply the best!

I became completely overwhelmed tonight as I was turning out the lights. I have pictures of my 4 grandsons hanging on the family room wall. They are all from younger days. Time sometimes feels as if it is literally slipping through my fingers like sand. The feeling of love for those four boys was almost stifling. I have often reminded young mothers to take time with their little ones because it all changes so quickly. I was reading from one of my books by Bob Benson and as always, he was able to say exactly what I so often feel.

Skipping Rocks

It was a bright, sunshiny morning -
the first of ten days off for me -
and I was out in the yard early, working on a wall down by the lake.
Knee-deep in pleasant, warm water
I could hardly have been happier or more at peace.
Patrick came down and began to throw rocks in the water.
You don't have to teach little boys to throw rocks - they just seem to be born
with the skill and the desire.

He wanted me to stop and play with him.
"Teach me how to make them skip."
"In a little while," I said, "let me get a little more of this wall built."
After a while he got tired of waiting and started up the hill to the house.

I figured he'd be back in a few minutes,
but later in the morning when I went up for a drink he was in the bed with a high fever.
It turned out to be a very serious illness
that was to spread through the whole family -
not to mention my vacation.
It took some of us to the
hospital and all of us to bed.
Fortunately for us it was all over in a month or so,
having run its course with no lingering effects.
And there have been other days and other chances
to skip rocks with Patrick.

But I can still see him trudging up that hill -
a long pull for his short legs and I'm reminded that you never know
they're coming back -
there aren't any guarantees,
and the only time you really know you can skip rocks is when you're saying
"in a little while."

Ten years ago, my son reached down as I lay on the couch, and gave me a big hug.
He was leaving for the evening, out with friends.
A few hours later the phone rang and the hospital told us to "hurry".
I can honestly say that my kids and my grand-kids are never in my way. They are always my #1 priority. Because I've learned......
you never know.

It is amazing to me that life is such a circle. We start out so dependent on our parents. Mommy and Daddy clap as we take our baby steps and we smile. We are excited about our accomplishment. We grow up, learn how to take care of ourselves, hold jobs, have children and grow older. My mom was always clapping for me. She was one of my biggest supporters, along with my dad. She called me this morning. She was facing her first morning of getting ready for her day by herself. Six weeks of hospital and re-hab and now she was alone to shower and dress and get herself to her meals. She was feeling a little fearful about the shower and wanted me to come and be there in case she struggled. She did great. I think she surprised herself. I found myself telling her how proud I was of her and it made her smile. I stopped short of clapping for her but I was clapping inside. Baby steps are part of every chapter of our lives. I'm glad God has blessed us with people that are willing to clap for us. Without that it would be a very lonely way to live. She has almost come full circle and I'm going to clap for her til she reaches her home.

Made a quick trip to D.C. Had a good time but it was sooooo hot. Hard to do a lot of sight-seeing. I was determined to see the Holocaust Museum and the Viet Nam Wall. Saw both. So glad I did. Both left me speechless. I was dumbfounded also at the lack of response I saw out of so many school kids walking through the museum. For some of them, it didn't seem to make any impact at all. I realized so many live in a video game world, nothing seems like reality. They see so much violence in t.v. and in games, they seem to have developed a very casual attitude to such things.
I also saw the W.W. II memorial. It was beautiful and I felt an unusual closeness to my Dad while I was there.

Mom will be returning to her apartment tomorrow. We are very excited for her and very thankful for her recovery.

Fun times yesterday. Mom was able to spring from rehab for a few hours and come see the great-grandkids. I think it was really good for her. She is doing so much better. The kids were really wound up and had so much fun just running around in the good weather we finally had.

Mike and I are leaving for a quick trip to Washington D.C.today. He has to make his appearance at a show so we thought we would take advantage of the time and see some sites. It's been a long time since I've been in D.C. Hopefully I can check out the holocaust museum and the Viet Nam Wall. Mike needs to get away and sort some things out. The stress of the job is almost unbearable for him right now. Not sure where it will end. But I know it will work out for the best, one way or another.

We handed off the Rendezvous to Kerri and Eric yesterday. That really makes me smile!

Taking Mom to the heart doc today. I am trying to stay optimistic hoping I hear that she is right on track with her recovery. Not sure that is true. Once again, I am trying to live one day at a time. So glad Mike will be home more this week, I need him for support.

I am really enjoying walking. Up to 4 miles a day. Got some new shoes so I'm ready to rock 'n roll.

Can't believe it's the middle of May and I turned my heat on and lit my fireplace this morning to get the chill off. crazy weather!

Went to church with Kerri and the family yesterday. Wonderful sermon at the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian church. Great art show by the kids too. Pickle accidentally painted the back seat of Pap's car with his super hero cape he made in children's church. Uh-oh! Never a dull moment.

Wonderful week-end.

"Why did this have to happen?" I hear her ask this questions as I look across the hospital room. My mother, once young and vibrant, always there for me now frail and scared. She called me Thursday morning early and asked in a weak voice if I could come help her. She just couldn't get herself to breakfast. She couldn't get herself out of her chair. To our shock she had experienced a heart attack some time ago and now she was suffering from four blockages. How was she still here? No wonder simply answering the phone had been a struggle. Why did this happen? It's just life, that's the only answer I had for her. I'll never forget hearing her tell her doctor, "you see, I know the Lord and whatever happens is just alright with me." It happens because things happen on a journey. This is just a journey, it's not our destination.

Well, it's true, we never know what a day will bring. Mom is in the CCU, has at some point had a massive heart attack and has two almost complete blockages. She's a tough little lady. I'm not sure why she is still with us except that it once again points out that God is really the one in control not our weak bodies. She is getting wonderful care and the doctor looked at me and said. "I strongly believe you have to have a beautiful heart to have a beautiful smile and your mom has a beautiful heart." Wonder what today will bring? Whatever it is, I want to smile.

I had a very good week. That's not always true when Mike is gone but I made some progress getting through a strange time that I have been experiencing. I accomplished some practical things, spent time with family and accomplished some personal things that needed to be done. I feel more centered than I have in a while. I've done some soul searching and realize that I am more in love with the people in my life, (God, husband, family) than I ever have been and that realization brings about a real peace. I am truly a blessed woman and I am so glad that those blessings don't depend on what I have done, they are just mine for whatever reason. I thank God for all He has given me, I truly don't deserve it.

Yesterday was one of those rare days that seemed to go on forever. I couldn't understand why, most days fly by in a blur. I know why now.....thank goodness it is finally Thursday again. They can start playing basketball again. I felt lost, no where to go. BUT, it's Thursday and here we go again. I know, you're asking me what I'm going to do when it's all over for the season. DON'T! I can't think about that right now. Hopefully the weather will break and I can be outside doing something summery. Until then... let the games begin again. I love college basketball. GO BUCKS! (What if they lose you say? I can't hear you!)

It is unbelievable. All four of Kerri's kids have strep. Even baby Cora. It has been such a tough winter and it seems they have had everything imaginable. But never fear, spring is still going to make her appearance. It won't be long. Yesterday was very nice and we are going to get the mustang out this week-end. That is a true sign of spring. We went to Mikey and Nicole's for dinner last night. I wandered around the yard and had flash backs of me playing with chalk on that driveway as I watched my grandson. I went in the work shed that dad built and I sensed him there, piddling. They are really enjoying the house and it makes me happy that the family memories are continuing in that place. I am so blessed with beautiful memories. It is a real gift.

We had such a good time marking Cora Jean's first birthday. It was a great party and she is such a little sweetheart. Just thought I'd share a few pics of the day.

I am in Indianapolis In. enjoying the Big Ten basketball tournament with my husband. OSU plays again at 1:40. I am hoping they win. While getting ready I was watching the news scroll across the bottom on the t.v. screen. The devastation of the tsunami is horrific. People missing, property gone, earthquakes, nuclear power leaks. Sounds like a nightmare but it's real. As I stood there reading "AND IN OTHER NEWS" came across the screen. "the N.F.L. has not met their deadline.....yada,yada, yada! REALLY? Are you kidding me? I'm already sick to death of it. The only thing that saddens me are all the "little" people that depended on the nfl for their income. Do the players care? Do the owners care? I won't even take the time to answer that. Trust me, I will get along just fine without the nfl this fall.

What a good week-end. We celebrated Cora's 1st birthday. What a little darlin'! I just don't understand why time must travel so quickly. She looked adorable in her little tutu and boy does she eat up the attention. She loves people. God has such a good sense of humor, giving my introverted daughter a little girl that already loves to be the life of the party. She will definitely make life interesting. Then today, Mike and I went to the last OSU b-ball game. Can't believe the regular season is over. And what a finish!! So much fun. Sorry NBA, you don't even come close to the excitement of a bunch of college kids, playing their hearts out. All from so many backgrounds playing for the love of the game. There's just nothing like it. Now on to the Big 10 Tourney and yes, Mike and I are going. We bought tickets to all the sessions, the entire week-end full of b-ball. So looking forward to it. Then bring on the madness. March madness.... the most wonderful time of the year. And this year we just might win it all, at least it should be a good ride.

I guess that's what life is all about... always having something to look forward to. What's after March Madness well, golf of course and the beach and more birthdays!