Life is Good!

I am swearing off the news until the election is over, the LGBT have been accepted in every state and church, there is a solution to the drug and immigration problem, and gas prices go down.  I think I know what I liked most about teaching, it was the order.  I knew what I was doing each hour I was there.  Now that I am retired, life is full of plans that are delayed, exchanged, modified, or gratified.  I am getting used to living a life revolving around sometimes so fast Grady and I don't know which way we are going, but our feet never leave the ground.  I love life, my life, my life with Grady and the kids and grandkids.  Life is good.

A Month in the life of

On October 13th, my brother, Stan, died.  I miss him; I miss just knowing he is there.  Three weeks later, November 5th,  Bo got married.  I love that he is so happy.   The next week Grady was in the hospital for a few days with internal bleeding. I was scared of what they would find.  They found nothing.   My month reads like these sentences, all up and down.

Today, November 13th,  in church was the first time I took a moment to sit and think about life and what had been happening in our lives.  I feel blessed that I have such a good family.  I feel blessed that I am married to such a good man.  I feel blessed that the people in our lives are good people.

I will miss Stan, but know he is near. I will celebrate Bo's and Amanda's families. I will love my husband everyday.  I will thank God for my blessings. I will thank God for helping me get over the rough spots.  God has been my rock my entire life, but it is a month like this that reminds me what that really means.

Family

My brother, Stan, passed away today.  It is a sad day.  There seems to be some confusion over family, it is alright, there is confusion over family all the time.  Stan lived his life his way, brought up his children his way, and died his way.  But there is one thing that Stan couldn't do and that was change his family roots, even if he wanted to.  We are all from family, does not matter if it is small or great, it is family.  Our family tree has branches all over the place, if it were growing in my front yard it would probably look fairly bushy in most parts and Grady's family tree would overlap and share 2 roots.  There is a lot to think about when family is concerned, but it is clear, that family can't be changed or altered once it IS.

Spaghetti for Supper

It was sat down for supper
She didn't know it at all
the fork let it slip
the spoon let it fall
the next thing she knew
she was tied in a bow
who knew red food
could wrap you right up
Spaghetti for supper
what fun, what fun!

The Wedding

We just returned from a trip to Schulenburg.  Our niece was getting married and we wouldn't have missed it for the world.  I, of course, over planned without thinking about distances and time and family time.  The wedding was at a Catholic Church that took our breath away.  It was old and beautiful, the kind of church you pass on an almost deserted FM and wonder what it looks like inside and who attends it.  The ceremony was beautiful, couple were striking, the church  full, the priest young and kept the ceremony relaxed and yet formal.  After the ceremony the party began, I mean reception of course.  But it was a great party as only the John Sample family can do with a  boat load of Czech friends and new family!  Open bar, lots of food, kids playing, band tuning up, grooms cake, brides cake, young people everywhere.  We had a wonderful visit with John and Gail.  It had been so long since we had seen them.  The cake cutting took place, toasts to Janessa and Andy, plates of food, plates of cake, and then the dancing.  I loved sitting outside listening to the band, watching the dancing, and remembering good times of the past.  I remembered when Grady and I first got married, I remembered listening to the band, having the best feeling in the world, knowing I had found my life's partner and realizing how much our love has grown over our 30+ years getting better and better.  I hope Janessa and Andy live their life to the fullest, growing closer each year.

Denbigh, sorry we missed your album debut party.  I know it was wonderful.  Next time we head out in that direction, we will stop by.

Paisley, Where Are Your Shoes

Paisley, where are your shoes?
I dunno
Paisley, where did you leave them?
I dunno
Grammy saw them,
going for a walk
walking down the street
they were looking for your feet
they went down the road,
out by the swing
on past the turtle sittin in the spring
then they went back home and hid in the shade
hoping those feet would come this away
Paisley, are those your shoes?
I dunno
Paisley, do they fit your toes?
I dunno

Kids

Jasmine, my 7 year old granddaughter, is so serious at times.  I asked her yesterday while watching a news story about the whales in California and why they were there, what she thought.  She said she thought they came to California so people could see them and promise to protect them.

In another conversation regarding the death of the classroom turtle, in trying to console her, I said, "maybe God needed a turtle in heaven and he chose theirs."  Her immediate reply was "No, he would have taken the entire body."