Friday, July 1, 2011
July Already?
Wow...today is July 1st.
That's just crazy. More than halfway through the year already. I wish I could tell you where it has gone, because I sure don't know.
Wednesday morning I received a phone call from my aunt, informing me that my grandfather had passed away earlier that morning. I found myself being filled with gratitude rather than sadness. You see, I was in Nashville last week on business and took an extra couple of days to drive north to Kentucky to see the family out there. After finally getting some good advice from my cousin on how to GPS their home. After all, it does not come up on any GPS or mapping program currently in existence. Yes, that's a good thing!
I went Saturday with Grandma and Tim (Dad's little brother) to go see Grandpa. He was in a care center in Possum Trot, KY. --True story, even I can't make up something like that--
Grandpa had obviously had a rough couple of hours. That said, he was freshly shaved and had his hair combed. I spent a precious hour with him, gaining insight into his life that I never would have imagined gleaning. It was a very soul - warming hour. I think my favorite part was watching Grandma right before we all left. She leaned over and have him a hug and kissed him atop his head. He somehow mustered the strength to hug her back, and to hug Tim. That was a very special moment. We then exchanged a few knowing glances, and away we went.
So, now I'm sitting here in my big blue chair, Mac on lap, trying to figure out why I haven't blogged very much. And I think that I have finally figured it out. I haven't made it a priority. I have been so busy with everything else that I have forgotten the simple admonition to journal about my life. So once again, I'm going to try. We shall see what happens.
That's just crazy. More than halfway through the year already. I wish I could tell you where it has gone, because I sure don't know.
Wednesday morning I received a phone call from my aunt, informing me that my grandfather had passed away earlier that morning. I found myself being filled with gratitude rather than sadness. You see, I was in Nashville last week on business and took an extra couple of days to drive north to Kentucky to see the family out there. After finally getting some good advice from my cousin on how to GPS their home. After all, it does not come up on any GPS or mapping program currently in existence. Yes, that's a good thing!
I went Saturday with Grandma and Tim (Dad's little brother) to go see Grandpa. He was in a care center in Possum Trot, KY. --True story, even I can't make up something like that--
Grandpa had obviously had a rough couple of hours. That said, he was freshly shaved and had his hair combed. I spent a precious hour with him, gaining insight into his life that I never would have imagined gleaning. It was a very soul - warming hour. I think my favorite part was watching Grandma right before we all left. She leaned over and have him a hug and kissed him atop his head. He somehow mustered the strength to hug her back, and to hug Tim. That was a very special moment. We then exchanged a few knowing glances, and away we went.
So, now I'm sitting here in my big blue chair, Mac on lap, trying to figure out why I haven't blogged very much. And I think that I have finally figured it out. I haven't made it a priority. I have been so busy with everything else that I have forgotten the simple admonition to journal about my life. So once again, I'm going to try. We shall see what happens.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
All right already! Sheesh....
As I sit here on the bed, unable to sleep, I decided to check out my blog site. It was then that I realized that it has been two months since I posted anything here. That is just plain silly. Well, a lot has happened in the past two months. I wish that I could come up with a good excuse as to why I haven't posted anything, but the best reason is that it wasn't a priority for me.
Some of you may or may not know that I have been dealing with some pretty significant health issues over the last year or so. Because of a fabulous clinical team, last November they discovered the perfect combination of medication that would keep me functional.
Me, of course, being the stubborn person that I am, decided for some strange reason that it was okay to run out of medication. Completely. Now that was not one of the smartest things I have ever done in my life. Oi vey...
So here we are a while later. I don't know exactly how long I was off of the medications. It really doesn't matter, to be perfectly honest. All I know is that medications such as the ones that I take require what's known as a "re - uptake" period if you have been off of them for any length of time. About the only thing that I can say to that is wow....the last two weeks have been ridiculous. Just plain ridiculous. I had no idea I had the capacity to hurt people in the way that I did. Fortunately, there was absolutely no physical harm, but a lot of emotional distress was caused. That's something that I get to live with for a very long time.
While at work yesterday, the sun was just starting to set, and the rain started falling. It fell for about five minutes. But in that five minutes, I was able to capture a few photos, so I thought I would share them.
Some of you may or may not know that I have been dealing with some pretty significant health issues over the last year or so. Because of a fabulous clinical team, last November they discovered the perfect combination of medication that would keep me functional.
Me, of course, being the stubborn person that I am, decided for some strange reason that it was okay to run out of medication. Completely. Now that was not one of the smartest things I have ever done in my life. Oi vey...
So here we are a while later. I don't know exactly how long I was off of the medications. It really doesn't matter, to be perfectly honest. All I know is that medications such as the ones that I take require what's known as a "re - uptake" period if you have been off of them for any length of time. About the only thing that I can say to that is wow....the last two weeks have been ridiculous. Just plain ridiculous. I had no idea I had the capacity to hurt people in the way that I did. Fortunately, there was absolutely no physical harm, but a lot of emotional distress was caused. That's something that I get to live with for a very long time.
While at work yesterday, the sun was just starting to set, and the rain started falling. It fell for about five minutes. But in that five minutes, I was able to capture a few photos, so I thought I would share them.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Untitled Post
So...I haven't been posting as often as I should. Suffice it to say, life has been pretty chaotic the last couple of weeks.
Yesterday, one of the sweetest men I have ever known left this earth. Uncle Gary was diagnosed with cancer on New Year's Eve 2010, and was taken home yesterday. To watch during those 50 days has been painful, to say the least. The entire experience brought back many feelings - the same feelings that I had when my own father passed away nearly 17 years ago. I have watched my cousins, and all that they have been through during this time. They have come together, closer than they ever were. Now that's hard to imagine, because they were very close to begin with. I have the most amazing extended family you could ever imagine.
I have watched with agony and tears as my sisters have also dealt with the death of Gary. It has hit them both very hard, though you would be hard - pressed to get them to tell you that. The conversations that have taken place have been amazing. Sacred is a better word. Many of the things that have been said will never be shared with anyone else - not even close family members. They are just too special to share.
I am so grateful for the time that I had with Gary. From the brief time that I lived with them 16 years ago, until late last week, he always showed me compassion, love and caring. I could be upset because there was not enough time, but there never is...
I don't go around spreading my religous beliefs. They are mine. When people ask me about them, I tend to change the subject. My beliefs are sacred to me. Should I share them? Perhaps, but that is another topic for another day. But I do know this much, beyond any doubt whatsoever. I know that when Gary left this life, there was a great reunion in heaven. Two men, whose bruised, battered, weary bodies are still here as a symbol and a memory, shared a warm, perfect embrace in the afterlife. I like to call it Heaven personally. Dad met Gary with open arms, and with their perfect spirits, had a warm embrace that only two close sibilings would understand.
Gary leaves behind one of the sweetest women I have ever met in my entire life (and that is saying something :)). My Aunt Raynee is honestly one of the most selfless people I have ever known. She, having battled her own health challenges over the years, has always put everyone's needs in front of her own. There is a family joke that instead of numerals on the house, it should have said "Boarding House - Rooms available. No reservations required." She and Gary over the years have opened their home to anyone that needed it. Sometimes it was as simple as a meal. Other times, it was a place to stay while things worked themselves out. But it was, and still is, a sanctuary from this world. Their home is the shelter from the storm of live.
I love Raynee with all my heart. I love her as much as I love my own mother. I love her for the way that she has treated my children - the same that she treats her own grandchildren. To know Raynee is to love Raynee. And I am so grateful for her, and for everything that she has done for me.
Yesterday, one of the sweetest men I have ever known left this earth. Uncle Gary was diagnosed with cancer on New Year's Eve 2010, and was taken home yesterday. To watch during those 50 days has been painful, to say the least. The entire experience brought back many feelings - the same feelings that I had when my own father passed away nearly 17 years ago. I have watched my cousins, and all that they have been through during this time. They have come together, closer than they ever were. Now that's hard to imagine, because they were very close to begin with. I have the most amazing extended family you could ever imagine.
I have watched with agony and tears as my sisters have also dealt with the death of Gary. It has hit them both very hard, though you would be hard - pressed to get them to tell you that. The conversations that have taken place have been amazing. Sacred is a better word. Many of the things that have been said will never be shared with anyone else - not even close family members. They are just too special to share.
I am so grateful for the time that I had with Gary. From the brief time that I lived with them 16 years ago, until late last week, he always showed me compassion, love and caring. I could be upset because there was not enough time, but there never is...
I don't go around spreading my religous beliefs. They are mine. When people ask me about them, I tend to change the subject. My beliefs are sacred to me. Should I share them? Perhaps, but that is another topic for another day. But I do know this much, beyond any doubt whatsoever. I know that when Gary left this life, there was a great reunion in heaven. Two men, whose bruised, battered, weary bodies are still here as a symbol and a memory, shared a warm, perfect embrace in the afterlife. I like to call it Heaven personally. Dad met Gary with open arms, and with their perfect spirits, had a warm embrace that only two close sibilings would understand.
Gary leaves behind one of the sweetest women I have ever met in my entire life (and that is saying something :)). My Aunt Raynee is honestly one of the most selfless people I have ever known. She, having battled her own health challenges over the years, has always put everyone's needs in front of her own. There is a family joke that instead of numerals on the house, it should have said "Boarding House - Rooms available. No reservations required." She and Gary over the years have opened their home to anyone that needed it. Sometimes it was as simple as a meal. Other times, it was a place to stay while things worked themselves out. But it was, and still is, a sanctuary from this world. Their home is the shelter from the storm of live.
I love Raynee with all my heart. I love her as much as I love my own mother. I love her for the way that she has treated my children - the same that she treats her own grandchildren. To know Raynee is to love Raynee. And I am so grateful for her, and for everything that she has done for me.
Monday, February 7, 2011
A reminder of warmer times.
So I have been sitting here watching the snow fall this afternoon, waiting for the phone call that tells me I get to come in my day off and play - ahem - work, in the snow. So far, it hasn't happened. That's a good thing, because I need a day off to get caught up on my studying and the such. Here is a reminder of the warmer times....
Amazing what night time looks like in time lapse...
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A post without pictures
So today, I have decided not to post a picture. Instead, I need to tell a story. Almost 17 years ago now I lost my dad. Through a series of cascading events, he was taken from this earth by a merciful God - a God that I have been angry at, grateful for, the whole gamut of emotions. But today, I find myself struggling...
In the course of the past several weeks, my uncle, who was my dad's oldest brother, was diagnosed with cancer. It has been very difficult for me to watch, and has brought a large amount of feelings and emotions back that I thought I had dealt with.
I now watch my cousins, many of which that I am very close to, now going through what I went through. I understand the feelings that they have, because I had them at the time. I am so grateful for them, as they helped me through that very difficult time back in 1994. And now, I watch as they try to put their feelings in their respective places.
My uncle was there for me. He never tried to take the place of my dad. Rather, he filled a void and continued a legacy of teaching by example, and showing unconditional love. He taught his children in ways that I hope that I am able to teach my own children. He and his wonderful wife took me (and shortly after) and my family under their wing, and treated me as if I were one of their kids. They have treated my kids as their own grandchildren. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
I have never been one to preach religion. In fact, my typical answer to my religious views is that I see churches on every street corner. However...that being said, I do believe in God. I don't understand why everything happens. I don't even try anymore. But I do know that things happen on His timeline, and not mine.
I am so very grateful for the precious time that I have had with my extended family, and I consider Teague, Kirk, Alicia, Cory and Christoper as siblings to me. I love my own little family. And I love my extended family.
In the course of the past several weeks, my uncle, who was my dad's oldest brother, was diagnosed with cancer. It has been very difficult for me to watch, and has brought a large amount of feelings and emotions back that I thought I had dealt with.
I now watch my cousins, many of which that I am very close to, now going through what I went through. I understand the feelings that they have, because I had them at the time. I am so grateful for them, as they helped me through that very difficult time back in 1994. And now, I watch as they try to put their feelings in their respective places.
My uncle was there for me. He never tried to take the place of my dad. Rather, he filled a void and continued a legacy of teaching by example, and showing unconditional love. He taught his children in ways that I hope that I am able to teach my own children. He and his wonderful wife took me (and shortly after) and my family under their wing, and treated me as if I were one of their kids. They have treated my kids as their own grandchildren. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
I have never been one to preach religion. In fact, my typical answer to my religious views is that I see churches on every street corner. However...that being said, I do believe in God. I don't understand why everything happens. I don't even try anymore. But I do know that things happen on His timeline, and not mine.
I am so very grateful for the precious time that I have had with my extended family, and I consider Teague, Kirk, Alicia, Cory and Christoper as siblings to me. I love my own little family. And I love my extended family.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Time gets away from you
I have found that in my line of work, time has a funny way of getting away from you when you least expect it. So...I have decided to post a few extra picures to make up for the last two days.
The Phoenix Cardinals US Airways paint scheme
A SkyWest E120 in the fog and haze.
A Delta 767 making the nightly run to Paris.
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