No More Birthdays! Instead, this January 8th I am celebrating the 30th anniversary of my 21st birthday...!
Dear Family and Friends,
Happy New Year! Our slate is wiped clean! smile! Instead of just going on a diet that i will give up next wk (15 yrs worth of dieting promises broken), my New Year's Resolution is as follows:
To not take those I love for granted, listen to my heart more, not be so hard on myself, be a better Christian: forgive quicker, act more kindly/considerately, be less selfish, accept differences, laugh harder, challenge my brain/take on at least one large learning task, take better care of my body, speak more thoughtfully, remember the hurts of last year, but have stonger faith - and enjoy the one and only life God has given me! That is the lesson that was driven home this past year and a half - you just never know what life has in store!
I will listen to my granddaughter sing her ABC's with the letters all mixed up, feel my husband's comforting arms around me, laugh at something Johnny says (he is hysterical), spend time with my kids,vent to my sister, read an email from one of you and treasure each joyous moment! Hope you'all have a wonderful 2008 - full of joy and whatever you need! I love each and everyone of you so much and am so grateful to know you/have wonderful family and friends!
Monday, January 28, 2008
don't know who said it, but.... May 5, 2007
Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly!
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 Forget Plato...
Forget aristotle, plato, neitzsche, confuscious....they have nothin on Larry!
"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, What the hell happened?" - Larry, the Cable Guy
I remember when I was 20 working as a nurse's aide at a skill care facility...I asked one of my eighty year old patients: "what is it like growing old" and she replied: " you feel the same on the inside, it is just the outside that changes" Hate to admit it, but at 50 I can relate/understand that statement. When I mentioned this truth to another octegenarian recently, and also made the statement - that the older you get the quicker time goes he replied: "Barb, it takes one hundred years to be 21 and two weeks to be a hundred"! Ain't that the truth!
"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, What the hell happened?" - Larry, the Cable Guy
I remember when I was 20 working as a nurse's aide at a skill care facility...I asked one of my eighty year old patients: "what is it like growing old" and she replied: " you feel the same on the inside, it is just the outside that changes" Hate to admit it, but at 50 I can relate/understand that statement. When I mentioned this truth to another octegenarian recently, and also made the statement - that the older you get the quicker time goes he replied: "Barb, it takes one hundred years to be 21 and two weeks to be a hundred"! Ain't that the truth!
Christmas Letter 2006
Annual xmas letter
Christmas 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Time for my Christmas letter. I have to be honest and say that I almost didn't write one. It is difficult to be filled with the Christmas spirit this year after the loss of my mother in July. I was preparing this missive and reading over some Christmas thoughts, however, and I noted the following:
"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostaliga. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." - Augusta E. Rundel
I reat that quote and one part stood out: "It will always be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." It gave me comfort - lifted my heart, for I realized that it is true - when I think of Christmas - I won't dwell on the fact that mom is not with us this year, but I will hold close special memories of Christmases that we shared with her. I decided that this letter would be a tribute of sorts to her and so I am enclosing/sharing her eulogy with those of you who haven't read it. Christmas - a time of generosity of spirit, selflessness, giving and love toward our fellow man. Mom possessed all these characteristics and carried them inside her all year through.
It has been a year of mixed blessings...my mother passed away, but it is a comfort to know she is no longer suffering and is at peace. Mom also had the opportunity to meet and get to know my new husband, Rocky. She dearly loved him and said if she was twenty years younger- she would give me a run for my money! Smile! Yes, that is correct, last year after giving up on meeting a good, decent guy I was fortunate enough to find my bestfriend, fall in love and get married. I told Mom many times that I had given up on meeting anyone nice and she was just thrilled when I said Rocky and I were in love and getting married. Right before mom passed, we shared a conversation (it was almost as if she knew she was going to be gone soon) and she told me how much it meant to her that I had found someone to share life with. Mom worked a miracle after her death as well: we all gathered in Oklahoma at her bedside and for her funeral mass. We were altogether as a family which unfortunately doesn't happen to often and all my children were able to find a way to make it down as well! I hadn't seen Chris and Johnny in two years. I know Mom had something to do with making that happen!
It is amazing to see how God is at work in our lives! I feel for sure that he blessed me with a good man right at a time when he knew I could/would need the love/support. I don't know how I would have survived the loss of my mother, traveling to her funeral in Oklahoma and going through the illness I have recently been dealing with!
Rocky and I met back in November of last year and hit it off right away. We married June 23. I know some people probably thought that eight months wasn't much of an engagement period, but we both knew what we were looking for and at our age, you realize that if you are lucky, maybe you will have twenty years together and you want to start that twenty years asap!
Not only have i been blessed with a supportive and loving husband, but I have a fantastic new family in addition to my own! Rocky's daughter, Tiffany; mom, Dixie, and his three sisters: Terri, Tammi and Tina have been warm and welcoming. In fact, they worked very hard to surprise us, and on Sept. 23 (exactly three months from the time we married in Florida) put on/hosted a surprise wedding reception! All the McClain clan showed up to share in our happiness and demonstrate their acceptance and support. We were touched that they would go to all that trouble to plan and execute a beautiful party. They went out of their way to make me feel a part of their close-knit family! It was such a special evening and made our marriage/wedding seem even more complete!
There has been much sadness this year, but also much to be excited and joyful about. The kids are all doing well: healthy and happy. I also became a grandmother last November to my beautiful Hannah Grace. We call her "Hannah Banana" and "my little lady bug" (my nana called me ladybug :). ) Hannah turned one this November and is a delight. Looks just like her mom, Kimberly, except she has two dimples instead of one!
Kim and Scotty are great. After much debating, they decided to move bk to Alaska this October. They came down to Norfolk to visit before they went bk home and we took Hannah to the beach for her first view of the ocean. Scotty has worked for ABC in Washington DC for a couple of years approx., but hated the cutthroat nature of television in the big city/ He has decided to either continue in his career field and use his degree in production or direction more/make movies, or go bk to school and get a second degree and teach. Kim is continuing her college education while working full time at the airport. She also takes care of Hannah. Her hands are full! She still plans of finishing her degree in elementary education so she can teach and still have time to be a mom too. Kim will be 24 in June!
Chris and Kassy are fine. Kassy just graduated from the University of Alaska with her RN degree. After passing her exams, she was recently hired by the Alaska Native Hospital and is enjoying her work there. Chris has his video production company and also works for the airport. He is up for promotion, and if he gets it, they plan on buying a home and starting a family. I can't wait to have more grandbabies! They have been happily married for approx. seven years now. Chris will be 28 on May 18th.
Timmy is well. He is till in school in Tallahassee, Florida. Since my move to Virginia, Rocky's sister, Tammi, visits/keeps an eye on him for us. She lives in Pensacola and will make the trip/drive to see him every few months. Tammi is a nurse and works well with handicapped children. Timmy loves her! I plan on visiting Tim again around his birthday. It is hard being away from him, but he isn't so far that I can't go down every few months as well...Tim will be 25 on Feb. 25th! Hard to believe! We are extremely fortunate to have had Tim in our lives these extra years - the docs said he wouldn't live to see his twenties, HA! He is in fairly good health and we are grateful for that!
Johnny recently moved from California (where he had been living for the past year) back home to Alaska. he missed Alaska and so did Katie (his bestfriend/girlfriend of the last six years or so). Katie is a sweetheart and attends college. Johnny works for Alaska Rubber Company. He is also a pro skateboarder with several national sponsors and has been in a few films and magazine ads. He will be twenty two in June.
Tiffany is attending the University of Florida and is a freshman. We are so proud of her accomplishments and adjustment to school there in Gainesville! It is not an easy task to acclimate to the college environment, but she is handling it extremely well! I am proud to have such a bright and beautiful stepdaughter! She will be 19 on January 15th.
Hate to admit it - and very hard for me to believe, but I will be 50 on January 8th! Who would have thought, grin! I had a rude awakening this past year when I started receiving mail from AARP! Ugh! As you all know, we may change drastically on the outside, but on the inside, well, we still feel 18! Ok, some of you don't change much on the outside - and I hate you! (you know who you are)...Rocky doesn't turn 50 until July 24th and he lets everyone kno he married an old woman! Nice, huh? hehe I guess around this time of life your body decides to protest and recently I have had to deal with some health issues. Thanks to all of your prayers and good thoughts, I had great news this week! My heart looks good and I did wonderfully on all the stress tests - I do have cervical cancer, but it is contained in one area, so i will have to have surgery after the holiday to remove it and will be just fine!
As you can see from the above - it is true. It has been a year of loss/births, bad news/good news, endings/beginnings, isn't that how life goes, though? - a roller coaster with ups and downs - a learning experience?
Time to wind this letter up - I tend to go on and on...Know that each of you is loved and missed everyday. Rocky and I wish you'all a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy 2007!
Christmas 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Time for my Christmas letter. I have to be honest and say that I almost didn't write one. It is difficult to be filled with the Christmas spirit this year after the loss of my mother in July. I was preparing this missive and reading over some Christmas thoughts, however, and I noted the following:
"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostaliga. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." - Augusta E. Rundel
I reat that quote and one part stood out: "It will always be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." It gave me comfort - lifted my heart, for I realized that it is true - when I think of Christmas - I won't dwell on the fact that mom is not with us this year, but I will hold close special memories of Christmases that we shared with her. I decided that this letter would be a tribute of sorts to her and so I am enclosing/sharing her eulogy with those of you who haven't read it. Christmas - a time of generosity of spirit, selflessness, giving and love toward our fellow man. Mom possessed all these characteristics and carried them inside her all year through.
It has been a year of mixed blessings...my mother passed away, but it is a comfort to know she is no longer suffering and is at peace. Mom also had the opportunity to meet and get to know my new husband, Rocky. She dearly loved him and said if she was twenty years younger- she would give me a run for my money! Smile! Yes, that is correct, last year after giving up on meeting a good, decent guy I was fortunate enough to find my bestfriend, fall in love and get married. I told Mom many times that I had given up on meeting anyone nice and she was just thrilled when I said Rocky and I were in love and getting married. Right before mom passed, we shared a conversation (it was almost as if she knew she was going to be gone soon) and she told me how much it meant to her that I had found someone to share life with. Mom worked a miracle after her death as well: we all gathered in Oklahoma at her bedside and for her funeral mass. We were altogether as a family which unfortunately doesn't happen to often and all my children were able to find a way to make it down as well! I hadn't seen Chris and Johnny in two years. I know Mom had something to do with making that happen!
It is amazing to see how God is at work in our lives! I feel for sure that he blessed me with a good man right at a time when he knew I could/would need the love/support. I don't know how I would have survived the loss of my mother, traveling to her funeral in Oklahoma and going through the illness I have recently been dealing with!
Rocky and I met back in November of last year and hit it off right away. We married June 23. I know some people probably thought that eight months wasn't much of an engagement period, but we both knew what we were looking for and at our age, you realize that if you are lucky, maybe you will have twenty years together and you want to start that twenty years asap!
Not only have i been blessed with a supportive and loving husband, but I have a fantastic new family in addition to my own! Rocky's daughter, Tiffany; mom, Dixie, and his three sisters: Terri, Tammi and Tina have been warm and welcoming. In fact, they worked very hard to surprise us, and on Sept. 23 (exactly three months from the time we married in Florida) put on/hosted a surprise wedding reception! All the McClain clan showed up to share in our happiness and demonstrate their acceptance and support. We were touched that they would go to all that trouble to plan and execute a beautiful party. They went out of their way to make me feel a part of their close-knit family! It was such a special evening and made our marriage/wedding seem even more complete!
There has been much sadness this year, but also much to be excited and joyful about. The kids are all doing well: healthy and happy. I also became a grandmother last November to my beautiful Hannah Grace. We call her "Hannah Banana" and "my little lady bug" (my nana called me ladybug :). ) Hannah turned one this November and is a delight. Looks just like her mom, Kimberly, except she has two dimples instead of one!
Kim and Scotty are great. After much debating, they decided to move bk to Alaska this October. They came down to Norfolk to visit before they went bk home and we took Hannah to the beach for her first view of the ocean. Scotty has worked for ABC in Washington DC for a couple of years approx., but hated the cutthroat nature of television in the big city/ He has decided to either continue in his career field and use his degree in production or direction more/make movies, or go bk to school and get a second degree and teach. Kim is continuing her college education while working full time at the airport. She also takes care of Hannah. Her hands are full! She still plans of finishing her degree in elementary education so she can teach and still have time to be a mom too. Kim will be 24 in June!
Chris and Kassy are fine. Kassy just graduated from the University of Alaska with her RN degree. After passing her exams, she was recently hired by the Alaska Native Hospital and is enjoying her work there. Chris has his video production company and also works for the airport. He is up for promotion, and if he gets it, they plan on buying a home and starting a family. I can't wait to have more grandbabies! They have been happily married for approx. seven years now. Chris will be 28 on May 18th.
Timmy is well. He is till in school in Tallahassee, Florida. Since my move to Virginia, Rocky's sister, Tammi, visits/keeps an eye on him for us. She lives in Pensacola and will make the trip/drive to see him every few months. Tammi is a nurse and works well with handicapped children. Timmy loves her! I plan on visiting Tim again around his birthday. It is hard being away from him, but he isn't so far that I can't go down every few months as well...Tim will be 25 on Feb. 25th! Hard to believe! We are extremely fortunate to have had Tim in our lives these extra years - the docs said he wouldn't live to see his twenties, HA! He is in fairly good health and we are grateful for that!
Johnny recently moved from California (where he had been living for the past year) back home to Alaska. he missed Alaska and so did Katie (his bestfriend/girlfriend of the last six years or so). Katie is a sweetheart and attends college. Johnny works for Alaska Rubber Company. He is also a pro skateboarder with several national sponsors and has been in a few films and magazine ads. He will be twenty two in June.
Tiffany is attending the University of Florida and is a freshman. We are so proud of her accomplishments and adjustment to school there in Gainesville! It is not an easy task to acclimate to the college environment, but she is handling it extremely well! I am proud to have such a bright and beautiful stepdaughter! She will be 19 on January 15th.
Hate to admit it - and very hard for me to believe, but I will be 50 on January 8th! Who would have thought, grin! I had a rude awakening this past year when I started receiving mail from AARP! Ugh! As you all know, we may change drastically on the outside, but on the inside, well, we still feel 18! Ok, some of you don't change much on the outside - and I hate you! (you know who you are)...Rocky doesn't turn 50 until July 24th and he lets everyone kno he married an old woman! Nice, huh? hehe I guess around this time of life your body decides to protest and recently I have had to deal with some health issues. Thanks to all of your prayers and good thoughts, I had great news this week! My heart looks good and I did wonderfully on all the stress tests - I do have cervical cancer, but it is contained in one area, so i will have to have surgery after the holiday to remove it and will be just fine!
As you can see from the above - it is true. It has been a year of loss/births, bad news/good news, endings/beginnings, isn't that how life goes, though? - a roller coaster with ups and downs - a learning experience?
Time to wind this letter up - I tend to go on and on...Know that each of you is loved and missed everyday. Rocky and I wish you'all a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy 2007!
October 17 just venting...
I am a very blessed person. My life is good - I have a wonderful new husband and four great children. I have a lovely new stepdaughter and a healthy and gorgeous grandaughter who will be one in another month...I am thankful for all that is great in my life, but yesterday I had an epiphany of sorts. It hit me like all of a sudden (even tho mom passed away in July) at the weirdest moment actually - I was driving my car to Wally World listening to Stevie Nicks singing "Landslide" and I just started crying - my own landslide so to speak. The realization just swept over me that I will never see my mom again. Yes, I know I will see her up in heaven if I am lucky enough to get there myself, but just this overwhelming sense of sadness hit me. I can't see mom's face when she hears a joke and doesn't get the punchline, I won't ever hear her singing along to a song on the car radio, won't get to enjoy watching my dad and her share a dance together, can't share memories about nana and her childhood in Arkansas, or eat some of her delicious cooking...I try to concentrate on the memories - memories of mom coaxing her old station wagon up the road with "come on old girl" when we were kids...watching her dance in place as she did the dishes...someone making an unkind remark about another person and mom sticking up for them - finding something positive to say about them...mom just being herself: a peacemaker, an artist, a dancer, a mother, a loyal friend, a supportive wife, and a gentle spirit................................
Sept 29, 2006 - update on us
Hi Everyone!
Well...not only did I get a wonderful husband, but I have a great new family to add to my own! Rocky's mom, Dixie, his sisters: Terri, Tammi and Tina - have all been just super to me! They are so warm and welcoming! This past Saturday they surprised us with a wedding reception/party. It was held Sept. 23 which is exactly three months to day we got married in Florida. I can't believe they pulled off such a nice surprise! They told us the week before, that we were invited to a "wine tasting" at this community center/club. A friend of ours is the President of the place and he is the one that did the inviting. So...Saturday night we got all dressed up and followed Tina over there. We wondered why she took the roundabout way to get there and we found out later she was stalling, because not everyone had arrived. Rocky and I walked in and about 40 people shouted "SURPRISE!" I was thinking to myself: "I didn't know they yelled surprise at a wine tasting - at least none I have been to do that, grin. Then I saw Rocky's sister, Tammi, who lives in Florida and I realized somethin was up. All of Rocky's family had come out to welcome me into the family and show their love/support to both of us. It was very sweet. They all worked very hard to give us a lovely party. We had a beautiful cake that Terri made, lots of food, drinks, music/dancing and we also toasted and opened some beautiful gifts we received. Everyone was extremely generous...in fact, they gave us a weekend at the beach here as a sort of second honeymoon. I am lucky to be part of such a close knit and lovely family! Can't wait for all my kids and my Dad to meet them!
This weekend, Rocky and I are going to go to Williamsburg and I am excited to see the sites there! Never been before...
That is an update on us...
Well...not only did I get a wonderful husband, but I have a great new family to add to my own! Rocky's mom, Dixie, his sisters: Terri, Tammi and Tina - have all been just super to me! They are so warm and welcoming! This past Saturday they surprised us with a wedding reception/party. It was held Sept. 23 which is exactly three months to day we got married in Florida. I can't believe they pulled off such a nice surprise! They told us the week before, that we were invited to a "wine tasting" at this community center/club. A friend of ours is the President of the place and he is the one that did the inviting. So...Saturday night we got all dressed up and followed Tina over there. We wondered why she took the roundabout way to get there and we found out later she was stalling, because not everyone had arrived. Rocky and I walked in and about 40 people shouted "SURPRISE!" I was thinking to myself: "I didn't know they yelled surprise at a wine tasting - at least none I have been to do that, grin. Then I saw Rocky's sister, Tammi, who lives in Florida and I realized somethin was up. All of Rocky's family had come out to welcome me into the family and show their love/support to both of us. It was very sweet. They all worked very hard to give us a lovely party. We had a beautiful cake that Terri made, lots of food, drinks, music/dancing and we also toasted and opened some beautiful gifts we received. Everyone was extremely generous...in fact, they gave us a weekend at the beach here as a sort of second honeymoon. I am lucky to be part of such a close knit and lovely family! Can't wait for all my kids and my Dad to meet them!
This weekend, Rocky and I are going to go to Williamsburg and I am excited to see the sites there! Never been before...
That is an update on us...
August 2, 2006 Mom's Eulogy
Mom's Eulogy
Dear Family and Friends,
It saddens me to say that my mother passed away last Friday, July 28 at 5:40 in the am. Rocky and I just returned from a week in Oklahoma where we attended her funeral (my parents had just moved there in May to live with my brother and his wife). Last Wednesday, my family called to tell me that mom had fallen into a coma and the chances were grim that she would last even a few days:
Dad had gone out to walk their dog, and when he returned found mom sitting on the bedroom floor (she falls sometimes due to her Parkinson's) He said: " Bev, what are u doing on the floor?" and she jokingly replied: " I fell, what do you think"! He helped her get bk on the bed and when he did, she fell across the bed, and all of a sudden her body went slack. He immediately ran to get my brother, Mark, who is a nurse anesthesist and Mark started CPR, but she was already gone. The paramedics arrived, they took her to the hospital and put her on life support . . hospital kept her on support until we all arrived and then extubated her. Even without support, mom lasted another 10 hours approx and then passed away. Our whole family was there when they took her off support and when she passed, my brother, Mark and i were with her.
We had a vigil service Sunday evening , a funeral mass Monday am and a graveside service as well. My brothers, sister and my Dad asked me to deliver the eulogy and I was honored to do so. However, it was probably the hardest thing i ever had to write or do.
Several of you have asked me to post it here, so you can see it below:
Some people make the world a special and more pleasant place just by being in it. Beverly Sue Vadney, my mother, was one of those people.
When I think of my mother, I immediately think of the warm, generous and loving spirit she posessed. Our family share many memories that demonstrate these qualities.
Above all, my mom loved being a wife and mother. It tickled her to death when we were all together joking, laughing and sharing memories. Growing up, I remember mom being patient and softspoken with us kids. When we were little, she sang us lullabies. There was this one old song: "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" that mom sang to all of us - a lot! She sang it so much that we loved it, but grew to dread it as well, grin! But her mother sang it to her, she sang it to us, and then we sang it to our kids and grandchildren. Whenever I am singing it to Hannah, my granddaughter, I will think of you mom!
Mom also loved to play this game with us when we were small. To get us to go to bed, she would have us all hook on to her like the cars on a train and sing the "Cocoa Puff" song that was popular on a commercial back then.. She would snake us around and around until we ended up in the bedroom.
Mom loved music and dancing! I know all of us kids have memories of music playing and mom dancing with Dad or grabbing one of us for a dance around the living room. One of mom's favorite times was her and dad's 50th wedding celebration. When Dad asked her what she wanted as a gift, she said she just wanted all of us together as a family. She loved her grandchildren, all 12 of them, and 4 greatgrandchildren.
Mom enjoyed spending time with her friends and neighbors. They loved her , because they said she had such a sweet and innocent way about her. She truly never had unkind words to say about anyone. She was well known in our hometown for her cooking and entertaining skills. Mom worked in her mother's restaurant when she was young and when she grew up, she ran and cooked for a restaurant in our hometown. She loved to show folks she cared about them by feeding them! We have numerous memories of pool parties and barbeques in our backyard. Everyone was welcome.
Traveling was another interest of mom's. She enjoyed being the wife of a military man, because it meant she got to visit many interesting and exciting places. She was excited whenever we got orders to move on to a new assignment. This appealed to her adventurous spirit. Mom, and Dad were great about taking us kids on road trips, camping trips and educational trips so we were exposed to many cultures, places and people. This youthful, exuberant and adventurous nature is one of the gifts my mom has passed on to her four children.
Mom enjoyed helping others. She was involved in many activities and volunteer organizations. Always active in her church, especially St. Judes, in Jacksonville, Arkansas where my parents lived for 32 years. One of her favorite charities to work for, was Care Channel where she cooked and served meals to the hungry and less fortunate people in the community. Mom has also been the primary caregiver for many family members during there illnesses and time of need. This caregiving extended to neighbors and friends. I remember it was my mother that one of my teenage friends came running to when she was burned severly and her own parents were at work.
Like everyone who lives a life of 72 years and has a marriage of 50 years, mom had her trials and tribulations as well as good times. She handled all of them with a strength and courage that amazed me and everyone who knew her. This strength and unselfish character are what she pulled from during her last two days with us. Mom struggled to try and stay around long enough for family members to make it to her side. But God, in his mercy, knew mom was tired and with his wisdom, decided to embrace her in his loving arms.
You know how I picture mom up in Heaven? She is going around introducing herself to everyone - just like she did at the American Legion and the Fleet Club - except without her walker now, laughing and joking - spending time with her family and old friends.
It is hard to sum up a life in a few minutes! How do you make others see what the essence of a person is in that amount of time? I guess one of the best things to say about mom is she taught us by example. Her spouse, children, grandchildren, and friends are better people for knowing her. Hopefully, we have learned from her and share those qualities of compassion, generosity of spirit and concern for our neighbors as well.
Yes, now we are left with memories of you, mom...these memories are like little gifts, they are an unspoken prayer we send to you, mom - a devotion to your life and they are remembrances of what a fantastic daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, friend and human being you were.
You know that white light people say they see when they have a near death experience? I'd like to say my mom had that light in her here on earth and now that light will be shining down on each of us - casting warmth and love over us all. We will all miss you, mom, but someday we will be together again....
July 18, 2006
Just returned from our vacation to Gainesville and Orlando. Tiffany is all orientated - we attended University of Florida orientation for parents, while she attended the one for students. It was insightful and interesting. The campus is beautiful...lots of old oak trees with drapings of Spanish moss. An extremely large campus, but they shared ways to make it seem smaller while you are attending. Classes start August 23 and they can move into dorms a few days before that....
After orientation, we drove to Orlando where we rented a villa. It was a gorgeous place - three bedrooms, two baths and a huge living room and dining area/kitchen! Gameroom, pool, movie rentals, etc...We went to Universal Studios and spent all day riding the rides and watching shows. It brought bk alot of memories for me. I remembered taking my kids there when they were competing in the Junior Olympics. Rode alot of the same rides i rode bk then...i could picture Chris, Kim and John on all the rides and how much fun they had! (Timmy stayed with grandma and grandpa that trip).
I rode one of those big roller coasters for the first time in my 49 years! What a trip that was! Afterwards, they post a pic of everyone you rode with on the computer screens. In the one of us, Rocky and Tiffany are laughing, Evan was just sitting there calmly and i am screaming with a look of terror on my face! Kodak moment - priceless! The next day we went to Sea World. I got to pet a dolphin which was thrilling, because i love them so much! I was just like a big kid! (We actually rode that roller coaster at Sea World. It is called Kracken.) Viewed other exhibits and shows, but left earlier than we planned, because it was 100 degrees out excluding humidity! We were wearing sunscreen, but still got burned and were feeling sick from heat. Went bk to villa and swam! Arrived bk home Sunday evening....
Observation: I have been fairly emotional and stressed lately. I mean it is no big deal - after all, who can complain after they just had a mini vacation in Orlando? Think it is a combination of working on making a new family/marriage successful, getting prepared to move to Virginia and yes, I hate to admit it - think i am going through the big "M" , the change, menopause, whatever you want to call it. How can i possibly be old enough? I feel twenty inside...! Outside? ugh! haha Hard to believe i will be fifty in January! I am very thankful, however, that i have made it this far! have a great day!
After orientation, we drove to Orlando where we rented a villa. It was a gorgeous place - three bedrooms, two baths and a huge living room and dining area/kitchen! Gameroom, pool, movie rentals, etc...We went to Universal Studios and spent all day riding the rides and watching shows. It brought bk alot of memories for me. I remembered taking my kids there when they were competing in the Junior Olympics. Rode alot of the same rides i rode bk then...i could picture Chris, Kim and John on all the rides and how much fun they had! (Timmy stayed with grandma and grandpa that trip).
I rode one of those big roller coasters for the first time in my 49 years! What a trip that was! Afterwards, they post a pic of everyone you rode with on the computer screens. In the one of us, Rocky and Tiffany are laughing, Evan was just sitting there calmly and i am screaming with a look of terror on my face! Kodak moment - priceless! The next day we went to Sea World. I got to pet a dolphin which was thrilling, because i love them so much! I was just like a big kid! (We actually rode that roller coaster at Sea World. It is called Kracken.) Viewed other exhibits and shows, but left earlier than we planned, because it was 100 degrees out excluding humidity! We were wearing sunscreen, but still got burned and were feeling sick from heat. Went bk to villa and swam! Arrived bk home Sunday evening....
Observation: I have been fairly emotional and stressed lately. I mean it is no big deal - after all, who can complain after they just had a mini vacation in Orlando? Think it is a combination of working on making a new family/marriage successful, getting prepared to move to Virginia and yes, I hate to admit it - think i am going through the big "M" , the change, menopause, whatever you want to call it. How can i possibly be old enough? I feel twenty inside...! Outside? ugh! haha Hard to believe i will be fifty in January! I am very thankful, however, that i have made it this far! have a great day!
How Come A Spider Has All The Answers??
"You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows everyone's life can stand a little of that". ---Charlotte in "Charlotte's Web'
June 26 '06
Moved to Florida two years ago. I had lived in Alaska for approx. fourteen years before that and consider it my home. My dad was Air Force and my ex husband, so I have had the opportunity to live many places. Alaska is where I felt I truly belonged! When my youngest son, Johnny graduated from high school I made the move to Panama City Beach, Florida, so I could help my parents out and give life here a try and also be closer to one of my sons.
It has been quite the culture shock moving back to the lower 48! A life on the beach isn't for everyone. I am a country girl at heart and prefer the mountains and wilderness/woods. Don't think I will ever make a beach bunny. The summer sun can be harsh, the humidity stifling at times and the sand is unforgiving in its relentless seeking out of body cracks and crevices (grin) - it is also a long drive from one end of Front Beach Rd. to the other in a seemingly endless caravan of tourist conveyances! On the other hand, for this Alaskan, the warm turquoise Gulf waters, $1.00 daquiris, view from the beachfront/balmy nights/warm winters more than compensate for the traffic inconveniences and tourist influx. I guess, at present, I am content with the lifestyle...I stave off feelings of homesickness by remembering why I came here in the first place - family.
I do think my favorite time here is fall/winter - the tourists depart and it is cooler outside! I don't miss our icy Alaska roads, snow plowings that don't occur on time and the darkness. I do pine for that first new snowfall (where you wake up in the morning and your whole world is clean and pure), that rosy Alpenglow over my beloved Chugach Mountains, the fireweed blooming in summer - all the sights, sounds/smells and happenings of life "up top".
When i moved to Florida, I had been divorced approx five years. Never thought i would remarry, but last year I met a nice guy and after dating for eight months we got married this past Friday, June 23, so at the age of 49 I am a newlywed! I also became a grandmother this past November when my daughter, Kimberly, gave birth to our little Hannah Grace. I am so thrilled to be a grandma!
My new husband's name is Rocky and I also have a stepdaughter, Tiffany. Tiffany is eighteen. My kids from my previous marriage include: Chris/27; Tim/24; Kimberly/23; and Johnny/21.
It has been quite the culture shock moving back to the lower 48! A life on the beach isn't for everyone. I am a country girl at heart and prefer the mountains and wilderness/woods. Don't think I will ever make a beach bunny. The summer sun can be harsh, the humidity stifling at times and the sand is unforgiving in its relentless seeking out of body cracks and crevices (grin) - it is also a long drive from one end of Front Beach Rd. to the other in a seemingly endless caravan of tourist conveyances! On the other hand, for this Alaskan, the warm turquoise Gulf waters, $1.00 daquiris, view from the beachfront/balmy nights/warm winters more than compensate for the traffic inconveniences and tourist influx. I guess, at present, I am content with the lifestyle...I stave off feelings of homesickness by remembering why I came here in the first place - family.
I do think my favorite time here is fall/winter - the tourists depart and it is cooler outside! I don't miss our icy Alaska roads, snow plowings that don't occur on time and the darkness. I do pine for that first new snowfall (where you wake up in the morning and your whole world is clean and pure), that rosy Alpenglow over my beloved Chugach Mountains, the fireweed blooming in summer - all the sights, sounds/smells and happenings of life "up top".
When i moved to Florida, I had been divorced approx five years. Never thought i would remarry, but last year I met a nice guy and after dating for eight months we got married this past Friday, June 23, so at the age of 49 I am a newlywed! I also became a grandmother this past November when my daughter, Kimberly, gave birth to our little Hannah Grace. I am so thrilled to be a grandma!
My new husband's name is Rocky and I also have a stepdaughter, Tiffany. Tiffany is eighteen. My kids from my previous marriage include: Chris/27; Tim/24; Kimberly/23; and Johnny/21.
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