The Legacy

I have just returned home from northern Utah. It wasn't a pleasure trip. It wasn't a trip to visit with my sister and her family. This was a journey for my sister-in-law Edith. This was a journey to remember her husband Dave.

Edith buried her sweetheart on Wednesday.

Dave has left behind a wonderful legacy. He left behind his sweetheart of 39 years, 7 beautiful children and 15 grandchildren.

But this is not his only legacy.

Dave loved his family and the Lord above else. He taught his children through example. He had the gift to make each grandchild think that they were his favorite. He was known by his peers as an honest man in an industry where this is not always the norm. This is how he lived.

His quiet, unassuming life affected more people than his family realized.

He will be missed. Yet his legacy has drawn us closer. Shown us the path that we need to be on.

His death brought an extended family together to mourn his passing. A family that has struggled for years because of past hurts. With each gathering the hurting becomes less. The healing can continue.

You never know when your time on this earth will end; when the Lord will call you home.

I don't want to have any regrets.

I have a phone call to make.

I have a relationship of my own to repair.

Lions & Tigers & Bears, OH MY!

NO.

I haven't been off to see the wizard.

But this past week, I have been to that place in Oz where those infernal flying monkeys buzz around your head and dive bomb you.

I've been visiting that place where just the thought of Munchkins dancing around would cause you to pick one up and toss them head first at Galinda and her irritatingly sweet voice.

This week week I have been visiting the land where the yellow brick road does not reach. The land where the roads aren't paved in gold.

It is the land where you are forbidden to take your thyroid meds for two weeks, and as a result you also forget to take your hormones as well.

In this land for the duration of my stay, I will be donning a bathing suit, in my whiteness and all, humming the tunes of WICKED. The bathing suit will help with the hot flashes, the humming I'm hoping will help me get to a happy place for the sake of my family.

Please pray for them.

I hope they make it out of this land alive.

How long does it take hormones to kick back in? Maybe I'll ask one of the flying monkeys.

When The Answer Is No

My wish for my sister did not come true.

Tears have been shed.

At times like this they begin to flow freely again.

I know she is hurting.

She has loved this beautiful baby.

We all have.

I know that my sister would not have changed a thing.

She has given this little girl a wonderful start.

Hope.

Love.

Stability.

Belonging.

Boundaries.

Family.

This is what we all desire in life.

My sister is a hero.

My sister is my hero.

The tears will stop ........

What Did You Do?

This is what we did for Halloween...







What did you do?

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe it! We were married in Mesa, AZ 23 years ago. In the years since that day on Oct 10th I have marveled at how in all this time, he still loves me. He is quite the catch (as some were quick to point out early on).

So, why would he choose me? Well why not? We make each other laugh. We understand each other's humor. We have similar interests. We compliment each other. He is strong where I am weak and I am strong where he is weak. We love each other. He is HOT! He has an AWESOME smile. Ok, I tease about the smile! But that's what we do, we tease! We joke, we try not to take things too seriously, because frankly our life has been far too serious at times. We have made sacrifices for our boys. And with these trials and sacrifices our love for each other has grown stronger and deeper.

I married my best friend. It doesn't get any better than that!