Memorial Services

Yesterday I attended a Memorial Service. It's always both comforting and inspiring to see how those who've lost a beloved family member are surrounded with love and care. What brings us there? Is it a family relationship? Is it a friend? Is it a professional colleague? Is it someone we particularly admired but did not know well? Is it someone close to a dear friend of ours? Regardless of the reason, we come to celebrate this person's life. We reach out to those who are grieving. We reflect on our experiences with the deceased and the memories that will stay with us. The words that are spoken and the hymns that we sing bring to mind memories of loved ones we've lost. We are surrounded by our thoughts and sometimes our pain, and we may experience again the poignancy of loss. But then I am comforted by the conviction that the world is always turning toward the sunrise, and I remember the joy of a life and relationship shared.

Friday Night

Each week we get together with friends for conversation and food and a variety of drinks. It's a chance to relax and check in with each other. Laughter and serious discussions go on at the same time. People share what's going on in their lives. Some want advice. Questions get asked and there are people there who have thoughtful suggestions or experiences to relate that may help lay out the path to answers. More than anything there is genuine caring that joins the diverse personalities into a supportive whole. These are people who will be there when you need them. These are folks who'll sit with you all night at the hospital. These are people who will get up in the middle of the night to take you to the airport. These are people who will cry with you when your world has turned upside down. These are people who will be with you simply because you ask them to come. They will celebrate the joyous times in your life and remember special times. It's heartwarming, it's invigorating, and it's a darn lot of fun.

Finding THE Perfect Gift

Have you ever been shopping and unexpectedly found a perfect gift for a friend? That happened to me today. I can't wait for her to see it. Often I'll find something that just seems so right for someone and I want to give it RIGHT NOW and not wait for whatever the occasion might be. Last Christmas I gave a friend a wrapped gift that I had gotten when we were shopping together months before and she had so admired this item. The box was labeled, but it didn't give me enough information to remember what the gift looked like. My friend was thrilled and I got to see the gift after it was opened. Yes, it recalled the pleasure of "the find" and I love that feeling.

Thoughts on Losing a Child

Last weekend a friend's daughter died. As I have shared this time of shock, pain, & sorrow with her, I've been overwhelmed with thoughts of our Claire. While we miss her every day, thoughts of Claire usually bring a smile to my face. She loved life so much and she celebrated each day. She loved her friends and loved her wild & crazy & memorable times with them. She loved her family - all of our "baggy relatives" as we call them. She was PRESENT all the time for all of us. She was sensitive & caring & funny & fun. We have videos of performances by Claire ("There's No Business Like Show Business" in Lawrence High's "Showtime") & of her special celebration on her 18th birthday - a trip to "The Strip," the place outside of our hometown in Texas where liquor was sold. When Claire died, we were surrounded by family & friends from near & far. The Memorial Bench that was given by her family & friends is located right by the Campanile at KU with the perfect bronze plaque & inscription. It is a place we always go to visit & take pictures when we're in Lawrence. Here's the youngest Claire & her brother Luke.  

We can see the stadium where she cheered for all of those football games, the Gamma Phi Beta house, Potter's Lake, and be surrounded by the University that she loved. It's also just a few blocks from our home where Claire grew up. So, we celebrate Claire's love, her life & her legacy - 8 girls named after her. What a fantastic lady!!!

Colonoscopy - One of Life's Special Experiences

Let's see, this is an "examination of the colon with a colonoscope." It's translated "fun, fun, & more fun." Of course, the one taking the other person is privileged to get up REALLY early, deliver the "target" to the G.I.Lab, and then go back and pick up a groggy person who repeats himself and has sort of a relaxed outlook on life. After a consultation with the doctor and the good news about how things "looked," we're "out of there." We make a stop or two to get "sustenance" to make up for the fasting and all that "delicious" liquid. A few more chauffeured trips and life is now settling back into the usual routine. Important note: give yourself and your loved ones a "gift" and have this procedure done to make sure all is well.

Granddaughter Claire's 4th Birthday Party

Today Claire celebrated her 4th birthday with a party for friends and family. The girl guests came dressed in their various princess costumes and the boy guests were all boy. To the absolute delight of everyone there, Cinderella came. She was beautiful and enchanting and talented and a perfect treat for a little girl who is such a princess in every best way. Cinderella read a story, led some games, taught them a dance, posed for pictures with each child individually, sang two songs, gave Claire a special princess tiara, and left a smiling, happy bunch of kids when she went back to her castle. They all got necklaces, rings, wands, and hair clips. Pizza & Oma's delicious castle cake topped off a perfect day. The smiling parents & excited kids & an oh-so-spectacularly-thrilled-and-happy Claire loved it all!

The Winter Olympics In Vancouver

I love the Olympics, both the Winter and the Summer Games. So, I'm enjoying watching the various events in Vancouver as they unfold. Through the Olympics I discovered curling and I think that it is fascinating to watch. Some might say that it's like watching paint dry, but I think the skill that is demanded and the strategizing that goes on are both fascinating. Across all of the sports, the athletes' personalities in their interviews are both heart-warming and revealing. To love a sport so much that your life is dedicated to this love and to possess the talent that is obviously present are both awe-inspiring. Yes, I'm addicted to the Olympics and I am skiing, snowboarding, skating, and curling with the best of them.