Memorial Day...Musings

It's the official first weekend of summer. Known on the calendar as a national holiday, Memorial Day has changed a great deal from its beginnings just after the Civil War. Then is was known as Decoration Day and it was a day designed for Americans to go out and honor the American war dead by decorating their graves. My grandmother and mother always called the day by its original name and I remember taking flats of geraniums and marigolds to the cemetery in Livonia, Michigan where most of my ancestors are buried. We'd pull weeds and put in new flower plantings for most of the morning. Then we'd go home and barbecue in the backyard to complete the day.

I don't do that anymore, largely because I live far away from Michigan and I have no loved ones buried in Missouri. But it struck me today, that no one lives in Michigan that I can think of who will be decorating my grandparents graves today. My mom moved east to Pennsylvania almost 14 years ago now, and I doubt that my brother, who is still in Detroit, does this annual task.  But I can pause and think about them and others who have given their lives for our nation.

Then it will be time for some recreation with the living... my family and friends. Perhaps we will swim, or garden, or have a picnic. Summer begins this way, with remembering and recreating, a good combination in many ways.  May your Memorial Day weekend be a good one too!

The Things I Wish for Them

These are just a few of the really neat people I get to spend time with everyday. They are a little over one week from graduation, and I always find myself feeling reflective about the students I have spent time with during this last week of school. Some will leave our school on May 23rd never to be seen again. Others will return to visit or touch base occasionally so that we will know what has become of them. All of them have big dreams for their futures and are excited (and somewhat scared) about the next adventure, college. The photo above was taken on "college T-shirt day" - a special dress day on which seniors could be out of uniform and "advertise" their loyalty to their next school. All in all a really fun day.

So what would I wish for them if I could control the future? There are several things - sounds like a list coming!
1. I would wish that they would hold on to their faith both in God and in their ability to make a difference in the world as Christians.
2. I would wish that they would be able to see beyond the surface of people and problems so that they can look deeply, think deeply, and really be able to love others and solve big issues in our world.
3. I wish that they will be committed to caring about the planet and ALL the people on it.
4. I wish that they will never EVER stop learning and loving to learn.
5. I wish that they will become caring, considerate adults who love their parents and become good parents themselves.
6. I wish that they will always value people and principles more than money and the "stuff" it buys.
7. I wish that they leave America in better shape than their parents' generation did.
8. I wish that they will be leaders in their churches, whatever the denomination may be or become.
9. I wish them joyful homes with loving and committed spouses.
10. I wish them many reasons to smile and fewer reasons to cry.

There... wishes made... and prayers promised to continue for the Class of 2010!

A Girl Has Gotta Have Wheels

Syd got her first set of wheels yesterday. We noticed her really loving the pedal cars and tricycles at her sitter's house and figured the time was just right for wheels. Scored the cutest little Radio Flyer brand trike at Walmart of all places. Two trips down the sidewalk and the tyke and trike were doing great. She has to work on her steering a bit, but she's motoring for real now!

 

The 2010 Pink and Purple Radio Flyer Special!

 

Papa lends a hand with the steering.

   

Here she goes!

 

Time to check out what will fit in the "trunk" space. 

Lots of treasures, like stones, clover flowers, and Sweetgum tree balls.

 

Back at it... whee!

 

On her own and doing fine!

Feeling pretty grown up and proud!

Warm Day + Little Gardener + Hose = Fun!

I've written already about how much Sydney loves to be out in my garden. She would play outside for hours, digging and puttering about. Today's discovery? The garden hose! The pictures tell the story... but I've added a few captions for fun too!

Ready to start working.... Syd's got the hose in hand!

 

First. you actually water plants!

 

Are you sure this is work? This is fun!

Whoa! You can stick your hands in too!

 

The next thing you know, you're washing your face!

In for dime... in for a dollar! Besides, I won't need a bath tonight if I do this right!

Syd: "Look Gramma, I'm all wet!"

This is what happiness looks like on a 2 yr. old!

Banilla Makes the Day Alright!

Today was good day that got made even better by some super after school time spent with Sydney. I picked her up at her sitter's house and we went off on an adventure. (Papa was at the farm spraying our grapes.)

First stop... Lyon's Custard for a cone; more specifically a "Banilla cone" because that's what Syd told me was her favorite. Syd polished off her first full-fledged kid cone. She managed not to let a single drip hit the ground (or her shirt)! Throughout the adventure, she kept saying, "Oh Grandma! This is so tasty!" Then she would giggle and keep right on slurping away at it. It took her almost a half an hour to eat a cone, but she did it! (and had the occasional slurp of my strawberry one as well). The other discovery was that Syd thought going to "Lyons" Custard meant we were going to be with some LIONS... as in growls and eats people! So I had to show her that it was a name of a place that just sounded like big cats! Funny!

We followed our cones with a stop at the library next door, where we stocked up on Dora books. Then we came home and played in the garden for almost an hour before her daddy arrived to pick her up. We now have a ritual... we come in, put on our "garden clothes" and our garden shoes, put on our sunscreen, put on our sunglasses, and then out we go. Syd spent an hour watering her flowers and moving "soy-il" from one bucket into another.

I am really liking all our new "habits!"

A Time to Mourn, and a Time to Laugh

We buried our dear uncle/brother-in-law, Jon on Friday morning. It was a very sad yet very hopeful morning. The pastors at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stevensville shared many words of comfort with all who came, and the honor guards and ceremony provided by the various police departments present reminded us of all the people Jon had served in his career as an officer. We also were able to share in a post-funeral luncheon which gave us time to connect with a lot of family and friends we hadn't seen in quite awhile.

In the afternoon, after the luncheon, we rested for a bit and the kids napped. When dinner hour came, we headed to the local little park where Gabe had baseball practice. What a great thing to do at the end of our day! The kids played, we all cheered like silly fans for everything Gabe did on the field, and as the day ended we felt very grateful to have one another.
 

 

Walking to the park, cousins go hand in hand.

 

Asher is a cutie in his Cardinal cap!

 

 

The next generation's major leaguer!

 

Gabe scoops up a grounder and we all cheered!

 

Syd liked the teeter totter the best.

 

Rhy loves slides... in ANY direction!

 

This is what contentment looks like.

 

Uncle Leon, Ash, and Syd check out the teeter totters.

 

My girls, Gretchen and her Syd.

 

Rhy loves slides!

 

Asher: "Whee! Catch me Daddy!"

On the Eve of my 55th

My brother-in-law is now in a coma as he nears the end of this life and is about to move to the next. He was given about 3-5 weeks to live in late March and we are all having to face the truth that the end is near. It's been such a sad time for all of us who love him and we find that there simply aren't words to share what he has meant to us for the past 16 years and what we hope will be his joyous entry into heaven.

Ironically, yesterday was Jon's 77th birthday and tomorrow is my 55th. His near passing has made me feel more than usually reflective about my own day tomorrow. Generally I try to ignore birthdays as much as I can. I say that I am not sensitive about my age, and in terms of being coy or reluctant to admit how old I am that is true. However, tomorrow will be a day with a difference. I suspect it will be the day of Jon's heavenly homecoming, and that will overshadow everything else that happens.

There are many things about Jon that I will miss. I will miss his sense of fun. He has a great love for doing little magic tricks, especially if youngsters are anywhere nearby. It never ceases to amaze me how he can do slights of hand with the littlest of props and have kids oohing and ahhing.  I will miss how fiercely loyal he is to family and friends and especially to my sister-in-law, Kathleen. I will miss knowing that he is there to spoil my grandkids in St. Joe when I can't be there. He took to them as if they were his very own and I will be forever grateful to him for that. I also will miss his beautiful art... Jon is a woodcarver, and he makes the most intricate and amazing things out of little chunks of wood. I have a couple of walking sticks he made me and oodles of beautiful wooden kitchen utensils that will make me remember him every time I hold them in my hands.

The thing that hurts and confuses me is that even though we've had "time" to prepare for Jon's leave-taking, we don't feel prepared. We jump when the phone rings, we cling to some hope for a reprieve, and we hate to see him suffer even the slightest lack of personal dignity as these last days play out. It's been confusing and heart-wrenching and yet seems as if this is the way things are meant to be. It's somewhat exhausting to contemplate.

So Godspeed and God Bless you, Jon. You have been a gift to all of us and we hope in some small way we've been as much for you. Our love goes with you, and our hopes of a joyous reunion, in a future mansion where we will all be free of this world and its ills, are sure.

If you can dig, you can garden!

Syd learned to enjoy soil (yes, she calls it soil (as in "soy'-ill") not dirt) this evening. We were together after school and had stopped to get a few more herbs for the garden. We let her pick out a geranium to plant. Thus began her new love affair with "soy-ill". For almost 2 hours she sat on a stone happily moving dirt from one spot to another. It was fascinating to sit there and listen to her singing happily to herself while moving dirt. We should ALL be so contented! Our little garden buddy is well on her way to a lifelong love of digging!

Herbs & Closet Turn Overs

I am presently on spring break. Yes, it's that rare thing that we teachers somewhat live for this time of year. Be jealous of me only if you would be willing to grade papers from 6-10pm virtually every evening of the school term cycle.

In any case, owing to travels and other "must do's" of the time away from school, today was the first day (and likely the only day) that I was allowed to "sleep in". I lollygagged about in my pj's until the ripe old hour of 10 a.m. It was wonderful. Then I decided I must get something worthwhile accomplished, so I decided to change over my closet from winter to spring.  This is the annual sorting, pulling out, and packing away of clothes that I won't bother to look at again until the weather chills down round about next October. It always makes me feel good to do it. I pack the sweaters away with their cedar blocks, and change out my winter jammies for my spring/summer ones etc.

 As many of you know, I've lost a good deal of weight in the last year and a half so each seasonal turnover lately has involved pitching clothes that are too big or baggy and stating to myself, "Life is too short to wear baggy or ill-fitting clothes." and then off those go to the Thrift Store.  That makes me feel pretty great too! So today, I did a good deal of that.

Then it was off to run a few errands and we wound up at the plant market buying the herbs for the upcoming summer. I love planting them, even if I rarely cook with them. Ed does such amazing things with a little basil, sage, and thyme! So I help him grow those... and he cooks us things... it's a good deal all around. All in all, a wonderful day of moving from winter to spring!

Eggs, Bunnies, and a Cute Little Huntress

Had a beautiful Easter Sunday here in Missouri... after church the hunt for eggs began. As in the past, the grown-ups had as much fun as the little-uns!

 "Merry Easter"(as Syd said to folks on her way into church this a.m.) He is Risen, Indeed!

Loss, Gain, Faith and Hope

"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." -Phil. 1:21

Have had a very faith-challenging week. Our family is wrapping itself around one member, a dear brother-in-law/uncle/friend, who is facing the news that the cancer is winning and that the days before his heavenly homecoming are few in number. It was shocking and yet not, heart-wrenching and yet hopeful, and certainly a week filled with prayers and tears. So we hug one another a lot these days, and find our source of solace and bravery in the promises of God and the love we share with one another. The time we have has suddenly become even more precious as we are even more aware of how swiftly it passes. In the middle of all the things that don't seem to make sense right now, one thing is rock-solid clear for us... God is good, His love is ever sure, and He is faithful in his promises to all of us. However deep the hurt, he holds us close; and however fearful the journey, the doorway to heaven is but a step away from all of us so we are always near to God and to each other even when it feels like this separation to come is huge chasm.  Keep Jon, Kathy, and all of us close in prayer in the days ahead. It helps us to know our friends are near in prayer.

Cutest Tots on the Lot!

Had to upload a stolen shot of my two of grandkids up in Michigan! They were on the playground this past week with their mum and had a blast. Personally, I think they are the cutest little tykes around and since I am the most doting grandma in Missouri, I had to share a shot or two with my online pals!

A Few Words About St. Patrick

Let me start by saying that saints and their stories have always fascinated me. I know, not a very Lutheran thing to be fascinated by, but there it is. When our travels have taken us to some of the ancient cathedrals in places like Rome, Florence, Canterbury, and Dublin, I am drawn to the artwork and sculptures depicting the saints. I am impressed by how their stories are designed to uplift us and give us hope.

So today is, of course, all about St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. I proudly donned my orange (being of the Protestant persuasion) and wished my fellow Lutherans a happy St. Patrick's day. Sadly, very few have ANY clue about the guy. A few knew he had something to do with snakes... and Ireland... and wearing green? Nah! For most Americans this day is about green beer, pinching folks not wearing green, and a meal of corned beef and cabbage.

So I am proud to say that I have been to St. Patrick's Cathedral... both in New York City and in Dublin, Ireland. I have seen the place where he is supposed to have baptized people and I have read the things about him that the Irish people admire. The guy was amazing. He was tireless and determined to bring the Christian faith to the "pagan" folks of the Emerald Isle. So here's to you St. Patrick! We could use more guys like him today.

 St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin... and the stone found under the cathedral in the 1800's thought to go back to when St. Patrick led worship on this site long ago!

Things to Be Thankful for...

Today was a better than average day. The sun was out and shining brightly, and we didn't get severe weather last night. So today's post is just a gratitude list:

On this day, I am grateful for:
1. The fact that both Ed and I are healthy enough to give blood like we did today. Doing that always feels so good and is such a small way to make a difference.
2. The "photobooth" application on my Mac... Syd was an absolute hoot tonight as she took photo after photo of she and I... giggles galore.
3. My student teacher... yes, I have one for the next 8 weeks. Amber Schwartz hails from Greeley, CO and I can already see signs of her talent.
4. My fellow English department colleagues... Stevan and Rachel.... they are the best! (and give me hope that one day I'll be able to retire!)
5. My seniors who are hanging in there and battling back senioritis. Hang tough, kiddos! You'll get there!
6. The fact that we have a President who refuses to give up on what needs to be done... I am praying for you Barack, and today I wrote my Republican congressman and begged him to stop being such a nincompoop about health care. Health care is NOT like buying groceries, or clothes... you can't cut corners if you are critically ill or just go without! WHY can't somebody in the Republican Congress help communicate that to their fellow members. If an old fart like me can 'get it' - you'd think those professional politicos could!
7. My hubby who makes me tea in the morning and dinner each night... love you sweetie!

Lion, Lamb? March Came In.... where did Feb. Go???

March is here, and I can't quite believe it. February whisked in and out so quickly one scarcely had time to notice it all. But March is here and it came in quite nicely, almost congenially. We are not yet counting the days until Spring Break at school, but the natives are noticeably restless.

The weatherman has gifted us with a couple of spring-like days to tease our hearts into believing that it won't snow anymore, when in reality, we know how fickle the Missouri weather can be. I am praying we have no late winter/early spring freezes. A repeat of the freeze of 2007 would be a bad thing for the vineyard... especially since it hit 70 degrees today.

Big weekend ahead... the grandkids are coming to visit us. Kate and her dad are running in the St. Pat's Day race on Saturday. I've decided to forego the 5 miler this year... 3 miles is plenty for me! I felt pretty good at 3 miles but totally whanked at 5 last year. So the kidlets and I will stand by and watch and cheer for them as the race about downtown. Should be fun!

March came in like a Lamb... and here's hoping the lamb sticks around!

Another Special Day!

My baby girl turned 31 today... wow! She is an amazing woman and her father and I are SO very proud of her. Hard to believe she arrived during a blizzard in 1979 in Grand Rapids, MI. After giving us a scare and showing up 7 weeks early, she proved herself to be a very scrappy 5#4oz. bundle of joy! (Imagine Katrina at about the size of your basic small bag of flour!)

This morning we called her on iChat and got to watch her open her gift from us... and it made us SO happy to see her onscreen if not actually in person. So here's to you, Katrina! May your next 31 years be as wonderful, exciting, and blessed as your first 31!

Happy Birthday, Dear Papa!

There are A LOT of candles on the flaming German Chocolate confection! (also, please disregard my finger on the lens in the first few seconds... got a new camera and didn't know where best to hold it right away!- I'll get better at it. I promise.)

"When I Have Fears"

Taught a rather profound poem to my ever earnest seniors this week. This crowd is the AP bunch, the highly motivated ones who plan on building bridges and perfecting cures and doing things that we can only imagine and all by their 30th birthdays.

Well, there was this fellow John Keats, I tell them, and he had watched and nursed his brother through the traumatic illness that was tuberculosis in the 1700's - and he saw his brother die. And by his own 28th birthday, John knew he himself had contracted the illness.. and that his days were numbered. And his response? He wrote a sonnet about it.....

When I have fears that I may cease to be, 

before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain....

Beautiful stuff, really, and John came to a startling conclusion. That fame and love, and things temporal really don't matter all that much in the long haul. That what matters is contemplation of the "big" ideas... like life and death and mortality and immortality.
And today... in amazing clarity... my kids' faces lit up and they got it. They made a connection with our friend Keats, a guy who never saw the backside of his 31st birthday. And it was amazing!

This is why I teach.

Love is in the Air

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
We're sitting here in the family room, watching the snow fly and the Olympics on television. Very cozy and very relaxing.

Had a special treat for Valentine's Day this year... Sydney came to spend the night last night and the morning with us today. Her parents were supposed to go for a night on the town... but it didn't work out that way. Gretchen caught a bug and it made thoughts of going out something for another time. However, our Syd date remained a go and we had a blast. She's so much fun these days. Our big entertainment of last night was going grocery shopping. She LOVES to push the mini-carts that they have at our local IGA... we go "hunting" for things and then we track down Papa with the big cart and dump our treasures into it. She gets all excited at the idea of hunting for cheese and counting out oranges! You'd think we were at an amusement park!

The neatest thing happened last night... an elderly gentleman walked up to Syd and said, "You are such a good helper! I am getting my own granddaughter from China this week... This is for you!" and he handed her a Dollar! Syd, having no idea what money is, just looked at it and handed it to me and we did our "thank-you's" and he moved on into the store.  It struck me as he walked away, how much we take for granted... and made me savor the moment even more.

So here's to a day set aside to love the ones who are precious to us, both near and far. It's commercial, perhaps, and perhaps a tad silly... but it's also and excuse to celebrate love.... hugs to all of you!

You get an Inch... You Slide a MILE!

Syd came over to play on the sled this morning. Our next door neighbor has a modest hill in his yard that has become the "orientation to sledding" hill for the newest generation of intrepid snowbunnies! (It seems like yesterday this was Gret and Katrina! In fact, we think our sled might be close to 30 years old!) Here's a collection of shots of all the fun a little snow can bring!