Bricks

My friend 'Dory' recently wrote a post about how much she misses her dad.  In the post she wrote about an analogy that was in the movie 'Rabbit Hole'. Please take a minute and read her post: Three Years Later

After reading that post, I got to thinking about what 'bricks' I carry around with me. I lost my dad in 1990 when I was just shy of 19.  He died of cancer related to Agent Orange from Vietnam.

He would probably laugh that I put this picture up here for all to see. I am not sure what year this was taken, but it was definitely before 1989 and it was Christmas time in our kitchen.  And yes, I believe his pajama's had the 'flap' in the back...lol  I know that this is Christmas because of all of the Tupperware containers on the counter behind him. My Mum always makes a TON of cookies for Christmas and still uses some of those same containers to this day for her cookies.

This picture kind of cracks me up and make me long for those simple times so many years ago.

This is a 'brick' I have carried around with me for many years. Some of the times I have reached in and it really hurt: my wedding and not being able to have a daddy/daughter dance, the birth of my children and watching them grow up, those are just a few times that it has hurt...but after 20+ years it has become sadly, normal.

Sometimes my Mum and I can talk about him and laugh at the things he did (see above photo) or said..."sufficiently safansafied" :)  (his way of saying he was full at dinner) And other times, like recently when going through old photo's we cry or turn them over so we don't cry.

A few years ago our family lost 4 family member within a year and a half. Some of those bricks are still a little heavy but are starting to lighten up. The hurt is still real and fresh at times but it also has become bearable with time.

Thanks 'Dory' for sharing that little part of a movie that has also helped put into words what is sometimes so hard to do.

Stacy

Sad but True

My Pastor shared this video this morning on his Facebook page.  I shared it as well, but wanted to share it again. 

Sadly there has been a time or two or probably more (ok, I admit, many more times) that I have felt this way.  And even if I am all in the moment and just worshipping God and all that He has done for me I am sure that there are others that are feeling this way.

Have you ever felt like this in church?

Are you a Christmas & Easter believer?

Are you a Sunday and done for the week person?

Do you give it to Him but decide you can work it out on your own better?

At one point or another in my life I have been these people. Some times a few of them at once. I am so thankful that I am now at a point in my life where I am drawing closer to Him. 

Believe me, I am not perfect.  And there are days that go by where I haven't opened my Bible or that I haven't just sat down and taken even 5 minutes to thank Him for anything.

Recently we have started a few new classes and lessons in church with the fall schedule and I am trying harder to give things to Him and to be thankful and prayerful every day.

I hope that you find this video funny, but that you also look at it and see where you need to work on your relationship with Him.  I sure have.

Stacy

Picnic

From the title you probably think this is going to be a post about the Labor Day weekend and what we did, but it isn't.

Picnic is actually the name of the first production this year at Tween's performing arts school. Tween started school on August 24, they had try-outs on August 30th. He got a call back for August 31st and September 1.  On Friday he found out that he got a part in the play.  It isn't a big part but considering he has only been there for a week and he already got a part, we are extremely proud of him.

Now the hard part starts.  He has to leave for school at 6:10 am to catch the bus at 6:30. School does not start until 8:45.  He has a 2 hour bus ride with the other stops.  If I drive down it only takes 50 minutes. School is out at 3:15 and he gets home at 5:15.  Now that he is in a performance he will stay after school for practice and  I will have to go get him when he is done.

The performance is in October for 2 weekends.  I'll be sure to post updates and pictures as the time nears.

Thank you all for your support and prays as he has had a great transition to the new school and absolutely LOVES it.

Stacy


ps - He is playing the part of 'Bomber' if you watch the movie or look up the play.

Teen Traveling

Well, Teen is on the road again. I can't believe how much he has traveled in the last 2 years.

He is currently in Michigan with the YSU band.

Here he is in his uniform. He is now an official YSU Marching Pride Penguin. The first football game is tonight at 7:30 against Michigan State. The band does not usually travel to the away games but since it is their first game for the season they invited the band along.

The game is being broadcast on Big Ten Network tonight. I imagine I will not get to see the band at all but it is still pretty exciting.

They left yesterday at 5:00 and stayed at a hotel near the MSU campus. They practiced earlier today and after the game tonight will head back home. They expect to get in around 4:30 am. Please pray for safe travels on their way back and for him driving back home at that hour.

Stacy