Just another day in our lives!(Note the picture of BeBe trapped in our curtain scarf!)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Crazy Antics!
Just another day in our lives!(Note the picture of BeBe trapped in our curtain scarf!)
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Got Two ASU!
28-17: ASU takes twoYes, champions.
AGAIN!
WooHoo!
It did get a little bit nail-bitting after they scored first and then we tied at 14. However, I have been speaking all week that we would win. And we did!
I feel proud to be an Appy once again. Not that I ever waned on being a proud Appy. It's just fun flaunting my alumnus status.
Anyways, I just wanted to flaunt it again.
On a side note, I can't believe I have been out of school for a full 3 years. Wow. That's weird.
Monday, December 11, 2006
How Great!
Hope is kept alive
As everyday we are made new!
Not once a year,
Or once a month,
Or even once a week,
But everyday!
As relational, beyond faithful, believers,
We live when death should become us!
Awaiting our eternal homecoming on the horizon!
How great are these new beginnings!
Washed Clean, the scarlet stains are gone!
Taken on for us…
Love beyond all, unconditional!
© TRM 2006
As everyday we are made new!
Not once a year,
Or once a month,
Or even once a week,
But everyday!
As relational, beyond faithful, believers,
We live when death should become us!
Awaiting our eternal homecoming on the horizon!
How great are these new beginnings!
Washed Clean, the scarlet stains are gone!
Taken on for us…
Love beyond all, unconditional!
© TRM 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The Story of BeBe
This is the story I submitted for a Pet Contest through the African Lovebird Society:
I never realized that there was something missing in my life. I was shocked when I realized it was my lovie, BeBe (Dutch Blue Pied Peach-Faced Lovebird). You see, I knew when I got married that I was marrying a parrot person. I had never owned a parrot in my life! I was under complete misconceptions about parrots in general. Then, we were approached with a decision to accept one of the smallest parrots into our family. Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into and the love that I would experience for so small a life.
BeBe was a wedding present to my husband and I. He became part of our family in mid-October 2005. He was about 3 months old, but not yet weaned. The story goes that at the home of the breeders, BeBe had actually died. He got too cold and the man of the house saved BeBe by reviving him. BeBe had been almost weaned at that point, but reverted back to his baby stages and wouldn’t get out of them until he was almost 6 months old.
Some people would call BeBe spoiled. I would merit saying, instead, that he is extremely spoiled, well, and extremely loved. We consider him our child, so, in essence, we are normal parents in wanting to give BeBe the best life. People noticed a difference in him right away. Suddenly, we were breaking the bad rap that lovebirds had gotten. The exposure of sweet, loving, playful lovebirds was coming out through our very own baby.
BeBe has always had the most awesome toys. His cage is a plethora of stimulation. However, he remains outside of his cage most of the time. He loves his Penn-Plax playground and Hide-N-Peek Ball especially. Some people might call us extravagant in how we spoil our birds. I just call it a good investment into a long and happy life with them.
People are impressed with BeBe. Though he is small in size, he still stands out in a crowd of other birds. He knows a number of tricks and also how to get into trouble! He prefers to eat off of our plate and go down our shirts. That doesn’t quite work out when we have guests. In one instance, we had a couple over that we were friends with. I was called to rescue BeBe when he went down the shirt of the female guest!
He loves to give kisses. I suspect that if given the chance, he would just kiss me all day. If I ask him if he loves me, he makes a kissing noise at me. Sometimes you will catch him kissing every person he visits when we take him out. Another way he shows his affection for us is by regurgitating on us. Most of the time, it is him going through the motions rather than really anything coming up.
He loves to play “Where’s BeBe?” which is basically a version of Peek-a-boo. He has a great, unique call when he comes out and I say, “There’s BeBe!” It was that call that helped reunite us when he accidentally flew out the door.
After his first molt, we decided to let him keep his flight feathers for a little while. That was until I frightened him when I was putting a box outside my front door. Never in my life, have I been so upset and scared. He took off out and around our apartment building out of my sight. I dashed down the stairs and started calling his name in hysterics. Then I heard the most beautiful sound. He called back to me. Soon, BeBe was back in my arms. I truly didn’t realize how much I loved him until I almost lost him. Needless, to say, I was truly blessed to have him back as many people are not so fortunate.
BeBe loves to snuggle. He loves doing his tricks. One of the funniest antics he has is when he imitates a helicopter. He makes the chopping sound and moves around in circles. He also likes to imitate a circus elephant by trying to balance himself on a ball. He loves to play fetch, of course, as we “fetch” and he throws. We’ve been working on one trick for a year now, and I finally think he’s got it down. I ask him if he has fleas, and he pulls his little agile leg over his wing and scratches his head. Of course, his favorite rewards are verbal praise and head rubs!
We decided recently to share our little blessing by raising lovebirds with a similar demeanor. BeBe’s true quality comes out in how he is an example to the new babies. He pays attention to them and cares about them, even so much as to try and regurgitate to them. Many of our new babies have weaned faster by watching BeBe and his actions. He cares so much for other birds that he sometimes risks his own life to visit with birds much bigger than him! We all know, however, that lovebirds are big birds in little bodies anyways.
Most of all, BeBe has taught me how to love deeper and be more patient. We are his flock, his family, his mate. He has given me a new reason to get up early every morning, to play more, and has taught me how to be a better person. I think it is all in learning to love and care for the smallest of deliveries into our lives.
I never realized that there was something missing in my life. I was shocked when I realized it was my lovie, BeBe (Dutch Blue Pied Peach-Faced Lovebird). You see, I knew when I got married that I was marrying a parrot person. I had never owned a parrot in my life! I was under complete misconceptions about parrots in general. Then, we were approached with a decision to accept one of the smallest parrots into our family. Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into and the love that I would experience for so small a life.
BeBe was a wedding present to my husband and I. He became part of our family in mid-October 2005. He was about 3 months old, but not yet weaned. The story goes that at the home of the breeders, BeBe had actually died. He got too cold and the man of the house saved BeBe by reviving him. BeBe had been almost weaned at that point, but reverted back to his baby stages and wouldn’t get out of them until he was almost 6 months old.
Some people would call BeBe spoiled. I would merit saying, instead, that he is extremely spoiled, well, and extremely loved. We consider him our child, so, in essence, we are normal parents in wanting to give BeBe the best life. People noticed a difference in him right away. Suddenly, we were breaking the bad rap that lovebirds had gotten. The exposure of sweet, loving, playful lovebirds was coming out through our very own baby.
BeBe has always had the most awesome toys. His cage is a plethora of stimulation. However, he remains outside of his cage most of the time. He loves his Penn-Plax playground and Hide-N-Peek Ball especially. Some people might call us extravagant in how we spoil our birds. I just call it a good investment into a long and happy life with them.
People are impressed with BeBe. Though he is small in size, he still stands out in a crowd of other birds. He knows a number of tricks and also how to get into trouble! He prefers to eat off of our plate and go down our shirts. That doesn’t quite work out when we have guests. In one instance, we had a couple over that we were friends with. I was called to rescue BeBe when he went down the shirt of the female guest!
He loves to give kisses. I suspect that if given the chance, he would just kiss me all day. If I ask him if he loves me, he makes a kissing noise at me. Sometimes you will catch him kissing every person he visits when we take him out. Another way he shows his affection for us is by regurgitating on us. Most of the time, it is him going through the motions rather than really anything coming up.
He loves to play “Where’s BeBe?” which is basically a version of Peek-a-boo. He has a great, unique call when he comes out and I say, “There’s BeBe!” It was that call that helped reunite us when he accidentally flew out the door.
After his first molt, we decided to let him keep his flight feathers for a little while. That was until I frightened him when I was putting a box outside my front door. Never in my life, have I been so upset and scared. He took off out and around our apartment building out of my sight. I dashed down the stairs and started calling his name in hysterics. Then I heard the most beautiful sound. He called back to me. Soon, BeBe was back in my arms. I truly didn’t realize how much I loved him until I almost lost him. Needless, to say, I was truly blessed to have him back as many people are not so fortunate.
BeBe loves to snuggle. He loves doing his tricks. One of the funniest antics he has is when he imitates a helicopter. He makes the chopping sound and moves around in circles. He also likes to imitate a circus elephant by trying to balance himself on a ball. He loves to play fetch, of course, as we “fetch” and he throws. We’ve been working on one trick for a year now, and I finally think he’s got it down. I ask him if he has fleas, and he pulls his little agile leg over his wing and scratches his head. Of course, his favorite rewards are verbal praise and head rubs!
We decided recently to share our little blessing by raising lovebirds with a similar demeanor. BeBe’s true quality comes out in how he is an example to the new babies. He pays attention to them and cares about them, even so much as to try and regurgitate to them. Many of our new babies have weaned faster by watching BeBe and his actions. He cares so much for other birds that he sometimes risks his own life to visit with birds much bigger than him! We all know, however, that lovebirds are big birds in little bodies anyways.
Most of all, BeBe has taught me how to love deeper and be more patient. We are his flock, his family, his mate. He has given me a new reason to get up early every morning, to play more, and has taught me how to be a better person. I think it is all in learning to love and care for the smallest of deliveries into our lives.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Promoted
My heart is absolutely broken. Again.
D.B. was promoted to heaven today and I can't help but feel it is unfair.
I look out at the stars through my paladian window and wonder why life has to hurt so much sometimes. I know that death is but a beginning, however, I am still here. I continue to remain, to endure. Not that I am planning on leaving anytime soon, but I do long for my eternal home. There I don't have to feel my heart break.
I loved him. I don't feel like loving such a small life is dumb. In fact, loving D.B. made me understand how to love better in all aspects of my life.
I can't sit here and not tell you that I don't have my feelings of upsettedness. Of wondering why or if we should continue to breed birds. I'm somehow not sure I can endure any more losses. Loss has become such an immediate part of my life over the past months.
I held him in my hand when he died. I was begging him not to leave his mommy. I told him I loved him and kissed him repeatedly. Yet, he still left me. Last night he gave me many goodbye kisses. Sometimes I wonder if God prompts me to have pictures taken of our babies' last hours of life. The same occurred when the other little one died. This one hurts more though. I poured my heart into him. Somehow I thought my love would help him survive today. More than anything, however, I believe my love helped him leave in peace and happiness.
I prayed a special prayer tonight. I asked God to put a hedge of protection over my other babies. Even my not so little babies. They are apart of my family and hold places in my heart. God put those placecards in my heart for them. My love for my babies comes out in all aspects of my life and teaches me to be a better and more patient person.
I also prayed to the Lord for Him to place my losses in the hands of someone to take care of them until I get to heaven and can take over the job. Somehow, I feel that someone, maybe Grandma, holds them close to her.
My babies are heaven's deliveries. I am not ready to give up. Somehow, our endeavor into blessing people's lives with a baby lovie to love will touch someone and make a difference. I even feel that we already have made a difference to people in the way we do love our babies. I hope we can pass that love on to others.
Until then, mis amoritas: I do love you... and I can't wait to hold you in my hand once again.
D.B. was promoted to heaven today and I can't help but feel it is unfair.
I look out at the stars through my paladian window and wonder why life has to hurt so much sometimes. I know that death is but a beginning, however, I am still here. I continue to remain, to endure. Not that I am planning on leaving anytime soon, but I do long for my eternal home. There I don't have to feel my heart break.
I loved him. I don't feel like loving such a small life is dumb. In fact, loving D.B. made me understand how to love better in all aspects of my life.
I can't sit here and not tell you that I don't have my feelings of upsettedness. Of wondering why or if we should continue to breed birds. I'm somehow not sure I can endure any more losses. Loss has become such an immediate part of my life over the past months.
I held him in my hand when he died. I was begging him not to leave his mommy. I told him I loved him and kissed him repeatedly. Yet, he still left me. Last night he gave me many goodbye kisses. Sometimes I wonder if God prompts me to have pictures taken of our babies' last hours of life. The same occurred when the other little one died. This one hurts more though. I poured my heart into him. Somehow I thought my love would help him survive today. More than anything, however, I believe my love helped him leave in peace and happiness.
I prayed a special prayer tonight. I asked God to put a hedge of protection over my other babies. Even my not so little babies. They are apart of my family and hold places in my heart. God put those placecards in my heart for them. My love for my babies comes out in all aspects of my life and teaches me to be a better and more patient person.
I also prayed to the Lord for Him to place my losses in the hands of someone to take care of them until I get to heaven and can take over the job. Somehow, I feel that someone, maybe Grandma, holds them close to her.
My babies are heaven's deliveries. I am not ready to give up. Somehow, our endeavor into blessing people's lives with a baby lovie to love will touch someone and make a difference. I even feel that we already have made a difference to people in the way we do love our babies. I hope we can pass that love on to others.
Until then, mis amoritas: I do love you... and I can't wait to hold you in my hand once again.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Through the Eyes of the Babe
Light, sounds
Entrance into a world so cold
Love felt
Strange surroundings
Smell of Hay
Wrapped in warm swaddling
Faces, many Faces
Grand, kingly gifts
A star, shining brightly o’er top
Worship
Foretold for many generations
Young virgin mother
Angels heard on high
Born to die, yet bring life
Purposed for salvation
© TRM 2006
Entrance into a world so cold
Love felt
Strange surroundings
Smell of Hay
Wrapped in warm swaddling
Faces, many Faces
Grand, kingly gifts
A star, shining brightly o’er top
Worship
Foretold for many generations
Young virgin mother
Angels heard on high
Born to die, yet bring life
Purposed for salvation
© TRM 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Pregnant Bellies
Life, recently, has been quite joyous. Despite the heart-wrenching toast that made half the table cry at Thanksgiving at Grandma's house for the last time (thanks Dad!), our family, I think, is generally happy.
Many of you know that my husband and I don't want kids (yea, still!). However, I do not think it is wrong for me to enjoy other people's pregnancies. The first pregnant belly I ever touched was a friend of mine's, Robbie's. I just asked her one day at church, and I just thought it the most interesting thing ever.
Now, before your start thinking it, I won't just touch any stranger's pregnant belly. That, truly, is out of bounds.
None of my immediate family has ever been pregnant and in close proximity, until now! Rachel is about 6 months pregnant with a boy (Andrew William) and with a proud daddy, my brother, Thomas. I guess you could say she is the 2nd pregnant belly I have touched.
I would tend to say that Rachel and I are close. I mean, we ARE family and all, but she is my sister-in-law and wife to a brother whom I am very close to. Thus, by default, we are close. The neatest thing is that she invites me to touch her belly (I do give warning!) pretty much all the time.
I felt Andrew kick for the first time on Thanksgiving day. That was an experience. I mean, my hand moved and everything. He's got one heck of a kick!
I never really realized what pregnant tummies felt like until I touched one. I guess I assumed that they were squishy and jiggly. But that's really not the case at all! They are actually quite firm! It is the neatest feeling to touch a pregnant belly and know that there is a living little person in there.
I put my ear to her belly and couldn't hear anything. We even tried a stethoscope and really just heard a lot of liquid swishing and maybe a very faint pitter-patter. The little one only weighs a little over 2 pounds, so I suspect we'll hear more when he gets bigger.
She is due in late February and we are all excited! My Mom is still not sure she's ready, especially since she has no grandma budget yet. What grandma really has a budget anyways?
By the way, Andrew was thought to be Maria Grace for a full month until the last ultrasound. That's when the nurse admitted to a boo-boo when spotting Andrew's family jewels. I just know that my Grandma is just laughing from heaven about the boo-boo as she knew it before us!
Pregnant ladies really have a lot of say in life. If she wants to eat this, then we all go there. If she needs a nap or rest, then she does it. Nobody thinks twice if a pregnant lady has something to say or wants something. We just go with the flow. That is pretty much a given and Rachel has the right (she is so reasonable!)! It does take a lot of BTUs to bake in that oven (the womb!)!
I know what some of you are thinking. "Oh, she's talking her way into having a kid." No, in fact, I was pretty much scarred from wanting to have one when I ran my first EMS call. Really, enjoying and watching others go through a pregnancy is fulfilling enough of that call of nature!
Many of you know that my husband and I don't want kids (yea, still!). However, I do not think it is wrong for me to enjoy other people's pregnancies. The first pregnant belly I ever touched was a friend of mine's, Robbie's. I just asked her one day at church, and I just thought it the most interesting thing ever.
Now, before your start thinking it, I won't just touch any stranger's pregnant belly. That, truly, is out of bounds.
None of my immediate family has ever been pregnant and in close proximity, until now! Rachel is about 6 months pregnant with a boy (Andrew William) and with a proud daddy, my brother, Thomas. I guess you could say she is the 2nd pregnant belly I have touched.
I would tend to say that Rachel and I are close. I mean, we ARE family and all, but she is my sister-in-law and wife to a brother whom I am very close to. Thus, by default, we are close. The neatest thing is that she invites me to touch her belly (I do give warning!) pretty much all the time.
I felt Andrew kick for the first time on Thanksgiving day. That was an experience. I mean, my hand moved and everything. He's got one heck of a kick!
I never really realized what pregnant tummies felt like until I touched one. I guess I assumed that they were squishy and jiggly. But that's really not the case at all! They are actually quite firm! It is the neatest feeling to touch a pregnant belly and know that there is a living little person in there.
I put my ear to her belly and couldn't hear anything. We even tried a stethoscope and really just heard a lot of liquid swishing and maybe a very faint pitter-patter. The little one only weighs a little over 2 pounds, so I suspect we'll hear more when he gets bigger.
She is due in late February and we are all excited! My Mom is still not sure she's ready, especially since she has no grandma budget yet. What grandma really has a budget anyways?
By the way, Andrew was thought to be Maria Grace for a full month until the last ultrasound. That's when the nurse admitted to a boo-boo when spotting Andrew's family jewels. I just know that my Grandma is just laughing from heaven about the boo-boo as she knew it before us!
Pregnant ladies really have a lot of say in life. If she wants to eat this, then we all go there. If she needs a nap or rest, then she does it. Nobody thinks twice if a pregnant lady has something to say or wants something. We just go with the flow. That is pretty much a given and Rachel has the right (she is so reasonable!)! It does take a lot of BTUs to bake in that oven (the womb!)!
I know what some of you are thinking. "Oh, she's talking her way into having a kid." No, in fact, I was pretty much scarred from wanting to have one when I ran my first EMS call. Really, enjoying and watching others go through a pregnancy is fulfilling enough of that call of nature!
Monday, November 13, 2006
D.B. & Angel (and then some!)
All 3!
Angel- the last one we will keep.
You're not Rodney!
flapper!
D.B. is our nickname since he is sold already
Evee on Daddy's collar... note the fluff hanging over
proud parents
Dewey & Sierra
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Loss
Today is a sad day. Today is the first time that we have lost one of our birds.
The youngest of our three new babies passed away today.
She couldn't be saved. At first, I blamed myself. I took care of her yesterday. Had I overfed her? She was sluggish starting about 6pm last night. She didn't want to eat. She was usually the most hyper of all three of them. What was wrong?
I held her in my hand. Put her on my chest. Felt her warmth. Touched her little feet.
Now, she's gone. I didn't think I would get so attached to these babies. After all, she was to be sold to a wonderful family. Even still, I loved her. She was one of my charges. One of my babies.
It wasn't my fault though. Her liver was very swollen; it was a birth defect. She had thrown up yesterday and overnight. Those were the last stages/hours of her life. I think she knew that we loved her. She recognized us and wanted us to hold her.
These things just happen.
God created us to love others, to love dearly. That's what makes us like Him; that we could care even for the smallest of creatures created by His own hand.
Now, her little body can be used to help other babies in the future, so that they may be saved.
I did cry. And, no, it's not stupid to cry over a bird. My heart is tender. Crying helps me to deal with the pain and get it out. But, she's not hurting anymore.
Comfortingly to me, I know she is held in God's own hand. Forever to be warm and loved.
The youngest of our three new babies passed away today.
She couldn't be saved. At first, I blamed myself. I took care of her yesterday. Had I overfed her? She was sluggish starting about 6pm last night. She didn't want to eat. She was usually the most hyper of all three of them. What was wrong?
I held her in my hand. Put her on my chest. Felt her warmth. Touched her little feet.
Now, she's gone. I didn't think I would get so attached to these babies. After all, she was to be sold to a wonderful family. Even still, I loved her. She was one of my charges. One of my babies.
It wasn't my fault though. Her liver was very swollen; it was a birth defect. She had thrown up yesterday and overnight. Those were the last stages/hours of her life. I think she knew that we loved her. She recognized us and wanted us to hold her.
These things just happen.
God created us to love others, to love dearly. That's what makes us like Him; that we could care even for the smallest of creatures created by His own hand.
Now, her little body can be used to help other babies in the future, so that they may be saved.
I did cry. And, no, it's not stupid to cry over a bird. My heart is tender. Crying helps me to deal with the pain and get it out. But, she's not hurting anymore.
Comfortingly to me, I know she is held in God's own hand. Forever to be warm and loved.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Grateful (Poem)
How can we thank Him?
Our Provider, Jehovah Jirah
We are mended and restored
His splendor is greater than we can know
How can we thank Him??
Our thankfulness can’t match His faithfulness
We are forgiven
He is the Great I AM
How can we thank Him???
Everyday is a new day!
We are daily dependant on Him
He made us in His image
His love is unfathomable
We pour out praise according to His abundance
For which, we are eternally grateful!
© TRM 2006
Our Provider, Jehovah Jirah
We are mended and restored
His splendor is greater than we can know
How can we thank Him??
Our thankfulness can’t match His faithfulness
We are forgiven
He is the Great I AM
How can we thank Him???
Everyday is a new day!
We are daily dependant on Him
He made us in His image
His love is unfathomable
We pour out praise according to His abundance
For which, we are eternally grateful!
© TRM 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Frustration (Loving my Enemies)
I prayed for you
even when all I wanted to do was curse you
I begged for forgiveness from my God
after feeling hatred against you
I prayed for my father
one of the most Godly men I know
I prayed for you
after you snubbed his loyalty
I prayed for myself
when I questioned God about His will in all of this
I prayed for my father
who, despite everything, was the better man
I prayed for you
when I cast Satan out from the deeds done
I desperately pleaded to my Lord
as I wept in grief uncontrollably
I thanked my God
for the strength of character I see in my Dad
I prayed for you
even as my tender heart broke
I repented with Him
for all the things I felt and said about you
I prayed for my father
knowing that his future will be brighter
I prayed for you
wondering why you did what you did
I asked the great Healer
to mend and bind my wounds
I pleaded for my Dad
for the Lord's guidance, blessings, and comfort in his life
I prayed for you
asking the Lord to teach me to love you anyways.
by Tamara Money
© TRM 2006
referencing this
~see the GSK drama
even when all I wanted to do was curse you
I begged for forgiveness from my God
after feeling hatred against you
I prayed for my father
one of the most Godly men I know
I prayed for you
after you snubbed his loyalty
I prayed for myself
when I questioned God about His will in all of this
I prayed for my father
who, despite everything, was the better man
I prayed for you
when I cast Satan out from the deeds done
I desperately pleaded to my Lord
as I wept in grief uncontrollably
I thanked my God
for the strength of character I see in my Dad
I prayed for you
even as my tender heart broke
I repented with Him
for all the things I felt and said about you
I prayed for my father
knowing that his future will be brighter
I prayed for you
wondering why you did what you did
I asked the great Healer
to mend and bind my wounds
I pleaded for my Dad
for the Lord's guidance, blessings, and comfort in his life
I prayed for you
asking the Lord to teach me to love you anyways.
by Tamara Money
© TRM 2006
referencing this
~see the GSK drama
Monday, October 09, 2006
A Tribute to My Grandma
April 17, 1927 - September 28, 2006
Who would've thought that she would eventually be gone from us? I always thought she'd be around forever. It was Grandma; she had been to every major and almost every minor event of my entire 24 years of life. How could she be gone? Why? Why did she suffer?You must know by now that she died from ALS. It is a terrible disease. It is like being in prison inside your body. We all knew that she would die from this. We didn't know how bad it would get. Yet, still, her passing was a shock. She did die peacefully in her sleep. She just stopped breathing. One minute she was here, the next gone. Thank God she died peacefully.
The last few months have been really hard on us as a family. She stayed with my parents for a little over three months starting in June. It was a dramatic change from when she first came to when she left us. At first, it was a lot of phlem. She would struggle to breathe. In August, the doctor gave her two months. My Grandmother passed away on September 28, 2006. Just about a month and a half after the doctor gave her the final timing.
I spent a lot of time helping her. Tim, my youngest brother, and my Dad spent the most time caring for her. There were, however, some things they couldn't do for her. My husband told me that the times I cared for her would never be something I would regret. It is true. I will always remember the time I got the priveledge of bathing her. The times I helped dress her and feed her through her feeding tube. Watching soap operas with her in the afternoon. She never failed to remember when her soap operas came on. I guess that is expected as ALS doesn't affect the brain, just the bodily functions.
Some of her best days happened when a wonderful lady from the church, Sharon, came over and spent time with her. Those days were encouraging. Yet still, I longed to be free to be able to help more.
But now she's gone. My favorite description of where she has gone has to be from my baby cousin John, 8. My Aunt was trying to explain to him where "Oma" had gone. She reminded him of their old dog Buff. She told him that Buff had gone to heaven and could run and play again. That's when John said, "Oh, so Oma's in heaven running and playing with Buff!"
Thankfully, Grandma is not suffering anymore. We had her sign a book for my brother's little girl before she left for Atlanta for the last time. She wrote in it: "I am locked up for something I did not do. I do not know you but will always love you. Will you like Thomas? If you ever get in prison like Oma, jump out!" This is such a reflection of her struggle through this disease.
At her funeral in Atlanta, my brother said some of the most wonderful things about her. It is truly important to remember the good times and the memories we made together. She made a difference in her life, even if it was to show us how much she loved us and did whatever she could to take care of us.
I will always remember: visiting Grandpa at the cemetary, feeding the ducks, bike riding together, walking Poopsi, swimming in her backyard, Easter Egg hunts, darts, killing bugs, catching lightning bugs, raking her yard, everything tasting like Grandmas house, freebies, sour milk, icecream, Toys 'R' Us, walking around the mall for just walking, praying together, her tucking me in, cooking for us even when we weren't hungry, coming on holidays, awesome presents, $5 dollars every minor holiday, her barely readable handwriting, and many, many, more.
I thank God for giving me this woman of significance in my life. I thank Him for the time I had with her. I thank him for the Grandma whom I will always remember and think on. I know she is watching over me and singing the "Amen" song.
I love and miss you.
In dedication to her and to the future Maria Grace who is named after her.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Live...Laugh...Love
Live
In peace and joy
Encouraging one another
For Him, though Him
Laugh
Together
To lift spirits
At the devil
Love
Each other
Strengthens bonds
To show the world Christ.
© TRM 2006
Laugh
Love
© TRM 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Evee: 4 weeks, 6 days old!
tubby, little baby
tired of pictures (literally)
I'm pretty!
hey!!??
pretty wing!
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