Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Am I still out there?

The last commentor on the "Awwww" picture asked just that. It can be taken two ways: Am I OUT there? Like, yeah, I am way out there :) or Am I out there? like "Am I still blogging?" The irony is that as I was driving today I could feel a blog boiling up inside me. I hate that I had to really rein in what I was truly feeling and experiencing in my blog because "bullies" were creating conflict. Much of what I write now is light or a picture review (still valuable to friends and family, I hope) but the gut of me is curtailed.

Someday I will get back to real blogging but right now, there is still concern and worry. Suffice it to say, the last four months have been excruciating. I wonder why I have lost ten pounds with out really trying and I know. It's the famous "Grief Diet". The one you can't write a book about because the causes of grief are so awful: death, divorce, suicide, cruelty, and on and on. And all of ones I just listed have been going on in the lives of people near and dear to me. Death: the sister and two nieces of my sweet friend. Divorce: One of our closest guy friends is being dragged through this pit. Suicide and attempts: Too many. Cruelty: At least four different men who are batterers, violent tempered, alcoholic and threatening bullies to women I know.

The bullies are ones I have such disdain for. I hate bullies. Is that too strong a word? I think because I love, I must also be able to hate. It is so abhorent that someone thinks they can control another by their horrific words, their accusations, almost always false, and their violence. Two recent news stories in IL rang too close. One, the mother whose two young sons were killed by the deranged father who then killed himself, pleaded with the courts not to allow unsupervised visits. A judge denied her requests and now they are gone. The other, another deranged man, killed the sister of his girlfriend and her father and her grandmother. Their funerals are tomorrow. Is it drugs, mental illness, alcohol, a lousy upbringing? I don't know but the numbers just continue to grow. I can't believe the thoughts I have in thinking of ways to make these people go away.

All I know for now is that God sees and knows and hears the prayers of those who are threatened. He, in His time, will make all things right. I am reminded of Romans 8:28, Katie's verse.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes."

May it be so.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Awwww..


Too fun.


My lamb cake, cute, huh?


Happy birthday, Pete.


Lamb cake eater Reece.


Yum, Izzy loves the rolls.


Let the feasting begin.


Beautiful girlies.


More Easter goodies!


Eggs Goldenrod, yippee!


Now that is cute...Maya Bunny.


Grandpa bunny.


Yikes!


What did the Easter bunny bring?


Good morning!


Twins learning a new song.


Easter eggs...


Easter

This past Sunday, Easter, was one of those great days I cherish. Early morning Easter egg hunt at 921 with the kids cooperating and letting the little kids find the easy eggs. The world famous Eggs Goldenrod made and eaten (and the annual call from son Chris on how to make the world famous Eggs Goldenrod.) All of us getting to church in time for one of the most amazing Easter services Willow has ever done...sweet.

Our Easter feast was hosted by son and daughter-in-law Chris and Christa and it was fabulous. Pete's folks were there and feeling the love. Their health has been so shaky lately; it was great to have them there enjoying their kids, grandkids and great grandkids. We celebrated Pete's birthday, too, and that was cool, too. Granddaughter Izzy arrived just in time.

Dessert was followed by Guitar Hero, a new family tradition. I love the way different family members show a whole new side when they get behind a guitar or microphone. Hilarious.

Holidays always bring me back to thinking about Laurie in a more intense way. At one point I slipped away from the festivities, and wouldn't you know it? I can hear a cardinal singing. It didn't take long before I spotted him high in a tree. I am reminded that God is near in all situations and He knows my heart. The worries and sadness can still be given to Him and He will bear it for me. He made that sacrifice long ago for me...resurrection, new life, Easter.

Friday, April 03, 2009

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

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