This world is just way too small. The other day, while I was waiting to go into surgery, the nurse and I were talking. She was quite a chatting young woman, and I really was just doing my part to be nice. The topic of school came up, then church. Come to find out, her husband is related to a member of our congregation. So, we discussed that commonality for a while. Next, I find out that her dad is a relative of MY dad's. Now, she is telling everyone around that we are cousins (at least 6 times removed!). By now, I'm the most important person there - well, actually I was the ONLY person waiting there - but now we had even more to keep us talking. It was a nice diversion for the time spent waiting, but it reminded me once again, that small communities as well as this world, tie us all together in one fashion or another.
So - be careful who you are not nice too - it's probably someone you're kin to down the line.

Have a good evening!

Yesterday, I had a small, outpatient surgery. Dana came home to keep an eye on us, which I appreciate, and all went well. I am on my way back to normal, but will try to milk the pampering I am receiving for a day or two - :) Not what I was planning to do over the holidays, but am most glad it is behind me.

Small town hospitals don't always get the credit they deserve in terms of care, but over the past few days, I've been impressed with the care and concern given me by doctors, nurses, and administrative folks at our little local hospital. I was just another procedure, and they could've just passed me through, but each and every one I came into contact with were very professional and kind; not in a hurry to just pass me through. It was a nice experience overall, all things considered.

Well, I'm about to get sleepy again, so I'll close. :)

Happy Christmas Eve! We are here at Gregg and Erin's , the girls in the kitchen, Andy and Gregg watching tv. We had a lovely lunch at Carabba's, and then it was back here. Worship was different for us old time Church of Christers, and we had lots of discussion about it. Don't really get into it all that much, but it was interesting... felt very "worldly."

We rode around last night and looked at some of Houston's grandest homes. Cannot imagine living in such a large scale, but it was nice to see. I guess they have the same worries we all do, just on a different level.

Well, the girls are calling. I guess I'd better get in there. I'm obviously missing something big!

Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Away in a Manger." I always loved it for its simplicity, but really came to count it among my favorites when Dana was about 3.

I was teaching in Sealy, and every day, I took Erin and her with me to a lady who kept them in her home not far from the school. One day, Dana said, "Look Mommy, it's Jesus." I tried to see what she was talking about, but couldn't figure it out. The next day, as we approached that area, I said, "Dana, do you see Jesus again today?" and she said Yes. The only thing around was a bill-board with the picture of a man wearing a welding helmet and holding a torch. She said, "See Mom, it's Jesus," and started singing "Away in a Manger." I tried to get her to tell me how that was Jesus, and why she was singing that song, and she said that it was the "Away in a Manger" picture. So that's what we called it, "The Away in a Manger" billboard.

Through all these years, we still see that billboard. Its picture is hardly visible now, and I'm sure the business it advertized is long gone. But for Dana, Erin and me, on the way to school everyday, it was our picture of Jesus, and a chance to sing a wonderful song.

"Well - Amy Young, or used to be!"

That is how I was greeted this morning when I came out of the doctor's office into his waiting room. A sister of a life-long friend was waiting her turn to go in for her appointment, and it surprised her to see me come through the door. We chatted and exchanged well-wishes to each other's families, and then I left. I went about my chores for the day, took a nice nap, and then hit the blogs.

Now I'm thinking about Amy Young used-to-be. Before college. Andy. Dana and Erin. Tulsa. All God's people who have come and gone through my life all those in years. Amy Young used-to-be was a mousy, shy little thing; skinny with dirty knees and tangled hair. She didn't make much of an impression on anyone, and that was just fine with her. Most of the people who knew me then probably keep me in that little box, and would not even know me now. It's funny to think about, actually - to look back at Amy Young used-to-be, and to see how much she's changed.

At the doctor's office today, in some of those long waiting moments you have to endure, I was looking at a poster about menopause. The words "Change of Life" jumped out at me like the title of the movie "Cast Away." I think I even read them aloud a few times. The meaning had nothing to do with the way I'd always read it or heard it; at 51, my life IS changing daily. Each day takes me farther and farther away from Amy Young used-to-be.

Who knew I'd have so much to think about when I got up this morning -

Have a good evening!

I've been very sad the past couple of days... found out some bad news about a couple of my little girls from school, and the life they've been dealt kinda makes me want to scream and cry.

Andy and I worked very hard to provide good, stable lives for Dana and Erin. We "did all the right stuff" - church, "good" friends, culture, that kind of thing. We made sure they were happy and safe and free from most cares of the world. I used to tell them that God had given them to us to raise for Him, and that I was going to do my best to do it right. Praise God, they made it through so far without too much to deal with. These two little ones are not enjoying the life they deserve - and I am so angry and sad I want to say to God that His little ones don't need to face a life so hard at such a young age. I want to "fix" it and yet it is beyond my reach other than to love them and pray that they will grow into women who can face adversity and come out stronger. It kind of puts all the silly things I deal with into perspective and humbles me. And it makes me SO thankful for the care and protection my own daughters have received to this point.

I know that God's Will will be done, and that He knows the outcome of all this, so I give them to Him for His care.

When my mom died, and my sister and nephew moved to California, my father in law told us they'd love us to move back over to the Houston area to be closer to family. We did give it some thought, but when all was considered, we decided to stay where we are for now.
You see, my dear father in law was under the assumption that we were just here for my "family" and that since they were gone, there would be nothing here to hold us. I guess to some, that would make all sorts of sense, but there is a flaw in that logic.

Even though my biological family no longer live in this area, my family is alive and well. We are never lacking for someone to call or see or check in on, and the bond we have through Christ ties us like no other. Sure, lots of times we miss everyone in Houston, and we're looking forward to a big-old family Christmas, but our church family keeps us focused and happy here.

Tonight, we're getting together with some our brothers and sisters to watch a movie and eat together. I'm so greatful to God for providing this support system to us, and I only hope I mean as much to them as they mean to me.

Have a wonderful night. Sweet dreams.

When Andy and I decided to build our home, the lot we selected had no trees on it - not even a mesquite! In a way, it was like a blank painting canvas; ours to do as we pleased. We made some mistakes; like the little tiny tree Carl broke one night, and the beautiful loquat we had to cut down because it got too big and too near the house. But we made some wonderful choices too.

Right now, I live in New England! In the front, I have a Red Oak and a Bradford Pear wearing their beautiful Fall colors for all to see! They greet me as I come home from a long day at school, and stand out among all the other green trees on the block. I chose them specifically for that reason, and it took a few years, but right now, they are wonderful. In the back, outside my breakfast nook, I see my Bur Oak, Chinese Pistachio, and Chinese Tallow - reds, yellows, oranges, and all bright with the sun on them. The first good wind, and the naked trunks and limbs will be all I see, but for now, it is God's splendor at my beck and call. It reminds me of the cycle of life, and of God's love for me, that He made not only a creation for my survival, but for my enjoyment as well.

Pleasanton is known for it's abundance of lovely, stately live oak trees, and I do enjoy them, but on my street, among all the green, colors rule!!

Sweet dreams!!

Jackie and Andy have both mentioned in their blogs about going to the concert last night, so I'll just continue their theme. I guess everyone who went came away with something different; Andy at a concert is a beautiful sight to behold - total mesmerizing oblivion to the world outside the music; Robert "singing" along to the songs so quietly he didn't think I could hear him (there are no words- it's all instrumental), and Jackie - her face so excited with the "being there" to hear it all in person. What did I come away with last night with? A total peace. That all those folks would stop their hectic lives for a couple of hours to go sit and listen and wonder at music from so long ago played in such a modern age. A beautiful blending of ages and application. It kept away the burdens and worries of our lives while we concentrated on an event so long ago that changed so very much.

Thanks, Robert and Jackie. For everything.

Yesterday, as I went to lunch, I noticed some small, white beads of ice falling from the sky - it was sleet!! Several of us teachers were in the lounge, so we all ran to the door. For just a moment, there was silence as we watched something we don't often see here in South Texas - it was almost too beautiful! The sound of it hitting the ground and cars around us added to the effect. Slowly, children came across us and began to spread the news. As you can expect, there wasn't much work going on; as one teacher put it; there's no way I can keep this from watching this - we live in the desert!! It continued to fall for the majority of the day, and by the time we left, it was mainly soft rain falling. To be honest, I don't know who was more happy to see it; the teach or kids. It was a day not soon to be forgotten by any of us.

Today, I read a letter to all Aggie family members from Dr. Gates, as he resigns to become Secretary of Defense. It was pretty much what you would expect an outgoing college president to say as he leaves, but then I got down to the end. He goes on about how, no matter where he goes or what he does, for the rest of his life, he will "Bleed Maroon." I looked at that and I thought, what is it about that college that makes even a parental bystander like me feel loyalty and pride? I loved my college, Sam Houston State University, and am proud of my degree from there, but I don't "Bleed bearkat orange" for goodness sake.

I guess my love for A&M comes from the wonderful years my girls enjoyed there, and for the son God provided for us throught Aggies for Christ; for the focus and push it gave Dana and Erin to be better people and serve others - things they were taught growing up, but emphasized so beautifully at a time when they were making life-long decisions about who they wanted to be in life.

I don't know the point to this blog, other than to say that I hope Dr. Gates is able to hold onto those qualities he listed from A&M as he heads to D.C.
Heaven knows that place needs an Aggie or two!!

I am SO ready for school to be out for the holidays! Even though I know it'll go fast once it's here, I am just not in the mood to be at school. Whine, whine whine - I sound like I never get a day off, and never get to do anything fun, but I'm just not in the school mood. December just isn't fun at school anymore, and it's an endurance race to see who can make it to the end without losing it - the kids or us. Right now, it's pretty much a tie. Ebeneezer must be standing behind me, whispering Bah, humbug! Perhaps I'll find some mistletoe and go hunt up Andrew!!

Jury duty called today, and just like the other times, I wasn't picked.
They take one look at Andy's profession and I become a paraia to the defense. Doesn't matter that I would love the experience of serving on a jury or that I can make up my mind without him prejudicing me.
I sit all day with my magazine and wait to be dismissed.

On top of it, now I hear the school will take my $6.00 I earned for sitting there - grrrrr!

Where's the justice!!?!

Sunday afternoons are the best. After lunch, and until evening services, I love the idea of resting. Usually, I'm reading the paper and watching "Sell This House". If the mood hits, I'll take a nap, but I don't really like to. One of my angel girls might call, and I'd miss that! Andy's nap time hits him at about 4:00 - today he has an elders' meeting, so there goes that idea.

Today, I'm doing Christmas cards. I usually do them Thanksgiving weekend, but not this year. Oh well; I'll get them done today.

Have a wonderful afternoon....

In almost every way, I am like my dad. (Well, okay, not the bald part!) But in temperment, personality, and general nature, I see him inside me. He died in 1990, and I miss him a lot. I hear him sing at church, I smell his tobacco and greasy dirty hands, and I feel his ribs against me when I would hug him in his later years. He loved to whistle and sing; his whistle was kind of blowing with his teeth clenched together and lips apart, not the usual pucker. He was happiest when he was working; either on a car or in his yard.

I made him mad twice that I can remember. Once, I picked up a gallon of milk in a big thick glass gallon jug and promptly dropped it on the concrete. The other time, I took a black ink pen out of his lunchbox to do homework. That pen belonged to the U.S. Government and was not meant to be used outside the office. Didn't I know that...?

Jackie wrote about time on her blog today. If I could just manipulate one day, to go back and be with Daddy.... but I'll wait. I'll see him soon enough, and then time will not be a factor.

In almost every way, I am like my dad. (Well, okay, not the bald part!) But in temperment, personality, and general nature, I see him inside me. He died in 1990, and I miss him a lot. I hear him sing at church, I smell his tobacco and greasy dirty hands, and I feel his ribs against me when I would hug him in his later years. He loved to whistle and sing; his whistle was kind of blowing with his teeth clenched together and lips apart, not the usual pucker. He was happiest when he was working; either on a car or in his yard.

I made him mad twice that I can remember. Once, I picked up a gallon of milk in a big thick glass gallon jug and promptly dropped it on the concrete. The other time, I took a black ink pen out of his lunchbox to do homework. That pen belonged to the U.S. Government and was not meant to be used outside the office. Didn't I know that...?

Jackie wrote about time on her blog today. If I could just manipulate one day, to go back and be with Daddy.... but I'll wait. I'll see him soon enough, and then time will not be a factor.