A Silver Anniversary

Earlier today, I was writing a long overdue note to a former teacher. Recently, I've run into two former students, Joe and Becky. Joe, as you may have read earlier, is among my top 5 students of all time, and Becky drove me crazy every day I had her. I prayed for her to be absent; she was HORRIBLE on 9 days out of 10. Several times, she'd - well, let's not go into all that, let's just move on. In spite of all that, she came up and hugged me and told me how she wished she was still in my class. (Perhaps I should try acting!!)
Seeing them both reminded me of Mr. Franklin. I grew up calling him "Dickie" because he was in my brother's class, and everyone called him that - his name is Richard. By the time I got into high school, Mr. Franklin was a teacher. He was also the yearbook sponsor, so my friend and I signed up to do yearbook with "Dickie." That decision changed who I am today in a powerful way - he made me editor, which forced me to deal with people and situations that I'd never have felt able to do. I doubt he gave it a moment's thought, but I see it as a pivotal moment in my life.
So today, after all these years, I'm sending Mr. Franklin a thank you note. I've intended to do it for many years, but just haven't. I hope I say what I want to express to him my gratitude. This is my 25th year to teach, and I hope there's someone out there that feels even a small portion of that towards me. It will make it all worthwhile.

How did I know?!

On our first date, Andy and I went to a concert at the Student Center of our university, Sam Houston State. The artist was B.W. Stevenson, of "My Maria" fame, and he (Andy) promptly forgot my name when a buddy of his walked up and introduced himself. Great first impression that one was!
Fast forward to yesterday. I'm sitting in the pew following the invitation and a couple of responses, and there he stands, sharing with the congregation the needs and concerns of the folks who came to the front. As I sat there, my heart just filled up with the most wonderful sort of pride; to hear his speak so lovingly and compassionately about the circumstances these brothers and sisters in Christ had found themselves in.
How DID I know all those years ago that he would evolve into such a man? I knew he had good qualities and a love of God and a desire to grow in His will, but I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about those things. Over the years, God has molded and shaped his heart into what it is today, and as I sat and watched him yesterday, I felt so blessed.
Erin asked me once how I knew he would be a good husband. I told her I didn't, that I just loved how he kissed!! Thanks be to God for giving me so much more that I ever dreamed of!!

Teacher's Pet

I try to act like it at the time; I try to make them think I don't favor one over the others, but sometimes you just can't help it. There comes along one who jumps in you heart and you can't do anything but love them, no matter what they do. I've had several over all the years, but ran in to #1 this week at the store. (At least he's #1 until I run into another!!)
I don't know if I've posted about Joe before. He came up to me in the check-out line this week and grinned and said, "I'm going to have a baby!"
Now, even with the Manu-facial hair, he still looks like a 4th grader
and the twinkle in his eyes melted me right there. Luckily, there was no one behind me, and the checker saw we needed some time, so she didn't rush me. He pointed out his girl-friend and parents, and so after I grilled him there at the register, we walked over and I met "her." His mom and dad still look in their 20s, and we've had a great relationship through the years, so it was wonderful to see them as well.
Joe tells me he will be a Senior this year; they will make him shave, but he knows it will grow back. The baby will come in March; he is working two jobs so they can get their own place and not live with the folks. He promised me a graduation announcement, we hugged and each walked to our cars.
I don't know if Joe ever learned to read - I did everything I knew how to teach him. The day of his TAKS test (or whatever they called it then), he turned the page, looked up at me, and drew his hood over his face while laying his head down. I walked over to him, rubbed his back with one hand and pointed word by word though each story. We were both exhausted by the time it was over, but we made it. I don't know if he even passed this year; my guess would be "no", but he has stuck it out and is on track to graduate. School has not been easy for Joe, but he has earned it.
It's enough to make me ready to go back and find another Joe.

Deeann, the photographer

All through the years, my cousin Deeann has taken lots of grief over her passion for "capturing the moment" with her camera.

It didn't have to be any special occasion - stop on the side of the road and take a pic if the scenery were pretty and we were together. Her brothers especially grumbled on occasion at having to stop something they were doing - probably sports related - for a picture.
But on Tuesday, at Aunt Mary's funeral, I'll bet they were all glad she was so persistent. The video of family pictures flowed before us, some terribly funny and some heartbreakingly sad. It was a perfect panorama of the family's changes as the years went by. Not all of them were Deeann's - A beautiful, young Mary holding her son Ralph, who died at 3 years, and a portrait of Aunt Mary with a Deeann-looking Sandra who followed Ralph at 7 years. Her young, handsome husband, Billy, who she adored and lost so many years ago, and Bobby who we gathered together only a year ago to mourn. I think, however, my favorite picture was the last. It showed a huddled group of team and fans following a Millsap Bulldog football game. You couldn't tell if they'd won or lost, but you could see Aunt Mary. Right in the center of the group, there she was - tiny, frail and looking quite old. It was beautifully taken, and I'll bet those brothers were not complaining as we watched it that Deeann had had her camera ready as always, to catch a perfect moment in time.
It's funny, our roles in our family. Deeann, on this occasion, full-filled hers perfectly. Thanks, cousin.



Well, at Aunt Mary's funeral last week, I was thinking how glad we should all be with her now. The slide show was quite a documentation of the family's change through the years, both greatly funny and sad. To pick a favorite would have been truly hard, but I think the last shot of the show was my favorite. It showed a scene at the end of a Millsap Bulldog's football game, with everyone in the center of the field. I don't know if they won or lost, but there, centered right where you could see her, was Aunt Mary. Tiny, wirey, old aunt Mary

Random observations of late...

I've been quite emotional lately; Auny Mary dying, Liz growing healthy and strong, Bekah leaving for India, dealing with my own demons, and so on. I've not been weepy like this since before my hysterectomy, and I really am caught off guard. I requested a song the other night in Houston and could hardly sing it because I became so emotional over the words!! I'm eager for this stage to pass....

Andy is out working in the yard as I write this post. He took a day off yesterday to relax after our "Tour de Texas." We actually drove by the cut-off to Crawford, but somehow didn't make it to the house itself. I hear the Secret Service frowns on people dropping in.

Last night was our turn to host the Summer Youth Series. The speaker was really good - I hope to hear him again sometime. Afterwards, I got to visit with Joy, Betty and Bob, and sweet Jackie Jenkins. I miss her and that stinky husband of hers. I miss them a lot -

One month today, I go back to work. To most people, a month off would be wonderful, and I am dreading that I "only" have one month left. Teachers ARE spoiled in that respect. I just hope it doesn't fly by.

One of the nicest parts of going to Aunt Mary's funeral was having all that time with Erin. You can do a LOT of talking covering that many miles, and I never grew tired of enjoying watching what an amazing woman she is. Liz is going to be a lucky little girl to have her as a mom.

Please take care of yourselves. I love you -

Deeann, Randall, John, Elaine, James, Roland, Tom, David, Crystal, Beth,Mark, and so on....

Back at Erin's. I feel like the commercial that sings, "I've been everywhere, man, I've been everywhere." My back is sore from all the different beds and sitting in the car for two days, but I wouldn't change a minute of the past 3 days.

I am at my best after I've been with my cousins. I really feel like that - that my life and focus are renewed and I have been bathed in honest, faithful love. I could stay days and days in their presence, and never tire. Even on such a "sad" occasion, it was great. Saw cousins I haven't seen in DECADES; so good to hug their necks.

I'm a little too emotional and tired right now to tell about the funeral, but I will tell one funny spot. Aunt Mary had 5 living children, and they always wanted to know which one was the favorite. So, they made her a shirt that says, "I love _____ best." It goes down the shirt in list form, with each child's name in the blank. Each child has their own color of ink. Then, they each have their own shirt that reads, " Mom loves me best!" Those were laid out at the funeral home and then reference was made to them at the service. Everyone had a good laugh, and it was a testimony to their bond.

It was great to have Erin and Liz with us... it's up to us now to keep the kids in touch. The May girls are all gone, and it's our turn to pass their legacy on. I hope I'm up to the task.

Paradise Valley and more!!

Yesterday, we drove over to Houston to pick up Erin for the trip to the funeral. Usually, their congregation does not meet on Sunday evenings, but last night, they did, so we met them there. They were having a "Singing" - and we got there just as the first song was going.
Their congregation is huge - almost 1,000 members, but last night we met in the chapel. It holds 200, and we sang and sang, and sang some more. New songs, old songs, fast and slow songs. They gave us a chance for requests, so I loudly yelled out "185" and got a lot of laughter... poor Erin. Her mother!! Anyway, my song was the prettiest one we sang - "Jesus, Thy Name I Love." Can't get through it without tearing up. Amazing. Lots of good voices and energy. Good old, 4 part harmony. We even learned a new "round" that made me wish for Jackie.

So, today we head north for visitation, then the funeral is tomorrow afternoon. Erin has to work on Wed., so we will come right back. I'm so glad she is going, but I know all the riding may be hard on her. I promised Gregg I'd take good care of her - and Elizabeth.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel.

A win-win situation

"Brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep,or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope. We believe the Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him."
1 Thes. 4: 12-14 NIV

If there is a smoking room in Heaven, that is where Aunt Mary is right now, with her beloved sisters and brother, husband, children and parents. They are having the reunion that each one, in their own time, took solace in when facing death. They are lighting up one after another, and the coffee will not stop brewing. They are laughing and loving on each other now just as they did in life. And they are finally together again.
Lenora, Roland, Joyce, Myrna, Margaret, and now, Mary Alice. Uncle Billie, Sandra, Ralph, and Bobby Wayne. Cousin Glenda. My mamaw and papaw. My, what a party they have going on!

My little lamb

Been having trouble falling asleep the past couple of nights. Guess the waiting and worrying over Aunt Mary has played a number on my rest. We are just waiting now; she has a staph infection that has gone to her heart, and at 87 years old, that's about unbeatable. She's strong though - her daughter tells me it took 6 people to hold her down to put in the iv. My aunt is all of 5 feet and 80 pounds, but I hear she's fighting it.
Anyway, last night, I was tossing and turning, singing hymns in my head and not getting anywhere. Finally, one thought calmed me down and let me relax. Elizabeth. I visualized her smiling face and sweet smell, over and over, and soon, I was asleep.

Nice.

What a bunch of dames!!

My mom had 4 sisters. They were called "The May Girls" and were quite the bombshells in the days of WWII. I've seen flirty pictures of them in their swimsuits sitting on soldiers laps that no young, awkward teenage girl should have to see!! They married handsome men and loved each other very, very much.

All of them are gone now, except my Aunt Mary. I got word this morning through the magic of email that she is in ICU in severe pain and bad shape. Doesn't look good. Pray hard, her daughter said.

Aunt Mary married my Uncle Billie and lost her first two children before I was born. They went on and had 5 more kids, the dear cousins I've written about before. Deeann is like my sister in many ways, and when the third sister died, she said to me, "No offense, Amy, but I hope my mom is not the last to go."
Well, she is, and has amazed us all by her health and stamina. Until about the last year, she was putting on her own roof and mowing her yard with a push-mower. She is "Granny" to everyone in her little town, and still took tickets at the basketball games last winter. She is 84.

She never quit - no matter what life handed her. No matter how hard it was to raise all those kids, to bury her husband when so young and never remarry. To bury two little children. To lose all those sisters (and their crazy brother Roland) and her mother and father. Now last year, she lost her son. She never quit.

So, I'd appreciate whatever prayers you would lift up on her behalf. Not so much for her - she's probably ready to leave this world and join those she loves, but for her 4 remaining children, grandkids, great-grandkids, and a niece and nephew or two.

I love dogs. If we had a fence, Andy and I would be at serious war over whether or not to get one... I haven't had one since I was a teenager, but it's not for lack of desire. As awesome as Smudge was, he WAS a cat, and it's not the same. Very rarely do I come across a dog I don't like; such was the case with Bo. He was my sister-in-law's dog, and I disliked him from the first time I saw him. Just never bonded at all those family gatherings. Now, today we get an email saying they had to put him down.

Having had to do that twice in just a few years, I know the anguish of the decision and the loneliness of after the fact. I've never known more surely in my life that putting Smudge down was "for his own good" and eased his suffering - the look in his eyes those last couple of days said more to me than any words could, but it doesn't ease YOUR sadness or loneliness for them.

So, today, as the Fritsche's cope with losing Bo, I'm right there with them. He was part of their family for a long time, and I know their hurt will take a while. Rest in peace, Bo. I hope there's cake for you to eat in dog heaven.

Let the Planning Begin!

Just ask my family - my favorite part of taking a trip is the planning.
When the girls were little and money was quite tight, the planning was essential to make it the best trip for the least amount spent. Now, sweetly, the cash isn't nearly so sparse, and there ARE just two of us going, but I still find the planning to be great fun.

Frankly, due to gas prices, we are not heading to the mountains this summer - as much as we love them. The challenge therefore was to find a place to go that we hadn't done before and wouldn't require a second mortgage. After scanning our great state all over, we decided on the very tip of Texas; the Valley. I've never been there, and we found a great resort on South Padre that offers all sorts of cool stuff.
So, in two weeks, hurricanes allowing, we are heading south to the Valley. Then, I will be able to say I've been to every part of this amazingly diverse state. Sounds like a fun time for all!!

My Previous Life

Growing up, there was a lot of music in my home. Gary and I would put on music and waltz throughout the house, Daddy sang and whistled, and Mama would play the Everly Brothers and the Platters. But best of all were the John Phillip Sousa marches. We would play them on the record player (a big box that had a turntable and arm that held big, black vinyl circles with grooves cut in them, in case you didn't know.), and we would march like soldiers while humming along. It was magical.

I don't believe in reincarnation, but if I did, it would have to be that I was either John Philip or his wife. I can still pretty much "name that tune" on very few introductory notes, and it sets my heart to skipping. Just the energy and power of those chords and harmonies fill me with excitement.
And this weekend, among no other, will be filled with Washington Post, Stars and Stripes Forever, and so on. It is my yearly fix. We actually had an original recording of his band on one of mom's 78 records (those vinyl discs used to come in several speeds.), but it has been lost. I would have loved to have had it.

So, when you hear Stars and Stripes Forever this weekend, think of me!! I'll be somewhere, marching and humming!

Once a mom, always a mom

I get it, mom. All those years of sighing and rolling my eyes when I saw your name on the caller I.D. - I get it now. Erin will get it soon - once a mom, you are ALWAYS a mom.

As soon as they put Dana in my arms the first time, I was her #1 fan for all time. And even though she is a "grown woman," I still worry and pray and dwell on what she is doing each and every day. We had a wonderful visit this past weekend, and I look at her with eyes full of love and pride and admiration, and try to remember that she is not 8 years old. She is competent and independent and very - well, normal. All that rearing that she got has paid off, along with a lot of blessings from people around her. And yet, as she drove off, I worried. Too many news reports and scary novels not to. I'm so glad that God hasn't gotten tired of my asking Him to watch over her in her life; but it's that mom-thing. And I'm glad she is patient with me.

Get ready, Erin. Elizabeth will make you understand like you never would imagine.