Good grief?

Today I got a glimpse into a woman’s life.  She has been distraught after the unexpected deaths of both of her sons (two separate incidences).  She dropped off her diary with us and I reviewed a few pages.  I feel blessed for having that opportunity.  It makes me think.... 

I thought about people’s hidden sorrows.  If you met this woman on the street, she is lively and friendly, one would never know her pain.  Earth is the Hell, isn’t it.  People can be so stricken with sadness here… some even look for it, some even embrace it!  What is it all for?

I recall working a case where two young boys (about ages 7 and 9) were killed in a house fire.  I remember looking over the photographs of the scene… their small, charred bodies had curled into fetal positions.  What were they thinking as they tried to hide from the heat?  Had God pulled their spirit from them early so as to spare them the terror and pain? 

To walk through life carrying all the events which (we) either endured personally or witnessed from another perspective, and the grief can weigh (us) down. 

Being in the “Now” can seem so emotional at times - can you be too in the “Now”?

I think about all the stress around me now.  It isn’t happening to me – but to people I care about and love… so I still stress – I stress for them.

So, we are here to learn from it all – education through experience.  And we’re here to help each other… and I find myself wishing I had pursued my passion (psychology) – I would have loved to reach people in that way.  I’m 44 now – too late for me. 

Wolf's 14 bday

A SIX FLAGS GET-A-WAY!

 For Wolfie's 14th birthday Roy and I decided we were long past due for an outing.  Aaron having purchased season passes for Six Flags for the past three years, volunteered the idea of going there and stated that he would buy Wolfie a season pass as his birthday gift to him.  It was a winning idea.

Consequently, we went all out inviting Jr, Corey, cousin Collin, and Candice's sister, Iris along - 10 people in tow all together!

Anticipating the high cost of drinks, we handed out bottled water before entering the park.  Candice isn’t much for the scarier rollercoaster rides but she and Iris were interested in the Roadrunner, so after a lot of persuading, we got Drew on it as well.  She cried the entire time and I held her and hovered over her as much as possible to try to make her feel safer.  I believe I walked away with some whiplash for not sitting properly and being jerked around so much.  Roy, Aaron, Iris and I rode the Rattler (an old wooden rollercoaster that truly lives up to its scary reputation), and at the top of one of the highest, steepest drops, my reaction, just before reeling over the edge, was to immediately ask for forgiveness from Roy for anything and everything (haha). I understand that they’ll be shutting down this ride this year – so we rode just in time - a good memory.)

We rode several more rides, stopping to eat and rehydrate, and then took a break in the lazy river.  It was at this point that Wolfie and Collin decided to make a break for it and run off on their own.  We designated a meeting place and time and then they were off.

The lazy river was ridiculously packed and people were crazy rude, even grabbing inner tubes out of the hands of the people who were using them.  Quickly disenchanted we left to search for other rides. 

It wasn’t long before we ran into Wolfie and Collin along with Jr and Corey.  They were all in desperate need of drink so we purchased them each a cola.  Wolfie was especially exhausted and we decided to make our way to the pool so he could cool off.  He could barely walk and clung to me for support.  We stopped at a table in the shade to let him rest and talked to him about his symptoms.  It was clear he was extremely dehydrated when he asked for a wheelchair as he did not feel he could walk any further; with that, we really began to worry about him.  My boys, all of them, would never ride in a wheelchair (it would be far too embarrassing for them), so this was a definite sign of the seriousness of his condition.

Roy retrieved a wheelchair and we rolled him to the pool, getting him more water and ice and setting in the shade – he simply couldn’t make himself to the water to sit in it or dip his feet. 

By now, it was close to 7:00 p.m. and we decided that we would wrap up the day already.  We offered for Collin to stay with the older boys but he declined; and as it turned out, the older boys were all ready to call it a night as well.

Jr and Aaron were quite concerned for Wolfie as well, and at their urging we had a park medic look at him before getting on the highway home.  The medic talked to him a bit and then gave us the thumbs up to get on the road with him.

Happy birthday baby boy - truly a birthday to remember! =)

Kaitlyn's grad party

Katelyn’s graduation party was held at a beautiful local creek.  Her mother (my sister), Brenda, went all out on food and decorations and everything was delicious and festive!  

The weather could not have been better.  

It was a super nice, relaxing time.  

Only me and Drew went as Roy had to work and Wolfie was more interested in his games.

Drew enjoyed the water with Rachael and hunting for shells, then counting them out.

Brenda has lost so much weight since her surgery and while I’ve always thought she was beautiful – no matter her weight, she is looking so good today and I’m happier she is getting to a healthier weight.

RECIPE!!

3 rolls sugar cookies cut into 12 slices 

then cut in half to make 24 pieces each roll. 

Roll into a ball and place in PAM'd mini muffin pan. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until done. 

When you take them out use a...

melon baller scoop or the end of a handle 

to make the indentation for the filling and let cool. 

For the filling: 

Beat together 1 pkg cream cheese & 

16 oz cool whip (both at room temperature), 

6 Tbsp lime juice (or juice & zest from 2 lg limes), 

4 Tbsp powdered sugar. 

Spoon into a gallon baggie and clip the corner, 

squeeze into the cookie cups (after you've removed 

them to a tray, otherwise it's a pain to try and dig them