Life

Life has a way of moving on. Sometimes I look back and think how and where did the years go. I have been blessed to have a pretty wonderful life. Oh, don't get me wrong I have had struggles and times when I thought I could not go on, but looking back they are blips on the screen.

Today, we celebrated by little granddaughter, Audrey's birthday. She turned 2. I still vividly remember meeting little Audrey on the day of her birth and now she is 2!?! Did I blink my eyes? She is a joyful, sweet little cherub that reminds me so of her mommy at that age.

Yesterday, our family welcomed a new addition Brayson. He is my niece's son; we are thrilled to get another boy in the family; they seem elusive. My grandson Ethan and Brayson's big brother Tyler are outnumbered by 5 little girls on my side and 1 little girl on my sister's side. I think the boys can breath a sigh of relief!

The heat is oppressive today. I feel dehydrated after spending 2 hours at the park for Audrey's birthday. It is almost like my tongue is swollen and dried out. I am inside now enjoying the cool of the AC and wishing I had a pool to plunge into.

I am going to do one of my favorite things...take a nap.

Happy Birthday Allen

Well hello! I have not written in many months. I said farewell to my brother and just could not write again. Alot has happened since that day. Just two days ago we celebrated the union of my sweet sister and Bill Corley. It was a joyous event and I have not seen my sister happier. I think these two will have a wonderful life together. It is interesting that Sheri chose to wed just 3 days before what would have been my brothers 50th birthday. It is as though we have a joyful event to help counter the bitterness of our loss. Time does heal and life goes on. I will always keep my brother and the memories close. I spent hours with my dearest childhood friends at the reception/party after the wedding laughing and reliving many childhood antics.

It is appropriate for us to celebrate Memorial Day today. I will take the opportunity to say Happy Birthday, Allen. You are missed and loved.

Big Brother

Most people fear "Big Brother", I on the other hand love him. I am the youngest of three children and I have both an older sister and brother. We are stair step children born slightly over a year apart. We grew up fairly close. We had our bouts of disagreements, but we were family and that always kept us close. My brother left home for the Air Force back in 1979. He never really came back other than that the occasional visit, but we kept in touch through phone calls and emails and his occasional visits.

Allen was a very tall, extremely handsome fella, he never had to worry about school he was also very gifted in the academics. He had a flair for the creative, played trumpet and could draw beautifully. My brother could do pretty much anything in my eyes. A real hero to look up to.

He was also a smoker. He started way back in high school and never was able to give it up. He knew it was bad for him and I am sure he tried on several occasions to give it up, but to no avail. In mid October he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was a grim diagnosis; already spreading to his liver. We all cried buckets of tears and although we knew the prognosis was not good, we prayed for a miracle.

The miracle was not to be, my sweet brother, passed from this life to the next last night. He is a believer in Jesus Christ and so in our faith we know that he is walking with those who have gone before him. We have hope that when we too pass on from this life we will see him again. It is still painfully sad. We know his young children will grow up without him. His youngest, just turned 7 years of age November 8th, will he remember what a wonderful man his Dad was? We were blessed to have spent many years with him and our memories will go on forever. I know time heals and our grief will become easier; but for now we grieve a big brother.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me!

(oo) What you want
(oo) Baby, I got
(oo) What you need
(oo) Do you know I got it?
(oo) All I'm askin'
(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home
(just a little bit) Hey baby
(just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) mister
(just a little bit) I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
Ain't gonna do you wrong
(oo) 'cause I don't wanna
(oo) All I'm askin'
(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home
(just a little bit) Baby
(just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) Yeah
(just a little bit) I'm about to give you all of my money And all I'm askin' in return, honey Is to give me my profits When you get home
(just a, just a, just a, just a) Yeah baby
(just a, just a, just a, just a) When you get home
(just a little bit) Yeah (just a little bit)
Ooo, your kisses
(oo) Sweeter than honey
(oo) And guess what?
(oo) So is my money
(oo) All I want you to do
(oo) for me Is give it to me when you get home
(re, re, re ,re) Yeah baby
(re, re, re ,re) Whip it to me
(respect, just a little bit) When you get home, now (just a little bit)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Take care, TCB Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) 'spect When you come home
(re, re, re ,re) Or you might walk in
(respect, just a little bit) And find out I'm gone
(just a little bit) I got to have (just a little bit) A little respect (just a little bit)

A trip to Universal Studios

Rachael and Justin came for a visit; we headed south and visited Islands of Adventure. The roller coasters were great and we had a ball! I can't believe our two week visit is up already.

I hate for the visit to end. I miss Rachael and Justin so much. I pray one day they will come here to live.

A New Addition!

Audrey Kara * 7 lbs * 20 inches long

June 30, 2008 at 6:33 p.m.

Happiness