Endings...

We attended my youngest son's final High School Orchestra Concert last night.  It was awesome!  Lucky 13 plays the cello.  He got to riff a bit, on his electric cello, during their last song.  Like me, he gets a bit of stage fright... the shaking hands.  I played piano, and that kept me from going as far with it as I might have.  Singing never scared me as much as playing.  He really pushed through it, and he ended up having a great final performance.

His Senior year was taken from him by illness, so instead of graduating last year, he is completing his final classes this summer.  He has just two to go, and they will be done at an online High School.  The wonderful thing is, all of the delays won't matter a few years from now.  As I've told him, it only matters what you're doing today!  Don't hang on to regrets of the past.  High School will only be a small blip on the map of your life. 

I am so proud of him.  He played so well last night and with such  confidence!  Another "era" ends, and it's on to new beginnings...

You gain strength, courage and confidence

by every experience in which you stop

to look fear in the face.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Farewell to Oprah...

I haven't tuned in every day, but I have to admit that Oprah has had an impact on my life over the past 25 years.  My oldest son said she's been on the air all his life... he turns 25 this year.

Oprah turned a light on and exposed a lot of inhumanity in our world.  She gave a voice to people who had lost their voice to violence, fear, sickness, prejudice...  She provided a platform for music and literature and laughter.  Oprah added a wonderful diversity to the mundane programming that had been on in the afternoons.  It had the feel of those old-time variety shows that I loved as a kid.

She introduced me to many writers, including one of my favorites, Maya Angelou.  When I was too ill to do much of anything, I looked forward to what new surprises Oprah would bring. 

Whether you loved her, hated her, or were indifferent, there is no denying she will forever remain an iconic figure to a generation.  Oprah, I will miss you.

If Life Has Hurt You...

Pause the Playlist before starting the video...

This speaks to those moments when you feel there's been too much pain, too many disappointments, those you counted on let you down, you've faced unbearable loss, your world came crashing down...  Whatever the sorrow... maybe something good will come from it... maybe He still loves and cares... if you can keep on trusting... if you just Believe. 

Departures and Arrivals

The circle of life goes on and on...  Today, as one family gathers to say their final goodbyes to a precious daughter, another family gathers to welcome a new life into this world.

Beautiful Elizabeth...

Make-A-Wish moment... Elizabeth & Matt Shadow from Avenged Sevenfold, her favorite band

This past weekend, Elizabeth Sandra, Lizzy, left this life for the next.  My heart goes out to her family and friends, with special prayers for her parents, grandparents, and her brothers and sisters. Today will be a hard day for them.  They surrounded Elizabeth with their love for 17 years.  I pray that even in their pain, they will also feel God's love and peace.  I also want to thank those of you who have prayed for her, and are still praying for her family.

Last night, my cousin's daughter had her fourth child, a tiny little girl.  Iris Jane, after two of her great grandmothers.  She is my aunt and uncle's 6th great grandchild.  They say she is both great and grand!

In between the goodbyes and the hellos, a lot of living goes on.  This day is a reminder for me, to enjoy each precious minute we have with those we love.  To celebrate their lives every single day.  And to let those you love, know that you do love them.

We Got Ten!

Awesome Sunday!  We needed it after our sad news yesterday.  It started out with my son bending down to pick up the paper and coming face to face with a large black dog.  It was lying so still in our flower bed. As I looked, I saw mud and rumpled fur on it's right hip.  Looked as if it had been hit by a car.  Max brought out a bowl of water and she drank just a little, but did not try to move.  I finally got brave enough to pet her (or him) and get the phone number off the license.  We then had to wait for animal control.  The lady who came was so gentle.  We were able to get the dog to it's feet, three of them anyway.  And with some assistance, got her into the van.  She'll be seen by a vet, while they try to contact the owner.


About half an hour later, my husband comes hurrying in and says, "They're on the move... the ducklings!"  We frantically searched for the camera, and headed outside.  We live in a high traffic area, with lots of dogs around, so we decided to "escort" our little duck family to the canal.  Ten of the thirteen eggs hatched!  More than we expected!  It was a long journey, because she headed one direction for about a block, but realized there was no way through.  Then it was back around and out of the subdivision onto the main road.  Passing cars were slowing to take a quick look.  A couple dogs coming to lean over the short fence.  She was fine with her entourage trailing (now 5 people... husband, both sons, neighbor, and myself), as long as we didn't get too close.  Thank goodness for the zoom lens!  I hope you enjoy the photos...

My favorite photo... all huddled together...

On the move...

"Stick Together Kids..."

The  long walk...

Nature in the city...

"Mom, are we there yet?"

"I'm hungry, I'm tired..."

 "We're almost there..."

Making their way down the steep embankment...

Finally, safe at their destination!

Sad News...

My stepbrothers daughter, Elizabeth, lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer this weekend.  She was only 17.  She was Elizabeth, Beth, and recently Lizzy, but her daddy called her Boo. I can only imagine Joe's heartbreak, but I know it's massive.  One small, bright spot is Make-A-Wish came through for her this week.  Matt Shadow, from the band Avenged Sevenfold, traveled with his wife to see her.  With some adjustments of her meds, she was able to be awake and enjoy having one of her dreams come true.  It was a special time for her and her family.  The love and compassion Matt and his wife showed even made Elizabeth's grandma a fan.  Make-A-Wish Foundation is amazing and so appreciated.

Losing my mom to Ovarian Cancer was hard, but losing a child... there are no words.  I'm weary of cancer.  I'm especially weary of hearing about children being taken by this insidious disease.  It's time for it to stop... time for a cure... before another child is taken far too soon. 

Please whisper a prayer for the family... they will miss her so... even knowing she is now safe and loved, in the arms of our Heavenly Father...

Mother's Day... Remembering each of them...

My momma and me...

Momma always took in any stray and found them a home!

PJ and his mom... my mom-in-law

My boys and their Grandma VJ

My grandma and me...

And in later years...

My other grandma and her sister...

No longer here... but never forgotten...

Wishing each of you a beautiful Mother's Day!

Just a quick "hello" and update...

Momma duck still patiently sitting and waiting...

My ancestry search keeps hitting walls, but is "O So Fun" to do!  I found Passenger Lists showing some of PJ's family coming to America, plus a couple photos of the actual ships they traveled on!  I also found newspaper articles from the early 1900's... one about his great grandmother's passing, one about his grandfather and a horse named Flossie, and a few more.  So, the search continues...

It's a beautiful, crisp spring morning.  Some of my tulips are done, but others have just opened up.  The daffodils looked pretty this morning too...

Still "waging the war" against my health demons.  I feel like I'm winning some of the battles.  My MS seems to have stabilized for now, and I am so thankful for that!  I have chosen not to be on any medication, as the side effects seem to outweigh the benefits.  I shared in an earlier post about my "shrinking" and am dealing with decisions about medication for that. My advice... take care of your bones now!  Overall, I am doing well...

My writing has taken a back seat... so far back... it's in the caboose of a long, long train!  I will get back to work soon.  Ideas have been swirling around in my head, I just need to get them down on "paper" while they're fresh...

I hope there is peace and sunshine wherever you are today...

Blessings!
Nita Jo