Well...here I am again...running late!! (Remember-I won the "Procrastinator of the Year" award, many years in a row.
Even though I haven't posted here since July, I DID get my Christmas cards out-ALL of them--AND in a timely manner!! Last one mailed December 17th, in fact! Now, THAT makes me worthy of some kind of award, I'm sure! Maybe the "Finally Got Her Poop in a Group" award? Hmmmmm....guess not...since I just found an old post I forgot to publish! :P Here it is:I'M SORRY TO BE 2 MONTHS LATE POSTING THIS:
Well, here it is again---nearly 3 months since my last blog entry! I know I am repeating myself (I believe that's acceptable when one is past 60, right?) I am unemployed and impecunious, but manage to stay busier than when I was working 2-3 jobs, raising three kids, and volunteering! How does that happen??
October brings new and different thoughts to my mind and heart than it did 2 years ago. Because October has also been coined "Breast Cancer Awareness" month, it has a much more thoughtful meaning to me. In two months, it will be two years since my breast cancer diagnosis. Although, it remains a bit surreal to me most of the time, I am well aware of the reality when I stop for a few moments to remember. It's kind of like in the twelve step program: I remember the past, but don't dwell on it. Rather than think about that chapter of trials and tribulations in my life, I choose to stay in the positive realm of GRATITUDE. I have so much gratitude, at some moments I feel completely overwhelmed with humility. I've had a few reminders of God's grace extended to me in the past few months; heartbreaking, but deep, meaningful reminders, nonetheless.
One of my good friends/teacher co-worker from Glendive, who lives in Laurel, MT, experienced the worst possible time any parent can go through. Radene's beautiful daughter, Becky, was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago at age thirty-eight. Becky was the epitome of a loving, doting Mommy, and sweet daughter and wife. Although I did not know Bek (as she was lovingly called), knowing her dear Mother makes it very easy to understand what an amazing person Bek was. Dear Bek lost her strong, courageous battle with this horrible cancer, and I'm convinced is watching her beautiful little girls through the windows of Heaven-whispering to each one of us to always, always tell those you love EXACTLY how you feel. Always. Every. Single. Moment. I want to share this message from a good friend of Bek's who wrote this absolutely beautiful tribute:
http://www.simplyfamilymagazine.com/online/2013/10/surviving-cancer-and-loss-in-memory-of/
I'm hoping you were able to open this blog post. If not, I'll cut and paste it for you. And make sure you have a box or two of kleenex handy-whether you know this precious family or not….I guarantee it will get to you. But, you'll be left with a powerful message engraved on your heart and mind.
Another dear friend of mine; Susan Gorder, recently went through what I'm not so sure wouldn't be even worse than losing a child-and that's losing a grandchild. When I get in my doldrums of "poor me", I simply open my mind to thoughts of this precious lady, and I realize how fortunate I am. A brief synopsis: Susan and her husband, Tod took me under their wings when I was breaking free on my own as a fledging teacher in the country school, Rau School, where Tod was a school board member. We spent many memorable times together on their ranch nestled on the bank of the Yellowstone River. Campfires, BBQ's, helping with ranch work, good company-that's the kind of memories I have of the Gorder family. I've read the book, Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People, but it doesn't make it any easier to understand the kind of tragedy and heartbreak this family has endured in the past 20 years. Susan lost her Dad suddenly one Summer afternoon, when he slipped while working with irrigation pipes and fell into the river. A few years later, her dear Mother and Grandmother went to Heaven after Susan's Mom courageously lived most of her life with severe diabetes and blindness. A few years back, Susan and Tod had to endure that "most horrible tragedy a parent must experience", when they lost their youngest son, Jeremy, in a tragic vehicle fire. And, now, after all of that, when one would think "enough is enough"…..their adorable, sweet little grandson, Brody, took his final ride on a four-wheeler out back to the corrals to feed his 4-H pigs. I cannot stop myself from crying anytime this sweet boy's face comes to mind. So very sad….
So…as you can see from these stories above, I have no reason to wallow in any type of self-pity, even for a second-but, I have EVERY reason for my cup to be filled to overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness. And…it is. As I get on my knees each morning to humbly thank God for all that I have-I now add an additional prayer for my friends who have lost so much. I pray for God's peace, which passes all understanding.
As I begin to think about bringing this post to a close, I want to share a few things that have been keeping me busier than when I was teaching, raising three kids, (FYI…Jack says HE raised them! ) working in the pet store, volunteering at church, entertaining friends at hayrides and deck fires, and all the craziness I got myself into:
I am now teaching two Faith Stretch Yoga classes at our church here in Spokane Valley. I love doing it!. I completed volunteer training to be a side-walker Free Rein Therapeutic Riding http://www.freereinspokane.org and work my first shift this Friday! I'm excited to touch and smell horses again! This is very near and dear to my heart, as several of the riders have autism. (Anna Marie Barnick, I lovingly think of you every time I'm there!)
Meanwhile back in Spokane (for two more days), From October 15-Christmas with the Gannons:
*Took a roady out to the Nagle ranch in Papa Jack's Model T Ford that his Grandpa bought brand new in 1920! Beautiful
trip!
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| 1920 Model T Ford purchased brand new by Jack's Grandpa |
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| Model T Master |
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| Beautiful scenery |
*Celebrated our July Birthday Babes: Kyle, July 16, Jill, July 14, and Ryan, July 19, with dinner, yard games kayaking and Birthday cake!
*Celebrated our sweet little Princess, Tatum's, 5th Birthday....not until I did her "Secret Place" Photoshoot, of course!
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| Each Year at the Secret Place |
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| ....and 5 Years Old |
*Enjoyed the unique beauty of the desert and began building our dream on top of the world.
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| Looking out the front door of our home in Apache Junction, AZ |
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| Superstition Mountain-looking East |
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| Sunset out the front door |
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| Jack's Right Hand Woman |
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| Jack finished first half of garage pad at sundown |
*Went with grandkids to Greenbluff for Fall Festival time, babysat a few times, made lefse, drove to Butte to watch Matt as the star in the Cat In The Hat, and went to Tatum's school Grandparents' Day.
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| Nana and Papa's method of "time-out" hahaha... |
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| mmmmm...mmmmm...good-LEFSE time! |
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| Tatum giving the star of the show-Matthew, aka Cat in the Hat, flowers. |
* Delicious Thanksgiving Dinner at the Nagle's and a fun hike afterward
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| Jax, Jill and Amber |
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| Jack, Sterling, Jaxon, Jill, Nana, Kendall, Ryan, Mike, Declan and Tatum |
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| The Omelete House in Vegas with Jackie-NFR RODEO SECRETARY and Eunice-Good times: NFR, Old Friends and lots of catching up! |
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| Great to see college roommate, Gayle Hanna! |
Celebrated Jesus' Birthday for 7 days with all of our Kids and Grandkids! B.E.S.T. Christmas E.V.E.R!!
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| Christmas Day Sunset-2013-Spokane, WA |
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| The Gannon Family-2013 Jaxon, Jill, Kyle, Ryan, Kelli, Tatum, Hannah, Matthew, Jen, Jack, Curtis |
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| Grandkids: Matthew (13), Tatum (5), Hannah (16), Jaxon (1) |
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| The photoshoot turned into a snowball fight!! |
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| Kyle and Kelli |
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| The "Skannons" Hannah, Jennifer, Matthew, Curtis |
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| The Nagles: Jaxon, Jill, Ryan, Tatum |
Just returned from church and after listening to an amazing story; I must share. Paul, a mentally challenged young man from our church, shared the story from Matthew 2:13-23----from memory. It was one of the most touching, heart-warming messages I've heard. Whether we're experiencing good,(baby Jesus) bad,(Herod) or ugly...
Jesus is the same; yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
PRAYER WARRIORS:
Please pray for: Jim (ICU with pulmonary embolism), Vicky (fell and broke her femur), Mark (fighting the good fight), 22 month old Davis, (also fighting the good fight), Charley (recently diagnosed with cancer), Dear friends; Susan and family who lost grandson, Brodie in a 4-wheeler accident this Fall, and Radene, who's daughter, Becky, lost her battle with breast cancer earlier this year. Please also pray for all who have lost loved ones, are caring for others, are hurting, lonely, in pain, or cold and hungry.
PRAYERS of THANKSGIVING: Mom is doing very well as she begins the new year; 1 year after losing her one true love of 70 years-my Dad. My cousin, Loren, who had a clean report after cancer treatment this past year. Getting my "All is Good" report from the radiologist after my 6 month follow-up mammogram=good for a YEAR!!
