Newtown

Thus far I have remained silent (at least here) on the topic of the tragedy in Newtown, CT.  In part because I was planning for an event in my house; but also because I am not sure there are words pertinent enough to touch the enormity of this heinous crime against humanity.  However, my party is over, the dishes are in the sink, I am so very tired...and yet I am watching CNN re-run the service which took place earlier this evening and I know I can not remain silent any longer.

My father called me Friday. He left a voicemail.  He said, "I am thinking about you as I listen to what is happening at the school in Connecticut.  I love you."  I had no idea to what he was referring.  I immediately called him back and he informed me that there was a mass shooting at an elementary school.  My heart ached as I slowly walked to the television to turn on the news.  The first thing I heard was the school psychologist was killed.  I...am...a school psychologist.  

As I listened to the news unfold I was aghast at the details.  A shooter.  An elementary school.  6 year old children were killed.  A mother was dead.  My mouth fell open as I considered the raw, searing pain these families and this community were experiencing...and would continue to experience for years and years to come.

I am still rather unclear on the details.  I have had to turn the television off today...and instead opt for holiday music to remind me of Christ.

I imagine Christ must seem absent to a lot of people right now.  I imagine that people...all over the world are asking, "How could a loving God allow this to happen?"

In fact, a dear friend, who is a school psychologist in Aurora, CO asked that question of me. She did not ask it out of anger...she asked how I might answer that question should a young person ask me how God could allow such atrocities to occur.  You see...she is being asked to speak...AGAIN...to the children of her community because the wounds are still tender.

The answer I gave her was not mine.  It was one I have gathered from various texts.  As best I can figure...God did not allow this to happen.  God, in fact, is likely grieving just as heavily as we are.  But...since ALL children are HIS children...he cries tears of sorrow and mercy for all those involved.  He laments over the sweet baby angels who met Him on Friday and for their loving caretakers who held their sweet hands as they entered the promised land together.  But make no mistake, God weeps for His child who pulled the trigger.  It is entirely possible God welcomed Him into eternal rest, as well.

I once read Donald Miller write about unimaginable crime.  I think he might have actually been referring to an interview he watched immediately after Columbine.  He wrote that he watched Larry King ask Billy Graham how something like this could happen.  Donald Miller expected a careful, perfect answer which could unlock the mystery of unthinkable acts.  He said he stared into the screen with baited breath for something tangible.  He said Billy Graham sighed and basically said (I paraphrase)...one time in a garden...a man and a woman were told not to eat from a tree; but they did anyhow.  And there you have the mystery...a simple mystery...perhaps not a mystery; but a truth...the truth of free will.    

The families of the fallen will no doubt be paralyzed with pain and anger.  I think, that leaves the rest of us to take up the fight.  Those of us who feel...deeply...but are not directly affected...are left to ask, "What can I do?"  

I believe, with all my heart, at a cellular level that a call to love is the antidote, the panacea to evil...to free will gone awry in the feeble mind of an afflicted.  Evil can take so many forms and enter into the lives of so many individuals.  Evil seems insurmountable, unstoppable, ultimately victorious.  But therein lies "evil's" co-conspiracy.  Evil is potent enough to wear individuals down to a frazzled heap of twisted thoughts and confused emotions.  But I do know this...love triumphs evil every time.  It may not seem so because love is silent, love is not self aggrandizing, love is still and love is certain.  Love is the tortoise, evil is the hare.

I certainly have no answers.  However, I am surrounded by people...amazing people...who teach me to live with love and light and pass that on to others.  And in passing that on to others a beautiful cycle of love will emerge.  Living from a place of love...true love...THAT will conquer evil, no matter how desperately evil attempts to thrive.  

I read a prayer by Max Lucado yesterday.  He wrote it in response to the tragedy at Newtown, CT.  He reminded me that Jesus was born in darkness.  He was born in the darkest part of the night.  He was born in a very dark part of history.  He was born to be "our light." Right now...in this utter darkness...on the eve of celebrating our savior's birth I pray, on my knees, that He is our light through this darkness.  I pray that we turn to Him, not away, during our times of sorrow and struggle-times it is so easy to abandon His sweet grace.  I pray we move forward and operate from a place of love and that said acts of love can affect change. 

In loving memory of 28 people....20 children, 6 educators, one mother and one son.

Gracie Janie

My sweet Gracie Janie entered into eternal rest this morning.  (And by "rest" I mean constant cat napping upon billowy clouds with cat nip and toy mice consistently on hand.)  She is survived by her (yet to properly grieve) mother, sister Tessie Marie (who never really liked her and passed along a violent case of the flu to her when she moved in), Lola Jean (who moved out a while back) and her on-again-off-again canine friend Mary Gertrude (whom she only indulged in the very last weeks of her life).  She is also survived by doting grand-cat-parents who were always willing to help out with her exorbitant vet bills. (When this cat got sick...she GOT SICK!)  They were also so kind to check on her when her mother skipped town...as her mother is wont to do.  She is apparently survived by a litter of kittens, but we never met them.  She showed up at my door immediately after she weened them.  She walked in the door, slept on the bed for three days and never, ever, ever attempted to leave.

For three years Gracie and I JUST inhabited the same space.  She would have nothing to do with me.  She would not come near me, would not allow me to touch her and rarely even acknowledged my presence except to perch on the bathtub every time I stepped in the tub or shower.  (Privacy meant nothing to this one.)  I had to earn her trust by allowing her to just be.  We reached a turning point and from then on she was my sweet girl.  Sure she was irate when I brought all the "others" home; but she always came around, albeit with quiet arrogance.  She tolerated the others; she loved me.

I've known the end was near for quite some time.  For months I had been whispering into her ear, "It is okay to go, sweet girl.  Don't stick around for me.  You just go whenever you need to."  Gracie hated leaving her home and so I was NEVER going to allow her last breaths to be taken outside of this home.  I was at the vet last week and I was assured home euthanasia was an option.  I promised I would call them when I saw her quality of life decline.  But up until last night she was still eating, drinking water, walking around, gingerly of course and loving on her mom.

Apparently she fell asleep in her new favorite spot...in front of the refrigerator...warm for her old bones and she never woke.  After my shower Mary and I bounded downstairs eager for coffee and breakfast and we both stopped in our tracks.  I whispered, "Oh no, oh no, oh no no no..." and Mary barked.  "Stop, Patty.  Think.  What next?  Make certain....touch her head."  At that I saw her empty eyes and sad, foamy mouth.  "Stop, Patty.  Think.  What next?  Shoe box.  No...boot box.  The Ralph Lauren boot box."  Emptying the box I realized Gracie would NEVER lay on a surface if the surface was not covered by something soft and fluffy.  "Stop, Patty.  Think.  What next?  Blanket.  What blanket?  I don't have an extra blanket?  Wait....down stairs...chest of drawers in foyer.  Right.  Yellow silky blanket."  As I picked up her lifeless body...I laid her regally upon the brightest yellow blanket...almost golden and I was struck by the beautiful contrast in color.  I wanted to take a photo to show everyone how dignified she was, even in death.  But I decided it was too macabre.

I finally managed to text mom and dad, call work, keep Mary from licking the remains and clean the area where she slept for her last time.

Her frail body had already started decomposing and had been taken over by a few tiny bugs.  I was horrified.  She must have passed just after I fell asleep.  I felt humiliated for her and ashamed I hadn't noticed she was gone all night.  But as I cleaned the floor I realized our bodies are but a vessel, really.  In the end they grow hard and cold, begin to liquefy and break down...they aren't what defines us at all.  Our soul, our life, our breath...that's the stuff of life.  Maybe I will think twice when I complain about my "vessel" next time....or lament my diminishing botox or fading hair color.  In the end...none of that will matter.  

I have yet to cry.  I think I am mostly happy she is no longer confined to an aging body.  She is now free to be forever young.  God's creations aren't ours...the are gracious loans to be enjoyed and celebrated for every moment He grants.  

Gracie is being cremated.  I am hoping when her ashes return to me...to have a small wake...in the style of Babette on Gilmore Girls.  Remember?  Cinnamon's Wake?  I'll play some Thelonius Monk for my Grace!

This was a beloved cat. -Lorelai

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Be The Earth

Monday through Thursday are a blur.  I don't know why, but I am having to work really hard to remember anything about the beginning of this week.  The one exception is the amazing time I had at Meg and Justin's house on Monday evening.

As we know Thursday rolled around and I was emoting and finding my compassion compass, again.

Friday isn't terribly clear, either.  I remember what I wore and that I was late for work so I took my makeup bag to work and applied a quick face before I had to "face" any of my co-workers.  There were a lot of meetings and I was on auto-pilot.  Information overload.  I sat in the back and journaled.  I WAS LISTENING...it's just I am an excellent multi-tasker.

Upon arriving home I switched on the local news.  I RARELY do this as it is mostly just sad.  I saw the "first" student I ever really connected with (14 years ago) being hauled into jail for calling in a bomb threat at the airport.  That was the breaking point.  His mug shot, his image, his story...I couldn't handle it.  I broke down.  I called my mom.  My dad brought me fajita tacos.  I curled up in bed and cried.  Even Mary didn't like me.  She refused to cuddle with me and kept giving me the butt end of her body. Nice, right?  I realize, at this point, I have left my make up at work.  Thankfully it is the ONE Saturday out of the school year the school will be open.  

Saturday morning I woke up two hours late.  I left the house with wet hair and arrived on campus to put make up on, introduce myself to my classroom neighbor (who was diligently working...legitimately working...unlike me) and made a quick trip to Barnes and Noble to purchase Najla and Kamilah birthday gifts.

I can BARELY keep it together in the children's book section.  Why?  Who knows.  At this point if someone breathes wrong I am liable to shed tears.

With little time to waste I am annoyed by the "wait" at the check out counter.  I place my purchases down.   I am "coyly" checking out this issue of US Weekly when I hear the man checking me out let out a noise of frustration and annoyance.  He looks at me and says, "The computer just kicked me out of the system."  Jokingly, I replied, "Oh...I was wondering what I had done to offend you."  And I laugh.

He says, "I am never offended."

I say, "Oh yeah.  I guess I don't offend easily, either.  Instead I just get hurt.  That's my problem."

He says, "I am Buddhist." (I knew this...he was dripping in the beads of his beliefs...but in a really lovely manner.)

He goes on to say, "The Buddha told his son, 'When you are feeling upset, sad, etc. just be the earth.'  So I tell myself, 'Be the earth,' if I am feeling offended."

"The earth?  Why the earth?  Tell me about that."

(A huge line is forming behind me but I don't care at this moment.)

"Yes, the earth.  Think about what we do to the earth.  We urinate on it.  We defecate on it.  We vomit on it.  We treat it poorly.  Yet we can plant a tree in it and treat it well.  The earth knows no difference.  It just 'is,'."

Crickets from my side of the counter.

"Would you like your items in a bag?"

"Yes, please."

Huge score at Half Price Books today.  (Yes...I am always in a book store or around books or on Amazon.  It's a disease, I tell you!)

Still in shrink wrap...I don't care that this costs 30 dollars.  I am listening as I type and I feel really smart and really cool and like this moment belongs in a movie.

In loving memory of Michael Roman Morales.  Happy Birthday to my angel with really big wings!

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Buananotte stella, asciugacapelli!

Today marked the end of an era...of a deep, intimate relationship.  Halfway through drying my hair the room went dark, Gilmore Girls came to an abrupt hault, the ceiling fan went silent.  All that could be heard was a small "boom"; all that could be felt was a small pop on my arm.  In desperation I ran downstairs to the breaker box thingee and flipped the un-flipped flipper switch a doodle.  I heard the television switch back on and saw the light illuminate.  Despite my apparent success, I knew what was facing me upstairs.  I gently cradled my hair dryer....moved the switch up, down, up down, up down....and nothing happened.  She didn't make it.   She was a casualty of me running one too many things this hot June day.

We first met in Italy.  I tend to keep my love life off the blog; but in this case I am willing to make an exception.  I was dating an officer in the Navy who was stationed in Naples.  (Side note...The Atlantic Ocean is waaaaaaay too long for a "long distance" relationship.  You might as well date a Martian.  Hang up your hopes honey...it will never work.  But, no, I am not bitter...I am a "realist!"  I love that don't you...when people call themselves "realists?"  Another topic for another day.)  

Anyhow...I met this gentleman in December, 2003.  My first visit to Naples (more accurately Pozzouli) was in March, 2004.  I asked him to purchase a hair dryer for me...thinking he would purchase one that would fit into the Italian outlets.  Apparently at the commissary they only sold American hair dryers and so...he purchased this lovely American Vidal Sasoon Ionizer.  We still had to plug it into the crazy converters he had laying all around his Italian home.  He really hadn't solved my problem at all...but it was a sweet gesture (from an otherwise very un-sweet human being) so I didn't complain.  Thank goodness I packed my travel converters with me so that as we travelled to Pisa, Florence, Rome, etc. I was able to dry my hair and look somewhat acceptable in photos.  You know the one...where I am single-handedly pushing the leaning Tower of Pisa back to it's once noble, straight stature.

8 years this hair dryer and I have been together.  EIGHT YEARS PEOPLE!  Hear me!  EIGHT YEARS!  Prior to that I would burn out hair dryers in less than a year, if even that long.  

I often anticipated the demise of this particular hair dryer.  Oddly...she never gave out on me.  Sometimes I would tell her she was sinister for hanging in my life so long...as an ugly reminder of the WORST TWO WEEKS OF MY LIFE.  (Yes...unfortunately they were spent in Italy.  I know, I know...I need a do over...right?)  Other times I would gently remember she never left me...not even through the worst times.  

She's been with me to Europe, Denver, Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Santa Fe, Palm Springs, Destin, Savannah, Charleston, Kiawah Island, Cozumel, Jamaica, Tahoe, Grand Cayman Islands and just about every inch of Texas I can imagine.  

She made me pretty for some of the BEST dates I have ever had.  She loved me even when I ignored her for weeks on end in my silent little protests of "straight hair,"....God don't make no junk and this hair is NATURALLY WAV-O-RAMA!  

Replacing her will not be easy.  The last 8 years have ushered in a number of new follicle technologicals.  There are so many questions to ask....so many questions to be answered.  I mean...do those expensive contraptions made by Chi actually dry your hair faster?  And then there is the question of investment?  Will I be so lucky as to have anther hair dryer that lasts eight years...I mean will I get the return that I got on my mean ex-boyfriend's money?  

And so...yes...to you, dear hair dryer, I drank that small shot of Makers Mark in your honor and nearly breathed out fire...but it was worth it.  Thank you for your steadfast, consistent service.  You were the last vestige of that horrible time in my life.  Perhaps putting you to rest can also lay those ugly memories to rest...once and for all.  

Buonanotte stella, asciugacapelli.

And you can tell everybody this is your song,

It may be quite simple...but now that it's done,

I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words,

How wonderful life is while you're in the world.

-Elton John

Lyrics by: Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Heavenly Day

My family has suffered a tragic and unexpected loss.  My cousin Michael fell asleep and did not wake.  He was found on his side with his sweet hand tucked under his cheek.  His brothers sat next to his body as they waited for the authorities to complete the tasks appropriate to this type of situation.  His mother placed the phone calls that no mother ever expects to place.  His father's body suffered from the pain and shock of the loss.  His grandmother, both physically and mentally frail, quietly asked for something to calm her nerves so that she could help her daughter through these first frenzied and hollow hours.  His aunts mourned the loss of the first born grandchild.  While I am not certain, I imagine they all pictured Michael as a baby, helpless and tiny, gentle and hopeful.  His cousins exchanged wordless phone calls, silence seeming the only appropriate response.

Often when someone passes, people can be heard saying, "Let this be a lesson...." and might end that sentence with whatever is relevant to the life of the individual being mourned.  Indeed, let Michael's life be a lesson.  Let this be a lesson to laugh and smile as Michael so often did.  Let this be a lesson to always invite everyone along as Michael did, because truly there is always room for one more.  Let this be a lesson to always ask, "Where's the party at?" because life is meant to be enjoyed and lived as Michael did.  Let this be a lesson to look at your children with unconditional joy and love as Michael did.  Let this be a lesson to celebrate the weekend as Michael often did.  Let this be a lesson to love the Dallas Cowboys (although I am going to have to work REAL hard on this one) because Michael loved the "only football team in Texas."  Let this be a lesson to accept people right where they are in any given moment as Michael did....most especially with his family.  

My mother's family is insanely strong and uncharacteristically close.  My grandfather left my grandmother and his four daughters long ago.  While my grandmother showed courage, strength and fortitude during a time when divorce was still a very unsavory notion; she was often necessarily absent in an attempt to keep a roof, food and money.  My mother and her sisters raised one another; and to some extent still do.  In the few hours since his passing, I have been amazed, to the point of silence by the collaborative and collective strength of these women.  The fabric of their lives are so deeply woven it is a grief they will all share.  They will mourn as one, they will grieve as one, they will persevere as one and they will move through as one.  

The loss of a child is not the natural order of life.  I know my Tia Alfie and my Tio Juan will face some incredibly unbearable days....days I can not possibly understand as I have not been blessed with a child.  What I do know is this family has a long and proud history of uniting.  I expect to be astonished at what I will see in the next few days...and in the months to follow.  I expect to be so proud of this particular stock.  As always, I expect to look to these women to show me how to handle life.  

"So fear dying if you must.  It takes from us the only life we know, and that is a worthy loss to mourn.  But do not fear death.  It is something too great to celebrate, to great to fear." -Ken Nerburn

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.  Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing."  Psalms 100: 1-2 (KJV)

Tomorrow we celebrate your life.  Know that we will honor and praise you with song and laughter; as I imagine you would want us to do.  We will thank our Heavenly Father for the time he allowed us to spend with you.  Then we will set you free on the lands you loved so deeply, the lands that gave you roots and encouraged your wings.

Sleep with the angels, dear Michael.  Know that you are greatly missed.  We are fractured without you.  Grace us with strength through His Holy Spirit and help guide us through each and every day.

Small Things

I found this blog through Pinterest.  There was a cute photo of a messy ponytail and the caption went something like, "This is the best blog for hair styles."  Okay, so yes, I spent the better part of Friday night watching this total cutie show me hair tricks and styles and products and implements.  And, yes, I spent the better part of the night trying to re-create her styles.  A few of them worked, a few of them didn't.  My hair is too long and too heavy to sport some of her precious coifs.  Nevertheless, I enjoyed her articulate and detailed videos and imagine she is probably just the sweetest hairdresser a girl could have!  If you like to play with your hair...or others...check out this blog.  She posts about other things, as well.  And she likes to share about her life and her faith...which is an added bonus.  She picked up and moved to North Carolina...she got me thinkin'....????

Click here to visit her blog.... 

This blog is in loving memory of Sherry Taff.  Sherry is a former colleague.  She was a tiny woman with the biggest heart.  She loved teaching students "how to learn."  She had a deep impact on so many young people.  She loved her family and was so proud of her husband and children.  Thoughts and prayers are with her family....

Knockin' on Heaven's Door....

 In loving memory of my friend and colleague, Jon Michael Frieger....

Heaven was made for people like you.  You were a kind, beautiful, genuine soul.  People were at their best around you.  You loved your life, your wife, your baby and your work.  I am better for having known you.  

'Bout Time!

My behavior is inexcusable! This is the longest period of time I have gone without updating the blog! For shame, Patricia. However, this is a blog about celebration and not condemnation so I will politely forgive myself and hope you, the reader, might forgive me, too!

Today I celebrate being busy! Of course I am celebrating it....for it is the reason I have not blogged for such a long time. A poor excuse...to be certain...but THE reason, nonetheless. As you all may recall I started this blog as a means to an end. Well, that end has long come and gone (thankfully) but in the process I have taken on a number of responsibilities, projects, self-improvement activities, etc. I think it is safe to say I have COMPLETELY overbooked myself. However, all of the activities I have become involved in bring me an inordinate amount of joy. As a result, I can hardly complain about my "busy-ness"; rather celebrate the work I have been called to do and the people I have been called to meet. I often feel as if these projects really aren't "my" plans; instead I honestly feel they are "His" plans for me and I am but the vessel! And in that case...I am happy to do what is kindly asked of me without hesitation.
As I have mentioned one of the projects I have become involved in is The Friend's Of The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas Board. This year I am the Co-Chair of the Silent Auction. Our solicitation letters went out on Monday, October 5, 2009. The immediate response has been overwhelmingly positive. I am moved by the generosity of the people of this community; especially during tough economic times. Through this assignment I am reminded of the goodness of people, the kindness in their hearts and the sad (but very real) fact that no one escapes grief. Hearts and wallets open when the mission of this organization is explained. Everyone has a story of grief. Loss takes so many forms; grief takes so many forms. How blessed this community is to have a center where families can go to make sense of their grief. And through the benevolence of the business men and women of this community the center is able to provide these services for free and for as long as someone feels they need the assistance. Hope and healing are amazing! I am please to be a tiny part of helping someone find their peace and understanding. If you feel called to make a donation to this wonderful organization please visit The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas website by clicking HERE to learn about all the ways you can help! There is a week left in The Brown Challenge....become a "Friend of the Center" for 50 dollars (which sponsors a child for one session of group therapy) and Jenifer Brown will match the donation UP to 500 dollars! (And lest we forget this organization was founded by a Southwestern University graduate! Pretty amazing people come out of that school! Wink, wink!)
So, Facebook! I know....I was entirely opposed to Facebook! I didn't want to be found. Period. Now I can't stop "wanting to be found!" What joy it brings me to reconnect with friends from years gone by. Of particular importance are the relationships I have been able to re-cultivate with my friends for McAllen Memorial High School...Home of the Mighty Mustangs!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of a mini-reunion/girls weekend in Houston with Ramsey Kay, Gena Lee and Kelley Renee! What a blast from the past. I was overwhelmed with joy as I spent the weekend with these AMAZING women. I am so proud of each of these ladies and how far they have come. You are all very obviously women of quality, women of grace, women of fierce independence and mothering nurturance. What a gift that I was in your presence for the weekend and that you are all back in my life. I look forward to spending more time with you all and including Lisa and Eleanor into the fold! (Major Hint Hint.)

Ramsey and I watched the TX vs OU game at Lucky's Bar with the Houston Texas Exes. I have to admit...I have never seen Ramsey jump up and down in excitement over anything. But she surely does for her Horns. Unfortunately, there wasn't much jumping because it was quite an ugly game...but the Horns eeked out a win nonetheless.

We spent most of the weekend on Ramsey's front porch. This is her wonderful home! I am so proud of you Rams....

This was a very dog oriented weekend! Below is a photo of Gena's dog, Henri.
And this is Ramsey's dog Chico Jankowski. (Yes, a mexican-polish dog! Love it!) Chico and Henri chased each other all weekend. Reports indicate they were both exhausted by Sunday evening.

Kelley joined us on Saturday evening. It was her birthday...she turned 21! It was lovely to see her. Kelley and I lived about a block away from one another in McAllen. I can not count the number of times I walked to her house and endured abuse from her 7 year old brother, Kevin! Kelley is now married and has three adorable children. Mott, you haven't changed a bit...thank goodness! You are the very definition of the word, "sass-a-frass" and I adore that about you! I am so pleased we spent time together. Let's not allow 13 years to pass again...promise? Good, I promise, too!

Gena, Ramsey, Kelley and I at dinner on Saturday evening. This photo mimics...almost exactly...the seating chart of our Senior AP English class with Mrs. Laverne Johnson. We laughed and laughed recalling the ENORMOUS project she gave us that year. We worked in pairs and we were to write Cliff's Notes on a book that didn't already have Cliff's Notes; but was sure to be a classic at some point in the future. Kelley and I wrote Cliff's Notes on Sula by Toni Morrison. I can't believe it was all printed on a dot matrix printer! That ages us, doesn't it?

As I drove away on Sunday morning (a gorgeous Sunday by the way) I had tears in my eyes. On the one hand I was crying because I didn't want to leave; on the other I was crying because it was such a joyful weekend. Again, I can not express to you ladies enough how proud I am of each of you. No longer are we the little girls in Mrs. Johnson's English class; rather we are women, living our respective lives with grace and dignity. What a gift it is for me to have been witness to such unbelievable growth! This MUST be a quarterly (if not more often) reunion.

In the true spirit of a Road Trip...I left Houston and headed to Austin for Ella's Peter Pan Birthday Party. So....I am not going to make any bones about this...I GOT LOST! I have never had occasion to drive from Houston to Austin and I do not have a GPS thingee-system in my car...so don't ask me why I didn't just turn on "the system", okay. I now know all about Brenham, Sommerville, Rockdale, etc. Once I saw the sign for Taylor I knew exactly where I was. (I was just south of Georgetown and I am most familiar with the backroads in and around Southwestern University.) I was about an hour late to the party...but I made it.
Ciara and Ryan made a "bouncy house" available for the kiddos. However, it must be said, Ciara talked about bouncing all week. How fun is this picture? There was so much movement of course it was going to turn out fuzzy....but you can still feel the excitement, can't you?
Ella, or rather Tinkerbell, and I in the bouncy house.
Ciara and I.....
Ella enjoying her cupcakes. Captain Hook arrived just in time to deliver the cupcakes. Odd....he very much resembled her daddy, Ryan. Coincidence? Hmph?
Last night Dad and I participated in The Lukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk in loving memory of our dear friend Gina Collazo. She valiantly and graciously fought lymphoma for a very long time. Her battle ended during the summer of 2008. Gina is greatly missed; but her sweet memory lives on in her husband, family and friends.
Happy Sunday, friends. I have a lot to do today and I best get started! I vow to be a much better blogger!

PS...Freddy Fender inspiration thanks to my old friend, Carlos Gutierrez. He celebrated Freddy at a Conjunto Festival yesterday and shared on Facebook. I was inspired to include Freddy on the playlist today. Thanks, B.

Road Trip-Part III (Precious Friendships)

The length of my absence is inexcusable! I was VERY lazy on vacation and have been VERY busy since my return. And...to be honest...I have been spending an INORDINATE amount of time on Facebook. HOWEVER....Facebook is responsible for my daily celebration. So....it's okay. Facebook has done my heart good.....

Today I celebrate old friendships and new ones! As part of my road trip to Dallas I was able to visit with an old friend, David Leggett! Below is a photo of David in his FABULOUS loft in downtown Dallas.
David and I met the first week of my freshman year at Southwestern University. He had attended high school with my suite mate, Jillian Hasty. I didn't know a soul. She knocked on our shared bathroom door and came bounding in with her dynamite, tiny girl, energy. I believe I ate my first meal with Jillian and David and I had every meal with them from that point on! David also became dear friends with Cara. So when I was planning my trip to see Cara, I sought David out on Facebook and arranged a special date! David was a most gracious host and it warmed my heart that we were able to spend the evening with him...even if I did leave the party to travel down two floors to the Martellus Bennet poolside party! (They share the same rooftop patio! The entire building was invited!)
Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with so many old friends. I had resisted and resisted and resisted and now I am just fascinated. It really is lovely to see people I knew in high school or college living unique lives and allowing me a peek into the paths they have chosen. What a gift to see Kelly Mott as a mother of three and still just as sassy as ever, Jill Bauknight as a mother of three and still just as funny as ever, to re-live my London study abroad days with Laura Goodson and Alicia Schweter, to reconnect with the boys from the KA house and be able to know them as adults...husbands and fathers, to heal through conversations with Amy Gillespie, to keep up with my little cousin Marisa's wonderful LA life, to see how Elena Guerra has not aged a day, to see the joy in Lisa Stroud's daily living, to see Joey Gomez all grown up and filled out, to plan a trip to visit Ramsey Jankowski, Gena Reynolds and Kelly in October! Sure...Facebook is eating up all my time....but it sure does my heart good to see how all these people who have impacted my life are living well! I really could not imagine a greater gift. AND....I convinced my mom to join! Imagine that! And she posts the kindest thoughts. Her posts are an inspiration.

In as much as old friendships are important...so are new ones! This is Meredith and Nathan....

I met them through Logan a few weeks ago and have been enjoying their company ever since! We have all formed a supper club...mostly because Logan is a great cook and Meredith is a CHAMPION pie maker. Jace' and I just watch....mostly. Meredith and Nathan are such a lovely couple and they are so easy to be around. You instantly get the feeling that they meet each and every person exactly where they are at and are absolutely cool with that. We (Jace' and I...yes...we are a "we") haven't known Meredith long but we feel as if we have been friends with her for years. I know I speak for both of us when I say we are excited to see where our friendship takes us in the future!

And here is one old friend and one new friend. You have both helped my soul heal so much recently. I am blessed to call you both....and your mom, Logan....my friends.

I am lovin' this magnet right now. I am not going to say much....other than I found this magnet on THE MOST PERFECT DAY of my life! Some of you know what I am talking about. For those of you that don't....go ahead and use your imagination. Then multiply that scenario by ten and you have the reason I love this magnet so much.....
I found this magnet on my trip in St. Augustine, Florida. I believe the shop is called Dragonflies and they had THE BEST magnets and cards. I spent 50 dollars on cards, alone! Yes...some of you should be expecting them in the mail soon! The magnet is produced by Anne Taintor, Inc.

I can not publish this post without wishing my OLDEST and DEAREST friend, Najla, a very happy birthday. I love you, little mama! I hope you had a great day with the best gift God could possibly bless you with....your family!

Goodnight, friends. Morning will roll around all too soon and I am just back to work today. My sleep schedule is all over the place.

This blog post is dedicated in loving memory of Bill Pearson (Cara's father) and CJ Liebl (Maria's step-son, Rick's son). They both passed away since my last entry. My thoughts and prayers are with their families. I have to believe they are both enjoying a great glass of red wine right about now.