mom

Mom

May 15, 2013

Katney picked this week's Headbanger's theme.  We are going with "Mom."  Check out my  pals for their interpretations on this theme: Fishing Guy, Katney, Imac and Lew.

Moms are so important, and never appreciated enough.  I love my kids, but if dads had to spend as much time dealing with their childrens' shenanigans as the moms, we'd have a lot more cases of lost kids and hunting accidents; do you know what I'm saying?  Of course, I always make it easy on my wife and never contribute to frustrations in the house. (cough, cough)  The pic in my header is my D2 with my mom and her mom (Mrs. Craver.)  Next, I show D1 with her son and her mother.

Um, that's not how you steal a kiss, not that you'd have to steal one from Nana anyway.

 

Craver's family tree with Mom & Dad.  (side note: Why am I the only one with a moustache?)

getting together

[Mom and Dad with a nephew and a niece.]

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Surprisingly, I spent precious little time with my parents. Loose plans were made, and I assumed that they would camp out at my home, making day visits to other relatives and friends. I see now how that was presumptuous. They spent two days at my house, and have been staying with multiple hosts. I was blessed that they spent as much time as they did with me, my wife and kids.

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There were two major highlights to the past few days. First, is that I got to spend more time with my wife and kids. And second: there were two get-togethers, where Mom and Dad were joined by my five siblings and me. It is rare that all eight will be together in one place. That was a treat! They're in town for a few more days, and then it might be a year or more before I can see them again face-to-face.

mangiare

Sunday afternoon at the Olive Garden. L to R: My wife and me, our two youngest, Mom & Dad.

due north

One man I used to know used to ask whether a decision was "due North." By that, he meant that in your heart of hearts, you knew that it was the right thing to do. Our time in Florida is finished, and we must pack up the van and head back to our home up North. It is an uncomfortable (for me) 80 degrees as I type this at night. Nights are supposed to be cool, right? But it's not about the weather; I need to get back to our home and my work; it's the right thing to do.

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Again, if you would, please pray for journey mercies as we begin Monday's 22-hour trek.

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I did not take as many photos as I originally expected, but there are a few, and I especially want you to see one of the shots I got of the moon from a few days ago. The photos took an appropriate back seat to the time with family. I got to see my beautiful red-head (daughter) and her husband. Usually I enjoy theological discussions with him, but this time, we just chilled, and I got to hold my brand new grandson, Rylan.

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My wife and children had a good time overall, even though we each got sick at one point or another, and my younger daughter lost her camera. I still hope that turns up somewhere. It was cool to visit my friend's church and hang out with an uncle and aunt, and my sister and her family. One of the nieces especially has grown up from being a cute little girl who we barely knew to the most delightful conversationalist.

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The time with my parents was a major highlight for me, and I think for my wife, too. Mom and Dad are amazing people. Who shall I compare them to? If you've seen the movie "Twister," there's an older lady the storm chasers visit, and she demonstrates hospitality to the uttermost. That's like my mom. Dad is a man of peace, wisdom and humor. He is an expert in diplomacy.

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Every time I leave my parents, I wonder if this is going to be the last time I see them both again. Nobody lives forever, and when the day comes that I hear of one or both of them passing, it will tear my heart in two, but I will always remember them well. Their memories are completely associated with fondness, affection, delight, and the utmost respect.

look both ways

For this picture, I turned my head East to look at the sunset! I thought I would be taking more Floridian photos while down here, but yesterday, I hunkered down and copied a bazillion old family photos. I dug through a big footlocker full of pictures, but it brought back a lot of memories, and was worth all the work that went into it. They will probably not be worth trying to post, but I might change my mind after I get back and have a chance to sort through them.

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One thing I won't be posting is pictures of my mom & dad from this week. They are having some kind of allergic reaction, and all kinds of doctor visits and creams and pills. I feel badly for them. As for you, you will just have to believe me when I tell you that I have parents. ;-)

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I LOVE my parents!! They get along so well with my wife (& me, too). I laugh a little, when I see how my mom pinches pennies, doesn't care for brand names, and is always looking for a better price or coupons or whatever. But that is only a little funny. Our country would be in MUCH better shape if people would work like my dad and save like my mom. Government handouts? I'm sure there are a few people that could use a measure of compassion, but I feel better about the church doing that job (including me and my parents) rather than Uncle Sam.

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How did I get from sunsets to subsidy? Sheesh, what a scatterbrain I am sometimes! Okay, I'll get off the soap box, but before I do, I need to say that criticizing the federal financial program is not the fix. People need to learn how to earn a living, live within their means, give back a little to their community, and plan for the future. We need to rethink words like "entitled to" and "deserve." Credit abuse is a crime! Okay, I'll stop now. Ciao.

besos para abuelita

One of the grandchildren planted a wet one right on Abuelita's kisser. It was so cute to see him slobber unashamedly. He loves his grandmother, and she is quite lovable.

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This precious lady is scheduled for a procedure Thursday morning to fix an irregular heartbeat. In this "cardioversion" they will sedate her, then attempt to put her heart back to normal through electro shock.

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(heavy sigh) There are some risks. I sure would like to see her in relative good health when I go to visit them after my grandson is born. I am more than a little nervous for her.

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Please pray for her heart. Literally and figuratively. I want her to know deep down that God alone is perfect and holy. That she know the reality that she is a sinner; her best efforts fall short, so she needs a Savior. That Jesus alone paid the price for atonement. He paid it in full. And finally, that she receive Him by faith, placing all her trust in Him.

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Update on Abuelita: She pulled through just fine; praise the Lord! Thank-you to all who interceded on her behalf.

mom meme

Six Random Things was sent by my friend L.L. Barkat, author of the new book, Stone Crossings. If you don't mind, I'll put a twist on this one, and take the opportunity to honor my mother.

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1. My mother is spontaneous. I think she is a sojourner at heart, enjoying the journey every bit as much as the destination, and flexible enough to adapt with all the twists and turns that come along the way.
2. She is creative and clever. She can think outside the box. Don't let it bother you that she beats you effortlessly at dominoes; you never really had a chance.
3. Mom is taller than my dad. Of course, he's 5'0" (and half-an-inch). Still, I will always look up to both of them.
4. She has birthmarks on her forearm that people always wonder about and sometimes ask. But they're just splotches of color. Maybe her melanin chose to band together and congregate there, separating from the rest of her skin. Because she is so fair, sometimes people guess that she might be from Eastern Europe rather than Puerto Rico.
5. She's a bargain-brand shopper. Never wasteful. I'll bet Dad likes that.
6. She loves to laugh. We can sit and visit and enjoy telling stories from a light perspective. Her laughter is affirming and encouraging.

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Let me add one more thing, just because. When I was little, I loved to draw and color. Right now, I can't remember a specific instance of sitting with her, but I feel close to Mom when I'm doing something artistic.

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As usual, I will break the rules and not tag specific people, but please use this meme if you feel so inclined. :-)

Tagging Rules:

• Link to the person who tagged you.
• Post the rules on your blog.
• Write six random things about yourself.
• Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
• Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
• Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

paternal units

Gosh, I love these two! They are not famous, but they should be. They sat at the head of a big table a couple weeks ago, and endured the silliness of their children. Everyone laughed until their cheeks hurt.

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Mom is one of the two best living cooks in the WORLD, but never drew a paycheck for it. She loves to laugh out loud. If you can help it, don't ever play dominos with her... you will certainly lose.

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Short people sometimes overcompensate to try to gain respect, but you wouldn't guess that about my dad. Dad is smooth and mellow. He has a gift for diplomacy. His sense of humor is dry and stealthy, flying in under the radar. He is the one who makes other people laugh. Although I am seven inches taller than him, I will always look up to him.

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One afternoon, when they lived close to us, Mrs. Craver and I drove over to visit them. The two ladies stayed chatting in the kitchen. I'm so glad they get along so well. I went on back to the living room, where Dad was watching baseball. We engaged briefly in the obligatory small talk. I was taking up the whole couch, and he was comfortable in his recliner. The ballgame became the perfect background noise... for sleeping. My wife woke me up, saying that I should keep talking to him, but we were both exactly where we wanted to be. Ah, sweet fellowship! There ain't much better than a Sunday afternoon nap at Mom & Dad's house.