Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Thanks Pat for this inspirational message.


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Dedicated to all of us who have lost a best friend.


This explains why I forward jokes.
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble... At
the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.
When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?''This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.. 'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up. 'The man gestured, and the gate began to open.'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.
'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?' 'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'
'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.
'There should be a bowl by the pump.'They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.'This is Heaven,' he answered.
'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.''Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'
'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?''No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'
Soooo...Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word.Maybe this will explain.When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do? You forward jokes. When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how, you forward jokes.
Also to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get? A forwarded joke.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

It's not about me but...


The house is rather quiet with the exception of papers and boxes being taped. Is it selfish for me to want to turn back the clock. I have already offered to write a check to the US government to keep my Ensign home. But that would not be letting her live her life. The air is knocked out of me. This is worse then "I" day four years ago. I feel my heart being torn from my chest. I have not felt this heartache since I dropped Charlotte Mae off for four year old kindergarten at Advent years ago.

Tomorrow Beth starts on her life journey. She and John are heading to Norfolk with a detour to Amherst, Virginia to visit Aunt Dorothy before her deployment. My heart is screaming let me come with you. My conscience says cut the cord (for about the nth time). I am very proud of both girls. I do not know if I desire to ward off all the evil that will pass their way or share in the thrill of the adventure. I must admit that it is a combination of the two.

The tears started after church today. They are not the tears of a mom who has dropped a teenager at the academy for plebe summer. These tears will not stop. You know the type. These tears are the ones that make your vision blurry and drip down your face as soon as you can wipe them away. I know I am not being fair to anyone by acting this way, but it is not about me. I hope these tears are a symbol of the pride I have for my girls. Both have done well and are a joy to their parents. I think the tears are for the next to final declaration that she does not need me in the same way she did a year ago. I do not have a problem with that really. This is another right of passage that must be achieved. Both of us need to continue and hold each other in our hearts. Take care of yourself Beth, I love you and Charlotte more then I can say. Wear clean underwear and make sure your belly button is clean.

Love to all the USNA class of 2010. Fair winds and following seas.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Then and Now

Today was my last day of pulmonary rehabilitation. I want to find a place just as perfect as Trinity’s Cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation area. Thank you ladies and physicians, I now have my life back. When I walked in for my first session, I was very apprehensive. This stuff looked like the same equipment we used for open heart and post myocardial infarction patients. Since neither diagnosis was applicable I wondered, what was here for me? It did not take me too long to find out. After a few weeks I was called the pace car. (Long legs can walk very fast on the tread mill).
Bottom line I improved my 6 minute walk by over 200%. For all of you doubters, it is documented.
A year ago I was not worth a flip. I was told to quit work and live or keep working a well you know the other option. In my head I wanted to quit work and be able to attend Commissioning. My heart was giving me a different message. There are times when I heed the passion of the heart more then the discernment of the brain. It was when John, bless his heart, looked at me in the eyes and told me I would not make it to Commissioning if I kept working. That is when I understood. Yes, I was the child who had to look mom in the eyes to understand the message. Thank you, all who visited me, sent me cards of encouragement and kept me on the prayer list at HUMC. I cannot forget those who cooked meals and made phone calls. You have been a blessing.
I am very much alive today and not 6 ft. under in a big brown box. Commissioning was a blast. Watch out world I am back to being a 26 years old for ever! Basketball anyone? Again thank you to all of you who supported me in this huge literally life decision. There has to be a bunch of stars for your crowns.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Short note







We made it!

The last week in May was filled with fun and adventure. The entire town of Annapolis celebrated Commissioning week with a flair. The townies who can, rent out their homes to the parents of the USNA graduates. The parents who are lucky enough to find a perfect house put down a few grand and look forward to the week.
We arrived on Saturday and settled in. Sunday we attended Baccalaureate services at the chapel. Monday through Thursday was spent getting ready for the big day. Friday was wonderful. There are so many events that were special all week. I am thrilled to say Mom and I made it. We appreciated the prayer warriors and the physicians who helped us attain this goal.
Our sights are set for April 2011 and May 2012.

Thanks and please keep praying.