Going to the Chapel.......

Good morning Dad!  I know it has been a long, long, time since I posted.  I can see you rolling your eyes trying very hard not to say anything.  I can admit that I've been avoiding our talks because I've been in the mood lately to not feel anything at all.

But a sweet young lady reminded me that I have this blog, and I felt a pull at my heartstrings to come visit and get you up-to-speed on what is going on in our lives.

The sweet young lady is Amanda.  And I am extremely happy to tell you that John-Paul and Amanda are getting married.   The wedding is in November, in Austin.  I have googled the chapel and it is a beautiful, small chapel on the side of hill.  I know it is just the kind of romantic place you would appreciate.  I have also googled the reception and it is at an adorable, downtown Austin restaurant that looks so cool and probably full of people much younger than me on a regular night.  I am so out of the 'scene'.

Aunt Beverly is going to meet me in Austin so John-Paul's Lokey side can be well represented.  I am nervous about going, mostly because I am such an outsider when it comes to JP's life.  I'm sure all of the other people there know JP and Amanda well.  I regret that I can't say that.  But I am honored that the couple invited me.  I plan to just blend in as well as possible and enjoy watching two people in love commit to take care of one another for the rest of their lives.

I have three wedding gifts for the couple.  Two of them you inspired.  I offered to start them a set of Christmas dishes.  I absolutely cherish the set you completed for me.  Remember, it started with me just needing some good bowls for your traditional Christmas gumbo?  I guess this was probably the Christmas after Christian was born since that is the first time I hosted Christmas at my house.  I love my dishes.  So many great meals served with them.

I am also giving them a copy of your recording of "Sunrise, Sunset" from my wedding.  Do you remember recording it at the machine in the Galleria?  I know that took a lot of your time and energy.  Thank you so much for doing it for me.  Honestly, I don't remember it being played on my wedding day because that is such a blur.  But I have listened since and it is beautiful.  Can't wait to pass it on.

And lastly, I have made the couple a quilt.  Now JP told me to make it the colors of their alma mater, which are gold and maroon.  But I couldn't find any beautiful fabrics in that combination so I made them a quilt that has some of those colors but many many more.  The pattern is called Hugs and Kisses.  It has X's and O's in it.  I just love a project, I know I got that from you.

Well, Dad, I have to get started with this day.  It feels so good to talk to you.  I love you, I miss you and  we'll talk again soon.

hugs,
Your Rainbow

Dad....Stephen is on his way up.......

Good morning Dad.....I just got home from a trip to Midland last night. Your nephew Stephen passed away on Monday. Still don't know the cause of death but he was only 49 years old. At the cemetery I stopped and said hello to Mamaw and Papaw. I imagined that Mamaw was wringing her hands saying "Oh Lord, look who is coming to be with us." and she was probably worrying about Aunt Bev.

I think only the people really close to Aunt Bev's family will realize the depth of this loss. For Aunt Beverly she has lost all the men in her life....her husband, father, brother and both sons. And if you include Mamaw and her in-laws she has lost all her immediate family except Debbie. For Debbie, I can't imagine the sense of responsibility she probably now feels being the only sibling left to take care of Aunt Beverly. Debbie and I share a lot of similarities in our lives, but losing brothers is just a pain I've never had to deal with. I am blessed and my heart aches for her.

When I got to Debbie's home on Friday, on the driveway next to where I parked, was some chalk art that Jan (Chandler's mom) said one of Morgan's friends had drawn. It said "Life Goes On". It always amazes me how true this is. I couldn't imagine a day without you to talk to and yet it has been seven years and life has gone on. I guess God gives us the strength to not give up and go on to the next day. I hope and pray that Aunt Beverly still gets this strength. That family has been through so much.

Dad, it was my job to get hold of Andrea and John-Paul and let them know the news. I can report that both of them are doing great. You would be so proud.....Andrea is picking her jobs and naming her price to do just about anything she wants to. JP has finished his masters and is in a doctoral program and living in San Antonio. I think you should be very proud of all your kids.

I love you....talk to you again soon hopefully.....

Our Annual Visit

 

Hey, Dad...Merry Christmas! Every year my family visits mom's side of the family in College Station. Well, on the the way home we stop and visit with you. The Shives always have a beautiful Poinsetta there for you and we spend a little time talking to the boys about "Poppy" so they can remember their grandfather. Look how big the boys are getting. Next year they may all have passed me up. Merry Christmas and we miss you and love you dearly......

A Christmas Memory

Dad, when Thanksgiving is over and it is time to begin planning and decoration for Christmas I am overwhelmed with memories of you. This time of year (Thanksgiving & Christmas) are the toughest because they seemed to have been your favorite.

This year I was taking down my normal kitchen dishes and replacing them temporarily with my beautiful Christmas dishes that you made sure I had after I got married. I know how important your Christmas dishes were to you , like they were for MaMaw....so this fondness goes back and comes naturally.

I love especially putting up my big bowls that you bought first so we would have plenty of them for the traditional Gumbo! Can you remember how much we looked forward to this? I think I have your recipe but I couldn't dare repeat it. Thank you for bringing the Gumbo over to my house when I couldn't travel to your house.

I also ran across a picture of Greg and I in front of the tree at your house. We were skinny and your home was decorated so tastefully and beautifully. I know you were proud of your home when you had occasions to show it off.

Since you passed away the day after Christmas, also Craig's 4th birthday, I have to reach deep to find good memories of this time of year but they are there and they are strong because of your traditions, your efforts to get us together, and your attention to family.

I love you...Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

A Quick Visit with Aunt Beverly

Just in case you didn't already know, I had a wonderful visit with Aunt Beverly just before the end of this year. On the way to Ruidoso we stopped off in Midland and visited with her, Debbie and Morgan.

I've got to tell you that even though Aunt Bev just celebrated her 70th birthday, she was absolutely stunning and such a delight. I can see why she has so many friends. She just has a way of making you feel comfortable and right at home. The only hint of her aging was the soft voice that seems to sound more like MaMaw did. It was a soothing and comforting voice to here then and now.

Speaking of her home, it is the most adorable, well designed place. and it was perfectly decorated for Christmas. She has a beautiful black grand piano greeating you as you walk in the door. Her living room also held a beautiful elegent white Christmas tree. Then a very comfortable setting of couches, chairs and love seats.

I can tell Aunt Bev is one of the coolest grandmas ever. (Actually, my mom is doing a great job too). Morgan seems to adore Aunt Beverly and it sounds like Chandler and Sam do to.

We were a little sad as we talked about not staying in touch with everyone like you would have wanted. But I promise it hasn't diminished our love our respect for each other or others in our family. We were also a little sad when we talked about visit the cemetery where PawPaw and MawMaw are buried. Neither one of us, Aunt Bev or I, are very good at that like you were. I hope you understand we prefer to think of you as you were.

We ended the evening not make promises to stay in touch but promises to think of one another often and hope for health and happiness always. I know I won't be in Midland anytime soon and her trips to Houston are now few and far between so we will be content with an email here and there and hopefully more birthday cards!

My little athletes

Good morning Dad! Every time my kids do something spectacular in sports I have the urge to pick up the phone and call you. I remember once in the baseball season after you died I was sitting in the stands and Clayton hit a home run. I immediately reached for my cell phone and started to dial your number. Man it hit me like a brick while I was dialing that you wouldn't be there to brag to. Thank you for all the times you made it all the way from Brenham to our sports activities. You did get to see some basktball and soccer and Christian play baseball. I'm glad you didn't miss out on all of it.

Anyway, the real reason for this entry was to let you know that Christian's Optimist football team won the Championship this year. They were undefeated for the year and even though Christian played mostly defense he did score one touchdown. I remember seeing a picture of you in a football uniform. Were you fast like my boys? I'll have to ask Aunt Beverely.

All the boys have turned out to be very good athletes. Clayton plays everything really well and we are giving him golf lessons all year round. They all played this summer and did really good in tournaments.

You would be so proud of their abilities but mostly sportmanship. They are learning how to win and lose graciously. They are learning how to get along with all types of people even screaming coaches. I'm proud too.

I think I'll just assume that you can see us from up there. Enjoy the games!!!!

One of your best qualities....

You were mentioned the other day in a conversation between my father-in-law, his mother, and I think one of the kids was standing there in the kitchen with us too. We were talking about how generally healthy I am and the kids are and counting our blessings. I mentioned that except for the cancer you and MawMaw were extememly strong people. BV, (my father-in-law) said he remembered the day you came to Clayton's 5th Birthday party in 2001. That would have been in November, only a month before you passed away. He said he remembered how you came and visited with everyone and never let on how much pain you were in or how hard that trip must have been. He admired you for that and I think it has helped him see how strong I can be too. I didn't realize the sacrifice you made that day until you were so sick only a few weeks later. I didn't know until this conversation with BV that anyone else had noticed your bravery or selflessness either. After you were gone I wondered if you knew how happy we were to have you there that day. And I need you to know now what it meant to us, even my inlaws. So I just wanted to say thank you for coming to that birthday party. Thank you for making that huge effort. Thank you for teaching me to be a strong person.