Kids Do The Darndest Things

Just about the time you begin to get lost in your grief, the reality of life and family rises to provide continuity in the business of living. There are two recent examples that forced us all to remember those that came before us and among us and imparted their gifts upon all of us in one way or another.

The first is my twin granddaughters' first birthday party last Tuesday. They were totally enthralled with all of the hubbub, wolfing down their steamed rice and tofu, laughing and liking the reflections off of their shiny Mylar balloons.

Great Grandpa was beaming from ear to ear and Grandpa enjoyed showing of Kaelee's birthday hat, watching her look like "Who's the guy with the beard wearing my hat?" Then came the obliteration of the birthday cupcakes...classic. It was the girls' first feast of sugar and, if their faces were an indicator, loved it. It was a great party!

Next on the list was Daughter #2 being chosen as the 2015 Young Alumna of the Year for Seattle Pacific University. She and another senior alumna are being honored at a luncheon during the Homecoming Festivities on Feb. 7th. Her Grandpa and I will be among the honored guests at her table (I didn't know that until today).

Now I have to bone up on which fork to stab the salad and the chicken with. I doubt that it would be permissible to pull out my Buck knife to cut the meat, but those flimsy little knives they roll up in your napkin makes diggin' into your meal harder. I guess jeans are out of the question, too. It would be in poor taste to mortify the daughter among all the high-podunks. I think the Father and son will have a good time. At least I can harass my son-in-law and show him how his new family really acts in public!

Count on the kids to lift your spirits...and they don't even realize it!

Gary

Starting Over

Here we sit; a new year staring us in the face with everyone holding a secret desire hoping for better things to come, even if last year was good for them. Everyone stands around the roulette table of life looking for the big win. No one is 100% satisfied with their current circumstances...a little more would always be acceptable, whatever that "more" is.

The interesting thing to me is that in the whole scheme of life, a cycle of the earth around the sun has little to do with much of anything, yet we start a new year with hope and celebration for better times to come. For some waking up and breathing is considered a blessing. For others it is a curse. Still others are released to their Creator and don't have to worry about any of this whoopdedoo at all anymore and the newborns get to pick up the torch and try to make it through more New Years to come.

Whatever your lot is in life, I hope you have the opportunity to make others' better in the coming years while you're with us before it's your turn to hand off the baton.

Gary

She's Home For Christmas

Forgive the length of time since my last post. It has been a long month with little time to reflect. The Matriarch of our family passed away unexpectedly on December 6th and we have been trying to regroup since then.

Mom was the last one we expected to go, considering Dad's voluminous medical history. She went down without pain or suffering. She was totally normal the night before when Dad and I stopped by to pick up some food she prepared for my post-surgical lounging, followed by her usual caution to be careful driving to my Dad.

The next day after hearing nothing from her, he ventured to their house and found her gone. His chest tightened up and he was admitted to the hospital for observation. He had already suffered a heart attack and a head injury a short time ago.

Her memorial service on the 13th was attended by people who loved her from around the globe. She would have been stunned.

I can't help but wonder what it will be like spending her first Christmas with the Baby in the Manger among family members who have gone before her. I'll bet she's having a hoot!

Gary

Older & Wiser

I just celebrated my birthday yesterday and I came to realize that my youthful exuberance is gradually being replaced by some old goat with suspenders on his jeans. I have not fallen into the fashion trend of our youngsters and choose not to have my pants exposing my Superman-themed drawers. I think age brings a degree of practicality.

I quit smoking years ago because being cool was not compatible with breathing, climbing stairs and ladders or listening to a nagging spouse spew her disgust endlessly. I quit drinking because my aging body declared an impasse and started yelling, "You quit or I will." My innards still haven't totally forgiven me for pickling them.

I began to remember the good ol' days when I could get away with such shenanigans with no consequence. I was one of those guys that was incensed by having to go outside to smoke. Now the smell of it gags me. The same reaction happens with the smell of booze.

So now, I celebrate having a great family and enjoy the benefits of a fine cup of coffee or juice with the benefit of no morning-after hangover and all of my wits about me, meager as they are. I hope that if you're on the road to wisdom you'd consider what I've said. We ain't gettin' any younger!

Gary

Awaiting the Early Throes of Winter

All-in-all the weather has generally been decent most of the Fall around here, but the weather guy says that's about to change tomorrow or so. Some big blast from Siberia and Alaska is supposed to drive evening temps into the 20's and the daytimes will be just above freezing. So much for easing into Winter.

We can't complain too much. The middle of the country is getting hammered as I write this. The place I visited in July is hovering in the single digits now. It was 103 when I was there and people were scrambling for ways to cool off.

It's no wonder the neighborhood squirrels and rabbits have been out in force looking for food to store. This might just be a long, cold winter. I think I'll follow suit and stock up on hot chocolate mix. I hope the power stays on for Thanksgiving. Frozen giblets just don't appeal to me at all!

Whew, October Sucked!

I can't remember a time when more than one family member went through some sort of medical or emotional crisis within two or three short weeks. It happened this month. It was beginning to feel like we should be dabbing lambs' blood on the front door to have the wrath of God pass over.

It was impractical to consider writing. Things happened too fast. I'm sure that other writers have faced this sort of thing, but have never experienced it for myself until October. My respect for these colleagues has grown immensely.

I noted that my escape has been through writing. When that is not possible, my belly is exposed to the arrows slung by the circumstances at hand. Oh wait, I suddenly remember that someone else is watching over me and everyone else.

How easy I forget sometimes.

Gary

Color Me Concord Purple

Seldom do I get very excited about what grows out of my jungle in the back yard, but this year is a major exception. This is the first year out of the last seven or eight that I have a bountiful crop of grapes hanging from my arbor.

Granted, there aren't enough to make a vat of wine (I don't drink anymore anyhow), but there's plenty to play Caesar Augustus and pop them into my mouth while quaffing a fine root beer and watching the Seahawks.

I've noticed that there are a few tiny birds who like my grapes as well, but they don't take much. I haven't even had any raccoons raid the stores.

I am asked, "What do you do with the seeds?"

Duh, I spit them out like watermelon seeds? Is everything in the grocery store seedless these days? I just make sure that Lily the Terrorist doesn't get any. They're not supposed to be good for dogs - even terrorists. It's a good thing she doesn't like 'em anyway.

I didn't even know when these things ripened until this year. They were always frozen or ripped off by some critter before they were ready before. Now I know. I will mark this on my calendar for next year and keep my fingers crossed.

Between the grapes and the blackberries, I could become a king of my hill!