Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Birthday to Me

My life as I mark the half century mark is both miraculous and tragic. I'm not sure where I expected to be as I flew passed this mile marker, but it's certainly not where I am.

Today is Thanksgiving Day, as it was on the day my Mother left the Feast to go to the hospital for my birth. My nearly 7 year old sister remaining at my Grandmother (Mamoo's) home to await the news as to whether she would have a sister or brother. She was fiercely protective of me through the years, and would not let anyone bully me...except her. My parents had suffered through years of infertility and were thrilled to finally have another child. I grew up knowing how cherished and wanted I was. My parents worked hard to provide a safe home for my sister and me. We didn't have a lot of the things my peers could afford, and I learned valuable lessons from that, though I didn't realize it at the time.

I had great friends in school, some of which are confidants to this day. I can't say enough about the relationships that were forged during my youth and how they have endured and been there for me during good times and bad. You know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I spent my time away from school with my horse and riding in Rodeo's. I learned though those competitions, that miliseconds matter, in the rodeo arena as in life. Everything can change and it only takes a moment. Be mindful of the words you say, how fast you drive, the actions you take, the consequences can last a lifetime; try to ensure that they are positive rather than negative.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."  ~ Albus Dumbledore

My Parents taught me great lessons. My favorite parenting lesson that my Father shared with me is "try to say 'yes' when you can." It's too easy to default to "no" when raising kids, (unless there's a safety concern involved, of course). My dad also taught me how to be a handyman, a good thing too, since my Husband isn't very good around the house! We shared a love of music and music theater and saw some great shows. My Father was taken from us in 1991 at the age of 66, much too young. There are so many things I wish he could have known, and that I could have shared with him. Most notably, his grandson, Luke. He always wanted a boy, and his grandson has some of his qualities. I learned after his death that he had always provided coats and blankets to the homeless of Dallas among other charitable acts which he had kept to himself. Truly gifts from the heart from which we can all learn.

My Mother was always very generous with me. We shared a great friendship talking about life, love and family. I loved going to visit my Grandparents with her, the old house they lived in was comforting and Granny and Grandad shared great wisdom with me. She taught me to sew and cook, and of course, shop! We traveled all over the United States and Europe together. My Mother is now 81 and suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. The great joy of her life is her grandson, and I am thankful that both of them have had a close relationship as he has grown up.

My Sister was an amazing woman who, as previously mentioned, was very protective of me both in childhood into adulthood. She is responsible for me meeting my husband, but she also lectured him on what she would "do to him if he broke my heart". We will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next month. When we began trying to have a child, she was thrilled at the idea of becoming an Aunt. Linde was a world traveler, cyclist, snow/water skier, land conservationist, multi-lingual very intense person who was tragically taken from us at age 39, in 1993. She did not live to see her Nephew born.

My Husband came into my life at a time when I was at a crossroads, as was he. We have learned a lot about love in its many shapes and forms through the years, but I cannot say enough how much and how deeply I love him. He has stood by me, through all of the challenges and joys of the long and winding road. I am thankful for his love and company along this journey and wouldn't trade a minute of it. 

"Always remember, your focus determines your reality."
Qui-Gon-Ginn, Star Wars-The Phantom Menace

The double blessing of marring my husband is that I also gained a Daughter. Katie has been a great joy in my life. We've shared late night talks, a trip through the South, a love of college and professional football, and of course her little brother. Most recently she has blessed our family with two lovely grandchildren.

My Son is a miracle that came into our world after eight years of infertility, the loss of one baby and a year of chemotherapy. He was a light after years of darkness and continues to bring joy into our lives. As it is with children, he is a unique individual with ideas of his own and we hope to encourage him to find his own place in the future where he can find satisfaction and happiness with a firm family, faith and educational foundation on which to build. Until then, his lego's remain scattered throughout the house for him to practice with.

I've had the good fortune of family and friends in my life so far even though there has been great loss.  And the journey through Mom's Alzheimer's is challenging and has taught me new levels of patience and compassion.   I am blessed with a supportive and loving Husband and Son and the prospect of a bright future. I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of this life, and that the greatest pleasures most often come in the smallest of moments.


"Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic, but I've had a good life all the way."
~Jimmy Buffett, He Went to Paris






Wednesday, June 9, 2010

To Roger Staubach, still Captain America

This editorial appeared in the Dallas Morning News SportsDay Forum on Sunday, May 30, 2010
The online version of this article (linked to above) was shortened so much as to loose it's effect. The article, in it's entirety, as it appeared in the paper appears below:

I've always admired Roger, but as a military (Navy) veteran himself, I am not at all surprised to read of his respect to other heroes.

Photobucket

Staubach's kindness benefits soldiers:

The week before last, my brother was sitting in first class on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Colorado Springs when a couple sat in front of him. He immediately recognized the man as Roger Staubach and said he looked great, very fit. They exchanged greetings, and Staubach said he was headed to Colorado Springs for the inaugural Wounded Warrior games, a competition for injured members of the military.

After 60 or 70 percent of the plane was boarded, a female Army soldier who had lost her leg boarded. Staubach insisted she sit in his seat; she said "no thanks," but he insisted. He took her place in the middle seat way in the back. After a few minutes, the young girl got tears in her eyes and said she wanted to go to her seat and have Staubach return to his.

The flight attendant overheard, and as the female soldier headed to retrieve Staubach, the attendant said she had a no-show and both could sit in first class.

The flight attendant returned with the female soldier, but Staubach sent a double amputee Army soldier to sit in his seat. Staubach remained in coach the entire flight and disembarked last. My brother asked for an autograph for my birthday; Staubauch said certainly. It's a great gift, but the greater gift is knowing Roger Staubach is still Captain America.

— Drew Werner, Addison, TX

Friday, May 7, 2010

I Said A Mother's Prayer For You


I said a Mother's Day prayer for you
to thank the Lord above
for blessing me with a lifetime
of your tenderhearted love.
I thanked God for the caring
you've shown me through the years,
for the closeness we've enjoyed
in time of laughter and of tears.
And so, I thank you from the heart
for all you've done for me
and I bless the Lord for giving me
the best mother there could be!
- Author - Unknown