Remembering

A year ago at this time, I was in Arkansas at Grandma Imogene's funeral. She left us very slowly so we would all get a chance to say our goodbyes. I got a chance to go down and say them 2 or 3 times. I still think about her daily, and I continue to wear the necklace that she wore for years everyday. Each day I look at it, I am reminded of the twinkle of love in her eye. I get many compliments on the necklace, and each time, I say, "Thanks, it is my Grandma's".

Grandma gave with such a cheerful heart. She and Grandpa Max were faithful stewards to the church. They were also generous with their family. I really need to remind myself of their selfless love of others. Sometimes it is so hard to think of anyone other than ourselves.

I started this blog a year ago. I started it as Grandma Imogene was leaving us and it was a good relief of my emotions. It has become so much more. It has become a way for me to preserve my memories. Grandma didn't need anything to preserve her memories. Her stories were filled with the smallest details and she could relay conversations she had with people from many years past. Here is a picture of Emory a year ago when we took flowers from the funeral to a memorial garden to remember Grandma Imogene.

To read my thoughts of the loss of my Grandma, click on September 2006 and scroll to the bottom. The entry is called "Golden Streets".

Cruisin'

Summer 2007

Well, our summer is officially over, as today was the first day of school. I thought I would recap some of our summer's most noted accomplishments:

1. Emory learned to ride a bike, on flat surfaces only.
2. Miles read 80 books in the summer reading program at the library, and Emory read 100.
3. Both kids completed a hike in Colorado and earned a new patch for their backpack. (Miles 1 mile, Emory 4 1/2 miles)
4. Emory learned to drive her Mustang given to her by Papa John and Lulu. And Miles learned to ride with her without screaming.
5. I finally got my photography business running, although I don't ever anticipate making any money! Check out thurmondphoto.com
6. Clif bowled a 176 at his weekly bowling night.
7. Both kids turned into great swimmers, Emory goes under water with her goggles on and swims with no FLOATIES!
8. Emory is sounding out words and is learning to read, and Miles finally says more than "KKRRRRRRRRRR"!
9. Clif spent about 3 hours working in our basement trying to finish it. But he did watch 24 episodes of "Lost".
10. I started serving the homeless in a downtown church and LOVE it!

On the Mend

So, after a week of laying on my back and feeling sorry for myself, I am on the move again. I was having extreme back pain last week, and somehow I was able to limit my movement for a few days. You should have seen me try to get Miles in his crib. I watched pretty much all three seasons of the office, and read a book in a couple of days. It was so hard lie around, because I just got a new road bike 2 weeks ago, and it made me crazy that I could not be out riding it. So, tomorrow, I am going to give the bike another try. I am going with a friend, so she can stay with me if I need Clif to bring me my walker.

One Six Right

Clif's best friend growing up, Brian Terwilliger, spent several years of his life laboring over a fabulous film, One Six Right. Visit the website, if you have not already. The film is remarkable and educated me as well as inspired me. He is our age, and his work is that of someone who has been in the business for decades. The work he did on this film was done alone. Because this was his first major work, he did not have a staff working for him. His passion for flight and aviation are enough to bring a tear to you eye.