Archive for the 'Pure Sunshine' Category
May 28, 2010 @ 7:30 am | Filed under: Family,Pure Sunshine
Today is my mom’s birthday.
For the first time in 66 years, it was my grandfather who planned her special day.
I get choked up every time I think about it. I have a very distinct feeling it’s going to be one of those memories that will always cause my chest to tighten and the backs of my eyelids to sting.
“I’m going to take you out to lunch,” he called her up the day before to announce. “We’re going to Furr’s. And I’m inviting Faye Nell and Sue to go with us.”
He’s been under hospice care for over a month now and it’s been a time of adjustment for all of us as we’ve all faced in our own way and in our own time that COPD would soon rob us of all the many, many moments we’d come to take for granted over the years.
Ever the strong, capable, unflappable type, the loss of Mama perhaps dealt the cruelest blow to Dad. We’ve seen the love he shared with her evidenced in such unexpected ways since her death. It’s hard to believe it’s been just over six months now; the fact that Dad’s own health has deteriorated so vastly and so quickly is just as shocking.
And yet there are these moments lately when he says or does or acts in such a way that makes that sliver of time almost stand still. It’s as though there is a poignancy in the air and it is so delicate – so precious – that to breathe too hard or even blink would be to miss it.
And oh, we don’t want to miss a moment right now.
The party of four – the birthday girl, her dad, and their two guests – kept the lunch date. Despite the oxygen that is continuously strapped to him, his lack of energy, and an ever-increasing tiredness that is taking over his body, he went the extra mile on this birthday.
He thought he was being quite the sneak, even though Mom knew what he was up to all along. So when the employees of Furr’s arrived at their table and began to sing “Happy Birthday” she acted surprised. I feel quite certain that singing birthday songs tableside is not standard operating procedure for the folks at Furr’s…but again – it’s almost like there is something irresistible about these moments surrounding Dad right now.
They all mean something.
They mean everything.
My mom has had some great birthdays in the past and I’m sure there are some amazing ones in her future.
But there is no doubt in my mind that it is this year’s birthday she’ll remember the most.
birthday, dads and daughters, elder care
May 23, 2010 @ 8:31 am | Filed under: Family,Jorge,Motherhood,Pure Sunshine
Where in the world did the time go?
It seems mere moments ago that he was placed in my arms for the very first time, all swaddled, a deeply placid expression etched on his tiny baby face.
And then I made a mistake and blinked…
Was it not just a few days ago that I held this kid’s hand and walked him into his first day of Kindergarten?
Trying to maintain your hold on your child’s every move and moment is like trying to hold water in your hands…it just trickles through your fingers no matter how hard you try to keep it contained.
Now he’s finishing his junior year of college, working a full-time job, and planning a career.
I look at him these days and I see a man that I love to pieces. He is strong, smart, and deeply compassionate.
He calls or texts virtually every day, always just to ask how I am doing. He is confidante to, and protector of, his big brother Nate. He is a planner like his Uncle Kevin. He is a playful cousin and an interested uncle.
He enjoys coffee and computers, tubing the river with Elizabeth, long talks with Pops, movies with Nate, fun with friends, doing well in school, and knowing he has a solid future in front of him.
He’s my baby boy. All grown up.
May 10, 2010 @ 6:34 am | Filed under: Family,Motherhood,Pure Sunshine
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| This free digital collage created with Smilebox |
I realized something last night as I crawled between the sheets and settled down for the night.
I had spent the last couple of hours in the kitchen, planning, cooking, anticipating our Mother’s Day lunch as a family. Robyn’s dad and sister are in town, my mother-in-law is with us, and the day ahead promises to be one full of laughter and great family moments.
It’s been on my mind for the last few weeks that this would be the first Mother’s Day for my mom to ever spend without her mother. I know there is absolutely nothing and no one that can replace Mama; nor would we dare to try. Mama had a personality that was larger than life and this was one day where we would especially miss her presence.
But as I worked in the kitchen last night I was running a mental list of every one that would be at my parents’ the next day for lunch. It wasn’t until later, when I was in bed, that it hit me.
Out of the twelve people who would gather around the table, the only ones still blessed to have their mom are me, Mike, our boys, and my brother. My heart ached for everyone else…for my sister-in-law and her sister, who lost their mom way too young. For my mom, facing the first Mother’s Day as the true matriarch of our family.
The day was a blessed one, full and loud and happy. Little girl giggles, warm hugs, new baby cuddles, animated conversation, and late afternoon mugs of coffee…
And even though we were missing the heartbeats of some very loved mothers, one thing was was felt by all.
The mothering heart.
It is the heart that we share as a family.
And it will always go on.
three generations
May 4, 2010 @ 8:27 am | Filed under: Family,Pure Sunshine
James Kael Rogers (and his PROUD aunt)
The drive from Commerce to Richardson seemed to take forever yesterday.
Maybe part of that was due to the fact that I knew all my family was already there, and my intense desire to be there too made each mile feel more like ten.
We’d been waiting a long time for this day. Nine months, to be exact, and finally the day had arrived. I drove up to the hospital with just twenty minutes to spare before the scheduled birth. For once, I breathed a silent thank you for the delay in the hospital schedule.
Because, as much as I was ready to meet our new little guy, at that moment all I really wanted to do was see his momma first. I think once you become somebody’s parent you are ushered into a realm of understanding that just didn’t really exist for you beforehand. Although two decades have passed since my own kids’ births, the memory of each and every precious moment of both of those days is forever etched into my heart and mind. I remember the faces of the ones who stood over me, the tenderness in their smiles, and the sparkle of anticipation in their eyes.
It was important that I be that to Robyn yesterday.
We clustered in her hospital room – talking, joking, planning…basically doing what families do to pass the time until it’s time. And then it really was time, and she and my brother received our last minute hugs and well wishes and we left them to go out to the waiting room and do just that…wait.
And then we all received a text from Kevin. James Kael Rogers had arrived safe and sound – Mom and son were doing well. And then there was a little more waiting…until…
April 15, 2009 @ 1:22 pm | Filed under: Motherhood,Pure Sunshine
Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering?
There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.
Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.
In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.
April 1, 2009 @ 11:07 am | Filed under: Family,Pure Sunshine,Wordless Wednesday
Andi and her buddy, Austin
March 11, 2009 @ 7:25 am | Filed under: Family,Pure Sunshine
Kenzie Kate loses another tooth!
March 4, 2009 @ 7:24 am | Filed under: Family,Pure Sunshine
February 18, 2009 @ 2:22 pm | Filed under: Family,Pure Sunshine
February 7, 2009 @ 5:57 pm | Filed under: Family,It's funny!,Pure Sunshine
Kendall and her Pops
Before Carter was born, Mike and I had several fun conversations as we “tried on” all the various names for grandparents.
We ultimately tossed most all of them out on their ear, since at least one of us (sorry, honey!) was way too young to be called grand anything yet…
We would find out soon enough that those two kids could very well call us anything and we’d answer.
Yep – grandkids really do have just that kind of power over you.
We finally decided on “Pops” and “Nana” since these seemed to best define, both, the traditional and the fun side of how we saw our cute little grandparenting selves. From the first time that Carter first uttered “Pots,” (the precursor to Pops) these names have been indelibly engraved on our hearts since.
It’s no doubt that Carter and Kendall have very firmly established our roles as Pops and Nana. I promise, you’ve never seen a big strapping man like my husband melt like hot butter the way he does when one of the grandkids says, “Pops, will you…”
So imagine his joy when Amy informed him a few days ago that Paul had an important meeting and would be unable to attend Donuts for Dads at Kendall’s school, and would he like to go instead…?
Would he? Are you kidding me?
And imagine my laughter when he returned home a few hours later and was telling me all about his time at the school. Kendall had marched him right up to her teacher and in her very best, big-girl way she has about her right now, she’d introduced him.
“This,” she indicated Mike, “is my grandfather.”
