6.22.06--Part II

Part I was the 1:30 am entry.

7 to 10a.m.

The day has been special already.

Mass at 7-Fr. Bernie doing a great job again. Before the mass, Chuck H. stopped to say hi in the pew and knew it was tough for us and gave a little support--thanks Chuck. Bernie's homily about the Our Father prayer was perfect...it helps me know to read the Gospel before the mass so when I hear it at mass it's for the second time...more impact. Anyway, great sermon and thoughts on prayer (like the single prayer Sody said for us--thanks) Instead of Christine's name being said during the general intentions, he said her name along with another during the Eucharist...very special...with all the tears I've shed at mass in the last 33.5 weeks, none today...she's keeping us strong as I asked her to do.

Then a visit to the cemetery...C wanted to buy flowers for the grave and I said what's wrong with the plenty we have in the yard. So we took two day lilies and a rose. Once there we visited Rich and Kutz then Christine. Standing there we saw beautiful rain clouds in the sky (pic here was from home but does not do the ones seen at the cemetery justice) Again, no tears or breakdown...just a prayer.

Once home I began mowing the lawn in the drizzle...kind of refreshing--the tears I have not shed today were falling on me from above...was very cool!

After the mow, I walked around the block in the rain. I always wanted to do that with Christine...I know I mentioned it to her and we did get a chance to do that a bit on the 4th last year when the parade was rained out...but this walk in the rain this day was just as special.

Once home I began planting pink flowers that I'd bought last week, in the vegetable garden...with rain coming down...something freeing about that! Thanks Tini!

...all this before 10.

Last night/early this a.m. (1:30 am.) I asked Christine to keep us strong today like she did when we asked her to do that for us the day of her wake and funeral...she has come through again!

I'm certain a few tears will be shed later this pm. when friends and neighbors come by to see the beautiful tree they bought us, that will be part III...and now here comes the sun--thanks!

one more thing

a quick look at the readings for today, and the Gospel is too fitting:

Gospel Mt 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,who think that they will be heard because of their many words.Do not be like them.Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.“This is how you are to pray:
‘Our Father who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name,thy Kingdom come,thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.’“If you forgive others their transgressions,your heavenly Father will forgive you.But if you do not forgive others,neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

4-ever-4

Ok...here it is, the day I've dreaded for 34 weeks...the day we should celebrate your birth. I may ramble on here, since I've had so many blog ideas run through my head the last few weeks on what I should say today... and now it's unrehearsed and unscripted...free-flow at 1 a.m.

First, I want to say the standard:

Christine, I love you, I miss you and I'm so sorry we've lost you...and here come the tears at 1 a.m.

I spent last night (moments ago) at the b'ball game with friends (thanks Brian, Gregg and Steve) watching the damn Cards loose to the Sox. I recall making light of the evening and keeping the guys laughing...I could only do that with you by my side--thanks!

On the long train ride home, I began to reflect on what came next...in a short hour it would be the 22nd...I sat on a packed train, full of joyous Sox fans, with me crying out the window. Before the tears came, I called Sods to let he know Brian was on his way---she was sleeping already and so I kept it short. But I knew I needed to call someone to talk. C was still out for the evening and so on to plan B...who could I call this late? I had a few peeps in mind (Bone you were one) and decided I needed to talk to my best man/friend Mark. Others have looked me square in the face and said call me night or day any time...believe me, your time is coming/near.

Mark answered right away so I knew he was up...I broke down after a bit telling him this really sucked...he was right there with me...helping me see the bigger picture that God has planned for us...(and so I cry again here---%^&@) He said some pretty insightful things about the meaning behind this life I now lead and the impact it has had on so many. Much like my very spiritual brother, he seems to know exactly what to say when...I appreciate that from him and Paul. I'm not certain I could do that on a cold call from a guy crying into the phone on a train ride home...

Forgive me as this blog may be filled with many typing errors...eyes are filled with tears and fingers are weary.....................

I chatted w/ Mark the rest of the train ride home...what a great friend! Mark, your friendship means the world to me! I want to thank you for being at the other end of that late call 2 hours ago...and for saying what you said...you are a blessing in my life.

After the train, I expected to drive home, but I saw a neighbor at the bar across the street...so I went to say hi and saw a few more neighbors and friends...was a nice way to cap off the night with women who care about me...thanks Donna, MB, Peggy, Celine, Mary and many others. They all said they'd come by to see us today...so nice.

Well, where was I ... I had so many grand ideas of how I wanted this blog entry to be on this day...it sure was not to be an early morning rambling of this sort...I will tell the story of your coming to us another time...way too hard to even begin now.

As C and I said as we walked into the FH on 11/1/05, Christine, please help us get through this difficult time. You really did that for the wake and funeral, now we need your support for today.

You would have been 5, but you are forever 4...(4-ever-4)

Awake at all hours

What the hell...?! Am I immune to the damn knock-out pill now...sitting here at 2:32 a.m., pondering the next few days...

C put together a little invite for the neighbors today...I could not come to grips to do it---Sunday I felt like I could not even face that day and did not feel like I wanted to have anyone here...now I guess that's the better route--surrounding us with friends to help ease the pain. If your in the hood, stop on by. I noted to a few peeps in an email last night that this is not a b'day party, but laughter/joy and sorrow/crying are welcome.

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PLEASE JOIN THE MUELLER’S
802 Cathy Lane

THURSDAY, JUNE 22
Anytime after 4pm

FOR THE CELEBRATION OF
“CHRISTINE’S TREE”

Charlie, Marty & Dar planted the tree in our backyard on June 3. It’s a European Tri-Color Beech with pink and purple leaves (Christine’s favorite colors). It looks great!! Thank you to all of our wonderful neighbors for your continued support and this lovely remembrance.

DRINKS & SNACKS WILL BE SERVED
THROUGHOUT THE EVENING

We hope to see you Thursday, June 22

Family Reunion 2006

Recall this past post... for background.

Pic- l-to-r: Me, Martha, Patty

What a great day...so exciting to meet new friends and to know that they are relatives!!
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On Friday (my b'day), we had Patty (new found cousin), her family and Martha (the missing linker) come to the house to officially meet.

It's hard to explain the excitement...really it is. It's such an odd thing to truly stumble across distant relatives...but it happened. At about 1 pm, the family arrived...Patty, Tim, John and Sarah. Moments later, Martha was there too. The weather was a bit hot/humid, but there was a nice breeze--so we opted to sit on the patio to enjoy a few beverages and get to know each other. We spent the afternoon laughing, talking about our families, brothers, sisters, parents, *downstate*, bakeries, butchers, home improvements, colleges etc. Turns out Tom is a P.E. like me, and was at the big U the same time C and I were...he sure looks familiar--could have bumped into him at the bars, I mean CE 261 class!

These people are the *salt of the earth* (what does that really mean?-gotta Google it now—yep, admirable people-understatement). Anyway, what an enjoyable time...kept my mind from dwelling on the fact that Christine was not there to celebrate the big 44...I did however, often think of how she would have enjoyed playing with John and Sarah and Lauren.

We had a mexican wrap appetizer (Martha) and cole slaw (Patty) both from the Blaes/Blaies family cookbook and two items that if they are not in there should be...my excellent mother’s cold potato salad and my Grandmother’s homemade ice-cream. I had planned on manually churning the ice-cream before they arrived, but ran out of time prepping the yard--yanking weeds, laying mulch, watering, cleaning the patio...having peeps over--what a motivator to get things done!. Anyway, the churning was left for me and the guests...the kids and Tom were more than happy to help out...kind of a new thing for them…very old hat for me.

For the last three years, I've made homemade ice-cream for the June 22 celebration…knew I would not be able to do that this year. As kids, at my Dad’s parent’s house, all the cousins would take turns cranking the ice-cream…little kids first, then the older ones as the cream became frozen. Half the fun was breaking the frozen milk cartons filed with water/ice for the job…now we just buy the ice.

My sister and finance stopped by just in time for dinner…great timing. I’m glad they snuck out of work early to meet the new family and celebrate with us.

The meal of brat, burgers and dogs was great. Desert, Orange and Blue cake—not necessary—with the cookies and homemade ice-cream was excellent.

The day ended about 8 p.m. with a promise to get together again soon...I know that will happen for a life time. What a blessing. A special thanks to Martha for being the missing linker.

Pics of the afternoon here...

365 days later...

"Hi, Happy Birthday. See ya soon, bye......why"

That's the voice mail message from Christine that I've saved from last year on this date. Our office system automatically deletes old vm's, so I've had to forward this to myself every couple of weeks or so, so that it was saved...

How did I know to save it and keep saving it 4 months before she died...her voice is so sweet on the vm, that I knew I wanted to hear it again when she's 43 and I'm in my 80's...now it's my special gift today and every day.

Not certain why she was asking C "why" at the end of the message...probably asking why I was not there to answer her call...I was upset I missed that call that morning, but now I'm glad I missed it so that I can hear her now when ever I want.

Thanks Christine!!

'I need to be stronger...'

Those were the words of a good friend and co-worker of mine on Tuesday at work.

We both had similar slacks/shirt on that day, and so we were joking about that, talking about billings for projects (boring work stuff) and all was well...he left my cube and returned about 3 minutes later...?

As I finished typing an email, with my back to him sitting in the chair, I continued to joke about something or another...I turned to him and he was trying to say something serious, but was choking on his words and fighting back his tears...that was a tough moment for him more than I---a brief glimpse at why people do not approach me about Christine these days...I think I understand now that it is just as hard for others to *talk about it* as they think it is for me...but it's not for me...crying is fine.

Anyway, he tried to spit out that he knew Christine's birthday was coming up, that he did not want the day to pass by w/o saying something and that he was there for me...he said about two words, choked up, said a few more and then I was right there with him shedding a few tears...then he finally said, 'I need to be stronger...' I immediately said 'no you do not...I've cried here in this cube with others and it's OK...' I tried to let him know that it was fine to express emotions and that crying is OK.

Although he's about 8 years younger than I, we became close because of our alumni connection, and because we both had our first child the summer of 2001. His son was born just 2 months after Christine. After my family, he was the first person I called that glorious day in June 2001.

After we muscled past the emotions, I told him our tentative plans for her birthday...of course no work, a mass in the a.m., a trip to the cemetery (which happens to be about a mile from his home) and then open the remainder of the day. We would not be going to the Choo Choo restaurant as we had the previous three years, we would not be celebrating a 5th b'day, but rather find a way to stay strong for Lauren and enjoy the day with her.

I learned something about others and the way they deal with Christine's death that afternoon...I greatly appreciate Jeff's desire to say something, knowing he would breakdown and that would lead to me doing the same, and his openeness to say he's there for me/us--that was a special moment to share with a good friend. Thanks Jeff!

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PS: other friends of mine who have met Jeff, have said, 'that is a rock solid guy'--I have to agree.

Taizé Prayer Revisited

As defined by the Viatorians webpage:
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Taizé Prayer-reflection and quiet prayer. We gather with each other and lay leaders, with whom we minister, monthly to pray for ourselves, our ministries and our world. Taizé prayer refers to chants that praise God or plea for God's help. During Taizé prayer evenings, the gathered crowd repeatedly sings each chant with the choir for several minutes - like a mantra. The repetition helps connect those gathered with God, while disconnecting them from life's stress. Taizé prayer originated with an ecumenical community of Christians in Taizé, France, who gather daily to chant and meditate together.
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Last night I attended the Taizé Prayer service at St. Viators beautiful chapel. What a great service in a spectacular chapel! Can't begin to say how welcome that hour was. Life is so fast paced, stress-filled, blah, blah, blah...so an hour of Taizé Prayer is what is needed to disconnect from that and connect with God.

The Viatorian chapel is just a few miles from my house...never been before but wanted to see it and see how the service compared to the Taizé prayer service that was held weekly at my parish during Lent. The Viatorians hold this service monthly...it was so so nice. One hour of reflective music and prayer...so relaxing and peaceful.

I think I mentioned in a past blog that I was missing the weekly Taizé prayers that were held at St. Ray's during Lent this year. I'm so glad I found this once a month option, but would like to find another as well...would love to go weekly or at least twice a month.

As I walk in to the building, out of the corner of my eye, I see someone that I think I know. It is indeed the project manager for a major client of mine...and his wife. He said he's been coming for over a year to get grounded, get back to peace...that was accomplished that evening.

There were over 40 people in attendance with two women cantors, a flutist, a pianist and maybe more instruments...could not see all those involved--above and behind me in the balcony. The great candle lit chapel, great music/singing/chanting (mostly in Latin), the reading from Matthew/The Last Supper, the individual candle lighting/prayer, the silent prayer, what a beautiful hour spent...I'm hooked. And then they announce there is no service in July-doh!

I'm so hooked on this that I'm thinking I could find some of the songs on iTunes and create my own playlist of Taizé prayer for the train ride home in the evening...that would be great!

A special thanks to the Viatorians for providing this service to the community.

Inspiration

The following newspaper article is about my friend Chris's son...it ran in the Springfield paper over the w/e...what an inspiration. I told Chris that I wish more people had Adam's attitude and took his lead to dedicate their time to a worthy cause...

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Into Africa Loyola-Chicago graduate will teach AIDS awareness as Peace Corps volunteer
By STEVEN SPEARIE CORRESPONDENT
Published Sunday, June 11, 2006

Adam Kohlrus insists he's going into his Peace Corps assignment in Swaziland with eyes wide open.

But the 22-year-old Springfield man admits that the statistical reality the tiny, landlocked South African monarchy is facing is eye-popping.

More than 38 percent of Swaziland's adults - some 220,000 men and women - are living with the HIV/AIDS virus, making it the highest infection rate in the world.

The life expectancy rate is 32.6 years, and it could decrease to 30 by the end of the decade.
Two-thirds of its 1.1 million countrymen live on less than $1 a day. A third are dependent on international food aid.

Kohlrus, a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago, is expected to arrive in Swaziland this weekend to begin his 21/2-year commitment as an HIV/AIDS prevention instructor.
In an interview before leaving Springfield last week, Kohlrus said he remained upbeat but cautious about the situation he faces.

"It's going to be a sobering and intense experience," he said, "but it's something I'm only going to grow from.

"What I've learned through my education and family is that I have some sort of responsibility (to do this). They don't have the resources or knowledge we have, but when they do, (the HIV/AIDS virus) is not going to be the problem it is today."

The Sacred Heart-Griffin High School product said he went through a long discernment process about joining the Peace Corps. Kohlrus, the son of Chris and Betsy Kohlrus of Springfield, majored in psychology at Loyola, but added a peace studies minor, taking courses such as international politics and social injustice, and race and inequality.

After an extensive application process and a battery of interviews, Kohlrus was accepted into the Peace Corps. When he found out in March he was going to Swaziland, Kohlrus scrambled for an atlas to find out where it was and then searched the Internet for more about the situation.

"When you apply with the Peace Corps, you can't pick where you want to go," he said. "You can give a preference, but I said I'd go wherever I could best help."

He said he'll probably be working with grade school- or high school-age youth, putting together HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Kohlrus will go through a three-month intensive language and culture indoctrination, after which he'll learn precisely where his assignment will be.

What he will find is one of the world's last absolute monarchs, a country steeped in tradition but possibly on the precipice of disaster.

The beloved King Mswati III, who flaunts an opulent lifestyle and has 13 wives, has faced resistance from trade unions and student groups, and homes of government officials recently were firebombed, according to press reports.

Organizations such as Amnesty International have criticized Swaziland's human rights record, singling out the violation of women's rights and the lack of rights to peacefully assemble.
On the HIV/AIDS front, critics point to rape, sexual exploitation and a lack of preventative measures. The disease still carries a heavy stigma; few come out publicly about it in a highly patriarchal society. And King Mswati hasn't been a model of discretion. Last summer, he declared the end of "umchwasho," the ban on sex with teenage girls that he issued in 2001, himself taking a 17-year-old bride.

Government ministers also have been widely accused of pocketing international aid earmarked for prevention.

Kohlrus said he realizes the problems are magnanimous in Swaziland, but his not going wouldn't have served a purpose, either.

"Maybe it's overly ambitious, but hopefully my presence will help people there," he said. "If we can educate a few kids, maybe they can pass this knowledge on."

Kohlrus said his experience has been limited to working with kids as a camp counselor and coach. His drive has come from his education and the support of his family and friends.
"Through my education, I've learned so much about inequality in the world," he said. "This is a great opportunity to confront these inequalities and combat them."

Kohlrus said this could be a step toward a life's work.

"The Peace Corps has given me a good grounding as to what I'm going to see," he said. "I really want to do something in public policy to address some of these inequalities.

"This is probably going to open my eyes and hopefully motivate me do something more."

Days of the Week

Every day of the week means something to me




Sunday -- the day we lost you to the Lord
Monday -- the day we planned your funeral
Tuesday -- the day we had your wake
Wednesday -- the day we buried you
Thursday -- the day we knew we'd see you for the first time
Friday -- the day you came into our life on 6.22.01
Saturday -- the last day we knew you on this earth

P T L

On Wednesday, my mother went to see the doc about the non-malignant meningioma and the double-vision...good/great news on both fronts!! (prayer pays off!)

non-malignant meningioma -- no need to operate, it's probably been there for a long time, keep tabs on it via MRI every few years...excellent!

double-vision -- not related to the meningioma, probably related to a high blood pressure incident that popped a blood vessel connected to the eye and that it should heal itself in 6 to 9 months...again, excellent news.

I want to thank all those who prayed for my mother's health and I want to thank Julie D. for spreading the prayer word.

Prayers are needed

"You certainly have a lot to pray about, don't you? Life can be so hard sometimes. When you think about it, our journey through life is an ongoing pageant of joys and sorrows. Sometimes the scale tips one way, sometimes the other. Yet we're programmed to expect joy and to avoid sorrow. Sometimes it just can't be done, and we rely on our faith in God to keep us going. How do those people without faith make it through the sorrowful times? I don't know. Maybe the sorrowful times help us to strengthen faith..."

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A friend of mine sent this inspiring note to me 7 weeks ago...it meant something then--today it's even more important.
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Last night my mother got some news about her double-vision status/issue that may require surgery. A few weeks before her vacation trip last month, she started to have double-vision...now a recent MRI shows a non-malignant meningioma on the brain...so I'm asking all readers to please say a prayer for her as the doctor's discern her condition and the next course of action/treatment.

Please note that I keep this blog current with daily prayers...

http://allmydailyprayers.blogspot.com/

Bike notes: The above image is from http://www.blogger.com/-- a beautiful fresco on the wall in a small church in the French Alps of "The Community in Prayer".

Quick post on a dream

On Sunday night/early Monday morning, I had some sort of dream about lots of people roaming about our house...can't recall why at all--party? Then, out of the corner of my eye as I walk past a doorway, I see Christine...as I attempt to back-up to see her---I wake up from my sleep--and it's time to get ready for work. That's it...no discernable meaning, no real thought about why, just my first dream-albeit a brief one.

Still have not read C's dream notes from many weeks back...getting close to getting up the nerve to read it at the right time.

SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE SUPPORT OF OTHERS

Saturday evening as I sat and enjoyed a glass of wine with my neighbors/friends--Jean & Charlie ... we talked about the day, the tree etc. and then Jean thought this motivational message from the Daily Guru which she'd just gotten on her Blackberry, made sense of and for the day. I like what it says and believe in it's message.

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Think in terms of what the other person wants.

You can get anything you want in life
if you're willing to help enough other people get what they want.

The only hurdle between you and what you want to be
is the support of others.

Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement,
all success, all achievement in real life grows.

You cannot hold a torch to light another's path
without brightening your own.
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That day, Charlie spent the entire day helping me in my grief--shining a light on my path...

Charlie had come over late in the week to discuss trees he thought might be a good choice for our back yard...I was not looking forward to much of that decision...so we looked at various types in a book and cried and hugged as we spoke of what it means to plant this tree. Then on Saturday we started out at about noon-heading to the nursery to look at trees available. We sought out and found the perfect one. When we first arrived, we saw about 6 trees that were of the types we talked about earlier in the week...3 were the European Beech-but were already tagged for sale. We walked around the entire lot looking at others we'd not discussed, and as we were walking toward the exit thinking about driving to the 2nd nursery over an hour away, we see the lone Tri-Color European Beech next to the rose bushes and shrubs...no where near the other trees...we looked it over and decided--that's the one. We got it loaded in the truck, picked up the bob-cat and then unloaded it at the house.

My gentle giant neighbor Dar came over to help out...we talked about where to place it just off the patio and then the digging began...Charlie, a professional landscaper, knew exactly what needed to be done. Even though it was a perfect day in the 70's with a nice breeze, he worked up a sweat and needed little help to get it in the ground--we would have just been in the way. I pitched in in clearing the sod/grass and that's about all we could do. So at about 4:04 it was planted and we had a beer to celebrate (my first beer at the house in 31 weeks.) Charlie only thought of what I wanted that day...what type of tree, regardless of any set budget...it needed to be right-and he knew that. He wanted to make sure I was getting this done in the way I wanted...and it was. His support that day allowed me to enjoy the moment of planting vs. enduring any real sorrow or pain...it was a joyful moment. My relationship with him, with those who bought the tree and with those who stopped by to see it that day are indeed the fertile soil that helps me grow and succeed.

...after the tree

Last night, after some neighbors came by to see the tree, it was time to clean up the yard and put the car away. C was out at a graduation party w/ Lill and Lauren and so it was just me.

For the first time since 10.30.05, I did something that Christine and I would do when we pulled the car into the garage...whenever she knew I was going out to pull it in, she had to come. She'd sit in the front seat, put on the seat belt and laid the seat back to relax. We'd typically drive once around the block once or she'd ask me to drive by Mikey and Emily's house since she began to miss them when they moved off our street last summer. Some times I would pretend I was lost and she would have to guide us back home.

Last night, I got in the car, laid down the passenger seat and took a long drive through the neighborhood...going by M & E's...sobbing the damn whole trip. I put my hand on the seat pretending to hold her hand...Along the way I saw neighbors out for an evening walk, playing in the yard and driving by me...don't think they knew I was a puddle. I was tempted to get out and sob in their arms, but thought that would be too much to ask them to bear. I'd already cried in the arms of six separate neighbors that day...talking about the garden, talking about the tree, talking about the funeral. It was a tough and beautiful day.

TREE OF LIFE

Our kind neighbors wanted to get us something special in memory of Christine. So last fall they gave us this very nice note in a frame ...

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Marty, Carolyn and Lauren,

In this time of sorrow, we would like to give a

gift of life - a tree to be planted in your backyard

this spring.

This tree of life would be a way to remember and

honor Christine.

As a peaceful reminder of her spirit, and as the

leaves blow with the wind, may it be as voices

whispering, "I remember you."

With our love and support,

Your Neighbors

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Today, we planted the tree...well-Charlie planted the tree...he's the landscaper. It's a European Tri-color Beech...Christine's favorite colors...purple and pink leaves. Tears were shed...

The group wanted to be a part of the planting, but I could not envision 20 peeps standing around for it...so we plan to have everyone over to thank them on her birthday...we can all enjoy, cry, rejoice and cry some more then.

thank you all!

M

Simple Christine Speak

close park...the small playground about 3 blocks away

far park...large playground about a mile away

house park...small park behind/between homes a few blocks away

hot park...now gone but had very old equipment that got hot in the sun

french fry store...either Mc-D's or Johnnie's for good fries

soup store...Mr. A's restaurant for good breakfasts and soups of course

garbage dudes...garbage men

ice cream dude...ice cream truck guy

yellow and blue store...IKEA

beach house...vacation spot in FL or Cayman

lake house...vacation spot at Dairymens in WI


just a few things I miss hearing her say....................

A different Memorial Day w/e & special gift

Last w/e we took a trip home to visit family and friends...instead of the usual...some background.

Usually we hang at our friends pool, but they were out of town and had not even opened the pool yet. It's usually not in the 90's like is was that w/e so we are typically just sitting around the pool deck ... we missed a golden w/e of pool time...oh well---not certain I want to even go out there this year w/o her-(sorry Sods/B)...

Instead we went downstate to see friends (Friday to Sunday). A few old friends/couples pitched in and bought us a gift for the yard and so they wanted to give it to us ASAP. We met at my friend Mike's for a little lunch and socializing on Saturday. The gift was a rather large rock/stone with an etching of one of Christine's last drawings on it, with the saying 'we believe in angels'...very very nice! The drawing was one she did of my P's for a Halloween card (which I'd not seen before)...shows them going shopping. I could barely lift it out of the back of the car and just plopped it in the front landscape for now. We all teared up when they gave it to us...so very nice of them. Was very nice to see friends that I've not gotten together with a very very long time. A very special thanks to Mike & Kathleen, Mark & Dimona and Mark & Mindy.

We then went to another friends house that evening for a bit of cheer...this friend just lost her mother-only 67-a few weeks back, so I wanted to see her and her family.

C took Lauren to the small Mem-day parade Monday, but I could not stomach going w/o Christine....she later took Lauren to her mother's condo complex pool....they had all gone many times the last few summers, mostly while I'm at work vs. w/e's and so I've never been...I stayed home to catch up and read the Bible in the cool house...was to darn hot out.

Overall it was a very nice change of pace to get out and visit and not just sit around a pool like nothing has changed...everything has changed and so I feel I must do things different.