Independence....

Shelby has made an announcement...she has changed her name to Shelbylina.  She would like to be called lina.  She is also frustrated with her brother as he is not letting her use his Ipod.  She did not obey his rules, so he grounded her from it.  She also shared that she should be able to eat all the gluten free nuggets she wants and last statement......going to bed last night, she told me "I am so mad at you mom!"  Guess what?  I did my job as a parent!  She is going to turn into a beautiful young lady.....just we will take the next couple years one day at a time!!

Time

Talk about the desire to turn back time!!  Back in the day.............when you and your friends could all fit on the same swing!! 

The Top....

I will tell you, this guy so deserved to be king of the mountain that day!!

We all decided to climb to the top of dune.  A hand full of kids ran up and down the dune as I, attempted at a very slow pace to make it up just one time.  I was exhausted, I was huffing, I was puffing, I sat down, I agonized over the concept of trying to make it to the top, I made myself count to 100 to see how far I would get in that time and eventually when I did get to the top, I had to catch my breath.  That was it!  I was not going any further!!  In my mind, I had made it.

As I think back on that day; I remember sitting there in the sand thinking I would never breath right again.  Then as I looked around, I saw all the footsteps around me and wondered who else had climbed this mountain?  Who else did not make it to the top?  Who else ran up and down like the kids did that day?

For me, I was just thankful to make it as far as I did and thankful to have a son who made sure I could go as far as I wanted to go.

Now come back to today, Feb. 3, 2012.  Today we are celebrating the life of a friend who is now home with the Lord!  A friend who climbed his own mountain and a family that had to rely on so many others to love them during this time.  For me, I visualize the Lord waiting for us at heaven's gates...cheering, smiling, and just celebrating as we come into His fold.  So while it hurts here on earth, there is a warmth in knowing we will see each other again and will celebrate again at that time!!