Flash 55 Friday

Disbelief...

We were talking in anticipation,
television turned on, it was
near lunchtime, and the yearbook
room was full. A teacher, the
first "commoner" to head into
space, we cheered as the launch
drew near, and finally the
countdown 4,3,2,1, and we
have lift off! Suddenly shouts of joy
turned to silent disbelief....


My children and I listened to a brother of one of the astronauts that died that fatefull day 25 years ago, speak on NPR this morning. He talked of his brother's strength and how he had overcome so many racial barriers in his life, and had made his dream of space flight come true. My oldest asked if I remembered when this happened and I replied, "like yesterday. I was the editor of my high school yearbook when this happened. We were all watching in the tiny upstairs room on the second floor. I had the sensation of my heart hitting bottom, and wanting to throw up all at once. We were stunned to say the least. No one spoke for a very long time. I can't believe it's been 25 years. It's hard to explain to your children at times that dreams can have a certain amount of risk, but there may come a time in your life when the "dream" will outweigh the risk...Have a blessed weekend....

One shot Wednesday

Middle Child

Oh, my sweet middle child,
small nosed, and chubby cheeked
How I wish you knew how
special you are....

I see your struggles,
caught in the middle of
an older brother who
excels and teases, and on
rare occasion extends some attention
which you lap up like a thirsty dog....

While on your heels, is the younger
sprite, all girlish drama and flair
in one instant your best friend, and
in another your worst enemy...

Yet, you were created with your
own set of gifts, a love of building,
and reading, a "follower" of rules and
instructions...as teacher's say, "A joy
to have in class"....

You are unique, born in the heart of
winter, your eyes green instead of
your sibling's blue, while they are
long legged, you are sturdy and short....

I know you are changing, your frustration
and tears tell me all too clearly, but
I know you will be just fine, for you are
the child I can count on, the child I don't
have to ask twice. You keep your mother sane,
and that my child is I gift I will never
be able to repay...

I love you my sweet middle child.....



This is written for my sweet Sam. He's changing and I've noticed a lot of frustration with his siblings lately. On January 31, he turns ten. A special day because he shares a birthday with his dad. He told me the other day he hates being the "middle child" and it's hard to know what to say. I was the youngest so I only know that point of view, but he is resilient and I know he'll be just fine.....

Superbowl bound......

I am not a sports nut! I'm pretty sure I don't have an athletic bone in my body, but you can't grow up in the state of Wisconsin and not learn a little about the Green Bay Packers. I grew up with two older brothers, a dad and grandparents that LOVED the Packers! I was taught there is no loyalty to any other team in the league. Now there were many years when my Viking's cousins got to wear all their cool Purple and White gear, and rub our noses in the fact that we were not a winning team anymore but then in 1996 Brett Favre and the Packers changed all that. We are a team that gets criticized for not spending a lot of money on free agents. We prefer to pick underdogs and build our team. And through thick or thin you will never meet more loyal fans than the Packers. We love our green and gold so you can imagine there was a lot of yelling, and jumping up and down when we knew for sure we were going to the Superbowl. I don't even care if we win the Superbowl I'm just glad we made it this far. My bestie took this picture so she's not in it but from left to right starting in the back: my husband Charles (no hair), Dirk (my bestie's husband) Kevin (Cheri's hubby). Bottom row left to right: My daughter Grace, my besties daughter Hannah (peeking out from under Grace), our son Sam, Me (drybottomgirl) and our friend Cheri. Dressed in our Packer gear(mine is very dated I'm wearing #92 Reggie White) and ready to yell our team on to victory. But it's funny how much more enjoyable these games are sober to me. As we were driving to their house I was remembering all the Packer parties we had gone to in the past. It was fun at first, but then I would drink a lot, be full, and tired and not really care by the end of the game. Now I'm yelling, and cheering and jumping around. Isn't that the truth of AA? It gets you going, it gets you involved, it gets you out of yourself. When the pity party gets to big to handle, my program teaches me to get busy working with someone else, or just doing something to help someone else. By giving of me I get so much more. So it's Monday, I'm at work, not hung over, and happy to call the Green Bay Packers my team.....Smiles :)