My First Memorial Stone- Growing up in a Loving Home!
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| Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. – Robert Frost |
My first Memorial stone, which I want to write about, is my home life growing up. Our home was not unlike perhaps millions of homes in the 60s and 70s, at least I hope so.
How do you begin to write about a place where you feel so valued so welcome so needed that even now having spent years away from that place, time has done nothing to diminish the memories that are rich and vibrant.... that have endured through my time on this earth?
Robert -Dad- He was a man’s man who truly loved us and provided for us even after a stroke nearly ended his life. He worked so hard to carve out a hauling business in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado that became very successful. He was fun!
I well remember Friday night shock theater that he insisted be viewed in the dark. The cloak of darkness gave him needed cover….to sneak up on us and scare us…every Friday night! I knew what it was to be disciplined by him, and I needed it, and it was never excessive (though I probably thought it was at the time) but timely and appropriate.
He was a man of integrity, and insisted that his children be the same way. He was friendly and courageous as he would walk with much effort and speak with much effort (because of the stroke) to contractors and building executives in securing bids for our family hauling business. He was affectionate with hugs and kisses and he loved my mom…it was that evident.
He came to know the Lord Jesus Christ in 1977 at the age of 47, and oh how the Lord changed his life. To this day I have yet to meet a more passionate and devoted follower of Christ. His death in October of 1980 (Most likely a heart attack while hunting) left us struggling with deep sadness and uncertainty, yet as He always does God made away for our family.
Alora -Mom - If you were asked to build from scratch the perfect mom, I think the model would be my mom :) Loving, kind, responsible, caring, cool, thoughtful, warm, funny, tender…that’s her! She can out cook Betty Crocker, she has more charisma than a movie star and she is friendlier than Will Rogers. I know what you’re thinking yea sure everyone feels that way about their mom. You may be right, but trust me this lady hits on all cylinders!
She could write a book on how to make people feel valued! She is the kindest person I have ever known. You should see her in action, everyone she crosses paths with she treats as if they are the most important person on the planet. To her they are!
Our home was always clean, organized, and filled with the aroma of her recipe masterpieces!
I have this image running through my mind…of her hair in curlers tied up with a scarf, doing spring cleaning! I can still smell the pine sol! She was always there for her kids, coming to the games we played, the holiday school performances…she was there…she is there always!
She is always ready to counsel when needed, but she is never pushy or opinionated. She believes in her kids…and each of us has basked in her adoration, love and affirmations. She makes us all feel like we could do anything!
Mike-Bother- For the first seven years of my life I was an only child. My dad told my mom that I needed a sibling. In November of 1967 my mom brought home this squirming blue eyed bundle of love…my brother! I still remember looking into his face that first day, I was so happy! And I still am, and even though there in nearly 7 years between us, he has always been so important to our family. He was so much fun as a kid. He loved to play inside or out, he loved riding his bike and building basement forts.
He loved sports and we played a lot! He loved my knee high brightly colored socks (1970’s remember) and often helped himself to a pair knowing that I would catch him, and he would get it! I am not sure what it was…but from time to time…. he got it :) When we were together and I went through a Burger King drive through when asked what he wanted…his standard reply “I’m having what your having” Smart!
He was a gritty kid who played football with passion…and later became all city as a defensive lineman. There were times when we would fight as all kids do, but we worked it out, and we are still very close.
He has the ability to fix nearly anything. I am all thumbs, not him. He is mechanically minded and much like Dad loves the outdoors. Like me, he is a Pastor. He is much more creative than I am and an awesome preacher and a superb administrator. He has been to me a confidant and counselor many times. He has lifted my spirits when facing life challenges. He is a loving husband and father. He is my brother and my friend.
Michelle- Sister-. Where do I begin? This incredible ray of sunshine literally burst into our lives two years later to the day after Mike was born. We called her Shell. I made the mistake of calling her “Dirty Sally” a western Television character in the early 70s and got a much deserved whipping! She was, as a child… pure fun wrapped up in a child’s body. She and Mike had neighborhood adventures daily! She had a lightening quick wit and an infectious laughter that rocked our house!
On one occasion Mike and I were “encouraged” to sit while Shell played her violin. She had not been taking lessons long, and what made it humorous for us is she was wearing an eye patch prescribed to strengthen vision in her uncovered eye. It sounded like two cats with their tales tied together.
When you factor in the patch it was like listening to “Black beards” kid sister! We all have had the experience of being in a place where to laugh was to bring unwanted attention. It did, and resulted in us being “Encouraged” (Is forced, a synonym for encouraged?) to listen to a scratchy “silent night” over and over again! The night was anything but silent, but that is a sweet memory that returns to me often.
She grew into a beautiful woman, and had a job in boulder, Colorado that she loved. I am writing this through tear filled eyes In just three short months ( Early Summer of 2009) Shell, went from a healthy professional, enjoying life, in Boulder County, Colorado as an HR specialist, to struggling with a brain disease (Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease) that is not only untreatable, but incurable.
She went to be with the Lord on September 15th 2009. I think of her daily. She reminds me of a C.S. Lewis quote, " Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything". Our family rests in the following promise:
Alora -Mom - If you were asked to build from scratch the perfect mom, I think the model would be my mom :) Loving, kind, responsible, caring, cool, thoughtful, warm, funny, tender…that’s her! She can out cook Betty Crocker, she has more charisma than a movie star and she is friendlier than Will Rogers. I know what you’re thinking yea sure everyone feels that way about their mom. You may be right, but trust me this lady hits on all cylinders!
She could write a book on how to make people feel valued! She is the kindest person I have ever known. You should see her in action, everyone she crosses paths with she treats as if they are the most important person on the planet. To her they are!
Our home was always clean, organized, and filled with the aroma of her recipe masterpieces!
I have this image running through my mind…of her hair in curlers tied up with a scarf, doing spring cleaning! I can still smell the pine sol! She was always there for her kids, coming to the games we played, the holiday school performances…she was there…she is there always!
She is always ready to counsel when needed, but she is never pushy or opinionated. She believes in her kids…and each of us has basked in her adoration, love and affirmations. She makes us all feel like we could do anything!
Mike-Bother- For the first seven years of my life I was an only child. My dad told my mom that I needed a sibling. In November of 1967 my mom brought home this squirming blue eyed bundle of love…my brother! I still remember looking into his face that first day, I was so happy! And I still am, and even though there in nearly 7 years between us, he has always been so important to our family. He was so much fun as a kid. He loved to play inside or out, he loved riding his bike and building basement forts.
He loved sports and we played a lot! He loved my knee high brightly colored socks (1970’s remember) and often helped himself to a pair knowing that I would catch him, and he would get it! I am not sure what it was…but from time to time…. he got it :) When we were together and I went through a Burger King drive through when asked what he wanted…his standard reply “I’m having what your having” Smart!
He was a gritty kid who played football with passion…and later became all city as a defensive lineman. There were times when we would fight as all kids do, but we worked it out, and we are still very close.
He has the ability to fix nearly anything. I am all thumbs, not him. He is mechanically minded and much like Dad loves the outdoors. Like me, he is a Pastor. He is much more creative than I am and an awesome preacher and a superb administrator. He has been to me a confidant and counselor many times. He has lifted my spirits when facing life challenges. He is a loving husband and father. He is my brother and my friend.
Michelle- Sister-. Where do I begin? This incredible ray of sunshine literally burst into our lives two years later to the day after Mike was born. We called her Shell. I made the mistake of calling her “Dirty Sally” a western Television character in the early 70s and got a much deserved whipping! She was, as a child… pure fun wrapped up in a child’s body. She and Mike had neighborhood adventures daily! She had a lightening quick wit and an infectious laughter that rocked our house!
On one occasion Mike and I were “encouraged” to sit while Shell played her violin. She had not been taking lessons long, and what made it humorous for us is she was wearing an eye patch prescribed to strengthen vision in her uncovered eye. It sounded like two cats with their tales tied together.
When you factor in the patch it was like listening to “Black beards” kid sister! We all have had the experience of being in a place where to laugh was to bring unwanted attention. It did, and resulted in us being “Encouraged” (Is forced, a synonym for encouraged?) to listen to a scratchy “silent night” over and over again! The night was anything but silent, but that is a sweet memory that returns to me often.
She grew into a beautiful woman, and had a job in boulder, Colorado that she loved. I am writing this through tear filled eyes In just three short months ( Early Summer of 2009) Shell, went from a healthy professional, enjoying life, in Boulder County, Colorado as an HR specialist, to struggling with a brain disease (Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease) that is not only untreatable, but incurable.
She went to be with the Lord on September 15th 2009. I think of her daily. She reminds me of a C.S. Lewis quote, " Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything". Our family rests in the following promise:
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4: 16-18). ESV
There you have it, my first memorial stone growing up in a loving family. Thank you Lord!
This song reminds me of those comforting memories of home...enjoy!
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