Matthew the Teenager

Happy Birthday Matthew! If my calculations are right, this is number 13!! Just to keep you humble, I added this picture of you and Amy just about 13 years ago. We are looking forward to seeing you guys this week on the ball field. Amy is home now so maybe we can re-create this for you in another 13 years.

Seize the Moment

I've been running a little behind in some of my favorite online activities recently partly because of the baseball game schedule, partly because we are switching to a new computer and party due to LIFE interfering with my fun.

I took this picture on one of those beautiful days we had recently as I was going into a meeting. I was struck by how pretty these looked lining the sidewalk and debated with myself about taking the picture then or after the meeting. I think to myself: I have to put my stuff down, rummage through my purse, dig out the camera (hope the battery is charged) --well, you get the idea. It doesn't sound too overwhelming but this thought process takes about 3 steps.

I decide to stop and take the picture. "Stop and smell the flowers" if you will. When I came out of the meeting, it had clouded over and it wasn't nearly so strikingly beautiful as it had been earlier. I was very pleased with myself that I took the opportunity when it presented itself.

This is a lesson I've had to learn and relearn all my life. I cannot think of an example of a time that I regretted seizing the moment and many times I have regretted NOT doing so. Why didn't I (fill in the blank) when I had the chance? Practically the only phrase I never find myself saying is Why didn't I use the bathroom when I had the chance? because I NEVER pass up that opportunity. Why is so hard to apply the same to other situations?

Pardon the philosophizing today--all brought about by pretty purple spring flowers. I've recently been reminded of a bigger truth that came to me about life and the world during Mary Jane's illness and death.

At that time, I was struck by how it seems there is great balance in the world and life. OK, I know you are rolling your eyes but stick with me. For those times that you are very happy, there are times you are equally devastated. It seems there is balance in that. Scientists tells us that climate and weather balance themselves out--where there is drought someplace on the planet there is flood for example. Cold winters are balanced by warm summers.

Ryan had his no-hitter recently which was a wonderful experience I am very happy he was able to put in his frame of reference. Now his team is struggling. Balance--on a pretty small scale I know but nevertheless.

Mary Jane's illness made me kind of angry that victims of tragedy could create something wonderful out of their tragedy. Someone would always say: "we needed to have something good come out of this" Nothing good came of Mary Jane's illness, as far as I am concerned. I am waiting for some of that to balance itself, but Aiden, Breyen, Delaney and Sophie are a darn good start putting joy back into our lives. People were extraordinarily kind and generous in very surprising ways. This brings a little more balance back into the picture.

So I guess I want you to think about taking opportunities when they present themselves (have a good time in SC, Judy) and remember that depths of devastation or difficulties are just the other end of the see saw. I'll stop now.

Well, let's just say that neither of them looks quite like this any more but the sentiment is the same. Judy and I just returned from visiting Burt and Jean in Dunkirk. We also got to see Bruce and meet his daughter Elizabeth (just turned 11). Janice was also there.

Although Jean does seem to be failing somewhat, she was also very much herself with the quick retorts and blunt comments. Her memory seems to fail her sometimes but it didn't stop us from having a great visit. Burt had just returned from garage-sailing. He is pretty much as you probably remember him. Laughing and a great story teller. He leaned over to me and commented about how much Jean misses Mom still. It was very sweet.

We didn't get much out of Bruce but he had a fun time sharing stories with us--something about breaking a finger when the Genesee beer truck tipped over onto his hand. Chris apparently told him to "lay down for a while and it will feel better". At the ER, Jean told the doctors a Genesee beer truck had tipped over onto his fingers...you can imagine how that must have gone over. Neither Judy nor I remembers this so any enlightenment would be great. Especially from Mr. Bedside Manner Chris. Anyhow, Elizabeth is Bruce through and through. She is most definitely his daughter.

Janice looks very much the same as I remember her. She laughed and kept the stories coming. She commented that she remembered Dad as being tall and was surprised to learn that he wasn't. Funny how your perceptions develop and maintain themselves for so long.

Despite Judy's graceful spill outside the store earlier in the day, we had a great weekend. We are both very happy that we made the visit. Honestly, it was a relief to see them and talk to them. Now I've had two weekends in a row--on the water (shores of Lake Erie and Atlantic Ocean)-- and with one of my sisters. Makes for a great vacation!

Janie

Of course I am thinking about Mary Jane today. This time of year is bittersweet. We revel in the blooming flowers and warmer weather as we think about Mary Jane's life. I really like this picture since it seems to me that Amanda very much resembles her mother and apparently always did! Cheers to Mary Jane.

This is what a no hitter looks like! Yahoo! I do not know what Emmy fed him that led to this today but Ryan pitched a full game no hitter--9 Ks and one walk (who got caught stealing second on a throw from the mound). No other runners on base for the entire game. It was a GREAT game and we are just so happy for him! Yes, I am bragging. And still wiping the tears away.

Home Again Home Again

We arrived home safely and I thought you might want to see some pictures. Paula got some good ones too, I'm sure. Miss Julia has terrific coordination! Peter has given up drinking for Lent, is what we hear from Cathy. Tim is working now at a restaurant in Manchester since his J-I-T services were apparently no longer needed at the Elks. More soon!

Easter on the water

Happy Easter! This is a picture from our room in Rockport. It's a beautiful morning. The Easter bunny found us here! We had Easter dinner at Cathy's last night and it was wonderful. Julia started to warm up to us a little bit. Kevin was there as well as Uncle Peter, Petey and his girlfriend Andrea. We had a nice visit and despite what you might hear from others, it was not an interrogation. That wouldn't be nice on a holiday weekend.

Yesterday we did some shopping, visiting and lots of eating. Judy called while we were at Cape Pond Ice--I am not sure how she knew we were there!! We stopped at some of our favorites: The Pilot House, Topside Grill and the new Cruiseport. I am hoping Captain's Lodge is open for breakfast today so I can get some linguisa with my eggs. Ummmmmm. Then we'll be on the road because Ryan has a game tomorrow.

I hope you have a great Easter Sunday!