In March 2006 my youngest daughter, Miriam, pulled a cup of just-boiled hot cocoa onto her face and got herself severely burned. (original post)
For the past year she has worn a hat and sunscreen to prevent her skin from tanning unevenly and becoming permanently splotched.
These days she's almost scar-free, drinks hot cocoa and can go out for brief periods without the hat.
I wanted to take a moment to thank those people who prayed for her when she was hurt. I want to thank the doctors that took care of her. I want to thank God for all He has done for me (in this and everything).
The YMCA 2007 Spring soccer season closed out last Saturday. I coached two teams again this season; a 3-4 league and a 6-7 girl's team.
Coaching at the YMCA has taught me so much. Over the 12 or so seasons I've coached I've seen so many different kinds of parents and parenting and coaching and kids. I'm a better person and parent because of the time I've spent with all these people.
For me, it's not as much about the skills on the field but on the team interaction. These kids may or may not play ball ever again but I think they had fun with each other. I think they left the season that sports can be fun and they'll pursue it later. I hope that they do it with me.
So props to the parents, coaches, staff, and the kids. I appreciate everything you did for me.
Yesterday there's the cutest baby squirrel in the yard. All the girls love it and want to cuddle it and name it "Sweety" or some such thing.
But this squirrel is different. It shows no fear. It looks . . . smarter than the average squirrel.
I grab a broom and push it over to a near by tree and call it a day.
This morning I hear a loud "squeak-squeakin'" from the front of the house.
It's back! And it's trying to break in! I try to knock it off the screen with a broom to no avail. I assumed it wandered off while I was in the shower. But it will be back, I know it will.
A thread was started at forum I frequent asking for prayers after the shooting at Virginia Tech. A member there (lokhup) posted the following:
May we all take a breath and wispier sorrows to all those affected, May we all look at the sight of a sunrise and imagine those souls being lifted to heaven, May we all hear the sound of angels as they say thank you and goodbye, May we all pray that the earth will heal our pain of innocent lives being wasted and enlighten our minds that love and kindness of heart is the true path to this life. Together we can expand to fill the void and our thoughts can make a better world.
Care for the living Tend to them when they are dying and pray for them when they are departed.
Every once in a while I see something that takes me back to my youth. Most of these memories include my sister, The Sister. Flintstone vitamins and "mandatory fun" are the first things that come to mind but every once in a while I'm surprised.
Yesterday was one of those days.
While wandering the local market I saw Otter Pops on an end cap. These are frozen, flavored, sugar water. They have no redeeming qualities from a parent's point of view.
As a child though, I loved them. So, for $0.89US, i got a taste of my childhood.
You don't get value like that too often these days.
My friend David sent me a video of him breaking some boards. One MORE reason not to mess with him! Look at the poor guys face when the board hits his hands.
My brother-in-law's father passed away yesterday. Gene seemed a good guy and will be missed.
My thoughts go out to Gene's sons, their wives, and kids.
From an email from my sister:
It is with deep regret that I announce the passing of Gene Cole, Jason’s dad. He died peacefully this morning in the company of some of his family after staying up late watching the Seattle Seahawks win on Monday night football and getting up early to play his computer. For anyone who knew Gene, I don’t know that he could have scripted anything better.
. . . .
Gene always felt like lighting a candle was an excellent way to wish for something or send good thoughts someone’s way. Tonight we talked over a candlelit dinner, reflected on life (Gene’s and ours), and marveled at how truly blessed we are.
In 2003 there was a contest at work with basketball tickets on the line. Michelle had wanted to go to a game and this seemed like a good oppertunity to score some tickets.
The night before Susan and I had gone to a Halloween party with her dressed as Leia and me as Luke.
I didn't think either costume would win on its own . . but a combination might.
And it did.
Was it worth it? Yes. And I'd do it again for her.
When I started this blog I made a list of things I wanted to talk about. Some of them were lost because they weren't timely. Some faded away because my interests changed. One was too hard every time I started it.
I'm going to try again and this time I think I'll make it. I think it may take more than one post. It may take a lifetime of posts. It's worth the effort. And it might bring my sister Sarah some joy to see me struggle over it. I'm going to kind of creep around it for a while and see where it takes me.
I thought of her the other day. My mom had given my little girls a pile of Sarah's magazines when she was a kid; Zooboks. We were looking for animals that started with the letter 'A' and out fell pin-ups of Antonio Banderas, Liam Neesom, and I don't remember who else. Stuffed into these kids magazines. It cracked me up.
Sarah Elizabeth Klenke was born on my ninth birthday. She was the best gift I ever got. My parents had had foster kids for as long as I could remember. Kids came and went all the time; it was part of life. Sarah (or Princess at the time) was the smallest one I remember, the newest. I remember (or think I remember) that we didn't have all the equipment needed for such a new baby that she slept in a wicker laundry basket at first. She look a little like a monkey.
I miss her.
On July 7th, 2001 she died in a in a car accident. I had just returned from a vacation in New York. My family had driven and camped there and had just gotten to bed when my father called with the news. I have never felt so lost and empty. I slept for a few hours and then drove to San Antonio to help my folks close up her affairs and prepare for her funeral.
The powerpoint show below was what we came up with to represent her life. It doesn't come close to showing what an amazing girl she was.
Last March Miriam burned her face pulling a cup of hot cocoa onto her face. She had second degree burns from the top of her forehead to the bottom of her chin and a few burns on her chest and arm. (Previous post - We are so very blessed)
Since then, we have kept her in a hat and slathered with sun block to prevent any uneven tanning that could become permanant.
She is doing very well and there is almost no scarring. When she gets hot or cries her face pinks up more than normal where she was burned but that too should pass.
I want to thank everyone who has reminded her to put her hat on. Her teachers at school have been great as well as the other soccer mom and babysitters and freinds.
I also want to thank everyone for all the prayers when she was healing. my friends at Wincustomize.com were a real support.
Every once in a while I see something that takes me back to my youth. Most of these memories include my sister, The Sister. Flintstone vitamins and "mandatory fun" are the first things that come to mind but every once in a while I'm surprised.
I know I'm going to regret this.
Last March Miriam burned her face pulling a cup of hot cocoa onto her face. She had second degree burns from the top of her forehead to the bottom of her chin and a few burns on her chest and arm. (Previous post - We are so very blessed)
