A City Life For Me

Elaine and I have been memorizing Philippians this year.  I am behind schedule, and behind Elaine.  But we continue to press on, because hiding God’s Word in our hearts is important.  I have been reminded of that recently because He is using those verses that I am learning to comfort my heart and reassure me as I walk through some uncertain and sad waters. I lived most of my life just thirty minutes away from my mom’s parents.  Grandma and Grandpa.  They were a part of everything – every birthday dinner, every piano recital.  Everytime I flew to college they came to say goodbye and press a $20 into my hand.  Every Christmas Eve we spent crammed into Grandma’s basement or living room with my crazy extended family singing carols, reading the Christmas story, and opening more presents than should be allowed. Grandma is not doing well right now.  She went to the ER this week with intense abdominal pain and they found a hole in her small intestine....

Last night was beautiful here in Brooklyn, so we decided to take a walk after supper.  We didn’t quite make it to the park before dark, so we ventured out to the American Veterans Memorial Pier which is very near to us.  From the pier you can see Staten Island and the Verrazano Bridge, Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and both the Hudson and East Rivers.  There is a “tower” on the pier that says Brooklyn remembers September 11, 2001.  Elaine had fun running circles around it!  Too much fun…she wouldn’t stop and smile for me! I was able to get this picture of the Lower Manhattan skyline.  The bright tower on the left is the unfinished Freedom Tower (I think).  The red building in the middle is the Empire State Building, and the bright pointy- topped building on the right is the Chrysler Building.  While I was admiring the Freedom Tower, thinking again about September 11th, and feeling proud to be an American, something else caugh...

Today marks one year since my Gramps stepped into eternity with Jesus.  I can hardly believe that it has been a year.  (Read more here and here ). I’m sure the time has dragged by for Grams as she has had to make many life adjustments.  I was thinking about Gramps this week.  I was remembering everything that took place at this time last year.  I was leaving the Bay Mart after a regular shopping trip.  Elaine was in the stroller.  Mom called and I cheerfully answered the phone.  She said, “It’s not happy news that I’m calling with.  Gramps is in critical condition.”  Gramps is the first loved one that I have lost, and it was very sudden.  I just didn’t expect to hear my mom say those words. After Dad and his siblings made it to Oklahoma to say their goodbyes, the decision was made to remove Gramps from life support.  It was very early in the morning.  Dad called me right afterward Gramps because I am an hour ahead and...

On Friday we received word that a good friend, Howard Long, had gone to be with Jesus.  Ben was especially close to the Long’s, and he wanted to be present at the funeral.  We started planning his trip to Denver. My dad offered to fly me home as well, so that both grandkids could come for a visit.  (He hasn’t met Nolan yet).  After exploring flight schedules, prices, and everything involved in taking two kids (both under two years old) on an airplane, we decided that I should stay home.  I was okay with that…I didn’t want to come back exhausted and behind schedule, though I would have liked to rejoice and cry with Mrs. Long in person. When I called Dad ( my dad) to give him the plan, he asked, “Any chance Ben can pack Elaine in his carry-on luggage?”  Ben had also thought of this possibility, but he didn’t think I would agree.  On the contrary, I was okay with letting her go.  I thought she would have a good time with Daddy, Grandma & Gra...