7 Quick Takes, The Hodgepodge Edition

1. October has been a crazy month. We've had almost no time to sit down and relax--but we don't mind because it's all been good. Larry has been involved in two plays--one children's production called Still Life with Iris, and a one-act radio-style version of The Thirty-nine Steps for school. The performances of Iris were last weekend, and next weekend he'll be performing in 39 Steps both at school and for a one-act play competition three counties away. Some days he's literally had to go straight from one rehearsal to the next while wolfing down a Big Mac in the car. But he loves it; do you know what he said the other night? "Acting is the most fun thing to do, EVER. Except for skiing."

2. After Saturday's performance, Larry took the girl who played the lead to their school's Homecoming dance. They had missed about half of the dance; after the show they quickly changed into their nice clothes, and I snapped a quick photo of the two of them before I whisked them off to their school. I was very proud of Larry for remembering to open the car door for her. The next day I asked him if he pulled the chair out for her once they got there, and he replied, "Mom, we didn't sit down." I think they had a good time.

3. A couple of weeks ago our parish introduced the Gloria and Holy, Holy, Holy from the new translation, and do you know what? I LOVE them. The music our pastor and music director chose for them is fabulous. I'm looking forward to Advent, when it goes into full swing.

4. I know I promised to share with you some things I've been doing with my third grade Religious Education class, so here's a brief summary of some of the things we've done so far. We're using the Christ Our Life series from Loyola Press, and this year I've been trying to use the textbook more as a resource and guide, rather than having the kids take turns reading it word-for-word during class. Most days this has worked out great, and it gives me time to use other resources and plan other activities (although this past week I felt like I was rushing through the material, and wished we had taken the time to read more of the text). The kids particularly enjoy acting out the Bible stories as we read them. In the coming weeks I hope to share more details with you, including some photos; as well as some NEAT things I'm learning about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the new Montessori preschool where I work.

5. I was surprised in the week or so that followed the death of Indy Car driver Dan Wheldon at how much I really grieved for him and his family. I can only imagine the anguish his wife Susie must be going through right now. Seeing the photos of his brothers and fellow drivers carrying his casket, and parts of the heartbreaking letter Susie Wheldon wrote to her husband in the days following his death, as well as the fond memories and photos that his friends have shared have touched me more than I thought they would. I almost feel as though I've lost a friend, even though he wasn't someone I really thought much about except when he was racing. (Click here for the thoughts I shared the night after he was killed.) I changed my Facebook and Twitter avatars to a photo of Dan, and for a few days last week I wore the Dan Wheldon hat that Larry got at a race in Richmond a few years back (which, ironically, was signed by two other drivers--Will Power and Graham Rahal--but not by Dan). Little things have made me think of him; like the orange, yellow, and white flowers I bought because they reminded me of the colors he--and his car--were sporting the day he won the 2011 Indianapolis 500, or the young man I saw last weekend who looked a little bit like him.

Some say that people will quit watching Indy Car Racing because of the horrible crash that killed Dan (which had been struggling already, and was only just starting to make a comeback) but not me. Next year the cars will be safer; they've got a brand-new model they've been testing (Dan Wheldon spent quite a lot of time driving them and was very excited about them), and rumor has it that they're going to name the new car after him.

6. My next few blog posts--hopefully I can pound out a couple this week--will be for my other blog, Cooking Nick's Books. For that one I've made beef stew, jalapeno burgers, and shrimp kebobs, and have not had a chance to share them yet. I even picked up a copy of Nicholas Sparks' new book, The Best of Me, but I haven't had a chance to read much of it. I hear it's getting good reviews, and it's number one on several different bestseller lists. And I can't wait to see what we'll be cooking!

7. We're blessed to have my parents are for the weekend. Curly and Moe had a day off from school today, and they took a trip to Washington's Birthplace National Monument. Tomorrow my brother and his wife will be here to celebrate Bro's fortieth birthday, and on Sunday we're having Moe's eleventh birthday party. My house isn't very clean; I'm sure the mostly fifth-grade boys who are here won't care, or even notice. I'll try and make sure it gets a good scrubbing before Christmas...hopefully.

Have a great weekend, and be sure to check out Jen's Conversion Diary blog for more Quick Takes!

Oh, and I almost forgot: There is just over a week left of this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign! I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to think about planning a trip to Richmond to pray at the Planned Parenthood clinic there. My friend J. and I were talking the other day about it, and we're hoping to go one afternoon next week. Click here to find a 40 Days for Life campaign near you!

Have fun trick-or-treating--if you do that sort of thing; we do--and don't forget to go to Mass on Tuesday!

Every Day is a Gift

Today we woke up to learn that school had been cancelled for the day. No dragging the kids out of bed and rushing them through breakfast and out the door. No running off to teach a room full of preschoolers. Curly is supposed to have a basketball game tonight, and I'm waiting to hear whether or not it will be cancelled too. I've been given a gift of a day with no place to be, at least for a while, and hours that to do what I choose.

I made a long to-do list. (Yes, I made sure I wrote down "Blog" as one of the items.) I've been puttering around this morning--I made some banana muffins for breakfast, threw a load of sheets in the wash, hung up some clothes, and wandered around outside snapping photos like these:

What does the rest of the day have in store? If the kids don't kill each other, we'll spend some time cleaning the house and maybe play a board game together. I have some catching up to do with my preschool and Religious Education planning. I might even take a nap. I'll wash and fold some more laundry, and maybe iron some of Joe's shirts. Even if Curly's game goes on as scheduled, there will be much less of a rush to get him there and get everyone fed before they all go to Tae Kwon Do.

This past weekend I was reminded of how precious each day is. I left Joe at home with the kids and drove to North Carolina for my cousin Greg's funeral. Greg was my Dad's nephew, his sister's only son. During the service at the Mormon church he and his family attended (By the way, no matter how much you might disagree with certain Mormon teachings, one thing is true--and I already knew this--our Mormon brothers and sisters sure do love Jesus. I may share some thoughts about this in a future post.) friends and family members stood up one by one and shared their memories of the time they had spent with Greg. His sister reminded everyone in the congregation that every moment you spend with someone you love, every conversation you have with them, could be your last. We need to cherish every moment of every day, and always let our friends and family know that we love them. We often tend to take people for granted.

I spent the weekend with people who I've known for a long time and I don't get to see very often. Over the years new family members have been added by birth and by marriage, and it's always a blessing to get to know them each a little better every time I see them. Greg has left us, but I still have my other cousins, and their children and grandchildren. I'm looking forward to seeing Greg's widow and their sons again, and getting to know their families better as well. On my mother's side I have relatives who I see even less often, and I pray that I'll have a chance to get together with them again soon as well (although, preferably not because of a death in the family, thank you very much). I still have my parents, Joe's parents, our brothers and sisters-in-law and our niece and nephew. I have aunts and uncles still with me. I have my husband and our three boys, who are growing up before our eyes. I thank God for them all, every day.

My Dad sang a beautiful solo:

I walked today where Jesus walked,
In days of long ago.
I wandered down each path He knew,
With reverent step and slow.

Those little lanes, they have not changed,
A sweet peace fills the air.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.

My pathway led through Bethlehem,
A memory's ever sweet.
The little hills of Galilee,
That knew His childish feet.

The Mount of Olives, hallowed scenes,
That Jesus knew before
I saw the mighty Jordan row,
As in the days of yore.

I knelt today where Jesus knelt,
Where all alone he prayed.
The Garden of Gethsemane,
My heart felt unafraid.

I picked my heavy burden up,
And with Him at my side,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
Where on the Cross He died!

I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.

(source)

Dad doesn't sing much in public any more. At seventy-five, his voice isn't as strong as it used to be. But as I sat and watched and listened to him, my eyes filled with tears as I thanked God for the gift he'd just given me--another chance to hear my Dad sing in his clear, sweet voice. I hadn't heard those beautiful lyrics in years and years, but now I think it will forever be one of my favorite gospel songs.

Greg's wife shared that their marriage wasn't always a bed of roses, and they had recently spent a year living apart. These last eight months, she said, ever since they decided that their marriage was worth saving and began living together again, has been one of the best gifts God has given her, right up there with the births of their children and grandchildren.

Cherish each moment of every day. They are gifts that can never be replaced.

Now I must leave you and go vacuum some rugs and do some more laundry and put away the rest of the Christmas decorations. I'm hoping to share our favorite barbecue recipe later on Cooking Nick's Books, A Sparks Fan's Food Blog, so stay tuned for that as well.

The ice is already melting off of the trees. Tomorrow we'll be back to our regular busy routine. No matter how rushed I feel, I hope I will thank God for each moment--today, tomorrow, and every day.