Phone Sick

Phone sickness. I was warned about it, but I threw caution to the wind and now look...

I am phone sick. Sick because of a phone. Sick from phone germs. Sick after a phone call, I think the germs came right through the phone, all the way from Cedar City, UT.

That narrows it down, doesn't it. Cedar City. So it has to be Karynn, or JR, or Kelly, or Logan,  or Daelan, or Kiel, or Jespen, or even Kierstyn. Who done it, you wonder? Can't you guess?

It was Kelly. She called, she sniffed, she coughed, she blew her germs through the phone and now here I am, phone sick. And then she called again, just so that I could "hear her sick voice" once more today. Yakety yakety yak..hack hack, sniff, sniff...yakety yak.

Kelly made me phone sick. And I think she is proud of it. I am sorry that she is sick, but she didn't have to share it.

After all, she has Logan to make her dinner, throw away her "snot-rags" and who do I have? Usually no one, but tonight I have Kalen. Uh huh. Kalen. She's here with me and needless to say, she isn't cookin' dinner or throwing away used tissues.

So, I am taking another packet of Emergen-C and I am going to bed.

Don't forget: Cell phones have germs. Be careful, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, drink hot fluids, get enough rest and take your Emergen-C. And don't spread your germs through phone conversations.

The Coasters "Yakety Yak"

The Wedding

A wedding happened, I know it did, I was there. However, I have very little memory of it because I was coming off of 2 1/2 weeks of training in DC and then flitting here and there to make certain things that needed to be done actually got done before the bride walked down the aisle, the guests arrived, the music played, etc. I don't remember sitting except during the ceremony...

But in spite of the flurry, this is what I will always remember: Kelly, my beautiful daughter and Logan's bride, with tears in her eyes as she looked into the mirror just before walking out for the processional, holding her bouquet in her hand and turning her head away from the mirror as she said, "I can't look at myself, because when I do I cry. It's finally real, it's me, I am in my wedding dress, I am a bride."

I will never forget that tender and genuine moment. I also remember the look on her face as she walked toward Logan on her Dad's arm, and the look on Logan's face as he watched her coming toward him. It was a tender and mind-seering moment.

Later, Logan would capture his feelings of that earlier moment with a more brazen exclamation of, "She is smokin' hot!" (He didn't look too bad himself!)

From the two families that linked arms and worked their tails off to make Kelly and Logan's special day extraordinary, to the 200 leftover popsicles that never made it to the serving table (yes, popsicles and otter pops were a late request of the groom), to the four gorgeous bridesmaids including Kalen and Karynn, Kelly's sisters, and Shaina, Kelly's darling Cle Elum friend, and also including one awesome maid of honor, Daneile, to the two white swans gliding over Lichfield Pond as the wedding and reception were going on, and finally to Kelly's huge smile as she looked into Logan's eyes during their first dance...it was a magical night.

There were glitches, there always are, but that's what makes weddings real, andbecause they love each other, and because they are both loved dearly by their families, it all came together on August 29th, 2009 for Logan and Kelly Washburn.

So, yes, a wedding happened, but more importantly, two families united to support Kelly and Logan on their wedding day, and Kelly and Logan were united in love and respect and friendship and commitment as husband and wife.

Thanks to Kelly and Logan for their patience, their love, their example, and thanks to the families of these two newlyweds for their hard work and selfless efforts to make certain this once in a lifetime event was truly magical.

And, in fact, "magic" barely even begins to describe this wedding, but the picture above says it all.

A wedding happened and I am honored to have been there.

Music to be added later....

Something Old, Something New

It's a crap shoot, ya know, this wedding stuff. You plan and you plan and you just never know how that day's gonna turn out, with one exception - you can be fairly certain that the bride and groom won't notice much beyond each other and won't remember much of the extravaganza.

White is so banal anyway. What's to remember? No wonder we add colors and flowers and people in frilly dresses and dark suits with fancy ties. It makes sense that colored mints are par for the course and towering cakes with unfamiliar people perched on top are de rigor.

And now it's customary to add trees and white lights (everywhere)...it's a wonder the bride doesn't trip over some poorly placed chord.

And this brings me to Kelly and Logan, the newly engaged couple who didn't even want a wedding. And I can see why. Who wants to have bags of leftover mints as dessert for the next year, topped by a frozen (and stale) cake top with those same unfamiliar people cryonically preserved and still perched on the inch of sugar-icing? I am pretty sure they don't. But I bet the cake cutting moment will be worth all that planning!

Who wants to worry about what color hat someone might wear and how people who really don't like each other (but come together for these very spay-eh-shul occasions) might act? No one, which is why most folks are on their best behavior at weddings.

So, why have a wedding? It's expensive, it's stressful, it's over in an hour, you have to invite people you have never met - and you have mints left over.

The bride has to find the dress of her dreams, in one shopping spree usually. The groom has to suck in for a cumberband of appropriate color. They both have to select "best" friends and favorite family members to serve in the wedding party. It's a wonder weddings don't sometimes turn into family feuds. It's more of a wonder that more couples don't elope mid-wedding-planning. I am certain many consider it. So what keeps them on track, what motivates them to have a wedding? Love. Family. Tradition. Celebration. Friends. Love......

Weddings are celebrations of life and love. They are as much, if not more, for the guests (family, friends, others who have to be invited because of that silly Vanderbilt book of etiquette) as they are for the couple getting hitched.

And there's an interesting phrase, "Getting hitched." Sounds like redneck trailer talk to me. "Hitch it up, Fred!" Somehow, "Hitch her up, Logan" just doesn't feel right.

So, we have weddings, we invite people "just because" AND "because!", we hope for civility, grace and courtesy from all, but mostly, we love that feeling of hope and dreams and optimism that young couples in love almost ooze, to say nothing of those mints; so we plan and plan an hold our breath in both excitement and dread all the time watching out for those loose chords and saying quiet prayers that this union will be one for the eternities.

Knowing Logan and Kelly...and watching them together, and sensing their mutual respect and witnessing their obvious love for each other... this one's a slam dunk.

Which brings me to Ralph Bobik...and those size 14 Converse basketball shoes he wore to my reception - with his tux - in 1976, sending my poor Dad into heart failure. I love that guy. I am not sure my Dad felt quite the same affinity for Ralph at that moment of truth when Joel (my Dad) looked at Ralph and said "YOU BETTER NOT have forgotten your dress shoes."

I loved my Dad. And I love that memory (which proves that brides DO remember some things from their weddings and receptions!).

And I love Converse. And I love weddings. And I love Kelly and Logan.

And now I get to go help Kelly find the dress of her dreams in one shopping spree.

And maybe even a perfect pair of Converse, for a very special day and an even more special girl.

Of course it won't matter, she won't remember much of it anyway. But I will and so will everyone else who is there. But the person who will remember? Logan. The minute Kelly comes into view - princess for a day to all of us but in Logan's mind that day will be one of those eternal photoshot moments, forever engraved in his memory.

Weddings. An old tradition for a new love.

Well, and for the mints, of course.

Elvis Presley "Something Blue"

BLING! BANG! BLING!

It's hard to imagine accepting a diamond engagement ring from a kneeling man while holding a gun in your hand.

It's harder to imagine a man kneeling behind a woman who has a loaded gun in her hand.

But it's easy to imagine Kelly and Logan together forever.

The proposal was proper. Dad had been asked, Logan was on his knee, the ring was sparkling and Kelly (unaware of the proposal) was probably the only thing not exactly in proper form. After all, she was wielding a pistol when she turned from her target practice to find Logan down on one knee behind her and holding a ring.

What's a girl to do in this situation? Are there etiquette books about this kind of proposal? I don't think so.

Kelly's instincts kicked in, almost as quickly as the tears started flowing, and she quickly (and carefully) tucked the gun behind her while offering her left hand to accept the blinding diamonds.

Now, we don't know what was actually said during those sentimental (and armed) moments, but I can tell you this - Logan must trust Kelly. And there is no doubt that Kelly trusts Logan.

There weren't any witnesses that I am aware of that day, but there were certainly sparkles and grins and tears and love, and yes, ammunition and weapons.

Thank heavens these two found each other.

Now they can write the first etiquette book for proposals on a rifle range, and include a special chapter about accepting a diamond ring from the man you love, while holding a gun in your hand.

Clear!

Transplants "Diamonds and Guns"

Mommy, I sick, I tie-red, I hung-gey.

Kids. You try to get them to sleep enough, eat right, exercise, be smart about exposing themselves to germs, wash their hands, and not do too much.

But, as we all know, kids will be kids, even when they are really BIG kids. Like...almost 24 and living in Washington DC on their own, or kids in far away countries, or in Utah.

Today I had a voice mail from my youngest son, Kyle. It went something like this, (think - sickly voice) "Hi Mom, this is Kyle. Happy Memorial Day. I had to go to Urgent Care today, but I am not going to die. Bye."

Hmmm.

I called, and yes, Kyle was sick and I heard all about it. (Erin was sick too, but I didn't hear as much about that). It sounded like a rough week. I loved talking to him and enjoyed listening to his tales of woe. He finally went to Urgent Care after over a week of misery. He told me it felt like when he was so sick at school and cried because he felt so bad as the nurse called me to pick him up.

This time, rather than picking him up and bringing him home, I gave him the motherly talk over the phone about being more careful, heading to the doctor sooner (not that I practice any of this), drinking fluids and resting. Mostly, I was glad that somewhere in that grown up psyche was a lingering memory that little boys want their Mom's when they are sick.

I am glad he is better.

This call reminded me of a call I received several years ago from my middle daughter, Kelly. She was in her first year at college, in Utah. I lived in Washington state. One day I received a call from her - (imagine - sickly voice) "Mom, I am sick. I can't even get out of bed. Could you please bring me a glass of water?" (Being a Mom means being creative and so I called my older daughter Karynn who lived in the same town and asked her to please check on Kelly - and take her a glass of water. She did. :) )

And then, just recently, when Kalen "Skyped" (is that a new verb?) me from Brazil, complaining (imagine - yep, sickly voice) of a sore throat and white dots. She, without hesitation, opened her mouth as wide as she could and leaned nearer to the camera, upon which I grabbed my handy dandy mini-flashlight and (pretended) to shine it into her mouth, pointing it at the computer screen. :) See picture above for verification of mutual insanity.

Sometimes Moms just have to play along, no matter how absurd.

And kids. Ya gotta love em. If not, who would they call when they are sick?

Julie Andrews "A Spoonful of Sugar"/Mary Poppins

Some Days Shine Brighter than Others

It's been a roller coaster week, month...well, year. Life has taken unexpected turns and leaps, almost with a whispered message "Be careful, curves ahead" or "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it." or "Be careful." (period!).

From Kierstyn's early arrival and Karynn's troublesome recovery (blood clots are dang scary) to Kalen's early return from Brazil (OIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Kalers!!!) to Kelly's graduation from SUU (you rock, Kellers, couldn't be a prouder Mom!), to Logan and Kelly's engagement (talk about shining brighter!)....this has been one loo loo of a month.

I am so proud of my kids and their partners -they take life with a grain of salt, honor their commitments, treat others with respect, practice patience, choose tolerance over judgement (with appropriate exceptions), love purely, behave honorably and act with compassion.

In the past week I have listened to an inspiring Valedictorian, felt the confusing sting of mistrust, celebrated a rite of passage at a graduation party and shared life with friends.

Four nights beneath the star-filled skies of NM, circled around a roaring fire on camp chairs with good friends - what could have been a better way to spend Memorial Day weekend? We laughed so hard we cried, we talked about life's shining and duller moments, we strengthened our resolve to be good people and we learned from each other.

Most importantly, we enjoyed the moment.

I am living in the Land of Enchantment...and I am enchanted.

Shine on.

Shine Bright Morning Light

Milestones and Miracles

It was a busy 4 days last month. Kalen returned from Brazil, Kelly graduated from college, Karynn gave birth to Kierstyn, Logan asked Kelly to marry her - and she said YES!

Life doesn't get much better, or much more hectic than that....unless of course, someone gets a blood clot in their leg, another receives a proposal at the age of 17, and best friends suddenly become foreign to you.

Then...life gets even more hectic.

Thankfully miracles happen, blood clots can be dissolved, heads overcome hearts, reality hits - but with compassion, and other hearts heal.

I am grateful for the vicissitudes of life and the lessons that are learned. I hope they make me a better person.

Miles Davis "Milestones"

What It's All About

Family. That's what it's all about, and this is "my bunch".

What a brood! Aren't they grand?!?!

This picture was taken at Kelly's SUU graduation weekend, but the weekend became a mega-4-days of stuff coming out of nowhere.

Karynn had just delivered Kierstyn (very early), Kalen had just returned from Brazil (very early), Kyle and Kurt had flown out from NY and DC (right on time) and Kollin* had just started his Kenpo studio in SLC (way overdue!)... (and Kelly was about to get engaged (eternal), but none of us knew that, including Kellers). Woohooo!

What more can I say? Life just keeps on comin' and I couldn't be prouder of my kids.

Just FYI - (*tag on Kollin's shirt: "Hello, my name is Indigo Montoyo. You killed my father. Prepare to die.") I have no explanation. A mother's love is unconditional.

Simon Collins "Unconditional"

Celine Dion "A Mother's Prayer"

My Bunch Dec 2007

One of my favorite pics...what a great lookin bunch of kids! Lucky me!

Families Can Be Forever