Mother’s Day 2013
The other day we were reminded of a funny situation with
Kathryn. I had made a milk shake
and we were at the table. I asked
Scott if he wanted a long spoon for his to keep it stirred. At first he said no and then he said I
better have one. I don’t want to
end up like Kathryn did with her shake.
Well, she was drinking her shake (not with a straw) and you know how
shakes will get clumpy when they sit for a little bit. Her shake got clumpy and she didn’t
stir it before she brought it up to take a sip. A big clump came out and just covered her with shake. It was so funny. We all laughed about it. She was a good sport and didn’t get
upset.
The Durham’s have been working on a project for camp to
honor Kathryn. They have ordered
water shoes for every child and they will come in a net bag with a panda pin on
each one. The shoes are bright
colors and so are the bags. They
are a perfect representation of Kathryn. This wonderful family has been so
supportive of camp – it is amazing.
Again Kathryn has inspired others to do great things.
I also received some sad news about our little friend
Rowan. The new spot in her brain
is increasing. She has lost some
of her physical abilities. Her
parents are now using a stroller and she doesn’t use her arms like she use
to. They are having a shunt put in
to release fluid and this should help bring back her physical abilities. However that new spot in the brain is
concerning. Please pray for
Rowan. She is the sweetest little
girl and the only child of Rebecca and Chuck.
I have this one student who is a bit different. She talks to me about things from time
to time. She wrote me a nice note
the other day about appreciating me for the things I have done for her. Her note was quite funny actually. Anyhow she reads like crazy. I asked her if she had any ideas of
what I should read while I am laid up after my hip surgery. She came in the next day and said I
should talk to the librarian. Then
on Friday she came in before school with this black garbage bag and she sits it
on a desk and starts opening it.
She pulls out all of these books and tells me about them. There were more books than I have read
in my entire life! I brought about
half of them home. I hope I can
read enough of them to at least let her know that I appreciated her
efforts. It will be a
challenge.
One of my co-workers stopped by my room after school. He checks on me periodically to see how
I am doing. We talked about faith
and how mine has increased not decreased with Kathryn’s passing. I have this new inner feeling of
peace. I know that God has Kathryn
and she is in a safe place. I can’t
help but think he took her to keep her from being harmed on this Earth. We talked about people who have
children but don’t take care of them and how people get pregnant and don’t want
their child. I told him about a
student that I had at Stadium who was pregnant and her boyfriend was in
prison. She was going to become a
foster child and live with his mom and the baby would too. I asked if this was really the life she
wanted for herself and her child.
I told her that I had a good job and my own home and I still felt like I
couldn’t give enough to my child. I told her that once you become a parent and
you love your child with all of your heart you will want to do everything to
give your child the best life. We
talked more and I told her that there were many couples out there that wanted
to have a baby but just weren’t able to.
She was only 17 and needed to finish school and build a life for
herself. She came to me later and
said she adopted the baby out. She
and the family were keeping in contact.
She was very happy with her choice.
My co-worker and I talked about tithing. I must admit I haven’t been good about
this. I have given but not consistently
or enough. He told me that he had
been in dept and was really struggling to make it once his wife stopped working
to take care of their child. He
felt he needed to tithe but didn’t know what to do since he didn’t have any
money to give. He started to give
free piano lessons to one or two children each year that didn’t have the funds
to pay. This became his form of tithing. In one year he was caught up on his
bills. I told him how Kathryn was
concerned with her treatment costing so much. She was worried about the money. I told her, “Kathryn, I don’t know how it happens but money
happens. Some how it will be here
and everything will be just fine.
So, you just think about taking care of yourself and getting
better. Don’t worry about money
because it will happen.” It did
take care of itself. We had many
people help us through this and I didn’t’ have to worry about money and neither
did Kathryn. Thank you to all and
God.
I also said I guess Scott and I are tithing in this manor
too. We gave thousands this year
to the Wine Auction in support of Camp Goodtimes. Scott has been helping his friend out who has Parkinson’s. He bought him a computer, helps him
with his art supplies, pays for him to go to yoga and just this weekend took
him to Bend Oregon for a luau. His
friend is pretty much stuck at home so going to this luau was really
special. Scott set it up to pick
him up on Friday and stay over night in Bend. They went out to one of the lady’s houses for dinner on Friday
night. She is one of Russell’s
friends from Hawaii. On Saturday
they went to Mt Bachelor for the luau.
There they saw several old friends from Hawaii. One of these friends was Gerry Lopez (a
very famous surfer). He wrote a
book. He had one copy in the car
and went and got one for Scott’s friend.
He signed it too. Scott’s
friend was beaming. This was a
great day for him and for Scott. I
can see in Scott’s eyes just how important this was for him to do this for his
friend. Scott is a good man and very
giving. He is so very thoughtful
and I am very lucky to have him in my life. When you do something for others your heart fills with
warmth and your whole being is filled with joy.
Today is Mother’s Day.
The best thing I ever did in my life. Becoming a Mom was so important to me. I had to go through a lot to get there
but I have two beautiful children.
Richard and Bee have invited us up for lunch. My Mom and Bee’s Mom will also be there. It should be a nice day. I’m looking forward to seeing the two
of them. We do talk to Richard
every day. One of us talks to him
each day. It has been great to
have him share his lesson plans with me.
He will make a fine teacher.
To all of you Mother’s – Have a wonderful day!
And to all of you children – Thank you for making our lives
so full of love and happiness. You make us proud.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! Thank you for the heart felt words and testimony of your faith. I have an unshakable testimony about tithing and service.....and ........ Love isn't love til you give it away. You give love in all that you do. Scott is a good man and both of you are blessed to have each other.
I love you lots~