Monday May 2 2016  A TIME TO REMEMBER

Oh WOW!  I made it through the weekend.  It was busy, interesting and fun…and exhausting.  I didn’t feel the exhaustion until this morning.  And as I look back over this day I am very proud of myself for getting out of bed, dressing for the gym, doing my grocery run, and working out like a pro!  Had a great lunch and have spent the last two hours working out computer situations that had to be upgraded as well as new downloads that were past due.

All day Friday (the beginning of this past weekend) was taken up with errands and necessity shopping.  Rushed home, changed and attended a performance put on by The Philharmonic Chorus of Madison.  It was absolutely awesome!  It was held at a local church with great acoustics.  The harmony of sound reminded me of what one might hear in nature.  The voices were rich and mellow and the harmony felt as if it were velvet, caressing your heart.  I could just feel the smile spread across my face and fill my spirit to its depth.  It was a magical time of awareness, living the moment.  It was like being in a magic garden of soothing sound.  It was somber, yet lively.  It was both serious and light hearted.  There was a resonance that infiltrated into my soul.   Not only was it beautiful to listen to but a delight to watch the performers.  I could see the sincerity and intense enjoyment they received as their voices blended into exquisite significance.  The moments went by too quickly.

Saturday was an early day, work out time, lunch time, and then off to see a live production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.  It was performed by Abundant Life Christian School which is the school on the campus of City Church, the place where we worship.  It was produced by Sarah Karlen, a long time veteran of many productions in the Madison and outlying areas.  She did a superb job.  The settings were grandiose, the costuming was simply elegant and amazing, and all the actors were outstanding.  The facility was packed with hundreds of people of all ages.  Dave and I both enjoyed it immensely.  Because we were gone while the tickets were being sold we ended up in about the farthest wing, in the third pew from the back.  And still we had a great view!  The show was bigger than life, the sound was excellent and I think I enjoyed the perspective of being so far back so I had a better visual command of the entire stage and surrounding areas.  There was a lot of acting and movement that took place up and down the aisles as well as close to the platform. 

We left the three hour production and headed out to Sun Prairie to pick up our grandsons.  We had a nice dinner out and then home to our abode.  Dave wrestled (the boys’ favorite past time when with Grandpa), I read stories and before I knew it, it was bedtime.  A little later than I would have liked because we all had to rise early the next morning.  At least, as it turned out, Dave and I had to get up extra early to get ready for church, and we didn’t know if the boys were ever going to wake up.  By 7:30 every one was up.  We had a quick breakfast, clean-up and teeth brushing and everyone was out the door by 7:50 a.m.  Gramma and Grandpa can make miracles happen when we need to.

We had a very busy afternoon (which is still a secret), and finally the youngest fell asleep.  Believe me, it was a much needed nap.  I prepared dinner, and the kids (older kids), came over for dinner.  Everyone left but I can’t remember what time it was.  All I remember is that after I had finished putting the house in order it was 9:00 p.m. and I then sat down to watch a little T.V.  That was the end of my day.  I was down for the count.  I did finally make it to my bed when I needed a potty break.

And then came morning.  This morning, when I had not one ounce of energy left.  It was if I had been ZAPPED!  But so far I have made it through the day.  As soon as this blog is published I will be showered and in bed so quickly that Dave won’t know what happened to me.  Another busy day awaits me tomorrow.

I have so much more to talk about.  Having the boys here this weekend reminded me of so many memories from the past.  It is quite uncanny to see how much Zachariah looks like his father.  His resemblance propels me back in time to the memories I cherish of my own little boy and girl.  I think I was fortunate to have one of each.  It’s as if two little boys instigate so much more rambunctious activity than did one little boy and one little girl.  Whew!  I dodged a bullet.  Sorry Amy that there are so many males that reside in your house.  Boys may be easier to rear when they are older, but they certainly are not easier when so young and full of vinegar.  Dave is a bit worse for the wear after being a human springboard in the wrestling arena on the living room floor.  He said the after-pain is worth it because these are the happy memories that his grandson’s will carry forward.  What they’ll probably remember about me is that this was a weekend without T.V., computers, I Pads, cell phones, or video games.  That’s how I planned it.  I didn’t say anything about the loss of such items until Zach brought it up and asked if he could use my computer.  He was not such a happy camper but went along without the use of electronics as graciously as any 8 year old boy could possibly do.  However, he did say he might not come back again.  Uh-Oh!  Oh well, we are still bigger than he is.  He said it with a smile!  He brought a book with him so when he was not engaged by one of the adults and Xander was sleeping, he enjoyed reading his book.  I also did a lot of reading to both boys.

IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE

By Kathleen Martens

May 2, 2016

How can I remember I need to slow down?

I forget old age has me bound.

I bite off a lot and it gets tough to chew,

And I’ll do it again before I am through.

Two little boys can run you ragged,

Make you tired and feel quite haggard.

But a mom needs a break as well as a dad

And so it’s our boon because we get the lads!

I’ll use my last strength as well as last breath

To do all I can before I meet death.

Making memories is the gift we can give

To two little boys, to remember as long as they live.

And it is so much fun to tell our stories,

Yet I’m sure at times it may be quite boring.

But the boring times they won’t remember

When they are old and no longer quite limber.

It’s hard to imagine that our years will end,

But I hope not before we can be their friends,

All grown up with families of their own,

With great-grandchildren who are yet unknown.

God, thank You for such a wonderful weekend.

Thank You Lord for the energy to make it through this day.

Thank You Father that I had honey roasted peanut butter in my refrigerator this weekend.

Thank You God that these two boys survived this weekend.

Thank You God that WE SURVIVED THIS WEEKEND!

Thank You God for the great sermons I am listening to everyday from SOUTHLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

Thank You Father for being such a good Father to me.

Thank You God for all the smiles You have placed on my face.

Thank You God that I was able to get everything accomplished on my computer today.

Thank You for grapes.  They are so good.

Thank You for creating music Lord.  The very sound of beautiful music just seems to worship You.

Thank You for loving me God despite knowing me so well.

Thank You God that I still have some hair on my head. 

Thank You God for my fingers.

But mostly, thank You for two such wonderful grandsons.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.  GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU.