Surrounded by Family

Last night I attended solo, an annual party, that Edgar and I had always thoroughly enjoyed, ever since we began dating.  I initially intended to decline, but decided to honor our happy times by going.   I'd planned to sit with dear cousins from Edgar's Dad's side of the family, with whom he and I often enjoyed this event.  As fate would dictate, I also had the opportunity to join another set of cousins, from Edgar's Mom's side of the family.  Being flanked by family signaled to me once again that celebrating happy memories is a healthy way to move forward.

Memorable

We had a fabulous time celebrating Julia's birthday in D.C. this past weekend!  She's an amazing young woman with an incredible intellect, perpetually positive attitude and amazing ability to get others to seize a broad array of diverse entertainment and dining opportunities.

Our wonderful nonstop activities included wide-ranging conversations, spectacular museums, the national zoo, professional baseball, canoeing on the Potomac, a mini spades tournament, painting with a pro, meeting her friends at unexpected venues all around town, birthday brunch, and many other remarkable foodie feasts.

For me, spending time with my precious angel and her equally adoring father, would have been celebratory. However, her perfectly planned, nonstop birthday weekend elevated celebratory, to indelibly memorable.

Friends Live On

Yesterday, a dear friend lost her battle with cancer.  I had the privilege to sit by her bedside and tell her how amazing she was hours before she died.  Today the hole in my heart is being filled with precious memories of countless examples of her character, faith, love, loyalty, friendship, motherhood, leadership, integrity and strength.

We are rarely able to  truly convey how deeply we are  touched by those we consider dear friends.  We realize with death that physical absence cannot steal precious memories.  Thankfully, those we love live forever in our hearts and memories.

Digitally Connected to Another Generation

I'm convinced that my maternal grandparents' 7 children and 18 grandchildren all thought they were the favorite child of one of these lovely folks.  In my case, it seemed that I was Grandpappy's favorite grandchild.  It was to him that I made the promise as a 9 year old, that my daughter would be named, Julia, in honor and memory of his beloved mother, whom I never knew.  And he did live long enough to know my precious Julia.

Grandpappy loved word search puzzles.  Little did I know that this was a great memory boosting tool.  When I discovered an electronic version of word searches positioned to keep the brain young, I was immediately transported back in time with vivid memories of Grandpappy and his word search books.  Each time I complete a memory boosting puzzle, I'm instantly connected to my dear grandfather. 

A technology he never knew provides a memory enhancing connection to him that I treasure.

Shock

One of my childhood friends was murdered by her husband yesterday. The shock of senselessly losing someone special who has always been a part of your life leaves an enormous hole that is impossible to fill.  Thankfully a lifetime of my own wonderful memories and those shared by others who loved Katherine are flooding my heart and brain.

Faith, family and friends are always important.  With a devastating loss they are essential.

Good Eats

I've been blessed with wonderful, varied cuisine.  Our family has always decided where to eat out by deciding if we felt like Mexican, Thai, Indian, Italian, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Sushi, steaks, burgers, etc.  To send Julia off for her last semester at Georgetown she chose our favorite steamed dumpling restaurant.  As with some of our other favorite places, the physical plant is unimpressive, but the food is superb.  In my estimation wherever you find food that you enjoy with those you love, you've found "good eats".  Food is a central part of our fun, festivity and memories.  Our kitchen has been filled with holiday sweet treats from family and friends.  Fortunately, we've had a rotating house full of young snackers to share the bliss and the calories.  By sharing our "good eats" we've had additional abundant fun, festivity and memories.

Love is Forever

Yesterday brought front and center for me how precious and fragile life is. December 16 would have been my brother Mark's 52nd birthday, if not for Hodgkin's Disease.  And yesterday we received one of the most memorable Christmas cards ever.  Our dear friends lost their precious son this year. Their most special card reminded us that impact is not measured in years lived, rather in love infused. 

In loving memory of Mark, Sean and all others I've loved and lost, I thank you for reminding us all that life is fleeting, but love is forever.

Incredible Gift!

A dear friend created a fabulous gift that I'll treasure forever.  She saved all the Christmas card photos we'd sent through the years and created a beautiful album.  It brings great joy on many levels.  Friends, family, memories, creativity and thoughtfulness are captured in this unique gift.

Once a Debutante

It's hard to believe that Julia's debutante season began one short year ago.  It was an exciting year filled with presentation balls and parties.  There were numerous chances to visit with lovely friends and the opportunity to make many new acquaintances. We overlayed this whirlwind of activity into our naturally full schedules, proving that there's always time for fun family celebrations.  We have many memories to treasure.

As we drove into the club last evening for the first presentation ball of this season, we were once again merely relaxed attendees.  But this time we saw the presentation through fresh eyes.  We could fully appreciate the preparation, emotions and nervous energy of the 25 debs and their extended families.

As is the case with many noteworthy events, what we observe at show time is only the tip of the iceberg.  We are sometimes oblivious to the reality that only because of the careful planning and execution by so many others, we have the chance to be beautifully entertained.

Hot Potamus Pickles

Twenty years ago we made and packaged spicy pickles as Christmas goodies.  Our cute purple hippopotamus labels alerted the recipients that these were "Hot Potamus Pickles".  A special friend made my day by sharing that her family still enjoys that recipe.  Her younger sister just requested the recipe so that she, too, can make them as holiday treats for her friends.

It's always a day brightener when we are able to share a nicety from years past that continues to send positive ripples into our ever widening networks.

Suspending Planning and Succumbing to Spontaneity

We sometimes create the best memories when we suspend planning and agree to embrace spontaneity.  Thus, I agreed the day before the adventure to join a 1400 mile road trip to create "home away from home" for Julia.  Though a 3-seat U-Haul was not ultimately available, I treasure the reality that I was willing to spontaneously embrace a multi-day trip that had not initially included me. 

When we are willing to passionately pursue available options, we benefit from the experience gained from those that materialize and from the expanded thinking resulting from those that don't work out.  We always need to be willing to embrace alternatives in order to maximize our experiences.  Flexibility is a great attribute in our ever-changing world.

Mimi's Sporty Car

My dear mother-in-law drove a delightful, sporty baby blue 1967 Mercedes 230SL.  She died nearly 18 years ago.  Imagine the surprise when Mimi's car arrived at our niece's garage sale this past weekend.  It still appropriately bears its Rice sticker, as the current owner is a recent Rice graduate.  Shared photos of this classic vehicle brought much joy and remembrance.  Everything truly is connected.

Fishy

I've always been surrounded by accomplished anglers, first Daddy, then Edgar and Gar.  My Dad, husband and son know more about fishing than most people on the planet.  I've sporadically dabbled at angling since early childhood, and still vividly recall my two favorite childhood fishing stories.  The first big fish I remember catching was on the banks of a pond.  My brother Mark and I, unbelievably, hooked the same huge fish.  At ages 7 and 5, appropriately, we both got to claim bragging rights. 

Years later, our family was on a float fishing trip.  I caught fish after fish, gleefully ending the day as the most successful angler. 

Edgar introduced me to saltwater fishing.  Fighting sharks off-shore tested my strength, resolve and endurance.

Saltwater trout fishing in Port Mansfield has expanded my appreciation for the optimism, diligence, preparation, patience and pride that passionate fishermen everywhere exhibit.

I've always loved catching any fish, and it has been fun to improve my casts. Catch and release perfectly suits most of my catches.  It's been rewarding when my catch has become dinner. 

This past weekend, I caught my best ever saltwater trout (pictured above).  It was great fun to catch a big fish.  However, I didn't realize until I visited with serious anglers, that mine was a seriously big fish. 

Personal bests are exciting, fishy and other.

Paper Chains

Recalling many paper chain experiences makes me smile.  It's amazing how engaged a group can become when linking strips of brightly colored construction paper together with glue.  During my volunteer years at Texas Children's Hospital, we sometimes saw competitiveness as children raced to construct the longest chain.  Other times, we saw collaboration, as the evening's group of children decided to join forces and see how long the chain could become with everyone working together.  On one of our family's 550 mile road trips to Arkansas years ago, our backseat paper chain construction made the miles more joyful and quick.  And at last year's Sterling Bank family picnic following the March of Dimes walk, an eager group of children and adults quickly assembled a crowd-pleasing length.

Though the paper chain structure is temporary, the paper chain memories remain.

Lessons Learned from Playing in the Rain

A dedicated group of parents sat in the rain for the past two days as we watched our sons play lacrosse.   One lacrosse mom asked her husband if they'd be watching the game if we were back in Houston, rather than on a road trip.  He answered that when the guys are playing, he'll be there.  This sentiment is widely shared by this devoted parent group.  How I wish every child had parent advocates like these!

A few things from this weekend that we could add to the lacrosse manual:

• It's amazing how quickly fashion takes a backseat to function and practicality when the skies open.
• Ideal conditions aren't required when we're supporting those we love.
• Fond memories are made when friends are together.
• Unless there's lightning, the game will go on.
• The beautiful rainbow is a reward for time spent in the rain.

Music

Thankfully, music enriches our lives. My husband, daughter and son have a love for music, hearts for meaning, ears for melodies, and memories for lyrics. Road trips are shorter and cheerier when my crew sings to a wide array of tunes.   Though I lack their musical ability, I believe I added to the importance of music in their lives with my concocted "Angel Song" which I softly sang at bedtime.  Easter, one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, is filled with fabulous music.  The meaning and music make it our family's favorite service.

Music cheers, comforts, sooths, motivates, energizes and entertains.  And music reinforces positive memories.

Quilts

I was fortunate to have a great-grandmother in my life until my sophomore year in high school.  She was a quilter.  The tiny pieces of fabric intricately cut and stitched were vivid examples of vision, patience, planning and artistic expression.  We still treasure her efforts and creations. 

Today, no one in my family quilts. However, I hope that we will effectively share the enormous collection of tiny tidbits from our family experiences to create our own cherished 21st century tapestries.

Food!

It's (almost) embarrassing to admit that eating is my favorite hobby.  I've been surrounded by fabulous chefs my entire life - first Mama and now Edgar.  And Houston is a foodies' paradise with world-class cuisine from every desired point on the globe.  We've enjoyed grand meals in the finest, acclaimed restaurants and marvelous surprises in no-nonsense diners.  It's always a treasure hunt and treat to discover a new restaurant and/or chef that/who hasn't yet made the papers or gotten the wide-spread word-of-mouth buzz.

Food is the catalyst for festive, fun-filled functions.  Enjoyable feasts, great and small, provide immediate gratification and create multi-sensory memories.

Let's eat!

Photos

So many of us have camera options on our phones, but I've been pleased, surprised and amazed to have my traditional camera ever ready to snap shots of family, friends and colleagues.  For a few ounces of extra weight in my purse, I always have the opportunity to capture special events.

I love all of the snapshots everyone in my life continue to share.

And I also cherish the professional photos our gifted friend, Temple Webber, continues to produce for our special events.

Special Occasions

Special occasions take on a life of their own.  We create wonderful, lifetime memories when we overlay them into our normally crazy, hectic schedules.  This weekend is the first of our daughter's three debutante presentation balls.  Everyone's wardrobe is ready and final appointments are scheduled. Julia's and my parents' flights arrived on-time.  It's showtime!

Though every day is filled with memorable moments, special occasions create memories the whole family can share.