Monday, November 15, 2010

Fun

This was a fun weekend at Litengard.

We have the most interesting people stay here.

On Thursday we had our first film maker. A British man who was doing a documentary for PBS on the Amish Also, there was a mom who was bringing her daughter to look at SLU as a potential college choice.

On Friday we had our second wedding couple. And two "older" gentlemen who had graduated from SLU in 1957. They had a small reunion with a couple of other fraternity friends. One of them arrived with a red beanie on his head. The same beanie they were required to wear the entire freshman year. They met the potential bride earlier in the day and went out and got her a card and gift which they placed in her room while she was at the ceremony and reception. So sweet! They were here for two days so we got to know them a bit during the breakfasts. The breakfasts went on for two hours! And it was fun to hear the conversations between all the diverse guests.

And on Saturday we had SLU parents and grandma who were attending the NCAA's soccer semi finals. They've been here twice before and we look forward to them coming back, especially when they bring grandma. She reminded me of my special grandma, nana to my children.

There are so many interesting people in this world. Glad they are making Litengard one of their destinations.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Older Woman

Yesterday someone called me an older woman.

I was shocked!

I thought I was 30 but that couldn't be, my daughter is 33. But older woman?

She said I reminded her of her grandmother (i thought she was about my age), with my big purse. All older women carry a big purse, according to her.

Her grandmother used to carry a large purse with all sorts of things in it such as bandaids, candy etc. I guess my purse triggered a memory.

Then I remembered Thomas Edison.

He filed his last patent when he was 83 years old. He never considered himself old. He was interested in so many things. And had so many wonderful quotes such as:

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

"If we all did the things we were really capable of doing, we would lterally astound ourselves."

"The thing I lose patience with the most is the clock. Its hands move too fast."

Those are some of my favorites.

Oh well, age is relative and I'm going to act the way I feel. Young!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Memories

It has been three years today.

Like when Kennedy was shot and 9/11, I have memories indelibly etched on my being.

I still feel everything. Every single moment of that day.

A phone call from Italy. Instructions and prayer. A call to our pastor and wife and their immediate presence at 42.

The house filling with family from church; praying, getting airline tickets, securing international phones, calling the military, praying. "Oh, God please"

Calls from Italy every fifteen minutes.

Calls to Wisconsin.

Calls to St Kitts.

Instructions and tears.

A heart pounding with the assurance...."God is good" "God is good"

Rob home, terminating his surgery day. Everyone else cancelled.

Chris home from work.

Ethan in Manhattan in a private office, monitoring phone calls.

But no.

And then we were off. And we are still going down this road to restoration, hope and recovery.

A trip to Syracuse in the back seat unable to stop crying, Bible on my lap.

A flight attendant in NYC asking if I was okay.

Explanation.

She rushed out to a store in the airport to buy a leather journal and boarded the flight with it telling me to write everything down.

My mom's heart grieves for her child and for his mom and for a son whose best friend is gone.

Someone sent me this today.

"I remind myself that suffering is not unique to us. It is the destiny of humanity. If this world were the only one there is, then suffering has the final say and all of us are a sorry lot. But generations of faithful Chrsitians have gone before and will come after, and they have believed or will believe what I believe in the depths of my soul. Jesus is the center of it all. He defeated sin and death through his crucifixion and resurrection. The light gradually dawns once again, in my heart, and hope returns. I find reason and courage to keep going and believing. Once again my soul increases it's capacity for hope as well as for sadness. I end up believing with greater depth and joy than I had before, even in my sorrow"
(Sittser, A Grace Disguised)

There will be restoration. A promise.

And as we continually put one foot forward we see and feel His presence, His love and His faithfulness.

I am far away from everyone today. Not by choice but by necessity.

But He is near.

To us all.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Fall Clean Up Surprise

We are quickly finalizing our fall cleanup. It's getting pretty cold up here and it's not fun to rake leaves when it's 29 degrees out.

The garden has been cut down, but not tilled. I guess we're going to have to wait until spring for that. I did get my garlic planted though.

The one chore that I had to do today was to remove all the cushions from the furniture at Litengard and 44 and get it stowed in the garden room. After pulling the cover off the couch in the backyard this is what I found.


WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REST OF YOU, BUDDY?