Here is a list of the highlights or more interesting items of 2007, in no particular order, and some perhaps only interesting to me.
Life Time Fitness Triathlon
Of course the big accomplishment of 2007 for Julie and I was the completion of the Olympic distance of the Life Time Fitness Triathlon - our first triathlon. Going in we were both particularly worried about the swim but Safety Bob gave us some one-on-one coaching and before we knew it we were almost looking like we knew what we were doing! Thanks Bob!
Lake Tahoe
Julie was the staff person for the 2007 Tahoe cycle team and our time in Tahoe (and throughout the training for that matter) was a lot of fun. Tahoe is a beautiful place to visit if you get the chance.
San Francisco
For the fall season Julie was staff for the Nike Women's Marathon & Half Marathon teams. Another group of great people went to this year's event - the biggest yet. We had some 8,000 folks attending the Pasta Party! I think the smiles were there for the whole weekend, which went by way too fast.
New Friends
We made soooo many new friends in 2007, mainly through TNT. What an amazing program it is - not only do you get to help a worthy cause but you also meet some incredible people. I won't dare list names here as I'd be sure to leave someone out, but just be assured that we appreciate all of you. 2008 is going to be such an awesome year! We're glad we'll be able to hang with most of you again next year and make many new memories.
Chuck the Chicken
This year Chuck the Chicken made his debut and it wasn't pretty. He has lived his short life to the fullest, that's for sure. I know, I know - part 3 of his story will come in the next few days - I promise! If you still haven't read the first two parts of his story click here for part 1 and here for part 2. Go Chuck!
Music
Some of the musical stuff I enjoyed in 2007: Shiny Toy Guns, song "Le Disko"; Tegan & Sara, song "Back In Your Head"; Bruce Springsteen, album "Magic"; Amy Winehouse, song "I'm No Good"; Justin Timberlake, song "What Goes Around... Comes Around"; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, song "Killing The Blues"; The Fratellis, song "Flathead"; Fergie, song "Big Girls Don't Cry"; Finger Eleven, song "Paralyzer"; plus I'm sure many others I'm not thinking of.
Random Bits of This and That
- "Don't tase me bro!" - University of Florida student (term used lightly) Andrew Meyer
- It was nice to get some decent snow fall in December this year. Let's hope it continues!
- "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country." - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Yeah, right.
- The sight of myself in skin-tight spandex should be something no other human should see. If you were one of the unfortunate ones I sincerely apologize.
- The new TV show "The Big Bang Theory" was hilarious. Let's hope the writer's strike ends soon.
- I'll never feel comfortable going to the bathroom in public for fear of sending the wrong signals. At least my stance isn't too wide - at least I don't think so.
It was a great 2007. Here's looking to 2008!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
You Can Eat If I'm Smart Enough
So, are you ready for Christmas? I can't believe it's only a few days away and 2008 is around the corner. It's also hard to believe that we're this close to being done with the first decade in the new millennium - it seems like only yesterday we were partying like it's 1999.
I've been noticeably absent from blogging lately and I'm going to blame that on the rush and busyness of the holiday season. We STILL don't have our Christmas cards out although I think we're done with shopping for the most part. And I don't think I've listened to one Christmas song on the radio yet - I've been avoiding it, not because I'm a Scrooge but perhaps more because I've been on a real Bruce kick in the car over the last few weeks.
Speaking of Holiday music, here is a link that will test your knowledge of Holiday songs. I think I got around 72% and Julie scored 88%. How do you fare?
Another link that was sent to me this week is here and it tests your knowledge regarding the meaning of words. For added pressure, each one you get correct will result in 20 grains of rice being donated through the United Nations to help end world hunger. It's a cool quiz but it's also scary to know that some poor child is relying on my brain power for sustenance. As my good buddy Forest would say - "I'm not a smart man."
You ever try to inconspicuously sniff your own armpits to make sure you don't stink? I think if you have THIS it will help you to do it without others noticing.
Julie got me a book the other night that contains the 1,001 albums you must hear before you die. Too cool. I haven't had time to thumb through it yet but I'll be curious to see how many I've already heard. My guess is not that many, although I did quickly check out Bruce and he has 5 albums in there. Most excellent.
I was listening to the radio yesterday and they were interviewing a guy who wrote a column saying in essence that Santa being overweight sends the wrong message to children and is another factor in them being overweight themselves. What?! I can honestly say I've never looked at Santa and said "I want to be fat just like him!" The guy wants to see thin Santas from now on. Whatever.
If I'm not able to post again before jolly old FAT St. Nick comes to visit we hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
I've been noticeably absent from blogging lately and I'm going to blame that on the rush and busyness of the holiday season. We STILL don't have our Christmas cards out although I think we're done with shopping for the most part. And I don't think I've listened to one Christmas song on the radio yet - I've been avoiding it, not because I'm a Scrooge but perhaps more because I've been on a real Bruce kick in the car over the last few weeks.
Speaking of Holiday music, here is a link that will test your knowledge of Holiday songs. I think I got around 72% and Julie scored 88%. How do you fare?
Another link that was sent to me this week is here and it tests your knowledge regarding the meaning of words. For added pressure, each one you get correct will result in 20 grains of rice being donated through the United Nations to help end world hunger. It's a cool quiz but it's also scary to know that some poor child is relying on my brain power for sustenance. As my good buddy Forest would say - "I'm not a smart man."
You ever try to inconspicuously sniff your own armpits to make sure you don't stink? I think if you have THIS it will help you to do it without others noticing.
Julie got me a book the other night that contains the 1,001 albums you must hear before you die. Too cool. I haven't had time to thumb through it yet but I'll be curious to see how many I've already heard. My guess is not that many, although I did quickly check out Bruce and he has 5 albums in there. Most excellent.
I was listening to the radio yesterday and they were interviewing a guy who wrote a column saying in essence that Santa being overweight sends the wrong message to children and is another factor in them being overweight themselves. What?! I can honestly say I've never looked at Santa and said "I want to be fat just like him!" The guy wants to see thin Santas from now on. Whatever.
If I'm not able to post again before jolly old FAT St. Nick comes to visit we hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Wii Wanna Rock!
After many, many months of watching and waiting as the new highway was being built it was finally opened on Friday! The new 212, or 312, or whatever they decide to call it goes from Eden Prairie out to 41 in Chaska now. As Kimmi says so eloquently - WOOT! WOOT!
This has already saved us sooooo much time. What normally would have been a 40-minute drive to Lake Calhoun took us less than 25 minutes. Awesome. Now the real test will come this morning as we drive into work. Julie always gives me a hard time because I've got such a short commute and it just got even shorter. HA! Anyway, we're super psyched about the new highway - geeked even!
On Saturday night Julie and I were introduced to an addictive game - Guitar Hero III - at a party at a friend's house. Of course we've seen the game being sold in just about every store we go in and we really didn't know too much about it. Now, we do. Quite frankly I didn't think much of it, even when I first was watching J-Flo jam out to Foghat's "Slow Ride", but once I strapped on the "guitar" it quickly became quite addictive.
Julie was giving it her best shot as Pat Benatar while I was showing my personality on a Living Colour song. We've never really owned any kind of gaming console like an Xbox or Wii, although we did have a Sega Genesis game system once. We never really got into the whole gaming thing, but this Wii systems is pretty cool and I could easily see getting addicted to it.
So if you haven't played Guitar Hero III I recommend giving it a shot. You'll be a rock start before you know it.
This has already saved us sooooo much time. What normally would have been a 40-minute drive to Lake Calhoun took us less than 25 minutes. Awesome. Now the real test will come this morning as we drive into work. Julie always gives me a hard time because I've got such a short commute and it just got even shorter. HA! Anyway, we're super psyched about the new highway - geeked even!
On Saturday night Julie and I were introduced to an addictive game - Guitar Hero III - at a party at a friend's house. Of course we've seen the game being sold in just about every store we go in and we really didn't know too much about it. Now, we do. Quite frankly I didn't think much of it, even when I first was watching J-Flo jam out to Foghat's "Slow Ride", but once I strapped on the "guitar" it quickly became quite addictive.
Julie was giving it her best shot as Pat Benatar while I was showing my personality on a Living Colour song. We've never really owned any kind of gaming console like an Xbox or Wii, although we did have a Sega Genesis game system once. We never really got into the whole gaming thing, but this Wii systems is pretty cool and I could easily see getting addicted to it.
So if you haven't played Guitar Hero III I recommend giving it a shot. You'll be a rock start before you know it.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Son of Neckbone & Other Classics
I suppose everyone has those musical groups or artists that they secretly like, the ones they have as a guilty pleasure. My guess is I have more than most and perhaps, to be fair, maybe their not really guilty pleasures as much as legitimate artists that don't get the respect they deserve.
One of those acts that I really enjoy is the Bee Gees. Their music is just plain infectious. I'm sitting here skipping around from one Bee Gees song to the next. There are so many hooks in their music, and the harmonies are fantastic. True, their falsetto voices may annoy some people but their songwriting abilities are top notch.
As you can see from my previous post and now this one I'm in one of my musical funks. OK, maybe not a musical funk but I get into these moods where I crave certain types of music. Sometimes my mood dictates something funky or something with a groove to it, or it could be a somber or melancholy mood calling for something more acoustic or mellow. Usually it always has to be melodic and be familiar.
It doesn't necessarily need to trigger certain feelings or memories but it needs to satisfy the craving. Right now the craving is for something with a groove and melodic. The Bee Gees are filling the bill nicely, but I've also been listening to Mariah Carey ("Fantasy"), The Beastie Boys ("Son of Neckbone" - an awesomely contagious instrumental), Amy Winehouse ("You Know I'm No Good"), Bill Withers ("Use Me") and many others.
As hard as it is to believe, me being the non-rhythmic white boy that I am, I'll get completely lost in the groove of the music. It can be so incredibly transforming and overwhelm your senses - feeling the bass in your chest, your fingers tapping and your whole body moving, feeling the passion and soul of the singer, closing your eyes and just getting lost in the sounds and how everything ebbs and flows. Music is such an incredible vehicle, transporting you to wherever you want to go.
This is one of the reasons I'm really disappointed in the music of the last 10 years or so, maybe even longer. Where are all the musicians, the true R&B singers, the songs that depend on excellent songwriting, musicianship, melody. Enough of the sampling of previous hits - write your own music. Be more creative that writing about sex, drugs, guns, or any other idiotic topic. Say something! Make me feel it!
OK, I need to get off my soap box. I don't have the talent but there are people out there who do. Where are they?
I've got to get back to the music. Time for some Bob Marley....
One of those acts that I really enjoy is the Bee Gees. Their music is just plain infectious. I'm sitting here skipping around from one Bee Gees song to the next. There are so many hooks in their music, and the harmonies are fantastic. True, their falsetto voices may annoy some people but their songwriting abilities are top notch.
As you can see from my previous post and now this one I'm in one of my musical funks. OK, maybe not a musical funk but I get into these moods where I crave certain types of music. Sometimes my mood dictates something funky or something with a groove to it, or it could be a somber or melancholy mood calling for something more acoustic or mellow. Usually it always has to be melodic and be familiar.
It doesn't necessarily need to trigger certain feelings or memories but it needs to satisfy the craving. Right now the craving is for something with a groove and melodic. The Bee Gees are filling the bill nicely, but I've also been listening to Mariah Carey ("Fantasy"), The Beastie Boys ("Son of Neckbone" - an awesomely contagious instrumental), Amy Winehouse ("You Know I'm No Good"), Bill Withers ("Use Me") and many others.
As hard as it is to believe, me being the non-rhythmic white boy that I am, I'll get completely lost in the groove of the music. It can be so incredibly transforming and overwhelm your senses - feeling the bass in your chest, your fingers tapping and your whole body moving, feeling the passion and soul of the singer, closing your eyes and just getting lost in the sounds and how everything ebbs and flows. Music is such an incredible vehicle, transporting you to wherever you want to go.
This is one of the reasons I'm really disappointed in the music of the last 10 years or so, maybe even longer. Where are all the musicians, the true R&B singers, the songs that depend on excellent songwriting, musicianship, melody. Enough of the sampling of previous hits - write your own music. Be more creative that writing about sex, drugs, guns, or any other idiotic topic. Say something! Make me feel it!
OK, I need to get off my soap box. I don't have the talent but there are people out there who do. Where are they?
I've got to get back to the music. Time for some Bob Marley....
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Tide Is High
I remember the first three albums I ever owned that were truly my own - they were gifts from my brother Mike. I believe the year was 1983 and the albums he bought me were Business As Usual by Men At Work, The Best of Blondie, and the soundtrack to the 1978 film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band which starred the Bee Gees, Peter Frampton and many others.
I seem to recall that I didn't know much about any of the artists at the time, with the exception of Men At Work. I had an old record player that used to be Mike's and I would sit in my room listening to the records, sitting about 5 feet in front of the stereo with each speaker aimed right at me.
I would read the liner notes or follow along with the lyrics, singing if I felt like it of course. It was like I was in my own world, or as Paul Simon so eloquently wrote in "I Am A Rock" - "Hiding in my room / Safe within my womb." I would shut the door and sit in there, getting lost in the music.
One of the first albums I bought that I was truly obsessed with was Foreigner 4, with such classic tracks as "Juke Box Hero", "Urgent" and "Waiting For a Girl Like You". There was a kid in my class who could play the sax solo in "Urgent" and I thought that was pretty sweet - and I still do. I would listen to this album constantly, flipping from one side to the other and back again.
Having my own stereo was pretty cool. And what was even better was that both speakers worked. The stereo we had in our basement only had one speaker that worked - the right speaker. And for the first 10+ years of my life I never knew what the other "half" of the song sounded like. If I had to listen to music with only one speaker I couldn't do it. No way. It would frustrate me to no end.
And I don't know if it's nostalgia or what but I'll never find the same joy in buying and listening to a CD. As much as most people would argue with me or think I'm crazy I still believe there is nothing like listening to music on vinyl - crackles and all. The warmth, vibrant tones and general sound quality is SOOO much better than a CD. You hear everything and it sounds so much more "real". It's really a shame that so many people haven't had the experience of vinyl, although I've heard it's making a comeback.
Up until I got out of college I was obsessed with buying music and I would set myself down so I could listen to the music repeatedly and in it's entirety. I still truly enjoy music but I think it's the lack of time that keeps me from pursuing it as much as I'd like. With a few exceptions I never listen to a complete album anymore which I think is quite sad and something I need to change.
What new CDs have you listened to recently that you like? Any suggestions? Recommendations?
"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." – Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name
I seem to recall that I didn't know much about any of the artists at the time, with the exception of Men At Work. I had an old record player that used to be Mike's and I would sit in my room listening to the records, sitting about 5 feet in front of the stereo with each speaker aimed right at me.
I would read the liner notes or follow along with the lyrics, singing if I felt like it of course. It was like I was in my own world, or as Paul Simon so eloquently wrote in "I Am A Rock" - "Hiding in my room / Safe within my womb." I would shut the door and sit in there, getting lost in the music.
One of the first albums I bought that I was truly obsessed with was Foreigner 4, with such classic tracks as "Juke Box Hero", "Urgent" and "Waiting For a Girl Like You". There was a kid in my class who could play the sax solo in "Urgent" and I thought that was pretty sweet - and I still do. I would listen to this album constantly, flipping from one side to the other and back again.
Having my own stereo was pretty cool. And what was even better was that both speakers worked. The stereo we had in our basement only had one speaker that worked - the right speaker. And for the first 10+ years of my life I never knew what the other "half" of the song sounded like. If I had to listen to music with only one speaker I couldn't do it. No way. It would frustrate me to no end.
And I don't know if it's nostalgia or what but I'll never find the same joy in buying and listening to a CD. As much as most people would argue with me or think I'm crazy I still believe there is nothing like listening to music on vinyl - crackles and all. The warmth, vibrant tones and general sound quality is SOOO much better than a CD. You hear everything and it sounds so much more "real". It's really a shame that so many people haven't had the experience of vinyl, although I've heard it's making a comeback.
Up until I got out of college I was obsessed with buying music and I would set myself down so I could listen to the music repeatedly and in it's entirety. I still truly enjoy music but I think it's the lack of time that keeps me from pursuing it as much as I'd like. With a few exceptions I never listen to a complete album anymore which I think is quite sad and something I need to change.
What new CDs have you listened to recently that you like? Any suggestions? Recommendations?
"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." – Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name
"Music is an outburst of the soul." – Frederick Delius
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Out of Left Field
This post starts out innocently enough, but I really don't know where this all came from. Enjoy.
A dear friend of ours sent the picture below via fax and I wanted to share it. You may need to click on the image to read everything, but suffice it to say that yours truly is the snowman in the front. Thanks Rachel! ;-)
I am a little concerned, tho, that she draws me with no pants on. I'm not quite sure what to make of that.
My godson Derek's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Derek! Of course, I'm lame and completely spaced on it. I'll have to make it up somehow.
WARNING: Sudden shift in post topic ahead...
So, how often do you ask yourself what it is you want to do with your life? Do you see yourself doing what you're doing now in 2017? Wow, in 10 years it will be 2017. That seems so far away and yet it wasn't that long ago that it was 1997. Anyway, I don't see myself doing what I'm doing now in 2017, but I have NO idea what I'll be doing instead.
I'll be driving back and forth to work and I'll pass all the construction going on as they build the new highway and I'll think to myself that it would be cool to be a dump truck driver. Where that comes from I'm not sure. It may have to do with how much I loved playing in the sandbox as a kid, or perhaps its the non-corporateness (is that a word?) of it - the lack of office politics. Or maybe it's about being outside, although I might miss the interaction with others. If I became a dump truck driver I might need to buy a chimp to keep me company.
Or maybe you make a hobby into a career. Depending on the hobby this would be more difficult to do, especially if you have a standard of living you need to sustain. Or maybe instead of it being your career you do it part time. One needs to find their passion and run with it. I'm not sure what mine is and I don't want to wait until I'm 60 to figure it out.
"Very few people do anything creative after the age of 35. The reason is that very few people do anything creative before the age of 35." - Joel Hildebrand
"That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet." - Emily Dickinson
This is your one shot at life. Are you really doing what you want to do? Will you find yourself one day looking back and thinking "why didn't I follow my heart?"
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." - Sydney Harris
So I must sit down and think about what I really want to do, think about what is important.
Which reminds me - what do you call an insect from overseas? An import-ant. I know, that was so lame you'd find it easy to believe I just made that up.
On that note, see you later.
A dear friend of ours sent the picture below via fax and I wanted to share it. You may need to click on the image to read everything, but suffice it to say that yours truly is the snowman in the front. Thanks Rachel! ;-)
I am a little concerned, tho, that she draws me with no pants on. I'm not quite sure what to make of that.
My godson Derek's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Derek! Of course, I'm lame and completely spaced on it. I'll have to make it up somehow.
WARNING: Sudden shift in post topic ahead...
So, how often do you ask yourself what it is you want to do with your life? Do you see yourself doing what you're doing now in 2017? Wow, in 10 years it will be 2017. That seems so far away and yet it wasn't that long ago that it was 1997. Anyway, I don't see myself doing what I'm doing now in 2017, but I have NO idea what I'll be doing instead.
I'll be driving back and forth to work and I'll pass all the construction going on as they build the new highway and I'll think to myself that it would be cool to be a dump truck driver. Where that comes from I'm not sure. It may have to do with how much I loved playing in the sandbox as a kid, or perhaps its the non-corporateness (is that a word?) of it - the lack of office politics. Or maybe it's about being outside, although I might miss the interaction with others. If I became a dump truck driver I might need to buy a chimp to keep me company.
Or maybe you make a hobby into a career. Depending on the hobby this would be more difficult to do, especially if you have a standard of living you need to sustain. Or maybe instead of it being your career you do it part time. One needs to find their passion and run with it. I'm not sure what mine is and I don't want to wait until I'm 60 to figure it out.
"Very few people do anything creative after the age of 35. The reason is that very few people do anything creative before the age of 35." - Joel Hildebrand
"That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet." - Emily Dickinson
This is your one shot at life. Are you really doing what you want to do? Will you find yourself one day looking back and thinking "why didn't I follow my heart?"
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." - Sydney Harris
So I must sit down and think about what I really want to do, think about what is important.
Which reminds me - what do you call an insect from overseas? An import-ant. I know, that was so lame you'd find it easy to believe I just made that up.
On that note, see you later.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Pinching My Belly
How ya' liking this snow?! Here in Chaska we had almost 7 inches on Saturday and probably another 4 or so today. I like the snow but it sure made the commute home tonight a pain in the butt. My normal 20-minute drive took an hour and 45 minutes. Fun.
I kind of feel sorry for school kids, tho. The first big snowfall of the year comes on a Saturday - no school to be canceled. The second decent snowfall comes mid-morning, after they're already IN school. You know the roads will be fine tomorrow so most likely no canceled school with this one either. From what I hear the next snowfall is supposed to come on Thursday so we'll see how that pans out for them.
This morning we were visited by our "friends" Piss and Vinegar. Molson usually plays the role of "Piss" and Gracie assumes the identity of "Vinegar". Little hellions they were! Out romping around in the snow - refusing to come in so I could get to work.
They definitely like the snow - Molson will stick her snout into the snow and walk around like a plow while Gracie will roll around in the snow like a pig, that is until her paws get cold with the snow packed between her pads. At that point she'll stand there holding up a paw for 10 seconds and then switch to another paw - so pathetic. I don't know that she would survive in the wild - in fact I'm SURE she wouldn't.
The only thing that stinks about the snow is that it's too powdery and doesn't make good snowballs. I'll usually throw the snowballs into the air and the girls will try to catch them in their mouths. Gracie can typically catch a few of them but Molson just isn't that coordinated. She'll trip over her own tail - and then start chasing it. Gracie sees Molson chasing her tail and gets excited and starts humping Molson. Oh the fun!
Now, I've heard of many things to do to impress a girlfriend, but this wouldn't be one I'd suggest.
D'oh!!!
"Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh..." - Homer Simpson
I kind of feel sorry for school kids, tho. The first big snowfall of the year comes on a Saturday - no school to be canceled. The second decent snowfall comes mid-morning, after they're already IN school. You know the roads will be fine tomorrow so most likely no canceled school with this one either. From what I hear the next snowfall is supposed to come on Thursday so we'll see how that pans out for them.
This morning we were visited by our "friends" Piss and Vinegar. Molson usually plays the role of "Piss" and Gracie assumes the identity of "Vinegar". Little hellions they were! Out romping around in the snow - refusing to come in so I could get to work.
They definitely like the snow - Molson will stick her snout into the snow and walk around like a plow while Gracie will roll around in the snow like a pig, that is until her paws get cold with the snow packed between her pads. At that point she'll stand there holding up a paw for 10 seconds and then switch to another paw - so pathetic. I don't know that she would survive in the wild - in fact I'm SURE she wouldn't.
The only thing that stinks about the snow is that it's too powdery and doesn't make good snowballs. I'll usually throw the snowballs into the air and the girls will try to catch them in their mouths. Gracie can typically catch a few of them but Molson just isn't that coordinated. She'll trip over her own tail - and then start chasing it. Gracie sees Molson chasing her tail and gets excited and starts humping Molson. Oh the fun!
Now, I've heard of many things to do to impress a girlfriend, but this wouldn't be one I'd suggest.
D'oh!!!
"Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh..." - Homer Simpson
A Different Christmas Poem
I just got this in an email and thought I'd share. It's pretty good.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed ‘round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and he smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right.
I'm out here by choice, I'm here every night.
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
“My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,
That is a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.”
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
“I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
“Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you is you mattered to us."
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed ‘round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and he smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right.
I'm out here by choice, I'm here every night.
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
“My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,
That is a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.”
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
“I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
“Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you is you mattered to us."
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sweet McKenna
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
We went to McKenna Johnson's funeral on Saturday and this was one of the first songs we sang at the service, and even though I've sung this song countless times it never had the same meaning as it did Saturday. The last two lines of the second verse ("He will wash away my sin / Let His little child come in") had me so choked up I couldn't sing. It was such a moving start to an emotional morning.
Before I go any further I ask that you please visit McKenna's Caring Bridge site (here) and read the journal entry from Saturday morning. The post is what was read during the funeral. There are those few times where a family truly captures your heart, and the Johnson family is definitely one of them.
There was a large turnout for the funeral which made McKenna's brother and sister (Kalen and Jadyn) very happy. They were hoping a lot of people would attend to show their love for McKenna.
Pink was McKenna's favorite color and nearly everyone who attended the funeral was wearing at least some pink. There were bouquets of pink balloons in the church which were released into the snowy sky after they brought McKenna out of the church. It was a moving scene.
Julie and I have been in awe of McKenna and her family as we've followed the ups and downs of the last couple months. It is amazing the bravery and love she showed, even at those most difficult of times. What a beautiful little girl, dear sweet McKenna. Rest in peace.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for McKenna and her family. They truly appreciate it.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
We went to McKenna Johnson's funeral on Saturday and this was one of the first songs we sang at the service, and even though I've sung this song countless times it never had the same meaning as it did Saturday. The last two lines of the second verse ("He will wash away my sin / Let His little child come in") had me so choked up I couldn't sing. It was such a moving start to an emotional morning.
Before I go any further I ask that you please visit McKenna's Caring Bridge site (here) and read the journal entry from Saturday morning. The post is what was read during the funeral. There are those few times where a family truly captures your heart, and the Johnson family is definitely one of them.
There was a large turnout for the funeral which made McKenna's brother and sister (Kalen and Jadyn) very happy. They were hoping a lot of people would attend to show their love for McKenna.
Pink was McKenna's favorite color and nearly everyone who attended the funeral was wearing at least some pink. There were bouquets of pink balloons in the church which were released into the snowy sky after they brought McKenna out of the church. It was a moving scene.
Julie and I have been in awe of McKenna and her family as we've followed the ups and downs of the last couple months. It is amazing the bravery and love she showed, even at those most difficult of times. What a beautiful little girl, dear sweet McKenna. Rest in peace.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for McKenna and her family. They truly appreciate it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
