It hasn't been the 'funnest' thing I have ever done in my life, but I am feeling the benefit of just how having therapy makes things better...the physical type of therapy that is.
The PT group associated with the local bone doctors do a really good job in my opinion. This being the first time to have this level of physical therapy; I must tell you the treatments have been administered in the most professional manner while keeping a casual and friendly atmosphere.
A lot of you may not know about the injury to my shoulder. Back in the middle of May this year, I was pushing on a big old piece of equipment at work and felt something give in my upper chest / shoulder area. Right away I knew that this was not gonna be good.
Just for your information...screaming like a little girl...doesn't make it quit hurting any sooner.
The pain pretty much stayed with me over the weekend and early into the next week until I got to see the local shoulder doctor.
Tests would conclude that I had partial tears in both my rotator cuff and the bicep tendon along with an agitating little bone spur that digs into to stuff that doesn't like being dug into.
Note to all who care...unless you have ever experienced the 'joy' of a shoulder injury, you just don't realize how much you use your arm and shoulder in simple things like opening doors, turning steering wheels, putting your vehicle in gear, and even brushing your teeth. These simple motions will remind you quickly of better days.
So far, there is no surgery scheduled...possibly within the next six weeks we might look at removing the bone spur....but for now it's physical therapy for me and my shoulder.
Spending at least an hour with these folks every other day and listening to them as they go through their tasks while tending to the 'patients', I couldn't help but pick up on some things that I want to share with you.
Top dog in here is Mr. Jim...or Dr. Jim as the tongue depressor reads while you are lying on your back getting stretched out by Jim. Someone drew a little face on the stick and stuck it up along the ceiling tile for you to look at.
Mr. Jim runs the ship....or maybe it's Pauline and Margaret who work the front desk that 'let' Jim run the ship...will check on that and get back to you. Pauline and Margaret will always greet you with a smile as you sign in for your therapy sessions.
P.J. does a great job with chasing down the insurance necessary for those of us with claims. She basically works behind the scene somewhere beyond the single door that leads away from the command cubicle.
Before any therapy is performed on anyone, Mr. Jim will check you over and decide what he thinks is best for your situation and in line with the doctor's orders. This information is then passed on to the able bodied crew of therapists. On a really busy day, I sit in amazement as to how everyone is moving from station to station without knocking someone over...
Although there is more activity on some days than there are other days, the whole operation is pretty much like clockwork. There are plenty of heat packs and ice packs to keep track of during the course of a day. Not to mention the nifty little voltage producing gizmo and the ultra sound treatment thingy the crew uses to manipulate that specific part of your body needing attention.
Speaking of the crew... now I know someone will possibly get their feelings hurt simply because I didn't list them first, got something wrong like the spelling of their name....so here is my disclaimer.
Sorry for your luck...get your own blog.
I am doing this mostly by memory from information I managed to pick up just sitting and listening.
I will start with Katie since she took the initiative to write the names down for me. Katie hopes to one day work in either the college or professional ranks as a physical therapist. I hope she makes it. In talking with her it sounds like she has a good start.
Kristen will soon be leaving the crew and heading to A&M, College Station..... Aggieland. I understand she really wants to go to A&M...and she would like to stay and keep this job also....
My money is on her ending up in Aggieland...
We have at least one military veteran in the mix. Will has served 2 tours in the middle east. Thank you Will for your service to our country and good luck on your summer classes.
Oh yeah, Will is also a University of Texas fan who keeps the rivalries stirred up every chance he gets...."Hook 'Em Horns"
Jessica will be leaving soon heading to Baton Rouge. Talk about rivalry. She claims to like the University of Texas but her fiance is from LSU. Other than politics, college loyalty is the only other factor that can keep the fires of rivalry burning.
The recent college world series was a mixed bag around the therapy room. LSU... National Champs in baseball and football... imagine that.
Ana is always in the background. Kinda quiet but most efficient. Always with a smile...makes me wonder if she is up to something.....you know what they say about the quiet ones.
I believe she told me she is taking classes for radiology and she was the one that first pointed out how the ultrasound treatment will disrupt the radio playing in the corner. The secret is out now Ana....
Amy, Alisa, and Doug come in around the time I am finishing with my round of exercises. Sorry to say I don't have much scoop on them other than...
Alisa says that most folks will call her Alice and she also hopes to work with athletic departments like Katie. Amy reminds me of my niece from Houston who I haven't seen in a few years...and Doug is pretty much safe since I haven't been able to gather much on him...yet.
Janine is one of the other quiet leaders of the group...seems to always be busy with her regulars....but does speak and asks how my day is. Janine is one of the two more experienced therapists who keeps a watchful eye on the younger crew members and will help out when and wherever needed. I hope I got your named spelled correctly...if not, I am gonna blame it on someone else....
The last but certainly not the least member of the crew is Ms. Pat.
Pat always has a word for you...or a name. I have managed to miss a nickname from her so far, but my luck may run out after she sees this. The big thing about Pat is her technique of greeting you.
She "young manned" me just the other day.
A few years ago, I started using the greeting on my older more mature co-workers. Realizing that most of the men I worked with had more experience in our line of work and I hoped to glean as much knowledge as possible from them as I could, so I tried to keep the daily grind of our jobs...light and humorous. I would greet them with:
'Hey young man, how you doing today?'
Well she 'young manned' me just last week.
At the time, all I could do was laugh about it. Pat had got me....and she is passing it along to her co-workers also. I hear that very phrase all over the exercise room when any older and more mature patient arrives.
Just today, I heard Pat give out a 'Hey young lady...' I reckon that just proves the crew treats all their patients the same....yep...I reckon so.
Hey, It Is What It Is.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
The One That Didn't Get Away
Most every bass angler I have the opportunity to meet has a story about the one that got away.
Fact is one of my favorite websites I frequent shares the stories of professional bass anglers and a single fish that got away.
Some of which were the difference in winning or losing the tournament and achieving a personal goal in their careers.
My personal best catch to date was not of the elusive green finned species.
The 'keeper' I hold nearest and dearest to my heart is my wife....and today is her birthday.
Happy Birthday Cindy!
Cindy doesn't like for me to spend money on a card. She would rather me keep it personal and just write her something special, leave it near the coffee maker for her to read as she waits for her first cup to brew.
She will stand at the kitchen window, scan the morning sky, check her flowers she has planted in the window box, and have her few minutes of quiet time before her day really kicks off.
Cindy has a day job that runs more than just 8 hours. She is my Domestic Engineer.
We have a 14 year old son. That in itself is a job for a couple of folks and a subject for another article...and I will leave it at that.
People would ask how did I convince her to marry me.
I tell them simply, she thought I had money.... and could two-step to country music.
Actually I could dance more than I had money.
To be truthful, she had the opportunity to check me out before we ever met. Her brother talked me into playing softball with a group of guys and at the first game, she was in the stands taking notes on the 'new' guy.
I can blame the whole situation on her now. She saw what she was getting into and stayed around so I could get her phone number... so basically, it's all her fault.
Truth be known... I sure am glad she stuck around for me to talk to. That first time we talked, I got hooked on her.
Back to the issue of me buying her cards for special occasions. It was revealed to me earlier this year when I gave her a card for our anniversary.
Again, the card was left near the coffee maker and off to work I go.
Returning home, I discovered that Cindy keeps all the cards she is given.
Laying on the kitchen counter were 3...count 'em THREE identical cards I have given her for our anniversary...and yeah, these were from the two previous years.
We celebrated 28 years of wedded bliss earlier this year. I truly believe that the Good Lord sent her into my life for a reason. Thank you God for bringing this woman into my life. You knew all along I would need someone like Cindy to keep me grounded in the ways of life.
I need a sign to hang in our house that reads something like this:
"A man lives here with the Best Catch of his life"
I Love You Cindy and have a great day today.
Happy Birthday!!
Fact is one of my favorite websites I frequent shares the stories of professional bass anglers and a single fish that got away.
Some of which were the difference in winning or losing the tournament and achieving a personal goal in their careers.
My personal best catch to date was not of the elusive green finned species.
The 'keeper' I hold nearest and dearest to my heart is my wife....and today is her birthday.
Happy Birthday Cindy!
Cindy doesn't like for me to spend money on a card. She would rather me keep it personal and just write her something special, leave it near the coffee maker for her to read as she waits for her first cup to brew.
She will stand at the kitchen window, scan the morning sky, check her flowers she has planted in the window box, and have her few minutes of quiet time before her day really kicks off.
Cindy has a day job that runs more than just 8 hours. She is my Domestic Engineer.
We have a 14 year old son. That in itself is a job for a couple of folks and a subject for another article...and I will leave it at that.
People would ask how did I convince her to marry me.
I tell them simply, she thought I had money.... and could two-step to country music.
Actually I could dance more than I had money.
To be truthful, she had the opportunity to check me out before we ever met. Her brother talked me into playing softball with a group of guys and at the first game, she was in the stands taking notes on the 'new' guy.
I can blame the whole situation on her now. She saw what she was getting into and stayed around so I could get her phone number... so basically, it's all her fault.
Truth be known... I sure am glad she stuck around for me to talk to. That first time we talked, I got hooked on her.
Back to the issue of me buying her cards for special occasions. It was revealed to me earlier this year when I gave her a card for our anniversary.
Again, the card was left near the coffee maker and off to work I go.
Returning home, I discovered that Cindy keeps all the cards she is given.
Laying on the kitchen counter were 3...count 'em THREE identical cards I have given her for our anniversary...and yeah, these were from the two previous years.
We celebrated 28 years of wedded bliss earlier this year. I truly believe that the Good Lord sent her into my life for a reason. Thank you God for bringing this woman into my life. You knew all along I would need someone like Cindy to keep me grounded in the ways of life.
I need a sign to hang in our house that reads something like this:
"A man lives here with the Best Catch of his life"
I Love You Cindy and have a great day today.
Happy Birthday!!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Funny thing happened....
A funny thing happened this weekend while cleaning out our garage.
Well, it's not a lot of cleaning, more like rearranging stuff....and we got some stuff. Seems like with every re-decorating of a room, the 'extra' winds up in my garage.
My garage runneth over and then someth.
I used to keep my boat in the garage. It became a real handy shelf to set things that didn't have a place in the house or was on its journey from one of our vehicles to inside the house....never quite making it.
Every time I wanted to take the boat out, it would require about 30-45 minutes of removing all the 'non-boating' items just to hook up and pull it out of the garage. I soon tired of this and bought a cover for the boat and now it sits along the drive way and basically is ready to roll within minutes of decision.
My biggest challenge is keeping the neighbors cat out of the boat. Even with the cover, there is enough room for the cat to squeeze between the outboard motor and the custom opening of the cover.
As for you cat lovers reading this, no calls to the authorities please.
This love-hate relationship has been going on for a while. I don't mind cats and cats don't mind me. This one is one of them long haired creatures and leaves enough hair to keep the battle between us raging.
OK, back to the garage. I had about half of my double driveway filled with some of the stuff from the garage. A few boxes were destined for charity while others were being looked at and gleaned of valuables.
Taking a short break, I spotted a car pulling up along the street and the couple along with their little toddler were soon making their way up the driveway.
Now mind you, there was no organization to the way I had our 'stuff' set in the driveway, but was enticing enough for these folks to think it was a garage sale.
I am not sure who was more surprised, me or them. Little did I know that my immediate neighbor was having an impromptu garage sale next door, but I couldn't see the activity due to the big old honking hedge on his property line.
The couple quickly apologized and aimed for the neighbors sale.
Could of been worse I suppose. I remember one garage sale we held years ago before moving into our present home and we were posed with a different situation. There was one lady that asked to use our bathroom.
Said she really wanted to continue 'shopping' but needed to use the facilities.
Hey lady, this ain't Wal-Mart and we don't have public restrooms either.
Sorry for your luck and thanks for stopping by.
Well, it's not a lot of cleaning, more like rearranging stuff....and we got some stuff. Seems like with every re-decorating of a room, the 'extra' winds up in my garage.
My garage runneth over and then someth.
I used to keep my boat in the garage. It became a real handy shelf to set things that didn't have a place in the house or was on its journey from one of our vehicles to inside the house....never quite making it.
Every time I wanted to take the boat out, it would require about 30-45 minutes of removing all the 'non-boating' items just to hook up and pull it out of the garage. I soon tired of this and bought a cover for the boat and now it sits along the drive way and basically is ready to roll within minutes of decision.
My biggest challenge is keeping the neighbors cat out of the boat. Even with the cover, there is enough room for the cat to squeeze between the outboard motor and the custom opening of the cover.
As for you cat lovers reading this, no calls to the authorities please.
This love-hate relationship has been going on for a while. I don't mind cats and cats don't mind me. This one is one of them long haired creatures and leaves enough hair to keep the battle between us raging.
OK, back to the garage. I had about half of my double driveway filled with some of the stuff from the garage. A few boxes were destined for charity while others were being looked at and gleaned of valuables.
Taking a short break, I spotted a car pulling up along the street and the couple along with their little toddler were soon making their way up the driveway.
Now mind you, there was no organization to the way I had our 'stuff' set in the driveway, but was enticing enough for these folks to think it was a garage sale.
I am not sure who was more surprised, me or them. Little did I know that my immediate neighbor was having an impromptu garage sale next door, but I couldn't see the activity due to the big old honking hedge on his property line.
The couple quickly apologized and aimed for the neighbors sale.
Could of been worse I suppose. I remember one garage sale we held years ago before moving into our present home and we were posed with a different situation. There was one lady that asked to use our bathroom.
Said she really wanted to continue 'shopping' but needed to use the facilities.
Hey lady, this ain't Wal-Mart and we don't have public restrooms either.
Sorry for your luck and thanks for stopping by.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Which one are You?
Listener or Talker.
Which are you? A listener or a talker? Do people seek you out to share their problems with or are you the one that is constantly in need of an ear?
I suppose that we all are a little of both. Everyone needs to vent from time to time and we should be kind enough to lend an ear when needed. That's only fair, don't you think?
Who do you vent to? Your spouse? A co-worker? Close friend or acquaintance. Does it depend on the subject as to whom you want to talk to? Yeah, now we're getting there.
It really depends on who can relate to your situation doesn't it? You sometimes want some feedback or maybe a little guidance and you will bend the ear of that person you feel can assist you in the journey.
But if you are looking for someone to just let it all out on and hear your head rattle, you know who to go to, right? Yeah, I thought so.
We all have those type of people in life. Being parents, we hope that our children will come to us with their troubles, unless of course being the parent IS the problem.
We all have those type of people in life. Being parents, we hope that our children will come to us with their troubles, unless of course being the parent IS the problem.
No matter the situation, I have tried to teach my children that any situation can be worked through if you ask. There will always be someone to ask for help. Be it situations at school with friends, classmates, or the neighborhood bully.
I had a revelation once when my son asked me about something and was wondering how he was going to get through it. My reply was something like, well you know, I don't remember ever being faced with this particular situation as a boy, and that he was the learning curve since I had not raised a son through those waters either.
Basically what I learned that day, it's okay to tell your kids that you don't know but will stand with them all the way through it....and the answer was good enough for him.
I also believe that it's okay for your children to see how you handle life's struggles, so that maybe if and when they face their own down the road, they just might remember how mom or dad handled themselves.
I also believe that it's okay for your children to see how you handle life's struggles, so that maybe if and when they face their own down the road, they just might remember how mom or dad handled themselves.
Todays world offers a wide variety of challenges. There are new hurdles for us every single day. Many of which are being faced by our friends, neighbors, and family members.
Like being unemployed. Without work. Un-busy at making money.
Our corporate office made the decision to 'exit' the business of the product our small production unit produces.
Fancy arrangement of words to say we are shutting you down.
The shock from the initial annoucement has now worn off, the dust is settling and the final sunset will occur sometime in the next several months.
Questions abound all around and the usual people that hear our queries, now have their own set of questions. Lots of asking, not a lot of answers.
We are expected to continue with our day to day activities here at the job site like the announcement was nothing more than the usual monthly production schedule notice.
As my daughter was preparing for life outside of our home, I kept after her to learn a skill that would support her and not be dependent on another individual. She has made her mother and I so very proud and is currently living comfortably on her own.
Way to go Laci.
Now I face the same challenge with my son who will be a freshman in high school this coming fall. Decisions will need to be made to chart his course in life. Medical field, construction, civil work, or information technology; it's going to be his choice.
I know that things will work out for me, my family, and our immediate future. The Good Lord brought me to this point by allowing me to get started in this direction some 34 years ago.
The main thing is this...I need to quit talking and start listening to Him for the guidance I know He will give me. He knows my needs even before I speak them...
I need to increase my quiet time to hear Him speak.
I must become a listener.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
How many angels does it take?
Timing is everything. Have you ever heard that statement?
If you follow sports of any type, you more than likely have heard that exact statement. The games play-by-play announcers will qualify a running play in a football game as to how the running back 'hit the hole' a second before it collapsed and broke into the secondary gaining enough yardage for a much needed first down.
It's all about timing.
In baseball, bat speed is crucial. Having a small spinning orb hurled toward you that can be moving erratically itself along its path to the catchers mitt. The batter must have good bat speed to execute exact timing in order to make contact putting the ball into play.
Perfect timing...bat hitting the ball.
What about the inconvenient fender bender you happened upon while heading to the mall last weekend. Looks like the one car had run the red light and clipped the rear bumper of the car in the crossing traffic. Just how close was that?
Was timing involved here?
Suppose the driver of the car that had their bumper clipped had dropped their car keys twice while leaving the house or maybe a last minute phone call to delay them. Would that have been enough time to possibly miss the incident entirely?
Come with me into the realm of the spiritual world. Guardian angels to be exact.
Now whether you believe in this style of thinking or not, open your mind just a little and imagine it with me.
I like to believe that we all have at least one guardian angel assigned to each of us and will call for help from the other angels sitting on the bench should the need for spiritual-backup arise.
You have to admit, there are some of us that need more help than others...just look around and think about the folks driving the open road with you. Yeah, you know the ones I'm talking about...the same ones that can't walk and chew gum very well.
There may be the occasion where you never see the results of the actions from our guardian angels, which supports the fact that those type of people go thru life oblivious to the world around them. We could call them 'clueless' or 'information challenged'.
Being 'clueless' is not entirely bad. It becomes a way of life for them and supports the short quotation: "Don't know why they call it common sense, when a lot of folks don't got it".
You've seen these people before. Something happens that is really out of the norm, and the only reaction you get from them is maybe a head shake with a grunt.
The ones that scare me are the ones with the patented 'blank-stare' after a near critical encounter. You can see it in their eyes, the lights are on but nobody's home.
Just this week while traveling to one of my physical therapy appointments, I left work with plenty of time to navigate the mid-day traffic, I encountered one of the events I mentioned above.
The drive is mostly highway traffic and not at all congested. My mind is on the therapy session treating my shoulder and a dental appointment after that.
During the first couple of miles on the highway, I noticed the sound of wind blowing past the doors and windows. For some odd reason, the wind noise seemed a bit more 'pronounced' during this portion of the drive.
I did a quick check of the windows, making sure all were rolled up so not to lose any air conditioning on this HOT afternoon.
So to assist in covering the sound, I turned up the volume of the radio and before long I forgot about the wind noise. It's right about now I realize that I am doing just like my daughter used to do...changing the radio stations.
Cannot stand commercials. Want to hear music and since my CD player quit on me a couple of years ago, I am at the mercy of the local mid afternoon DJ for any type of musical entertainment.
Don't forget to take the EXIT ahead...thinking to myself...you wouldn't want to miss and have to double back. Got to stay in this lane.....
Thoughts while driving cover everything going on in your life. EVERYTHING!
Summer vacation for the kids, situations at work, the family, wanting to be at the lake complaining about it being too hot to fish, the monthly electrical utility bill due to the summer heat, and the next school year being the freshman year for our son in high school....
Don't like that song, changing the station...
It's almost automatic, taking the EXIT and easing along the service road that leads to the underpass where I will take the U-turn and avoid the traffic light and the intersection.
There are no other cars ahead of me in the lane leading into the U-turn...
Along the elevated portion of the freeway, the highway department has planted shrubs to soften the point where the concrete and grass come together.
Something catches my attention in the traffic that is stopped at the intersection and I take my eyes away from the left turn into the U-turn...
As I negotiate the turn, I immediately spot a set of denim clad legs thru the long thin blades of the pampas grass shrub moving across the same feeder road my truck is occupying...what the...
My reflex was automatic, hitting the brakes and swerving to the right...
The anti-lock brakes perform their designed tasks and I can feel and hear the tires digging into the pavement with the familiar chirp-chirp-chirp...
When I came to a stop....the individual was standing even with the driver side door just looking at me thru the window....with 'the look'. A look that just kind of asked where the heck did you come from...?
It looked like he had grunted and shook his head at me all the while wondering why I was in his way not wanting him to cross the road...
I was dumbfounded. Had I not swerved to miss him, the distance from the front of my truck to the drivers door was how far he might have been up rolled up in a heap under my truck or possibly thrown into the large concrete pylons supporting the freeway overpass.
After about a full 5 second eye to eye encounter, the man turned and walked to the rear of my pick-up and proceeded in his direction of choice...across the feeder road and towards the intersection.
You reckon there were any guardian angels involved with this chance meeting? I for one do truly believe in guardian angels with this story as my testament.
Was the sound of wind rushing by my windows actually the sound from the wings of my angels either speeding me up or trying to slow me down? Possibly.
Can you picture a wall of angels standing shoulder to shoulder across the U-turn feeder lane laying down a wall of protection for this man whose life would have been changed?
If it weren't for the guardian angels that afternoon, both of our lives would have been changed dramatically.
Talk about Devine Intervention or Perfect Timing....
I gave a short prayer of thanks for the good ending to what could have been a really bad situation. I experienced a rush of emotions within the next several minutes.
So the next time you drop your keys repeatedly while trying to start your car, or you have to make an extra trip back inside because you forgot the receipt for the gift you're returning, or the phone call while just leaving for the store....it could be your guardian angel doing their job.
Think about this the next time your alarm clock doesn't get you up and you run late for work...just think about your guardian angel and what you may have missed.
Using a closing quote from one of the afternoon DJ's... "Don't drive so fast that your guardian angel can't keep up...."
If you follow sports of any type, you more than likely have heard that exact statement. The games play-by-play announcers will qualify a running play in a football game as to how the running back 'hit the hole' a second before it collapsed and broke into the secondary gaining enough yardage for a much needed first down.
It's all about timing.
In baseball, bat speed is crucial. Having a small spinning orb hurled toward you that can be moving erratically itself along its path to the catchers mitt. The batter must have good bat speed to execute exact timing in order to make contact putting the ball into play.
Perfect timing...bat hitting the ball.
What about the inconvenient fender bender you happened upon while heading to the mall last weekend. Looks like the one car had run the red light and clipped the rear bumper of the car in the crossing traffic. Just how close was that?
Was timing involved here?
Suppose the driver of the car that had their bumper clipped had dropped their car keys twice while leaving the house or maybe a last minute phone call to delay them. Would that have been enough time to possibly miss the incident entirely?
Come with me into the realm of the spiritual world. Guardian angels to be exact.
Now whether you believe in this style of thinking or not, open your mind just a little and imagine it with me.
I like to believe that we all have at least one guardian angel assigned to each of us and will call for help from the other angels sitting on the bench should the need for spiritual-backup arise.
You have to admit, there are some of us that need more help than others...just look around and think about the folks driving the open road with you. Yeah, you know the ones I'm talking about...the same ones that can't walk and chew gum very well.
There may be the occasion where you never see the results of the actions from our guardian angels, which supports the fact that those type of people go thru life oblivious to the world around them. We could call them 'clueless' or 'information challenged'.
Being 'clueless' is not entirely bad. It becomes a way of life for them and supports the short quotation: "Don't know why they call it common sense, when a lot of folks don't got it".
You've seen these people before. Something happens that is really out of the norm, and the only reaction you get from them is maybe a head shake with a grunt.
The ones that scare me are the ones with the patented 'blank-stare' after a near critical encounter. You can see it in their eyes, the lights are on but nobody's home.
Just this week while traveling to one of my physical therapy appointments, I left work with plenty of time to navigate the mid-day traffic, I encountered one of the events I mentioned above.
The drive is mostly highway traffic and not at all congested. My mind is on the therapy session treating my shoulder and a dental appointment after that.
During the first couple of miles on the highway, I noticed the sound of wind blowing past the doors and windows. For some odd reason, the wind noise seemed a bit more 'pronounced' during this portion of the drive.
I did a quick check of the windows, making sure all were rolled up so not to lose any air conditioning on this HOT afternoon.
So to assist in covering the sound, I turned up the volume of the radio and before long I forgot about the wind noise. It's right about now I realize that I am doing just like my daughter used to do...changing the radio stations.
Cannot stand commercials. Want to hear music and since my CD player quit on me a couple of years ago, I am at the mercy of the local mid afternoon DJ for any type of musical entertainment.
Don't forget to take the EXIT ahead...thinking to myself...you wouldn't want to miss and have to double back. Got to stay in this lane.....
Thoughts while driving cover everything going on in your life. EVERYTHING!
Summer vacation for the kids, situations at work, the family, wanting to be at the lake complaining about it being too hot to fish, the monthly electrical utility bill due to the summer heat, and the next school year being the freshman year for our son in high school....
Don't like that song, changing the station...
It's almost automatic, taking the EXIT and easing along the service road that leads to the underpass where I will take the U-turn and avoid the traffic light and the intersection.
There are no other cars ahead of me in the lane leading into the U-turn...
Along the elevated portion of the freeway, the highway department has planted shrubs to soften the point where the concrete and grass come together.
Something catches my attention in the traffic that is stopped at the intersection and I take my eyes away from the left turn into the U-turn...
As I negotiate the turn, I immediately spot a set of denim clad legs thru the long thin blades of the pampas grass shrub moving across the same feeder road my truck is occupying...what the...
My reflex was automatic, hitting the brakes and swerving to the right...
The anti-lock brakes perform their designed tasks and I can feel and hear the tires digging into the pavement with the familiar chirp-chirp-chirp...
When I came to a stop....the individual was standing even with the driver side door just looking at me thru the window....with 'the look'. A look that just kind of asked where the heck did you come from...?
It looked like he had grunted and shook his head at me all the while wondering why I was in his way not wanting him to cross the road...
I was dumbfounded. Had I not swerved to miss him, the distance from the front of my truck to the drivers door was how far he might have been up rolled up in a heap under my truck or possibly thrown into the large concrete pylons supporting the freeway overpass.
After about a full 5 second eye to eye encounter, the man turned and walked to the rear of my pick-up and proceeded in his direction of choice...across the feeder road and towards the intersection.
You reckon there were any guardian angels involved with this chance meeting? I for one do truly believe in guardian angels with this story as my testament.
Was the sound of wind rushing by my windows actually the sound from the wings of my angels either speeding me up or trying to slow me down? Possibly.
Can you picture a wall of angels standing shoulder to shoulder across the U-turn feeder lane laying down a wall of protection for this man whose life would have been changed?
If it weren't for the guardian angels that afternoon, both of our lives would have been changed dramatically.
Talk about Devine Intervention or Perfect Timing....
I gave a short prayer of thanks for the good ending to what could have been a really bad situation. I experienced a rush of emotions within the next several minutes.
So the next time you drop your keys repeatedly while trying to start your car, or you have to make an extra trip back inside because you forgot the receipt for the gift you're returning, or the phone call while just leaving for the store....it could be your guardian angel doing their job.
Think about this the next time your alarm clock doesn't get you up and you run late for work...just think about your guardian angel and what you may have missed.
Using a closing quote from one of the afternoon DJ's... "Don't drive so fast that your guardian angel can't keep up...."
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Jacob Colin Chambers
Wanting a family is sometimes more than just deciding to start a family. Some couples are destined to struggle with the journey.
My wife and I would be lifetime members of that select group. For what ever the reason, God taught us patience through the ordeal...
I remember it like it was just this morning.
A Sunday morning as I sat looking for a specific verse in my bible. It was the time before morning worship service and I was searching for that 'something special' that morning. Little did I know what was in store for me.
My hands found the verse that would lead me to an answer.
John 14:14 was a pure and simple promise. I read it again...
And then I bowed my head and asked God for a second child and I asked Him for this child in His name.
The sense of assurance was overwhelming. I told the wife when I returned home of what I had received. Her words..."Wow, it must have been a really good sermon."
I replied, "You just wait until next month, the test will be positive!"
What a birthday it would be the coming year. Cindy warned me that if our son was born on my birthday, I basically would be 'forever' taking a back seat to all of the celebrations, and I was cool with that...totally okay with it.
The first year was filled with unknowns. But our faith was steadfast in the fact that Jacob was an answer to a prayer. Within a week after the year long anticipation of surgery, the situation went in a direction we did not expect.
After almost six weeks of time in the hospital, God called Jacob home.
Why us Lord? Why us...?
And He answered,
"Who would you pick to take your place?"
The anguish we felt left us all alone or so we thought until that one night when I dreamed of Him cradling me as I had held my own children...
OR maybe it wasn't a dream after all. Who am I to say what God will do when a child needs comfort. Who better than the parent to console ?
We came to learn that the passing of time really does heal.
This very year of 2009 marks a milestone in our human existence. Jacob would have turned 21 but still in our hearts and minds, he will always be our 'Tonkers'...
Jacob Colin Chambers
'Tonkers'
2/1/88 - 4/12/89
You came to us simply, as an answer to a prayer,
Presented as a blessing, an example of God’s care.
To fill a space in time, we all know as life,
A joy, a thrill, a shining ray of light.
Little did we know the short time we would share,
I can still see you with your perfect head of hair.
The smiles and the tears would show us how much,
A blessing from Heaven, oh you were just such.
Your day of birth was a celebration of sorts,
Life with a beginning, big plans for all kinds of sports.
We had the chance to share the same birthday that year,
I thought..hey why not, let’s do it. It had a nice ring to the ear.
Troubles arose and our feelings exposed,
Fears and doubts were present, normal reactions I suppose.
Would not cast the problems on anyone we knew,
Not really sure why, but we questioned God too.
A blessing from Heaven, a gift from above,
You came and you left, like the flight of a dove.
You touched our lives in many different ways,
And your memory will live with us throughout all our days.
Your name, it was chosen, we knew it from the start,
We would call you Jacob Colin, but ‘Tonkers’ in our heart.
Now you stay busy by playing at God’s feet,
While making friends with the angels, oh that sure sounds neat.
Our time here on earth is numbered for sure,
Which may be up today, tomorrow, or late November.
There's one thing I know, and it’s a sure thing,
We’ll be together again when God calls, and it’s my ring.
Jake Chambers
May - 2001
My wife and I would be lifetime members of that select group. For what ever the reason, God taught us patience through the ordeal...
I remember it like it was just this morning.
A Sunday morning as I sat looking for a specific verse in my bible. It was the time before morning worship service and I was searching for that 'something special' that morning. Little did I know what was in store for me.
My hands found the verse that would lead me to an answer.
John 14:14 was a pure and simple promise. I read it again...
And then I bowed my head and asked God for a second child and I asked Him for this child in His name.
The sense of assurance was overwhelming. I told the wife when I returned home of what I had received. Her words..."Wow, it must have been a really good sermon."
I replied, "You just wait until next month, the test will be positive!"
What a birthday it would be the coming year. Cindy warned me that if our son was born on my birthday, I basically would be 'forever' taking a back seat to all of the celebrations, and I was cool with that...totally okay with it.
The first year was filled with unknowns. But our faith was steadfast in the fact that Jacob was an answer to a prayer. Within a week after the year long anticipation of surgery, the situation went in a direction we did not expect.
After almost six weeks of time in the hospital, God called Jacob home.
Why us Lord? Why us...?
And He answered,
"Who would you pick to take your place?"
The anguish we felt left us all alone or so we thought until that one night when I dreamed of Him cradling me as I had held my own children...
OR maybe it wasn't a dream after all. Who am I to say what God will do when a child needs comfort. Who better than the parent to console ?
We came to learn that the passing of time really does heal.
This very year of 2009 marks a milestone in our human existence. Jacob would have turned 21 but still in our hearts and minds, he will always be our 'Tonkers'...
Jacob Colin Chambers
'Tonkers'
2/1/88 - 4/12/89
You came to us simply, as an answer to a prayer,
Presented as a blessing, an example of God’s care.
To fill a space in time, we all know as life,
A joy, a thrill, a shining ray of light.
Little did we know the short time we would share,
I can still see you with your perfect head of hair.
The smiles and the tears would show us how much,
A blessing from Heaven, oh you were just such.
Your day of birth was a celebration of sorts,
Life with a beginning, big plans for all kinds of sports.
We had the chance to share the same birthday that year,
I thought..hey why not, let’s do it. It had a nice ring to the ear.
Troubles arose and our feelings exposed,
Fears and doubts were present, normal reactions I suppose.
Would not cast the problems on anyone we knew,
Not really sure why, but we questioned God too.
A blessing from Heaven, a gift from above,
You came and you left, like the flight of a dove.
You touched our lives in many different ways,
And your memory will live with us throughout all our days.
Your name, it was chosen, we knew it from the start,
We would call you Jacob Colin, but ‘Tonkers’ in our heart.
Now you stay busy by playing at God’s feet,
While making friends with the angels, oh that sure sounds neat.
Our time here on earth is numbered for sure,
Which may be up today, tomorrow, or late November.
There's one thing I know, and it’s a sure thing,
We’ll be together again when God calls, and it’s my ring.
Jake Chambers
May - 2001
Friday, June 19, 2009
My First Father's Day
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to those of you that will get the usual Father's Day card along with the opportunity to fire up the grill and cook your own Father's Day meal.
To those fathers that will get the phone call from your children that live across the country and are not able to physically share the day with you, Happy Father's Day.
To those serving our country by being 'in-country' overseas and standing in the gap, defending our many freedoms we enjoy each and every day. Happy Father's Day.
Whether this is your first Father's Day or one of many to come, Happy Father's Day.
This just happens to be my 26th Father's Day.
If you are a stickler for details, you will argue the count by the end of the story...and that's what the comment section is all about. Please feel free to participate.
Twenty-six years ago, on Father's Day, my wife went into labor. Although it was late afternoon while we were visiting her dad, the pains began.
Suffice it to say, somewhere around midnight, we found ourselves at the hospital only to be turned away with instructions to see her doctor the next morning.
The doctor's visit was quick and to the point. Leave right now and go straight to the hospital. Do not pass go, just go straight to the hospital. NOW!
The day would bring us our first child. Our first born.
At the onset of 'our' pregnancy, we optioned for the day of delivery to discover what sex our child was...a boy or a girl.
For you scientists, doctors, engineers, and sticklers for details, that would be male or female.
Kind of like Christmas morning, you wanted to know what you were getting but just having to wait for it made it worthwhile.
We did the la maze classes in preparation of the birth. Got to go on a tour of the hospital maternity ward and delivery rooms as we neared the end of the class. This part was really boring to me, since I was working as an electrician on the expansion project at this very hospital.
The project was adding a whole new wing that included new labor and delivery rooms with an updated neo-natal nursery. The entire floor was dedicated to the delivery and care of our future citizens.
I remember seeing my co-workers from the labor room window. They were measuring off wire for one our major wire pulls for the project. Boy it sure looks hot down there and here I am in the air conditioning hanging around waiting on this special delivery......oh, sorry about that.
Getting back to the birth of our first child. The la maze class would end up being a bust for me. I was sent to the waiting room because fathers were not allowed in the delivery room during surgical procedures.
As I sat there with all my in-laws...waiting for the moment to arrive, the fact that I was about to become a parent got all over me. I was about to be a father. Was I ready? We were no longer going to be a couple.
We are family....(there's a song in there somewhere don't you think?)
....we are fam-ah-lee...i got all my sisters with meee.......
The arrival of my daughter made me a dad.
Our first born was a healthy and beautiful baby girl. All 9 pounds 8 ounces of her. I truly believe the Good Lord had a hand in the size of her because it made it easier for me to hang on to her. Like most first time dads, I didn't have a lot of experience with holding babies.
My wife and I had already picked out the names for our first child. We were ready for either one.
Our baby girl was here and we would name her Laci Renee.
Even though her birthday was the day after Father's Day that year, I still count it as my first Father's Day.
June 20, 1983. My daughters birthday.
'MY' first Father's Day!
Fastforward to June 2009.
This Father's Day I get to celebrate it as a grandfather as well. Being a grandfather is still basically new but I figure it will work itself out.
Grandma still gets top billing around the house...except for this coming Sunday, when it's Grandpa's turn to be 'top dawg'.
Well hopefully this 'top dawg' will get to sit around with family, both of my kids, and the granddaughter. Probably even fire up the grill and cook our Father's Day meal. Enjoy the day in all its glory...and then some.
Here's to all the fathers out there.
May God Bless you as only He can for being the father He wants you to be.
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to those of you that will get the usual Father's Day card along with the opportunity to fire up the grill and cook your own Father's Day meal.
To those fathers that will get the phone call from your children that live across the country and are not able to physically share the day with you, Happy Father's Day.
To those serving our country by being 'in-country' overseas and standing in the gap, defending our many freedoms we enjoy each and every day. Happy Father's Day.
Whether this is your first Father's Day or one of many to come, Happy Father's Day.
This just happens to be my 26th Father's Day.
If you are a stickler for details, you will argue the count by the end of the story...and that's what the comment section is all about. Please feel free to participate.
Twenty-six years ago, on Father's Day, my wife went into labor. Although it was late afternoon while we were visiting her dad, the pains began.
Suffice it to say, somewhere around midnight, we found ourselves at the hospital only to be turned away with instructions to see her doctor the next morning.
The doctor's visit was quick and to the point. Leave right now and go straight to the hospital. Do not pass go, just go straight to the hospital. NOW!
The day would bring us our first child. Our first born.
At the onset of 'our' pregnancy, we optioned for the day of delivery to discover what sex our child was...a boy or a girl.
For you scientists, doctors, engineers, and sticklers for details, that would be male or female.
Kind of like Christmas morning, you wanted to know what you were getting but just having to wait for it made it worthwhile.
We did the la maze classes in preparation of the birth. Got to go on a tour of the hospital maternity ward and delivery rooms as we neared the end of the class. This part was really boring to me, since I was working as an electrician on the expansion project at this very hospital.
The project was adding a whole new wing that included new labor and delivery rooms with an updated neo-natal nursery. The entire floor was dedicated to the delivery and care of our future citizens.
I remember seeing my co-workers from the labor room window. They were measuring off wire for one our major wire pulls for the project. Boy it sure looks hot down there and here I am in the air conditioning hanging around waiting on this special delivery......oh, sorry about that.
Getting back to the birth of our first child. The la maze class would end up being a bust for me. I was sent to the waiting room because fathers were not allowed in the delivery room during surgical procedures.
As I sat there with all my in-laws...waiting for the moment to arrive, the fact that I was about to become a parent got all over me. I was about to be a father. Was I ready? We were no longer going to be a couple.
We are family....(there's a song in there somewhere don't you think?)
....we are fam-ah-lee...i got all my sisters with meee.......
The arrival of my daughter made me a dad.
Our first born was a healthy and beautiful baby girl. All 9 pounds 8 ounces of her. I truly believe the Good Lord had a hand in the size of her because it made it easier for me to hang on to her. Like most first time dads, I didn't have a lot of experience with holding babies.
My wife and I had already picked out the names for our first child. We were ready for either one.
Our baby girl was here and we would name her Laci Renee.
Even though her birthday was the day after Father's Day that year, I still count it as my first Father's Day.
June 20, 1983. My daughters birthday.
'MY' first Father's Day!
Fastforward to June 2009.
This Father's Day I get to celebrate it as a grandfather as well. Being a grandfather is still basically new but I figure it will work itself out.
Grandma still gets top billing around the house...except for this coming Sunday, when it's Grandpa's turn to be 'top dawg'.
Well hopefully this 'top dawg' will get to sit around with family, both of my kids, and the granddaughter. Probably even fire up the grill and cook our Father's Day meal. Enjoy the day in all its glory...and then some.
Here's to all the fathers out there.
May God Bless you as only He can for being the father He wants you to be.
Happy Father's Day
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