Thanksgiving week...
Thankful for the gift of life on this earth..I know it's the broad statement but right now it works for me..
I take a breath and think of just how many muscles it takes to do so, to take this breath, to have the organs and brain coordinate beyond human understanding. Dear God, thank you for the amazingness of the human body. Yes, it breaks down...it succumbs to gravity, it weakens...it perishes..but we/I must take, stop, envelope the moments when a deep breath is all I need to propel to me thankfulness..
I am thankful for a daughter who along with many of her classmates completed a play; "Stage Door" at her school. 4 nights of great concentration, focus, delivery, adrenaline, exhaustion, adrenaline, exhaustion again. The rehearsals..the set building..what an effort. And yes, Dad helped with the set, with the production of the nights, except Saturday..in which I attended a sweet family wedding.
As I watched Abbey perform the leading role for the three nights I attended, I thought so much of how proud Becky would be. There she was, her daughter in only her second production handling an immense role, immense dialogue and character layering...Abbey's confidence was evident..even though the nervousness was also percolating, but not an eyes wide open nervousness..just the usual walk on stage nerves that actually seemed to exit the moment she appeared and I think they did. Becky honey, you were there with her...Abbey girl was stellar. And big thanks to the cast..for some scenes with her classmates that were also stellar...she has a great group of senior friends that certainly embrace the stage. The underclassmen did a fine job also..very fine. Abbey loves, loves the camaraderie amongst the thespian landscape...it just has good vibe to her. Will she do more stage work? AHHHH...yes of course..the bite has happened..we shall see what is next. College ...yes college! Coming soon..the applications are being 'clicked' away...Wow, what a process. A new world awaits..and it appears it will be back south...! It truly does..she is excited and yes, nervous about this new chapter...is it right? Will I, (Abbey) like where I go? Well, let us go and see...
I am thankful for her willingness to go east..I am excited about it..I am...
I am thankful she has the confidence to go..the fortitude..the vision and maturity to want something different..she wants to feel the east coast..New York, DC, Atlanta..other cities..while she attends her school..I am thankful that family and some sweet friends will be near her and many have offered a haven of rest and peace should she need it. This is indeed so reassuring...
So let's give thanks for a new adventure!
I am thankful for health...so very thankful!
For being able to help a friend ..to offer a few days of respite and renewal..
For seeing grass grow in my backyard..yeah, seeing those seeds finally mature...now I gotta really work on the front yard..I just got to think about watering every now and then.
I am thankful for a Scottish Terrier that is loyal.has a stubborn side, but again, just likes to be around our feet...the rascal is a funny dude, but he has been a source of laughter and yes soothing comfort on some hard days...especially during Becky's illness.
I am thankful for a heartfelt church service today...good, good stuff...
I am thankful for my man cave....really thankful for this room of therapeutic wonder...
I am thankful I can still do a few MC/DJ gigs...still serve in this manner...still haul the equipment,, but with the help of a trusted friend...
I am thankful for the many gigs I have done in the LA/Hollywood area..I suppose I can say some have been an almost fulfillment of a dream..just to work in Hollywood..and I did...Becky was always so supportive of me..she would tell me to promote myself more..'show em' honey'..
Now, I am thankful that I can see other dreams..other visions...I am thankful that change can occur..it may seem uncertain at times..even now there is uncertainty to my mature dreams...but hey, so be it..let's just see what happens..
I am thankful for a childhood that saw many happy Thanksgivings..truly Norman Rockwell stuff...
Just good simple living..good family, friends..food..fun, but yes, frustrations, but mostly just a simple childhood that never felt threatened, invaded...strife filled...and even if it was there..I didn't understand it..and that's probably the blessing of a brain and soul still being formed..ya just can't absorb or process the full effect of trials...sounds strange I know..but I think the not-understanding has validity..
I am thankful I can hear sweet music..so thankful...
I am thankful to see a day so clear as it truly was in LA today and the past few days..that I still stop and admire the beauty of the mountains..the hillsides..even the tall skyscrapers...the many houses on a hillside..
I am SO thankful for a certain stem cell donor in Germany...that is an earth angel... she will forever be etched in our family history..and I know one day soon, Abbey and I will met her and family...
Well, I'll cease for now..I could continue this thankful menu as I am sure you could also on your menu.
I thank God..that I can write this..and I am deeply thankful there is a promise of paradise...beyond what is seen here.. it takes faith to see accept this promise....thank you faith...thank you...
Onward forward..Do Celebrate this life...enjoy your family and friends this Thanksgiving. Laugh, get serious, solve problems..but then have another light moment or two...as you expel the oft' heard words:
"I ate too much, I always do!"..then two hours later you are perhaps back for more pecan or pumpkin pie...
Much Love to you all...I am thankful for those of you still reading this online journal of a journey that still wants to be documented...
Bill
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Season of...
A season of continuance...continuing a rigorous but exciting school routine for Abbey, a continuance of colleges searching and now a few applications to complete. Wow, so hard to believe this is upon us. The college process is quite a labyrinth, it feels like the endurance of an honors or AP class! Just to note..it appears Abbey may go east/south...We just returned from a very informative, conclusive trip to schools in NC and one in SC..Some clarity was/is realized. What a chapter this will be..Abbey back east..and me here in LA. But, we will see just how this unfolds. I think I know..more on this later.
The senior year can be stressful but also one of the most fulfilling years of high school, I do want her to have fun coupled with the other demands. Just recently, she got the lead in the fall school play, "Stage Door"..Only her second big theatre emersion..I am indeed so proud of her. She did "Red Noses" last fall at the school..and then this summer at the Fringe festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The acting bug has bitten her just a bit. She likes the challenge and how it makes one stretch...The performance for "Stage Door" is Nov 14, 15, 16, 17...yes, soon! And thus the season of busy envelopes Abbey..And yes, for Dad.
The college trip back east was so fulfilling not only in the information we gathered and processed on the visits/tours, but also most fulfilling and meaningful in the overnight stays we had with family and friends. Truly, we were so grateful, and so touched at how others opened up their homes to us and set aside schedules to make sure we were in a comfy bed and properly feed. We were cocooned in homes of care...and we thank you all who made this happened. We thank you so very much.
DONOR: Yes, still so exciting to be in contact with the stem cell donor. The emails will be increment in measure due to the translation hurdles German/English /German, but no matter, contact we must. This is just too monumental to not stay connected with some consistency. I emailed her two days ago and said get ready for more info about the journey..about Abbey and I, how we are doing now and what is transpiring in our lives. I know some of the blog will be a tough read for the awesome, selfless donor but I WILL send her the blog...this will indeed be the resonance she may need to insure a vivid glimpse of the journey. The intricacies of the stem cell transplant, the days before and of course the days, months afterward. I hope she will see just how much her selfless act did for Becky and I hope she will see just how amazing and wonderful Becky was...
I have taken an extended time off from my job..and I just want to note it here. The time has been incalculable when thinking of just what I was able to do with Abbey..with life. We have had measurable amounts of quality time, but this is different. I have had quality and much quantiy..long, long talks, whcih we we also always had, good walks, and more AND I was able to teach her to drive more than I otherwise would have. I was getting home late in the day and then trying to take her out..it did work but in limited capacity, yet having more daylight hours to help her drive has been priceless, especially in LA! I was glad to train her at all times of the day! And yes, she has had her license for a few months..I was able to pick her up from school, to be a part of the school events and more. NO, I didn't hover..no at all, Just made myself available to my daughter. This chapter will be ceasing soon as one can see in the mention of the college adventure. I want her to 'fly' wherever she wants..and I truly mean it. GO, and go where you dream, where you dare..a little corny (?) So be it...Just pray she is safe wherever she may go.
I have been able to have breakfasts and lunches with others..just talking about their life, my life and life in generalities, enjoying exploring solutions to certain areas or perhaps exclaiming exciting ideas about tomorrow and beyond. I wanted to do this and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to do so..along with some travel east and other areas. Again, I am so grateful. Stay tuned..
Hope all is good, healthy, manageable with you. The world is tough, ain't fair sometimes...ain't fair at all...sickness, violence, deceit, decadence and more ...all can seem to envelope us..But fear not He has overcome the world.. a praying man/woman can accomplish much.
Onward forward..celebrate life..have fun along with the necessary serious demands..
Bill
The senior year can be stressful but also one of the most fulfilling years of high school, I do want her to have fun coupled with the other demands. Just recently, she got the lead in the fall school play, "Stage Door"..Only her second big theatre emersion..I am indeed so proud of her. She did "Red Noses" last fall at the school..and then this summer at the Fringe festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The acting bug has bitten her just a bit. She likes the challenge and how it makes one stretch...The performance for "Stage Door" is Nov 14, 15, 16, 17...yes, soon! And thus the season of busy envelopes Abbey..And yes, for Dad.
The college trip back east was so fulfilling not only in the information we gathered and processed on the visits/tours, but also most fulfilling and meaningful in the overnight stays we had with family and friends. Truly, we were so grateful, and so touched at how others opened up their homes to us and set aside schedules to make sure we were in a comfy bed and properly feed. We were cocooned in homes of care...and we thank you all who made this happened. We thank you so very much.
DONOR: Yes, still so exciting to be in contact with the stem cell donor. The emails will be increment in measure due to the translation hurdles German/English /German, but no matter, contact we must. This is just too monumental to not stay connected with some consistency. I emailed her two days ago and said get ready for more info about the journey..about Abbey and I, how we are doing now and what is transpiring in our lives. I know some of the blog will be a tough read for the awesome, selfless donor but I WILL send her the blog...this will indeed be the resonance she may need to insure a vivid glimpse of the journey. The intricacies of the stem cell transplant, the days before and of course the days, months afterward. I hope she will see just how much her selfless act did for Becky and I hope she will see just how amazing and wonderful Becky was...
I have taken an extended time off from my job..and I just want to note it here. The time has been incalculable when thinking of just what I was able to do with Abbey..with life. We have had measurable amounts of quality time, but this is different. I have had quality and much quantiy..long, long talks, whcih we we also always had, good walks, and more AND I was able to teach her to drive more than I otherwise would have. I was getting home late in the day and then trying to take her out..it did work but in limited capacity, yet having more daylight hours to help her drive has been priceless, especially in LA! I was glad to train her at all times of the day! And yes, she has had her license for a few months..I was able to pick her up from school, to be a part of the school events and more. NO, I didn't hover..no at all, Just made myself available to my daughter. This chapter will be ceasing soon as one can see in the mention of the college adventure. I want her to 'fly' wherever she wants..and I truly mean it. GO, and go where you dream, where you dare..a little corny (?) So be it...Just pray she is safe wherever she may go.
I have been able to have breakfasts and lunches with others..just talking about their life, my life and life in generalities, enjoying exploring solutions to certain areas or perhaps exclaiming exciting ideas about tomorrow and beyond. I wanted to do this and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to do so..along with some travel east and other areas. Again, I am so grateful. Stay tuned..
Hope all is good, healthy, manageable with you. The world is tough, ain't fair sometimes...ain't fair at all...sickness, violence, deceit, decadence and more ...all can seem to envelope us..But fear not He has overcome the world.. a praying man/woman can accomplish much.
Onward forward..celebrate life..have fun along with the necessary serious demands..
Bill
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