Just RK

The sermon this morning at church referenced the stages of grief, talking about the “blessed are those who mourn” Beatitude . It was a good sermon.  Once it’s posted on the media page for the church, I’ll link it.  And if you’re around much, you know that’s not a common thing for me.  It just struck me today.  My life is full of good things.  There are lots of people who have many more reasons to be unhappy at times.  And it’s not like every day is a big sad cloud.  I don’t mean that.  But I’ve had to admit lately that there are definitely things that are weighing on me more than I realized.  Some from long ago, some more recent. I’ve not experienced a loss like a death. He talked about the various things we grieve, and how it might look in our lives.  And it made sense. I have had major loss, life change, a crushing blow or three or four.  There are things to grieve deeply. Who knew… I’m still bouncing around between anger and ...

It started almost 38 years ago… Though I don’t remember too much about those days, I was the one and only back then, and I was Daddy’s girl.  Now, I get to enjoy the new perspective, of watching my girls be Daddy’s girls… And both perspectives are pretty good ones, I say. Thank you, Dad, for teaching us right from wrong and how to enjoy a great ball game and a fun car. And thanks, M, for adoring our little poonchins, teaching them right from wrong, how to appreciate Bears football, and letting them climb (with love) all over their daddy pop. And let me just add… both these pictures above are of little girls heading to church with their daddies. It’s no accident that the legacy continues. It takes a firm decision and determination to do what’s right.  And I don’t take that for granted. M asked for Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, MD for Father’s Day. And he received it. With much appreciation that he takes his job seriously enough to want t...

Today’s M’s birthday. He’s 37.  Finally.  The time from October, when I jump ahead in age for a few months, to May, when he catches up seems forever.  He is relentless, let me tell ya.  This is currently one of my fave pictures… Daddy walking with the girls into church.  Just what daddies should be doing, in my book.  And he does it every week. This ranks high on my list, and I’m thankful. I’m working tonight, so not much fun going to be had around here for the birthday boy other than Daddy duty all evening.  But Friday evening we’ll do something more fun. Welcome to 37, young pup.

I’m trying to figure out this chaos of drawing winners for Braska’s giveaway.  What was I thinking with all those options and different points and crazy things??  Ah well, I’m just excited to find out who won! In the meantime, you want to read a little story that makes you shake your head?!? Backstory… A common occurrence at churches are people who come knock on the door and ask for help with an electric bill or with their rent.  Often these needs are met and assistance is given.  But I’ve never heard of anything like this. Read as my mother-in-law tells about her day at work.   Click here .

If you grew up in church, especially protestant and midwestern, you probably know the song “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.”  It was an upbeat, happy song, one I sang for all my years growing up, and I probably knew all 5 verses at one point in my life.  There shall be showers of blessing, Oh, that today they might fall… This was a favorite phrase of mine, in verse 4, I think.  I look at it now and I like that the whole song was asking, and even believing that showers of blessing would fall, but it wasn’t assuming that it would be today.  Yet in this section, we would all sing in agreement that it sure would be nice if it were today. Well, today we received showers of blessing.  I can’t come up with a better way to say it.  Though, the truth is that we’ve been receiving some good sprinkles the last couple weeks.  One day it was a card with some cash from a “Secret Santa” at M’s work.  Humbling . One day it was a couple of ...

Sunday mornings at church are Braska's special time with Daddy. She sits with him, he holds her during the music and she dances like a crazy girl when the band gets going and claps right along with everyone else. She always attracts attention from those around, and sometimes I feel like she's gonna burst with excitement. Speaking of which, we could use a bit more of that at church, couldn't we?! Anyway, this week, like most others, she was having a ball. One lady directly behind us played with her, waved at her, and when we sat down for the sermon, she played little games with her. She'd put her hand on the back on the chair, and Braska would push it away and smile. Over and over. (I hope she is a multitasker, because it was a really great message, so I'd hate for her to have missed anything.) Braska usually falls asleep for part of the quieter parts, and then wakes at the end to dance a little more before we go. I haven't figured out a way to discreetly video t...