The Ups and Downs of 2010

When I think back about the year 2010 a couple of things stand out in my mind, one is the “C” word and the other is books.

The Sad:

The “C” word in this case is CANCER. It has plagued my world for the last year. It started in November 2009 when a very dear lady, Muriel Barbour passed away from cancer. Muriel is the mother of a childhood friend, Lisa. Growing up as a frequent visitor at their house I always admired her. She was always so kind to everyone, an incredible teacher, such an eloquent way with words, a devoted wife and mother, and a tireless soldier for God. Muriel taught me what it means to be a good wife and mother. I remember the last time I visited with her before she died, as I reflected on her life and struggles and the way she handled them with such grace, I felt so inadequate and realized I have so far to go to be half the woman she was.

Next a friend since high school, Laurie’s father, James Shiels, was diagnosed with cancer. He died within days of the surgery that was supposed to give him a second chance at life. I admire the way Laurie has been a pillar of strength for her mother and sister during the very difficult times they have had since his passing.

The same day Laurie’s dad died, my childhood friend, Sharron’s dad, Frank Williams, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. As I write this he is in his last days of life. Some of my best childhood memories are of her dad playing with us as kids. We couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 when we would stand on her bed, screaming at the top of our lungs, holding on to each other for dear life, as her dad pretended to be a monster coming to get us. We loved it! We would giggle and giggle when it was over. I will never forget how he took time out of his busy days to play with two little girls.

In the middle of all of the parents with cancer my generation was affected too. I have one friend who had a cancer diagnosis in March also. When they did the surgery the Dr told them he didn’t see any cancer. We were praising God. The pathology reports came back and there was a little bit there. But so little no chemo or radiation was required, so we are still praising God!! I had my own scare with a thyroid nodule which turned out to be benign and doesn’t even have to be removed….more praising God. Then the third one, right after my negative test results another friend had a positive test result. She is a 42 year old single mom with stage 4 cancer. I hope this time next year we are praising God for her healing too. Please join Susan’s friends and family in praying for her.

And the last bit of sadness was when a former coworker, Malinda Pettit, lost her life when a repo man towing a Jeep Cherokee ran a red light and hit her car. She died later from injuries sustained. She left behind a husband and five year old daughter. Her daughter started Kindergarten 3 months later and her mother wasn’t there to see her first day. Just one of many firsts that her mother will not be at because some jerk did ran a red light. By the way, he only got a ticket for running a red light. You can join me in doing something about that injustice by joining the organization set up by her siblings and husband, Live Through Loss….you can find it on my facebook page.

Lesson Learned: Life is precious, family and friends are what is important. It doesn’t matter what riches you gain here on earth, you can’t take them with you. What you truly leave behind is the impact you had on others, the lives you touched, and the memories you created.

The Happy:

I am lucky enough to now know THREE published authors!! That’s right… three of my friends became published authors in 2010! The first one I grew up with at Monument Heights and he is one of best friends, Greg Long. Not only did he become a published author this year but he also won a Gold Medal Moonbeam award for his Christian Children’s book, Today I Found God. I was there in the beginning when we were in the youth group together and he was writing stories on the back of whatever he could find in the pew racks during church. Here we are twenty something years later and look what evolved out of that ...an incredible children’s ministry. You can check it out for yourself at http://www.laughalongbooks.com/.

Next, my friend Cindy Currier had her book, Forgiveness: The Hero’s Journey, published. Cindy and I met six years ago when she and I worked together. She is a very dear friend, an insightful woman and therapist. Cindy’s book is about the cycles of forgiveness. It teaches you how to overcome the monsters and shame of your past so you can move towards the light, forgiveness. Cindy is the only person I know who, like me, keeps going back to school. Of course, she finishes a different degree every time and I am still working on the first one. Way to go Cindy! She has a facebook page for her book, you can find the link on my page.

Lastly, my old neighbor and fellow church member, Roger Bruner, had his first of a series published, Found in Translation. I have not read it yet (I will soon), I understand it is a teen girls Christian Fiction novel. And to make it even better he worked on it with his daughter! What an awesome way to spend some father daughter time!! I look forward to reading it even though I am no longer a teen girl:-) You can find out more about Roger’s writings at http://www.rogerbruner.com/.

Lesson Learned: The youngest of these newly published authors is 41. This reminds me that it is not too late for me to pursue the desires of my heart. We have choices to make in life, we can chose to always wish we had done something else….or we can do it and have no regrets. Now….what am I going to do to make it happen? That is where my New Year’s Resolution lies...and that is for another day!

Conclusion:

Here is hoping 2011 brings us less tears and more celebrations!! And through it all let’s not forget to be thankful for the thorns and the roses.

"Today I Found God" by Greg Long

Here is your chance to win a free copy of Greg Long's newly released Christian Children's book from thechildrensbookreview.com and it is autographed!!!    http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2010/08/giveaway-today-i-found-god.html#more-7106



If you have seen me lately or are my friend on Facebook you know about my friend Greg Long's book, "Today I Found God"  Since I have had my copy I have shared it with children from toddlers to retired people and they all LOVE it!! It is a story everyone of all ages can relate to.  We have all had bad days and wondered why God lets these bad things happen.  Greg tackles this in a fun way that the youngest of readers can understand.

Every adult who I have shared the book with has commented "this book isn't just for children, adults need this too."  Children laugh in delight with the rhyming story, the bright colorful illustrations, and the action packed background story....that I will not give away.  It opens dialogue with children about God and where he is when you need him....always with you.  It opens dialogue with adults too!

You have to get this book!!  You can see more about what Greg and Sean Marie Long are doing at www.laughalongbooks.com

The website has a great area for children, "Learn-A-Long" with stories and an accompanying video that teaches life lessons from a Biblical perspective.  They have a kids club called, God's Pack, with a "Secret Cave" for kids to go to get lessons about how to listen to Gods call.

Cherish The Moment

I was looking for a document on my computer and I found this.  My friends Melissa and Robert Partington from Peace in the Home Ministries had asked me to write some thoughts about motherhood for the Mother's Day 2009 newsletter.  It was a good reminder to me of what I sometimes forget...I thought I would share.

I remember waiting with anticipation the birth of each of my children. I could not wait to hold them in my arms and see who they looked like. I am adopted so it was very exciting for me to look into the face of my children and see a reflection of myself. Those sweet little babies do not stay little very long.


Recently I was baking and my twelve year old asked to help. I was delighted to have him help me. As we were working together I looked up at him (he is already five inches taller than me) and I wondered where in the world did that little baby go? At that moment it struck me that one day he will be grown up and raising children of his own. This child who wants to do everything with me will be a man. This ordinary task of baking became so suddenly very special. I wanted to freeze time and stay that way with him forever.

That feeling I had reminded me of the Thornton Wilder play, Our Town. In the third act of the play Emily has died and she begs to go back for one day. The message is that every minute should be valued. We as parents need to remember those precious children God has so graciously allowed us to raise grow very fast. We have such a short time to teach them and care for them. Since that day, I try to remember when my four year old is wearing a red cape and pretending to fly and I am going crazy just trying to keep him alive, it is all but a moment. One day very soon he will be twelve also, on the brink of those teenage years and I will be yearning for the days of red capes. I am trying to cherish every moment God has given me with these little boys.

How Important is a Youth Group?

Chance is leaving tonight for his first summer Youth Retreat at Big Stuff Camp in Daytona, FL!!  My first reaction when I found out where they are going was "Wow, I went to Eagle Eyrie and Ridgecrest and HE GETS DAYTONA!!!"  Don't get me wrong...I would not trade my summers and weekends at either place! 

As a mom I am so happy Chance has a such a great group of people surrounding him in these crucial years.  At Centerpoint we are blessed with a dedicated group of 20 somethings who love God and are willing to give of themselves to mentor and teach these middle and high school students.  We also have the benefit of a Pastor who was a Youth Pastor for many years and knows where to find the best retreats for the kids.  I know Chance is in good hands while he is gone. 

I remember as a teenager how important my youth group was to me. Some of my best friends today are people I grew up with at Monument Heights Baptist Church (MHBC).  Because of this I was the first to say YES he can go while Rion who did not grow up with the same experiences hesitated because of the distance.  I am glad Chance is building those friendships that have seen me through life.

As I reflect on my youth group it strikes me how many people I grew up with are serving God today in one capacity or another.  I think somebody was doing something right!
We have:

•  Daniel Carlton-Pastor of Spring Hill Church in the Charlottesville area
• Jamie Nuckols-Minster of Spiritual Development at Mount Vernon Baptist Church
• Anteal Garguilo-Ordained Minister, Masters from BTSR, super involved in VA State Acteens and Special Needs Ministries
• Nicole Patteson-Ordained Minister, Teacher at the Monument Heights Day School, very involved in MHBC church leadership
• Lee Catherine Clayton-Christian Composer and member of Christian musical group Immersed
• Greg Long-Christian Children's Writer and founder of Laugh A Long books which has an emphasis of reaching children for God
• Michele McCauley-very involved in church leadership at MHBC to include the Children and Youth
• Heather Brinson-Preschool Director of MHBC
• Melin Green-CBF Missionary
• Me-Veronica-Drama Ministry leader, Jeannie Geeiluvabiblestorieheimer...Christian storyteller, Centerpoint Church

Those are just the ones I know about!  We have others who may not be in leadership at a church or singing or writing but I know from staying in touch with them in person or through Facebook that they still love God and are living their lives to reflect it. 

It is amazing for me to think about all of the lives being touched by a few kids who spent their summers at Eagle Eyrie, Ridgecrest, doing VBS for the kids in underserved neighborhoods, visiting with Veterans at he VA, visiting with children at the VA Baptist Homes, singing to the elderly....and the list goes on.  Now we are all grown up and look what happened.  This speaks volumes to me about how important this time is in a teenager's life is and how they need strong leaders to help them navigate their way.

I think we are in the right place!

Chance and Chilidog Christmas 2009

A Boy and His Dog

I remember always hearing people say "a boy needs a dog." I never understood what that meant until I watched the most beautiful dog/boy relationship with my son Chance and his Chilidog. Chance suffered with an extreme dog phobia. We aren't really sure where that fear came from. From birth to about 5 years old my stepmother babysat him when I worked. She had a dog and Chance seemed to get along with it okay. But once he was no longer with Cleo the fears set in. I remember at around the age of two, I was shopping with him at Target and put a shirt with dogs on it in the cart and he promptly removed it and hung it back on the rack. I put it back in the cart and he put it back on the rack! After several tries I gave in....that is my earliest clue there was going to be a dog problem.

Chance always loved to watch movies with dogs but would panic if we even drove by a dog. He did not want to be afraid of dogs so he asked for a dog. It was our first year of homeschooling. So I told him if he did well with his end of year test I would buy him a dog. So along came Chilidog. I had never had a dog before. I remember his first week at home. That puppy cried all night long to be with us. I was pregnant with Shepard. I remember thinking how in the world did I get talked into this? No one told me they cry like babies, I am never going to sleep again!!

That little puppy soon worked his way into all of our hearts. As much as Chance loved Chili and enjoyed watching him from afar he still could not bring himself to connect with him. Five years after we brought Chili home, Chance finally found his way to his dog.

The most beautiful friendship unfolded right before my eyes. Everywhere Chance went, Chilidog was there. If Chance was in the shower, Chili layed on the floor of the bathroom and waited for him. Chili slept with Chance at night, slept next to Chance's feet while he did his school work, he was on Chance' lap while he watched tv. When we had snow, Chance carried him outside like a baby, because Chili hated the cold, rain, and snow.

During the last big snowstorm we had Chili protected his boy. Chance had gone outside to play in the snow with Jacob, of course Chili went because Chance went. The boys and a friend had taken an old camper shell the previous owners left and made it a fort for Nerf Wars. Chance decided to hide from Jacob and went underneath the camper shell. He got stuck in there. Somehow with the snow still falling he got into a position he could not lift the shell back up. Jacob came inside and reported he was calling for Chance and did not get an answer. Chili sat between the house and where Chance was and barked and barked. I thought he was trying to find Chance, silly me, he knew where his boy was. I had called Rion in the room and was starting to get a bit freaked out that we did not know were Chance was when Rion's cell phone ring. It was Chance calling his dad from his cell phone to ask for help. Thank God he had that cell phone. But I know even if he didn't, Chili was on the job. When Rion went outside and Chili saw him coming, he kept barking and lead Rion to Chance. I was so touched by Chili's love for his boy. I had a sense of peace, he will always protect Chance.

Last Monday, March 1, 2010 on Chance's 13th birthday Chilidog did something completely out of character....he left the backyard and ran down the driveway and into the street. He was hit by a car. We tried to help him. We took him to the emergency vet, but there was too much damage and he had to be put down. This time I was so impressed with Chance. He stayed strong for Chili until the end. He held Chili and talked to him the whole way to the vet. When we knew what had to be done, he stayed strong for Chili. He stayed with Chili until the end, telling him how much he loved him and what a good puppy he is. I know Chili was comforted by having his boy with him. Chance held it together until she told us Chili had passed and then he let out the deep pain he was feeling.

It was the hardest thing as a parent I think I have gone through yet. To watch this child who had been so terrified of dogs and had come to this place of the sheer love of his dog, to lose his best friend. And of all days, on his birthday....I will never know why Chili wouldn't stop when called that night and ran into that road. I will never know why that day, Chance's 13th birthday, when we are supposed to be celebrating his growing towards manhood, he had to lose his best friend. But I will be forever grateful Chance and Chili had that last beautiful year together.

Another example.....

I watched the movie Julie and Julia two days ago. I was very excited about renting it. I love Meryl Streep and Julia Childs. It was a good story, great acting, in all a good movie. Except for just one little thing, the Republican bashing. It was just a couple of lines in this one. It is so frustrating; does Hollywood not think that Republicans spend money on movies????



I realize it is a predominately Liberal industry. As theater person, I realize in just the small world of Richmond Theater I am the conservative exception. I realize almost everyone I am going to work with is not going to see the world from the conservative viewpoint that I do. I do not hide my political leanings; anyone on Facebook can see where I stand by my profile page. I will discuss it if asked. I do not think at this level it affects my ability to get jobs. There is the Veronica who works in the community and then there is Veronica the consumer.



Veronica the consumer is so tired of the cheap shots taken by Hollywood of conservatism, Christians, and even homeschoolers. If you find a homeschooler in a movie or cartoon they are usually socially inept and nerds. Really?? How many homeschoolers do the writers know personally that they are making those judgments on? Because personally I find them some of the most well versed, neatest kids I have ever met.



So, YES Republicans go to movies, rent them, and even BUY them. We DO spend money on the Entertainment Industry. Although it does become increasingly harder to find movies I want to spend money on. As a matter of principal there are certain actors I just cannot justify giving my hard earned money to because they have spent so much time bashing me for my beliefs. I do not want to know their beliefs one way or the other. I just want to be entertained! I do not turn to Hollywood actors to find out how I should think. I think for myself.



Oh, and for the record, I as a Republican Manager would NOT have fired Julie for calling in sick to remake the dish for the critic.