I remember well where I was 25 years ago today – right now. I was in the hospital giving birth to my daughter, Natasha. Happy Birthday, Baby! I LOVE YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATASHA!
March 31, 2009 at 8:52 am (Family)
MY DAD, FRANK KASPAREK
March 22, 2009 at 3:58 pm (Family, Memories)
Four years ago today I visited my Father in Westmoreland Hospital three times in one day. Dad had been in for 2 ½ weeks because of congestive heart failure and complications from Alzheimer’s disease. It was a difficult time for my sisters and me. Mom was in a nursing home for rehabilitation for a broken hip. Then Dad got worse and had to be hospitalized. We were being pulled in so many directions physically and emotionally…
The first visit that day was really kind of bittersweet. Nick and Tasha were on Springbreak. Dad’s doctor had told me that he probably only had at the most 6 months to live. Dad was quite animated and laughed some. He always enjoyed having people around…
The second visit was just me! I had purchased a re-chargeable electric razor. Dad hadn’t been shaved for a few days and he looked terrible. I tried to do my best, but the razor hadn’t had enough time to charge…
The nurse had written Dad’s name on the board in his room. He looked up and said with such emotion, “Frank Kasparek. That’s a good name.”
Before I left, for what I believed to be the last time that night, I turned to Dad and said, “I love you very, Very, VERY much!” He repeated it back to me…
Just a few short hours later, I was back with Dad. This time, his body was there, but his soul was where he had hoped and lived for most of his life. He was with his Lord.
I am really missing him today. But I wouldn’t wish him back for anything in this world! He is where he wanted to be!
Dad, I love you very, Very, VERY much!!
Mom and Dad
ECO-FRIENDLY, ECO-CONVENIENT?
March 13, 2009 at 10:37 am (Commitment, Focus)
Today I had the chance to re-connect with a young woman that I had worked with for about a year when she was a freshman in college. She is now married and well into her career (teaching). I always find it interesting to see how college has molded (changed?) a young person.
We began to talk about her lifestyle. She is a self-proclaimed eco-friendly activist. She and her husband only have one bag of trash each week. Their goal is to have only one large bag PER YEAR! She shared with me the waste of buying and using bottled water. (What a waste of landfill space!) Vegetable skins, egg shells, etc. should be composted. It is so important not to waste the earth that God has given us.
I was really impressed with her eco-education and her commitment! She was adamant about preserving the world that God gave us.
And then, somehow, the conversation turned to having babies. As a 51 year old, I understand her mother’s desire for grandchildren. In the midst of this conversation, I innocently asked if she was going to use cloth or disposable diapers. (Disposable diapers make up 3% of landfills according to the Fall 1988 edition of The Earth Review). Immediately she said to me, “I will not use cloth diapers. I don’t want to have to rinse a ‘poopy diaper’!” In that one moment, her eco-credibility bottomed out (pun intended). If it involved something unpleasant, forget about it!
So how often do I blow my Christian credibility because I am not willing to do something unpleasant??? How about you?
RANDOMOCITY
March 2, 2009 at 10:11 am (Random Thoughts)
1. It is what it is, but it isn’t always what it appears!
2. Being a Pastor’s Wife is a difficult journey to travel. Many love the “authority” that you have, UNTIL you disagree with them. Then you are just “overstepping your bounds”.
3. I love Winter! The snow is beautiful. But I am so ready for Spring!
4. I hate cancer and what it does to others!
5. Never underestimate the power and importance of loyalty to a friend.
6. Reality TV isn’t really!
7. Paul Harvey was the best! He will be missed!
8. There is nothing better than cuddling a newborn.
9. Why can I never remember my login passwords?
10. No matter how old you are, no matter how long it has been, you never get over losing your parents.
