Hammond Reunion: May 2nd, 2009

Dear Lee, Ruth Elaine, Everybody,

I would have most liked coming again to see the family gathering in Carruthers again, but I can only offer my appreciation to you and thanks for your hospitality, and your continuing tenacity, for going to such an enormous effort to get everybody together regularly. Unfortunately, this is a year we will not be able to attend the reunion; and I am disappointed about it.

My work schedule has me working Friday 6am to 2pm plus the graveyard shift from Firday night at 10:30pm until 6:30am Saturday! I have trouble driving home a short 30-minute trip, sometimes; but 4 hours to Fresno/Carruthers after loading up the family… not even remotely possible. Mary’s mother is now staying with us.

“Mom” (Grandma Elaine), that is, Mary’s mom, is in poor health, on oxygen with emphysema, unhappily visiting long-term after I hauled her out here recently from Omaha, Nebraska. I/we didn’t have a choice: Mary’s brother Mike is no longer able to help with her day-to-day care/needs (details why purposely omitted). But also, we love her very, very much; and, I believe God directed me to do it – without hesitating. Therefore, I drove 25 hours straight, in obedience to Him, to be there soon enough to prepare her for the journey, and to collect her things. The trip back was… unique from day to day, and sometimes moment by moment…

So, we have new responsibilities to deal with, that can be tough to handle from one day to the next. Things get topsy-turvy, unexpectedly. But we are happy she is with us, Victoria & Isabella just think she is visiting (staying in The Guest Room); and it’s what needed to be done: family is our first priority.

Because FAMILY is PRIORITY #1 this “family reunion” we are missing is a heartbreaker. “Mom” (Grandma Joan) is bringing some pictures of Mary & I wth the girls over the course of the last year, and I know that doesn’t replace seeing people in person, but it’s the best we can do under the circumstances. Thanks for your understanding. We love you. Have a great time! Ron (Ron & Mary)

Victoria: 6 Years Young!

Yes, our oldest daughter enjoyed a low-key birthday party; and even with a small group expected, intentionally, it was quite demanding of her parents (mostly Mary) – while I was gone most of the day serving on “Jury Duty.”

I have been intending to re-gift my Nintendo DS unit to her for awhile, and she received it with components I never had while recovering from knee surgery 15 months ago: a Hannah Montana case cover, plus the Hannah Montana Movie game… And then the most surprising thing happened: she wanted to play the game we had enjoyed so much a year ago, Super Mario 64 where Mario and his two brothers are invited to Princess Toadstool’s Castle for lunch. Who knew?

 

 

 

She also received a new bike, which her friend Cristal test drove for her without the training wheels attached; Victoria rode her old bike so that they could ride around in our cul de sac together. She is still a bit too short to ride it without training wheels, but she’s not ready for me to take them off yet anyway (she doesn’t ride it enough to have had enough practice to figure out how to balance a bike yet).

Of course, there were grandparents in the audience, lots of food, and a “Hello Kitty” cake. All in all, it was a fun time. The best part for Mom & dad is: the new trindle bed we put together for them last week that is in Isabella’s room, since Grandma Elaine is sleeping in the Guest Room / Victoria’s room, they are finally sleeping in it mor than they are sleeping in our bed in the Master Bedroom! Yippeeee!

I am a Fantasy Basketball League Winner!

SoCal BeachBums win the title!

It may be the first and last season I ever play fantasy basketball; it’s a lot of work! But I thoroughly enjoyed a couple leagues I was a part of. Of course, winning helps! Right? But an 82-game schedule is grueling.

I much prefer Fantasy Football with weekly action, one game per week; that’s comparitive to a NBA season where a team may play 3 to 5 games in a week, with possible back-to-back games… the variables become endless, roster concerns are greater, especially if you factor into it injuries, trades…

Guys at work tried to get me interested in a Fantasy Baseball League… Are you kidding me! A 162-game schedule with the same problems as the NBA scheule? No thanks.

While I may be a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan, and a mere interested bystander of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the world of fantasy sports, fantasy football most definitely reigns supreme!

Even so, it was a thrill to overcome the odds, watch the favorite choke in the playoffs, and pull out a not very convincing win coming from behind on the last day of the regular season with many starters benched for the playoffs, seeing the trend and trading for bench players that would receive more playing time than normal and see them come through! Way to go, team! I mean, my team that’s not really a team, my fantasy team, The Champion SoCal BeachBums!

Easter 2009

From the lips of children and infants You, God, have ordained praise!

Those are words Victoria gets to speak (loudly!) at The Children’s Concert next Sunday morning (April 26th), at our local church: Grace Chapel. She’s very excited, and ready! But mostly she is excited to be singing a number of songs “on stage,” performing before a “live” audience!

Victoria & Isabella are also very excited that they got to do Easter egg hunting this year! Mary & I are more thankful that they got to see Grandma Elaine this year, for this special holiday, commemorating the fact that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and the ascend into heaven – from which He will be returning, soon. Yet I was reminded that the power is in the blood, and Jesus could not rise from the dead or ascend to heaven unless He had, in fact, first died… “according to the Scriptures”! (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)

And what did we do? We ate food, we strolled through poppies, spending time with family because that’s a priority we should all keep: the value of people, especially family members.

Mary’s Mom (Grandma Elaine) is now living with us, on an extended visit, suffering from memory loss, and likely other complications. Pray for us, as we attempt to deal with this additional responsibility. Thanks! Maranatha!

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