End of Summer:
- I'm glad school is back in session. Starbucks is less crowded with the minors, and the "grumpy old man" part of my personality appreciates that.
- We had a great series on movies and God this summer. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed teaching in it. I hope we do something even cooler next summer.
- Lucy (my kid) spent a little more than two weeks with her grandparents. It sure was nice to catch up on some sleep, and I think the grandparents enjoyed it as well. However, we were happier to have her back each time. I have a feeling that missing her when she's away will only get worse from here.
- My wife is entering her final FALL semester at Loyola Grad School. I'm so proud of her. She has a little bit of work left in her degree, and it will be challenging. BUT, she'll knock it out of the park, I have no doubt. We're entertaining all job offers, so if you have a school counseling position available, nab her up asap. Your school will be better with Shauna.
- I was sitting in Panera when it happened. I honestly thought my friend, Liz, was shaking the back of my chair. When I realized it wasn't her, I was confused and thought I had vertigo. When I made eye contact with her, and realized what was happening, I instantly became freaked out.
- When I say freaked out, I mean it in a "Oh, Lord, the earth is moving and I can't quite wrap my head around this moment enough to react" kind of way. I guess I was in shock.
- Afterwards, I felt the best reaction was one of gratitude and levity. So, I took the next few hours to make myself and those around me laugh.
- We have a lot to be thankful and grateful for. We didn't experience casualties or anything like that. In fact, others (Californians) chose to make fun of us for our shock and awe. I understand, I do the same thing to them when it rains.
- Again, we're pretty blessed. I'll admit the media coverage annoyed me. It was apocalyptic. We cancelled our church services, and that annoyed me. I love getting together with my church.
- Honestly, I was pretty annoyed by the caution and coverage. I really think things get over-dramatized. However, now I am hearing that over 40 people have been killed in this storm. I don't think any of those families are thinking like me...none of them are annoyed by the caution and coverage. Every family is grieving, and I am not experiencing that. My family is ok, we never lost power, and the only thing that really happened is the latch on my back gate is warped. I am so blessed.
- Now, I'm annoyed when I hear the pleas for prayer for schools to be cancelled for another day, power to not be interrupted, cable TV to come back on, and our luxurious lives to return to normal. May I suggest we count our blessings, and try to de-prioritize our luxuries? I'm speaking to myself, mostly. I cannot imagine the horror of losing my wife or my daughter. May I also suggest we pray and think of those folks who are not experiencing our blessings? May we actually be able to be the love of God to someone? There's a lesson in here, somewhere, I'm sure.
- I'm thankful we were prepared, especially in ways I will never know. Big shout outs to you public service peeps who care. Thank you. And thank God, that not only am I safe, but I have an opportunity to bring healing and love to someone else (you know, the whole freely give type of thing).
- Literally, like 3 hours ago. She woke up from the minor/ quick surgery and she was pissed. There's nicer words to use, but pissed pretty much sums it up. I can't blame her.
- Now, I think she is eating breakfast and feeling better. She's had 6+ ear infections since June, and she needed the tubes.
- Again, we're blessed to have the medical care we have. God is so good.
