Dear Family,
Holly and I cannot believe that in less than five days we will be married. I think Holly is more nervous about flying to Vegas than the actual wedding. It is at that point were you just want it over with and go have some fun on your honeymoon. As many of you have gotten to know Holly and see how wonderful she is it makes me so thankful that I have the best family the smartest boy in the world could have. Each one of you have been so kind and loving to her and Jordanian. Speaking of which, Jordan is really excited about the wedding. He looks sharp in his suit and makes me think he should be a catalog modelling boys dress cloths. I finally got on this blog to read all the wonderful things people wrote. I neglected to write a memory about Cara and I apologize. So here is my story.
Our family was on vacation to the beach (i think it was Virginia or Delaware). It was the last day before we all packed into the Cain assault vehicle (aka CAV or Ramona) to spell the sweet odors of sweaty kids feet and sitting in water that leaked from the red water jug that was a staple on all Cain family trips. I remember that the ocean was pretty rough for us kids so Dad was keeping watch on us kids to ensure that we did not venture to far out. Just as we were getting packed to leave and Dad was rounding us up I heard him yelling at Cara to come in. The sound in his voice changed however from a steady tone to one of grave concern. He yelled for me to go get Cara who was starting to swallow alot of salty ocean water. I ran as fast as I think I ever ran. As I jumped into the ocean and swam as quickly as possible I saw heard her screaming with gargled gasps. I wasn't sure if she was more scared than I was. I grabbed her and tried to remember what they taught me in swimming lessons. Heck when your 13 or 14 and your scared your not going to do it exactly as they instructed you. So I am not sure if poor Cara swallowed any more ocean water while I struggled to swim against the strong tides. I think when we were at a point when I could walk I tripped we got wiped out by a wave. It was all sort of a blur. However, I was happy that we both made it back to shore. I think this represents our family in that even though we had our violent battles we always stood by and supported each other. Thanks to awesome parents we turned out pretty good. We are also fortunate to have great in-laws that do so much for us. Holly and I cannot wait to see you all this coming weekend. Save travels and love you all! Zachary
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
In memory of Granpa Jack
On January 15, four days after his twentieth birthday, Jack Herman Kopshina was enlisted into the United States Army in Altoona, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. He was single and had a diploma from Dubois High School, an accomplishment for his time. Most young people like Jack, born and raised during the Great Depression, quit school to work or move around with their families looking for work. Jack had endured extreme poverty and homlesness and was now working as a glasscutter apprentice to his father, Henry. His future looked brighter than his past. However, Adolf Hitler and the Emperor of Japan had other intentions for Jack and the majority of the free world. To stop their aggression and defend the freedom and future of his country, Jack accepted his call to duty as a citizen soldier.He was assigned to the Warrant Officers branch, 595th MP Escort Guard as military policeman private # 677. He was enlisted for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or the law. He was 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighed 148lbs.
As of Jan. 22, 1943 Private Jack H. Kopshina would be accounted for by serial number (33-570-078) stamped on his dog tags and his soldier's box which would hold his personal belongings sent home in case of his death. After a short basic training at Fort Meade he was issued a mkm 30 rifle and a 45 caliber service revolver and sent to Europe, the home of his ancestors, via the beaches at Normandy, France. Here began his journey into the hell of the worst fighting in the European theater including the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardenne Forest of France and Anzio, Italy on route through the Rhineland in the allied march to Berlin.
Jack endured deprivation again, saw horror he could never dream, and killed men whereas he had never been able to kill a rabbit for food. He survived without being wounded. His grit and will had been honed by the Depression, but often his life was spared by divine intervention as he testified to his children later. His love of music and animals, particularly dogs, survived with him through the darkness of war. Divinity had preserved him as one of two survivors of a road bomb that destroyed the truck in which he was playing his guitar and singing for his buddies as they traveled. Divinity witnessed when he had to shoot and kill a young German SS youth with a bomb strapped to himself trying to ride into Jack's encampment. The youth ignored the warnings of the young military policeman, Jack, responsible for guarding the sleeping GI's and their officers. These and other war seeds of unspeakable guilt and fear rooted tangled memories deep in Jack that no amount of vodka or prayer in his behalf could destroy.
On November 23, 1945 Jack returned home to the United States. The US Government released him from duty at the same place, Fort Mead, where it had incorporated him into "This Man's Fighting Army". Jack, 6 feet tall, was honorably discharged weighing a fit 175 lbs, the result of war muscle built from struggling survival amid hostile environments and determined enemies. For his valor Jack was awarded : The American Theater Service Ribbon, The European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Croix De Guerre with palm, The World War II Victory Ribbon, and his mustering out pay of $300.00.
Jack was now free to continue his life from where World War II had interrupted. Unlike many of his buddies he had survived death or visible wounds or disabilities. However, Jack was maimed beyond a doctor's skill. What young soul can walk through the realm of hell and return without a sooty view of the world and himself? But for the remainder of his life he perservered with a dedicated work ethic as a glass cutter. He built a house, planted gardens and was a faithful provider for his wife, Frances and four children, Karen, Nancy, John and Barbara. His love of music and dogs remained. His relationship with Divinity was not church congregation oriented but personal and sometimes argumentative.
Jack was honorably discharged from the struggles of this life in June of 1999. He was honored with a soldier's funeral. He was my dad. He is one of my heroes because he sacrificed, suffered and endured beyond what my young mind judged as weakness instead of war wounds.
Friday, May 25, 2007
More pics.
Here are some more pics. Grace and I really enjoy the two local parks, Bisset and Randolph. I took lots of pics. at each park. Also, I got some pics of our town, Fairlawn and the surrounding areas.
It's not so bad...
We've been in VA for almost a week and it's been busy! The ward here is small but very friendly and we've been invited to several activities and dinner appointments. Grace is meeting new friends and today we stopped by her new preschool to meet her teacher and fellow students. She will be starting next week.
Southwestern VA is different from Richmond or DC. Life seems to move at a slower pace here like the New River that winds its way through the valley. Blacksburg and Christiansburg are the larger cities around but they are more like very large sections of Pittsford and Henrietta. Many people live in the smaller towns like Dublin or Fairlawn. We've discovered that there is a bit of rivalry with people from Radford and people from Pulaski. Radford thinks Pulaski is hicksville and Pulaski thinks Radford is stuck up. As always the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Something everyone down here can agree on is the beauty of the New River Valley. Almost everyone we've talked to comments on how much they like living in this area. We're surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains watching over the valley like large, silent sentinals. Yep, it's definitly not upscale and I'm afraid some shoppers at eastview mall would scream and run away but Carl and I were never those kind of folks anyway. There's lots of country music, trucks, wal-marts and entire grocery sections devoted to cornbread, hominy and collard greens.
While I miss home lots I'm glad we moved to such a beautiful area. I told Carl I'd have a much harder time if we had to move to say NJ (which is where Verizon is headquartered).
The sad building is actually our apartment complex. We live on the bottom section on the left. We are hoping that this picture will motivate you all to pray that our house sells really soon. Love you all. Amber PS. I'll post more pics on a separate blog.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Sunshine is leaving New York
Today, regardless of what the weather man says, will be a very cloudy and gloomy in upstate New York. Amber and Grace are moving to Virginia, which already has enough sunshine. Last night the remnants of the family, who will be left behind, gathered at Amber's invitation for a little farewell meal. 3226 Blue Spruce Drive looks beautiful for the next lucky buyer thanks to Amber's hard work and the help of Natalie and family members. It will be hard to resist those normal turns that lead to what has become known as , "Amber's and Carl's",where we have had so many Cain Clan gatherings and enjoyed great hospitality and laughs.
I am pushing back tears, unsuccesfully, contemplating this big change. Nana is going to miss, big time, my little Love Bug, Princess Grace, coming in wearing her mermaid sunglasses and calling, "Na?" like a little lost lamb. What will I do with all this hot chocolate we shared on cold winter days? What will I do with the playdough food waiting in the activity bucket? Who is going to paint my bread dough with butter? Who is going to hide in the curtains waiting for me to find her?
Who is going to re-awaken all my seasons to new discoveries like the magic in a pumpkin or a tulip? Who is going to keep my vocabulary sharpened with more use of words like delicious, amazing and gorgeous? Who is going to keep Arnie and Abbey entertained with chasing after little running giggles?
For seven great years we have been blessed having Amber and Carl living here after five long years being across the country in California. We have been blessed in sharing with them their first house and the birth of amazing Grace who has brought so much sunshine in all our lives. Princess Grace has definitely been a royal blessing especially in the difficult times. She has become the Cain Clan mascot of joy and thanksgiving. The energy of her little life has been the best tonic against the aches and pains of adulthood and senior citizenhood.
My counselor is leaving. For seven years I have had the resource of Amber's listening ear, wisdom and support. She has been within minutes travel to come and help with willing hands and heart. It has been wonderful to have her stop over with Grace and have mom and daughter chats about all kinds of topics. Amber is my soul mate when it ccomes to liking to talk. She was born to this calling. And thankfully Grace has inherited it. What a blessing Amber is to all of us Cain Clan. I could ask for no better person to be the oldest sibling and example to the rest of our family. She has been the pioneer for the Cain kids and a cheer leader for her aging parents. I am counting on her daily morning calls. I am so thankful that we now have cell phones and unlimited long distance calling.
Amber is returning to the area of her birth, Virginia. Maybe in the future we can just program the car to drive there. But more than likely by then all the directions and turns will have become part of our internal maps just as those leading to 3226 Blue Spruce Dr. off the Gananda Parkway.
Since learning of Amber's and Carl's move one song plays in my heart daily, "There Ain't no sunshine when your gone." But that songs pertains to all of the Cain kids when they are away from Nana's and Papa's nest.
Empty nests might be roomier but they are also colder.
I am pushing back tears, unsuccesfully, contemplating this big change. Nana is going to miss, big time, my little Love Bug, Princess Grace, coming in wearing her mermaid sunglasses and calling, "Na?" like a little lost lamb. What will I do with all this hot chocolate we shared on cold winter days? What will I do with the playdough food waiting in the activity bucket? Who is going to paint my bread dough with butter? Who is going to hide in the curtains waiting for me to find her?
Who is going to re-awaken all my seasons to new discoveries like the magic in a pumpkin or a tulip? Who is going to keep my vocabulary sharpened with more use of words like delicious, amazing and gorgeous? Who is going to keep Arnie and Abbey entertained with chasing after little running giggles?
For seven great years we have been blessed having Amber and Carl living here after five long years being across the country in California. We have been blessed in sharing with them their first house and the birth of amazing Grace who has brought so much sunshine in all our lives. Princess Grace has definitely been a royal blessing especially in the difficult times. She has become the Cain Clan mascot of joy and thanksgiving. The energy of her little life has been the best tonic against the aches and pains of adulthood and senior citizenhood.
My counselor is leaving. For seven years I have had the resource of Amber's listening ear, wisdom and support. She has been within minutes travel to come and help with willing hands and heart. It has been wonderful to have her stop over with Grace and have mom and daughter chats about all kinds of topics. Amber is my soul mate when it ccomes to liking to talk. She was born to this calling. And thankfully Grace has inherited it. What a blessing Amber is to all of us Cain Clan. I could ask for no better person to be the oldest sibling and example to the rest of our family. She has been the pioneer for the Cain kids and a cheer leader for her aging parents. I am counting on her daily morning calls. I am so thankful that we now have cell phones and unlimited long distance calling.
Amber is returning to the area of her birth, Virginia. Maybe in the future we can just program the car to drive there. But more than likely by then all the directions and turns will have become part of our internal maps just as those leading to 3226 Blue Spruce Dr. off the Gananda Parkway.
Since learning of Amber's and Carl's move one song plays in my heart daily, "There Ain't no sunshine when your gone." But that songs pertains to all of the Cain kids when they are away from Nana's and Papa's nest.
Empty nests might be roomier but they are also colder.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
There's nothing magic about it
The home stagger that recently visited recommend I use the "Mr.Clean Magic Eraser" to clean the scuff marks and grime off the walls and base boards. (for those of you who don't know a home stagger is someone who recommends how to stage your home for sale). "It works wonders! I just love the product" she gleefully told me. There was even a bit of awe in her voice as if the "Mr. Clean Magic eraser" really did have a bit of heavenly magic hidden in it's spongy interior.
I, however, was a bit more skeptical. First of all Mr. Clean and I have never really seen eye to eye on stuff. I see him every week hanging around the Wegman's cleaning isle. He spends his time trying to pick up women and even men using everything from slick advertising to coupons to get into as many homes as possible. "Look, I just don't see spending the extra two dollars when I gallon of simple green and a sponge have worked just fine!" His muscled arms folded over his crisp, extra white t-shirt while he flashed me a smile. I wasn't buying it (no pun intended). I will admit that I did buy his "magic eraser" one other time only to have it literally disintegrate in my hands after five minutes of scrubbing.
Ok, so here I was again. Do I give this guy another chance? The commercials show a woman scrubbing a counter top then tossing it to her neighbor who scrubs scum off his lawn furniture. He then tosses it to another lady who scrubs crayon off the walls. All the while Mr. Clean stands behind the actors watching them. Do you think he could get off his khaki butt and help? But I digress. I plunked down five bucks and bought two "extra hefty duty" magic erasers.
At home I wet the first sponge and tested it on the base board in the hall way. Scuffs lifted easily. Maybe Mr. Clean had changed his ways. I tried it on the wall in the stair way and it worked! But wait, a little piece of the sponge was torn away apparently from my vigorous scrubbing. Nooooooooo, stay with me Mr. Clean. Pace yourself! I worked my way down the steps with the "heavy duty" "magic" eraser disintegrating every step of the way. By the time I got to the bottom of the steps the stairwell was clean but all I had left of the eraser was a sad little pile of grey cellulose.
I showed Nat what was left of the once "magic eraser". "It's just a five dollar sponge" she said. And she's right!
I, however, was a bit more skeptical. First of all Mr. Clean and I have never really seen eye to eye on stuff. I see him every week hanging around the Wegman's cleaning isle. He spends his time trying to pick up women and even men using everything from slick advertising to coupons to get into as many homes as possible. "Look, I just don't see spending the extra two dollars when I gallon of simple green and a sponge have worked just fine!" His muscled arms folded over his crisp, extra white t-shirt while he flashed me a smile. I wasn't buying it (no pun intended). I will admit that I did buy his "magic eraser" one other time only to have it literally disintegrate in my hands after five minutes of scrubbing.
Ok, so here I was again. Do I give this guy another chance? The commercials show a woman scrubbing a counter top then tossing it to her neighbor who scrubs scum off his lawn furniture. He then tosses it to another lady who scrubs crayon off the walls. All the while Mr. Clean stands behind the actors watching them. Do you think he could get off his khaki butt and help? But I digress. I plunked down five bucks and bought two "extra hefty duty" magic erasers.
At home I wet the first sponge and tested it on the base board in the hall way. Scuffs lifted easily. Maybe Mr. Clean had changed his ways. I tried it on the wall in the stair way and it worked! But wait, a little piece of the sponge was torn away apparently from my vigorous scrubbing. Nooooooooo, stay with me Mr. Clean. Pace yourself! I worked my way down the steps with the "heavy duty" "magic" eraser disintegrating every step of the way. By the time I got to the bottom of the steps the stairwell was clean but all I had left of the eraser was a sad little pile of grey cellulose.
I showed Nat what was left of the once "magic eraser". "It's just a five dollar sponge" she said. And she's right!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
You're It!
My favorite game to play with Dad was, You're it. It was really a game of two-person tag that had a tendency to span the house and ended when someone or both players got tired. The rules were simple. Touch the other person and run away before they touched you back.
The game would often start in passing somewhere in the house. I remember the stairs being a popular place. Dad and I would acknowledge each other with a quick gentle tap on the shoulder. We'd go back and forth casually for a brief moment, until the distance between us grew larger and larger. At a certain distance, usually about four or five steps, the game was on! Soon we'd be tapping and running around the house giggling all the way. We'd surprise each other around corners and try to keep our footing on the slick floor. Soon we'd run out of breath and the game slowly would come to an end. There was never a declared winner, just an understanding that we'd continue this little battle in the future.
This was not just a childhood game. I clearly remember playing even in high school. As I got older, life got busy with school, sports, work and friends. Dad and I never really had oodles of time to spend together. However, this was our way of communicating and having a bit of fun. I'm glad he took time to humor me. Now we live far apart, but when we do see each other, occasionally I'll find myself giving him a little tap on the shoulder. Just to let him know that the game isn't over, just postponed for a while. Happy birthday Dad.
Love,
Lauren
The game would often start in passing somewhere in the house. I remember the stairs being a popular place. Dad and I would acknowledge each other with a quick gentle tap on the shoulder. We'd go back and forth casually for a brief moment, until the distance between us grew larger and larger. At a certain distance, usually about four or five steps, the game was on! Soon we'd be tapping and running around the house giggling all the way. We'd surprise each other around corners and try to keep our footing on the slick floor. Soon we'd run out of breath and the game slowly would come to an end. There was never a declared winner, just an understanding that we'd continue this little battle in the future.
This was not just a childhood game. I clearly remember playing even in high school. As I got older, life got busy with school, sports, work and friends. Dad and I never really had oodles of time to spend together. However, this was our way of communicating and having a bit of fun. I'm glad he took time to humor me. Now we live far apart, but when we do see each other, occasionally I'll find myself giving him a little tap on the shoulder. Just to let him know that the game isn't over, just postponed for a while. Happy birthday Dad.
Love,
Lauren
Friday, May 11, 2007
Girl Scouts and Apple Butter
Do you guys remember the girl scout uniform? Not the brownie outfit, but the girl scout shirt. It was white and had panels of the green girl scout logo over its entirety. I remember that shirt distinctly because of how I once desecrated it with an entire jar of apple butter.
It had been a long day. Cara had just gotten home from her girl scout meeting (she and I were never in the same troop due to age). She sat in front of the TV eating a late night snack before bed, still in her pristine uniform. Not a blemish to be found on her shirt that exuded girl scout pride. It had been a long day for me too. Boredom consumed me as the last moments of pre-bedtime freedom drew near.
"What's this? A jar of apple butter in the downstairs bathroom. Why on earth is it in the bathroom? Well I guess I better put it back in the pantry. Hmmm, Cara is really focused on that show. I wonder if she would notice if I poured a bit of this apple butter on her?"
"Hey Cara, what are you watching?"
"Lauren, go away."
"I was just asking, jeez"
"Lauren, I told you to leave me alone!"
"Hey Cara, would you be mad if I poured some of this apple butter on you?"
"Lauren shut-up!"
"Cara?"
"Shut-up!!"
PLOP!
I quickly stepped back realizing that I had just emptied the entire jar on her head and watched as it dripped in huge blobs down that back of her shirt. It wasn't my intention to dump all of it on her, just a little bit. It came out too fast, like when you accidentally pour way too much Ranch on your salad.
If you've lived in the in the Cain household, you can guess how this little problem was solved. With extreme Violence. I don't remember much of the beating, but I think I took it quite well. I was definitely in the wrong, therefore fighting back wasn't really an option. A few years later, Cara would enact her revenge by throwing a totally rotten tomato from mom's garden at me. It splattered all over the back of my shirt.
Oh, the asinine things we do when we're young. Cara, I hope you've forgiven me. I admit, a small part of me thought it was worth it to see your face full anger and utter disbelief that I had just poured apple butter all over you. As the younger sister, I felt a small sense of triumph knowing I had done something that inspired such a reaction. I'm glad to know that our relationship is different now, and we've made significant progress in our maturity. Happy belated birthday and thanks for all the good times.
Love,
Lauren
It had been a long day. Cara had just gotten home from her girl scout meeting (she and I were never in the same troop due to age). She sat in front of the TV eating a late night snack before bed, still in her pristine uniform. Not a blemish to be found on her shirt that exuded girl scout pride. It had been a long day for me too. Boredom consumed me as the last moments of pre-bedtime freedom drew near.
"What's this? A jar of apple butter in the downstairs bathroom. Why on earth is it in the bathroom? Well I guess I better put it back in the pantry. Hmmm, Cara is really focused on that show. I wonder if she would notice if I poured a bit of this apple butter on her?"
"Hey Cara, what are you watching?"
"Lauren, go away."
"I was just asking, jeez"
"Lauren, I told you to leave me alone!"
"Hey Cara, would you be mad if I poured some of this apple butter on you?"
"Lauren shut-up!"
"Cara?"
"Shut-up!!"
PLOP!
I quickly stepped back realizing that I had just emptied the entire jar on her head and watched as it dripped in huge blobs down that back of her shirt. It wasn't my intention to dump all of it on her, just a little bit. It came out too fast, like when you accidentally pour way too much Ranch on your salad.
If you've lived in the in the Cain household, you can guess how this little problem was solved. With extreme Violence. I don't remember much of the beating, but I think I took it quite well. I was definitely in the wrong, therefore fighting back wasn't really an option. A few years later, Cara would enact her revenge by throwing a totally rotten tomato from mom's garden at me. It splattered all over the back of my shirt.
Oh, the asinine things we do when we're young. Cara, I hope you've forgiven me. I admit, a small part of me thought it was worth it to see your face full anger and utter disbelief that I had just poured apple butter all over you. As the younger sister, I felt a small sense of triumph knowing I had done something that inspired such a reaction. I'm glad to know that our relationship is different now, and we've made significant progress in our maturity. Happy belated birthday and thanks for all the good times.
Love,
Lauren
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Another Trip Down South and No One Got Sick
Grace and I just got back from another long weekend excursion to VA. I decided to go down over the weekend kind of last minute so Carl and I could interview a potential child care provider for Grace. I've found it's very difficult to find people willing to do part time care so when I found this lady I knew we needed to go and see if this could work. She only had two slots available. The short story is that Carl and I both feel comfortable with her. She used to teach pre-school and still teaches a curriculum in her home. She watches four other pre-schoolers. It is a big relief to know that we have safe, reliable care for Grace although I know the first few days won't be easy for Grace or myself. We've been so fortunate to have Mom and Granny Sandy.
Grace and I will be "moving" on May 14th. I start my new job May 28th. It's part time with Brain Injury Services. We will be living in Carl's small apartment for a while. Hopefully the house will sell and we can begin looking for a new home there. S.W. VA is very different from upstate NY. The area we are moving too is a mixture of old rural and explosive new growth (blacksburg). There are areas that remind me of WVA (oh, look someone dumped a washing machine over that ravine) and then there are areas that remind me of super hoyty toyty Pittsford and it's all within the same geographic area.
This entire process has been huge and when it's all over I'm sure I'd have enough material to start another blog. I have definitely been driven to tears on several occasions with this long separation and the frustration of not having our home sell. At times I just don't think I will make it (like yesterday.) Carl and I have been pouring over our scriptures and kneeling in prayer separately and together. And this is what has carried me through another day.
I know we all have trials open and secret that we carry day to day. I think of Sam and Frodo in Mordor. At one very dark moment for the two hobbits Sam looks up to see a break in the soot filled sky and a single star shinning high above. Sam realizes that there is light and goodness beyond darkness. That even if they failed in their mission and middle earth fell into Sauron's hands there was light and goodness beyond his reach. Sometimes I feel like Sam trying to climb Mt. Doom. At times it seems hopeless and everything is pulling against me filling my heart with discouragement and despair. But I have learned (through other difficult trials) that despair and discouragement are not from God. Encouragement to give way to those feelings is not from God. "fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."
Keep your chin up!
Grace and I will be "moving" on May 14th. I start my new job May 28th. It's part time with Brain Injury Services. We will be living in Carl's small apartment for a while. Hopefully the house will sell and we can begin looking for a new home there. S.W. VA is very different from upstate NY. The area we are moving too is a mixture of old rural and explosive new growth (blacksburg). There are areas that remind me of WVA (oh, look someone dumped a washing machine over that ravine) and then there are areas that remind me of super hoyty toyty Pittsford and it's all within the same geographic area.
This entire process has been huge and when it's all over I'm sure I'd have enough material to start another blog. I have definitely been driven to tears on several occasions with this long separation and the frustration of not having our home sell. At times I just don't think I will make it (like yesterday.) Carl and I have been pouring over our scriptures and kneeling in prayer separately and together. And this is what has carried me through another day.
I know we all have trials open and secret that we carry day to day. I think of Sam and Frodo in Mordor. At one very dark moment for the two hobbits Sam looks up to see a break in the soot filled sky and a single star shinning high above. Sam realizes that there is light and goodness beyond darkness. That even if they failed in their mission and middle earth fell into Sauron's hands there was light and goodness beyond his reach. Sometimes I feel like Sam trying to climb Mt. Doom. At times it seems hopeless and everything is pulling against me filling my heart with discouragement and despair. But I have learned (through other difficult trials) that despair and discouragement are not from God. Encouragement to give way to those feelings is not from God. "fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."
Keep your chin up!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Hand me downs, living vicariously
Do you all remember living with hand me downs? Everyone in the Cain Clan nuclear has had the experience of "Second Hand Rose". It could be the mark of a second class citizen of some sort in the material world view. But in the Cain experience hand me downs is a right of passage even for the parents. This is especially brought to mind as I viewed the pictures of Hawaii sent by Lauren and Sean. In my early married years a trip to Hawaii would have been an unbelievable dream come true. When I was a kid growing up in West Virginia I almost went to the World's Fair with my neighbors, the Spencers. But their neice Beverly decided to go at the last minute. I almost got to go with them to Disney Land, but again Beverly budged me. So almost became almost as good as being there almost.
As you Cain kids grew up I had some other almost experiences that
were enjoyed vicariously through you. Cara went on a cruise and to Cancun. There she saw and explored ancient ruins, another of my dreams in youth. I had wanted to be a National Geographic traveler/writer. Sheryl went to Disney World and I enjoyed the pictures and stories. It was a great vicarious experience. Amber pioneered my
first actual experience with Disney Land decades after I had dreamed of
what I saw on our black and white tv. When I was 48 years old I experienced Disney Land in color for myself. So what if I looked stupid riding Dumbo? It was long overdue. I had been budged enough.
Now I will experience Hawaii vicariously through Lauren. Next time I see her and hug her I will have touched someone who experienced Hawaii.
Hey, Dad and I been driving kids hand me down cars, Natalie's Honda, Lauren's Camry and Zach's Cavalier so almost being in Hawaii is at this point in my life OK. Even better is the fact that my kids are able to enjoy some of my dreams as reality. My Disney experience taught me that often the dream is much better than the actuality in many cases.
The pictures of Hawaii are beautiful, but more beautiful are the pictures of Lauren and Sean enjoying being there together and the memories they will add to the family collection. Hand me downs are not bad because from them is transferred some of the essence and spirit of the original.
owner. How wonderful that is when the owner is someone you love.
Love you all.
Mom
As you Cain kids grew up I had some other almost experiences that
were enjoyed vicariously through you. Cara went on a cruise and to Cancun. There she saw and explored ancient ruins, another of my dreams in youth. I had wanted to be a National Geographic traveler/writer. Sheryl went to Disney World and I enjoyed the pictures and stories. It was a great vicarious experience. Amber pioneered my
first actual experience with Disney Land decades after I had dreamed of
what I saw on our black and white tv. When I was 48 years old I experienced Disney Land in color for myself. So what if I looked stupid riding Dumbo? It was long overdue. I had been budged enough.
Now I will experience Hawaii vicariously through Lauren. Next time I see her and hug her I will have touched someone who experienced Hawaii.
Hey, Dad and I been driving kids hand me down cars, Natalie's Honda, Lauren's Camry and Zach's Cavalier so almost being in Hawaii is at this point in my life OK. Even better is the fact that my kids are able to enjoy some of my dreams as reality. My Disney experience taught me that often the dream is much better than the actuality in many cases.
The pictures of Hawaii are beautiful, but more beautiful are the pictures of Lauren and Sean enjoying being there together and the memories they will add to the family collection. Hand me downs are not bad because from them is transferred some of the essence and spirit of the original.
owner. How wonderful that is when the owner is someone you love.
Love you all.
Mom
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