Thirty-two years ago, my troublesome second son made his appearance in the world, much against his wishes. His birth was surrounded by unsettledness, and his life followed suit. Despite all the angst of his little life, despite his illness which arrived about as soon as he did, he was a happy sunny child with a zest for life and a penchant for making friends.
I miss my little rough and tumble son even after all these years. Normally, I try to find time to visit his grave and put fresh decorations there, but in all the hubbub of the past year, I wasn't able to take care of it this year. I know it means nothing to him, but it is important that he remain a part of my life. After all, he is still my son.
I thought of him all day. Often I find some way to commemorate his special day, but this year I am too tired and weary to do anything special. My only response was to pray longer for each of my living sons, their spouses or girlfriends, and their children.
Enough time has passed that the pain of his death is no longer sharp and hurtful. But there is a soft sadness when I think of him, and a joy to know that when I pass I will see him again. Still, I could not resist. At the end of the day, I asked Kiel if he knew what day it was.
He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Michael's birthday." (Kiel was only a few months old when Michael died). We looked at each other for a moment, remembering. Then I went to bed and Kiel went back to watching a movie. 'Nuff said.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Writing for the Web Workshop
I was an English major the first time I went to college. I do well writing papers. People tell me that they find my writing interesting. So I wondered why I was signing up for a workshop on writing for the web. It can't be that different, can it?
Yes! It IS different. In more ways than I could have imagined. I was impressed by our workshop presenter who helped me learn to think in a whole new way. Few words. More pictures. Fewer words. Different layout. Fewer words. Think about navigation. Fewer words.
As we worked out way through the exercises, I began to get the idea that I should try to be succinct and use fewer words but be more clear. Something to work on. I am not known for paucity of verbiage. Girls in general are talkers more so than most men, pardon my stereotyping. I remember chatting away endlessly when I sat on my great grandfather's lap. How did I know that he had turned his hearing aid off and was blithely unaware of my chatter?
We shall see how well I manage to translate ideas into pithy short sentences. I am learning to use fewer words when I text though. Its just too much work to be long winded on those tiny keyboards! So maybe if I text the web page ideas to myself, I will figure out how to say a lot with little. Another necessary 21st century skill to acquire.
Yes! It IS different. In more ways than I could have imagined. I was impressed by our workshop presenter who helped me learn to think in a whole new way. Few words. More pictures. Fewer words. Different layout. Fewer words. Think about navigation. Fewer words.
As we worked out way through the exercises, I began to get the idea that I should try to be succinct and use fewer words but be more clear. Something to work on. I am not known for paucity of verbiage. Girls in general are talkers more so than most men, pardon my stereotyping. I remember chatting away endlessly when I sat on my great grandfather's lap. How did I know that he had turned his hearing aid off and was blithely unaware of my chatter?
We shall see how well I manage to translate ideas into pithy short sentences. I am learning to use fewer words when I text though. Its just too much work to be long winded on those tiny keyboards! So maybe if I text the web page ideas to myself, I will figure out how to say a lot with little. Another necessary 21st century skill to acquire.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
RWC Gala
This year, the music department put on the musical Amahl and the Night Visitors. I wanted to go, but was unsure whether I would have the energy to attend, so I put off getting tickets. I knew the risk of the show selling out. I just figured if I should go, a ticket would be provided.
Colleagues told me they got theirs, and if I wanted one, I better hurry. All the good seats were sold, and there were only a handful of scattered single spots left. I sighed. The idea of having to crawl over a crowd of people to be locked into a seat in the middle of a row where I couldn't get out if I needed to in a hurry was daunting. I decided to let it go. After all, its just a show.
Did God hear the sigh of my heart? I think he must have because my friend came up to me after church and asked me if I wanted to go. She had an extra ticket in the orchestra section - great seats actually - and if I wanted it, I could have it. Who could turn that down! So I joyfully accepted her generous offer.
What I would have missed if I hadn't gone. What talented students we have at Roberts! The story is so familiar, but they brought it new life with their stage business, their comedy, their passion. I cried. I laughed. I loved it. And it wasn't long and drawn out. I enjoyed being able to see my mentor conduct. And was impressed by the beautiful voices of students I see every day. I had no idea.
Thank God for the opportunity to turn aside from holiday business and take time to enjoy life, to appreciate people and to just plain have a great time.
Colleagues told me they got theirs, and if I wanted one, I better hurry. All the good seats were sold, and there were only a handful of scattered single spots left. I sighed. The idea of having to crawl over a crowd of people to be locked into a seat in the middle of a row where I couldn't get out if I needed to in a hurry was daunting. I decided to let it go. After all, its just a show.
Did God hear the sigh of my heart? I think he must have because my friend came up to me after church and asked me if I wanted to go. She had an extra ticket in the orchestra section - great seats actually - and if I wanted it, I could have it. Who could turn that down! So I joyfully accepted her generous offer.
What I would have missed if I hadn't gone. What talented students we have at Roberts! The story is so familiar, but they brought it new life with their stage business, their comedy, their passion. I cried. I laughed. I loved it. And it wasn't long and drawn out. I enjoyed being able to see my mentor conduct. And was impressed by the beautiful voices of students I see every day. I had no idea.
Thank God for the opportunity to turn aside from holiday business and take time to enjoy life, to appreciate people and to just plain have a great time.
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