Paul Graduates

Last weekend we returned to our homeland (of 13 years) for the college graduation of our third child, our second son, Paul.

To my way of thinking, graduating from college is quite an accomplishment. Perhaps it seems greater to me in view of the fact that I never attended college...except for one course in medical terminology a few decades ago. Of course their Dad is a college graduate, but I was the primary teacher of my children until they went to college. No, come to think of it, I teach them to read and to teach themselves, and after that they are mostly their own primary teachers. I select curriculum, check their work, help them when they need it. I would say I am more the "mentor"...though I do love those "teachable moments", too.

I think Paul's graduation is a greater accomplishment in view of the fact that he was left behind - early in his college career - when we had to move away to Baltimore for my husband's work...and then his older brother and sister had to move away to pursue their work. We are all most grateful to everyone who was there for him in so many different ways.

I think it was an even greater accomplishment in view of the fact that Paul went from 20/20 to blind in the course of a few months - in the middle of his college career. So...he went on with his life. I'm sure it wasn't easy. I'm sure he had his moments. But he finished college and ended with a good grade point average and a chair award in his major.

Paul didn't only learn how to navigate to school and to classes in all kinds of weather and how to use an adaptive computer. He cooks for himself and sometimes his friends. He was a president of the Newman Club on campus. He was a senator of the student government association. He is a chancellor of a Knights of Columbus chapter.

If you were one of the ones who has prayed for Paul in his journey, I want to thank you from the depths of my heart. I would also like to ask you to keep those prayers coming as he pursues his career as a writer. He can write both non-fiction and fiction, and is currently looking for a writing job. As someone I met on campus said, "He is a brilliant writer." I was trying to pick up some writing tips from Paul this weekend about writing fiction. He told me there are many different ways, that there is no one formula. And then I learned that he "sees" a story in his head like a movie, before he writes it down.

On the Friday evening before graduation, an animation short film that Paul and his classmates put together premiered in a little theater on campus. Some members of a production company came to meet the class and see the film. When it came time to walk over to the theater, the professor asked someone to lead the way, but she didn't know where the theater was. So Paul, with his guide dog, Chicago, led everyone to the theater.

You can visit the website for this short film, see the producers and writers, even hear round-table discussions about the production.

If you have nine minutes, you can even see the film itself.

Just click over to Linus and Nigel. Enjoy.

A Proud Family

Last week all eight of us met in Alabama. The five of us in Maryland drove down in our fifteen year old minivan. (Thank you, God, for another safe trip!) Paul and his new guide dog "Chicago" flew from Northern Kentucky to Atlanta on a buddy pass, which Mary got from an airline friend. (Thanks, Kelly.) Mary picked Paul up at the Atlanta airport and they drove to Montgomery together.

We all came to attend Joe's graduation from Basic Officer's Training at Maxwell Air Force Base. We had a wonderful time being all together. And we are all very proud of Joe's success in qualifying for the program; his perseverance in getting through the very rigorous twelve weeks' training; and his commitment to serve his country.

Praise God for My Children!

I think I feel a possible magazine article coming. So I want to go light on this post. But I just have to share with you what's on my mind tonight, my dear blog readers.

I attended a social event today with a friend. When my friend asked me something about my kids, I didn't want the other lady who was sitting with us at the table to feel left out of the conversation. So I explained to her that one of my sons became blind six months ago. After discussing this, she asked me a question.

"If you had known about this gene, would you have given birth to your children?"

Did you get that the first time? "If you had known about this gene, would you have given birth to your children?" I still can't believe that I didn't stand up on my chair and shout it out for the whole world to hear when I answered,

"Absolutely!" There was more to this conversation but I'm not going to discuss it for now except to say that I told her they have a lot to contribute! Let me just add,

Praise God for each one of my wonderful, beautiful, content, faith-filled children!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above the heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

A Time to Mourn

"1 All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1-10

Friday morning I posted a "Tribute to My Mother" who died about eight years ago. Friday afternoon, the day that would have been my mother's birthday, I received a call that a dear old friend of mine has died, a woman who was like a mother to me when I was a young adult. I began writing a "Tribute to 'Another Mother' ". But after I got involved in writing it, I could go no further. I realized then that this is not the time to put feelings into words. It is the time to mourn.

You might even see less blogging from me for a few days, as I take that time. Not that I won't be laughing and playing with my family. Not that I won't be working on homeschooling and working toward writing for publication. But I need a little time - where I can squeeze time in - a little time to think. I need a little time to let myself feel, a time to weep. I need to forgive myself for not keeping in touch more often or more recently. I need to think about who in my life I should be getting in touch with. I need to thank God for wonderful memories.

Unfinished Tribute to “Another Mother”

I lived in Los Angeles. I was 21 years old. I was far from my parents, both geographically and emotionally.

After my high school graduation, I had joined a cult. After leaving the cult, I had “free-lanced” in life: traveling, moving, taking a class here, a job there. Now I was going to settle down, rent a little travel trailer in a trailer park, and work as a medical transcriber in a doctor’s office.

I wasn’t really finished moving around, though. First I moved from the trailer to renting a room in a home. Then I moved from transcribing medical documents for $500 a month to teaching in a private Catholic school for a hundred dollars less.

It was a full, happy life - except that I was very lonely so very far from my family; and I was sometimes muddled, from having lived in a cult.

All that began to change when I met Dona. I met her first on the phone. I don’t remember how or why. I do remember that by the time we were done talking, I wasn’t lonely anymore.

Tribute to My Mother

I wonder. Do you think they celebrate birthdays in the next life? Today would have been my mother’s birthday were she living still: Columbus Day. Oh, I know, Columbus Day falls on a Monday; but it didn’t always. How well I remember the great “Columbus Day Storm” on October 12, 1962 in Vancouver, Washington (that’s southwestern Washington, not Vancouver B.C.). We calmly ate Mom’s birthday cake in the basement that night, while the roof was being torn off my grade school a half mile away.

I remember another birthday. I made her a dress. Oh, it was an awful tent dress, and it was in my favorite spring colors, off-white and lavender, while Mom always wore autumn colors, red-orange, turquoise, rust. Those realizations only dawned on me later. Of course she was gracious anyway.

My Mom and I weren’t as close as I would have liked, but I am grateful to her for so many things.

First of all, she gave me life, the greatest gift.

The second greatest gift she gave me was that of respecting people, regardless of race, nationality, special needs, or whether they were old or very young.

She gave me the love and tools of reading, first by reading books to me - with feeling – until I was able to read them to myself, and secondly by coaxing me to sound out every sign and label that I was curious about (and I was curious about every word I saw).

The fourth gift began in the fourth grade when my teacher said I was “a good writer”. Mom praised my writing, too, when she heard that. When I was an adult, she told me I should be writing for publication. I did that…once. And then I got very busy raising my children. For years I never really tried but once or twice to share what I wrote with the world.

These days, once again, I am making the effort to share what I have to say with others. Today, you can read my article in the Homeschooling channel at Catholic Exchange.

Thank you, Mom, for all your gifts. This one's for you. Happy Birthday!

Peter's Week at Space Camp

Interview with Peter about his week at space camp:

What did you do that was fun?
Most of it was fun!

What was the most fun?
Probably riding Space Shot.

What did you see that was interesting?
The shuttle stack they had outside was interesting. The orbiter, also known as the shuttle, was called Pathfinder.

What did you learn about the space program?
I learned that they're going to discontinue the shuttle program in 2010. In 2020, they're going back to the moon. They hope to go to Mars in 2050.

What did you like best about being at camp?
Having cool roommates.

******

I'd like to thank my readers for your prayers for the visually impaired kids who traveled to and from space camp last week from all over the country and the world. It looks like they all had a wonderful time! You can see pictures here.

Peter is Going to Space Camp

If you're at an airport this weekend, and you see a whole group of blind or visually impaired kids, they just might be heading to Space Camp at Huntsville, Alabama. This will be their week!

Maryland is sending a contingent. Generous donors have provided the "scholarships", complete with travel expenses.

Please pray for Peter's safety and health (he got a doozy of a cold this week), and for all the kids, and the generous donors.

Dessert with a Friend

I can blog again now, because now that I can access my Yahoo, all is right in the world (Don't I wish it were that simple?).

Yesterday evening, I met a friend for dessert...a fellow blogger (Is "fellow blogger" correct, when one is speaking of ladies?).

It was fun, refreshing and uplifting to chat together with a delightful young Catholic homeschooling Mom! Her faith shines forth from her eyes and bubbles up when she talks. Driving home, saying the Rosary, I felt so much peace and trust in God. Thank you, Holly.

Anniversary Celebration

As you can see, the beach was a bit crowded, or as I would put it "wall to wall people" (Do you see any walls?). We had been all set for a walk on the beach, but ya' know, it was way too hot anyway. It was so hot that the sand that crept over my flip-flops was frying my feet. It was so hot that I felt like my brain was fried. And I told Ed that we could fry an egg on the bench at the boardwalk, but that by the time we got the egg to the bench in order to fry it, it would have spoiled, so we wouldn't be able to eat it anyway. (See what I mean about my brain having been fried?) It was only 98 degrees, but I hear the "heat index" was way over 100.

We did have a very nice time, though! We went to a Victorian restaurant overlooking the ocean for lunch. (You do know that you get the best prices by eating lunch rather than dinner at a nice restaurant, don't you? It's also a way to enjoy the beauty and ambience of the hotel lobby, while staying at a less expensive motel up the street a few miles.)

And now, having been away from my computer from Tuesday morning to Wednesday night, I have (at last count) 45 blog posts to read and 92 emails to process. Much of that processing will be hitting the delete button. No, not on personal emails, but on groups, newsletters and advertising. Hmm, I wonder if I could hit the delete button on some of my household clutter, too.



P.S. Just occurred to me you might wonder what beach it is. It's Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a couple hours drive from home.

Visit to Washington D.C.

Yesterday we visited Washington D.C. with four of our kids. Joe, who is visiting here from Kentucky, is the one who's going into the Air Force. He took charge of navigating us through the subways and streets of D.C. We had a great time, although I might have enjoyed it more if I didn't have a July furnace on the outside and mid-life furnace on the inside, both going on at the same time, along with trying to keep up with all the men who have longer legs and longer strides than I do. All the guys, though, were very understanding when I'd say, "Halt! I've gotta' stop and rest." Thanks, guys!

By the way, that's the White House behind us, and the Washington Monument in the other picture.

Joe is Coming to Town

Our son Joe is arriving today for a week's visit! We're all looking forward to taking him places and spending time with him.

My blogging may be a little light for awhile. On the other hand, I may not want to leave you, dear readers, that long. I am be clicking away on the keyboard while he sleeps in the morning. We shall see.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Trip to the Atlantic Ocean

Having grown up on the West Coast, Ed and I enjoyed seeing the "other coast". Having grown up in the Midwest, Peter was very excited at playing in the waves for the first time. (By the way, Ed and Peter were scowling into the sun. Mine was even worse so you don't get to see it. Editor's privileges, right?)

Proud Mother of an Air Force Recruit

And speaking of the Fourth of July and our great country, I've been saving this news for a propitious time.

Our son Joe is going into the Air Force! He felt called to do this, and he wants to serve. When he was considering it, I told him that I would be proud. I told him that I'm already proud of him and will be proud of him either way. I'm proud that he wants to do something to serve, something worthwhile, that he wants to serve his country.

So this worrier mom is going to have to become a warrior mom...a warrior of prayer. A proud warrior of prayer. Your prayers are welcome, too!

A Feast of Fireworks

Going to see fireworks a year ago, in a county outside of Baltimore, was a disappointment we didn't care to repeat, as we hadn't been able to get anywhere near where we had intended to park. So we decided this year to go to the Inner Harbor. We arrived at the garage, where Ed has a parking pass for work, at about eleven a.m., determined to get a parking space. As it turned out, the garage was nearly empty when we came, perhaps because it's some distance from the harbor and many visitors don't know about it.

Wanting this to be a thrifty day, we brought our own lunch and we didn't bite on any of the many ways to spend money: boating, shopping, boating, and...did I say boating? There were all different kinds of boat rides available and it was pretty tempting, but would also be pretty expensive. We did buy some good hamburgers for supper.

Our primary recreation? Walking. We walked all the way around the harbor, way beyond where we'd walked in the past. We walked through the malls. We saw fudge being made in an open factory. Highlight of the day: we saw a fire show, a man playing with torches of fire. (If you've read the child's book Inspell, think of Dustfinger.) Our other occupations were sitting to rest our legs, talking and laughing, and looking at our watches to see how much longer until the 9:30 p.m. fireworks.

All day the moisture hung heavy in the air. We had one afternoon squall, but after that the sun came out. About 9 p.m., though, another squall came. And at about 9:10 God sent his own fireworks for the appetizer, lighting up the whole sky again and again. The two huge cruise boats came in, blocking the view where the fireworks were to be set off. Apparently seeing the boats coming, or knowing they'd be coming, the bulk of the crowd moved down to a better vantage point. We didn't yet know where all the people were going, so we stayed, moving up to an awning with the thinning crowd in front of the visitor's center. By this time, the wind had whipped up, even our umbrellas hadn't kept us from getting soaked, and the radio station had gone quiet.

Still, there was a holiday atmosphere among most. And soon the rain slowed and the radio announcer said, "There is a rain delay in Baltimore...no, a monsoon delay, but the fireworks WILL go on." And - very nearly on time - the fireworks did go on! And what a feast it was.

Although there was just a little "window" of space between the two cruise boats, we were among those who were able to get up close to the edge of the harbor...I was especially happy that where we were standing was a "ring-side seat" for Peter. Burst after burst of colorful lights appeared in the sky, accompanied by patriotic songs from the radio station and the feeling of excitement from the crowd. After about twenty minutes of bursts had slowly lighted up the sky, we got a surprise. From a different place, yards across the bay from that spot, suddenly came more bursts, bigger, better, and lots faster than the previous ones. It was like we hadn't been expecting dessert...and here it was, gourmet and delicious. This finale lasted about ten minutes, concluding in clapping and yells of approval; and then we trudged, tired, wet and happy back to the car.

McDowell Rehabilitation Center

Where Paul will be going soon! I'm sooo happy that this is beginning to come together. I am not a patient person by nature... And I know that a person who is blind can lead a normal, full, happy, independent life. But when it first happens, well, there is more than a little training needed. And since we're talking about an adult - living in another state - I can't exactly homeschool here! (Not to speak of the fact that I'm not a blindness professional.)

The following is taken from the McDowell Center's website:
"The purpose of the Charles W. McDowell Center is to empower individuals who are blind and visually impaired to achieve greater education outcomes, become more effective in the workplace and enjoy participation in community life. The training opportunities at the Charles W. McDowell Center are designed to promote independence, family education, problem solving techniques, and employability which assists individuals in achieving their highest potential in career and personal goals. Derrick Cox, Manager of the McDowell Rehabilitation Center"

Getting Paul Home

For anyone who's been following the adventure of getting Paul home, they are now back in Northen Kentucky. They drove him back today (they being the Baltimore part of the family). I can't believe that we couldn't fly for four whole days! (Couldn't fly as "stand-by" relatives of an employee, that is)

For anyone in Cincinnati, I'm sorry but this is just a "flying" trip: drive out, spend a quick night in a motel, and drive back. And if you noticed the "they", yes, that doesn't include me.

Remember the jury duty? Well, last night they told me to call at noon today. So I stayed behind. I called at 12:15, but no message. So I drove over to the court house to find they don't need jurors right now, but will summon us again, probably within 60 days. (At least now I know where it is, where the parking is, etc.). I said, "And I missed a family trip for this." (Yes, I said that aloud. I've become much more vocal than I used to be.) But you know what? I think I needed some quiet time. Time to wash the dishes (go ahead, laugh; I'm glad I stayed home from a trip so I could wash the dishes?). I needed time to "regroup".

And now I'm going to get off the computer so I can go relax. Hmm, can anyone tell me the meaning of that word "relax", so I can do it?

Flying

Flying is something I used to enjoy. Well, all of it except the part about being up in the air, stuck in an airplane, way above the ground. You laugh. (I hope.) But there's lots more to love about it. Being able to get where you want to go quickly and meet your loved ones, or enjoy a vacation with spouse or family. Seeing lots of people. Seeing lots of happy people. Seeing lots of happy people excitedly meeting their loved ones. (Is this starting to sound like Dick and Jane?). Being served a well-balanced meal on the plane, served on a tray complete with plate and silverware. (You can tell my flying days go back a ways.)

Flying as a parent of an airline employee is something I used to enjoy. Stand-by travel can be a fun adventure if you don't have a pressing engagement. When you can't get to your destination city, sometimes you can fly to another city and then fly in to yours from there (I've been "in" cities where I've never set foot outside the airport buildings). My daughter has worked for airlines for about five of the past seven years or so. I've flitted around to get where I wanted to go, but I've never been stuck overnight. Family members have spent the night in an airport but never longer than that.

But right now I can't get Paul home! When I went to get him, I knew that I have to report for jury duty on Friday morning (IF my number comes up when I call in on Thursday evening...tonight, that is). So I figured, well, if I plan to take him back on Tuesday the 19th, that allows a little margin for error. Tuesday, thunder storms and pretty full planes. So we didn't go, and it turns out it's good as there were cancellations. Wednesday, well, I suppose they had to make up for the cancellations, so Wednesday, once again, we look into how the flights look and we might as well just not bother to drive to the airport. Thursday...am I going to fly out of town, on stand-by, when I have to (maybe) report for jury duty in the morning? So Ed said he'll take Friday off and take him back then. But Paul is ready to go back home, so he said he is willing to fly alone on Thursday. Last night it looked like that might work. This morning, no way. And Friday isn't looking so good, either.

So, we just might be driving Paul back over the weekend. Shh, I haven't told the kids here yet; only told Paul privately. (They don't bother to read my blog.). So I used to like to fly. Well, hmm, my neighbor and my youngest son, each independently, told me that the problem is probably the fact that school is letting out for the summer. And I thought I was a "planner"...

New subject! Speaking of flying, Nancy Brown at Flying Stars has written a terrific book called The Mystery of Harry Potter, a Catholic Family Guide. I received my copy in yesterday's mail! I can't wait to read it. I've read little nuggets here and there already, and it looks every bit as good as I had anticipated. I will give it a post of its own as soon as I read a little more, so I have something worthwhile to say about it besides that I like it and am excited.

If I don't post for a few days, you'll know that I'm flying...maybe flying around the house getting ready for a long drive; probably ten hours one way, spend one night, and ten hours back again. (And ten hours is the mapquest time, not allowing for stops, of which I am fond.)

I hope you all have a great weekend, and please keep us in your prayers.

Travel...and the Vatican

Thunderstorms were being predicted for today, both here in Maryland and there in Kentucky, so I decided we would stay here another day, and fly tomorrow. For anyone who may be jealous that I can just hop in a plane and fly whenever I want, well, yes, I do very much appreciate what I have...and I thank God and my daughter many times. But it might not be quite as good as you might think, either. If flying is uncertain, flying stand-by is triply so (I didn't think "quadruply" had a good sound to it or else I would have used it). Of course, that also means that I have lots of adventures to tell from the five years or so that I've had a daughter working for airlines. But right now I've had enough adventure for awhile, including the trip last week (I may tell about that one some day. Oh, no, I'm not forgetting that I told you; but I only told it from one angle, not from the angle of diversions and delays.). So, for my part, I'm trying to avoid adventure this time, by keeping my weather eye out. The rest is up to God's "decisions"...

On a different travel note, according to my Yahoo news the Vatican has just come out with a document about, interestingly, driving. You can read about it here.

Journeys

Tomorrow I journey back to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky to accompany Paul home. I would appreciate any prayers for a safe trip. I'm hoping also that we can get on the early flight so we might be able to meet son Joe for an early lunch before he has to be back to Lexington to work.

A different type of journey that I wanted to share with you is Heather's continued journey. For those who don't know, Heather is a young mother who is on a journey through dealing with a brain tumor. Today's post struck home. Perhaps you, too, might find it inspiring. You can read it here.

Happy Father's Day

Although my father has been affected by a stroke and dementia, I can still hear the friendliness of his spirit over the phone when I call him from across the country.

I remember going on trips, with my Dad sitting in the driver's seat, the bulwark; not that he was particularly large, though to me as a child he was...but what I felt was that I could always depend on him. There was nothing I could fear with my father there.

I remember going to restaurants or to the lumber yard and my father's friendliness with everyone he encountered, always trying to get those around him to smile and be a little happier.

I remember his insistence on my learning independence. He gave me a sizable allowance with which to buy everything from candy to toothpaste, movies to pencils, but I must first put ten percent in church and ten percent in savings. I must budget my money. And I shouldn't borrow money from him "just until we get home" because I should always carry my purse.

But I also remember his generosity, surprising me with an English racing bike for one birthday. And when I had grown up (sort of) and moved away, and was riding my little motorcycle for transportation, I remember his getting together with my mom to drive from Washington to California to bring me a car as a gift.

I remember as a mother of six active children (five of them boys) that the best vacation was going to visit Dad, who had raised two quiet girls and was living alone and yet would open his home to our happily noisy family. And during the day we could go off to visit Vancouver Lake, or go shopping or whatever we wanted to do, and when we came home, a delicious dinner would be cooking.

Thank you, dear Lord, for fathers, and bless them.