Nineteen years ago today, my maternal grandmother passed away. I’m reminded every year because her favorite wildflowers bloom along the creek beds here on the farm almost exactly one week prior.
Posts Tagged ‘family’
Remembering Louise
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010Going From MJ’s Death to a Life Lesson
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010This morning, I read an early movie review that needed to establish when it was written, because the review was on an unfinished rough cut of the final film. The author chose to establish his time frame in a somewhat novel fashion by using a “where were you when you heard about” time reference. In this case, the occasion was Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009. That got me thinking about last summer and just where I was and what I was doing at that time, because I remember it being somewhat of a blur. I do remember I learned of MJ’s death on twitter first (thanks, iPhone!), then listened to the car radio on the way home from work that afternoon. Then, I remembered some other things, and I had to look back at my calendar to figure it all out.
Wow. Simply put: June 2009 was a crazy month. No wonder I remember it as nothing but a blur.
My relationship with the cute hockey fan girl was just a month old, and we had gone from zero to serious in no time flat. I was spending a lot of time in Nashville already, and for the most part was loving every bit of it—even if I was still a little conflicted about being away from the farm so much right as the chore season started ramping up.
Early in the month, I flew to Houston for my brothers “graduation” from his fellowship. I ended up driving one of his cars back home for him, the next day, which was a LONG day trip to make in the Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi sun. I remember hitting Birmingham and feeling drowsy around 11pm, so some caffeine was in order. When I got to Nashville, I stopped for the night—and then couldn’t sleep until after 2am. Thanks, caffeine.
I think I did father’s day with Dad at the lake. I know I skipped ARRL Field Day Weekend in favor of hanging in Nashville with the girl. In fact, I figured out I skipped a lot of things last year, which I kind of regret now. That’s not a dig at our relationship. It’s a dig at myself for sacrificing things when I really didn’t need to. I understand why I did: New girl, honeymoon phase…totally understandable, but my advice to self for next time is: Enjoy the things you love, especially those things that only happen once a year. Know the difference between compromise and sacrifice. One is good, the other not so much, if done to excess.
Ok, sorry. I know this rehashing the past makes for boring blog reading—and frankly, it makes for boring blog writing, too. I guess the whole point of this post was to describe how my thought process went from “Where was I when MJ died?” to a little life lesson and reminder that it’s good to love, but not OK to lose yourself in the process.
Hello Again, Louisville…Much Nicer to See You This Time.
Friday, March 12th, 2010We traveled to my brother’s in Louisville tonight for my nephew’s big fourth birthday party, which is tomorrow. Everyone else is asleep upstairs. I’m down in the basement “man cave” watching the Predators game on TV, E-Mailing friends, and waiting for the road coffee to wear off so I can get to sleep. The setup down here is very nice: Big HDTV, wireless internet, my own bathroom, and a comfortable queen bed. I can’t complain.
However, I am reminded of the last time I was here, almost two months ago. The breakup was fresh, only two days old. That Saturday morning, on the good advice and encouragement of a friend, I left Clark in good hands and pointed the old, worn-out Jetta east to Louisville. I had to put some distance between myself and Nashville.
I arrived in time to go to dinner with some friends I hadn’t seen since Mike and Ashley’s wedding, and had a rather good time—mojitos and light chatter did wonders for keeping me distracted. That night, however, I had all kinds of trouble sleeping. In fact, I was jarred awake almost every hour on the hour.
Those were not fun times, but those times are in the past.
I’m going to bed now, and I’m going to sleep just fine, because it’s time to start living life again. It’s my nephew’s birthday tomorrow, and he deserves a great one.
Mom’s Tribute to Fudge, the Original “Best Dog Ever”
Thursday, January 14th, 2010On Christmas morning of 2009, we had to take Fudge on his final car ride. This is my Mom’s tribute to his memory. He was a big part of the family for over ten years. The photo is what I believe to be the last photo in my collection taken of Fudge, shot on Thanksgiving Day of 2009 at my brother’s house in Louisville. For the record, there are hundreds of photos of Fudge in my photo library.
JOURNEY OF THE FABULOUS FUDGE
Fudge and Baby Ben on Thanksgiving
By Carolyn Milam
Late winter in Kentucky—homeless dog and lonely young physician bond as they walk. Nine dollars seals the deal. I am yours, Dad, and you are mine. Do you think Mom will love me, too? Dad, your red pickup? LET’S GO!
GO…thousands of miles from Lexington to St. Louis to Virginia to Nashville, to Houston, to the Lake House. Dad, I’ll ride shotgun.
CHEESE…string cheese, marbled Colby-muenster, plain old American. I’ll shake, lie down, talk. Feed me cheese. Or turkey, tofu casserole, those luscious bourbon-pecan chocolate brownies…so near the edge of the counter. Sorry, Mom. Quick—my elixir—you know—birdbath water. Hey, Ben and Jack, send a few tidbits under the table. I’m waiting. But Ben, peanut butter sticks to the roof of my mouth.
SKUNKED…Old Mike, look at those friendly black and white kitties. I must meet and greet. What! The smell, stinging in my eyes. Steak Lady, how long will I be in the garage and how many more peppermint soap and tomato juice baths?
THUNDER…another storm, or the Fort Campbell guns or Uncle Chuck’s target practice. Quick! safe spot, cover me with the red comforter, play Pachabel. Together, we’ll make it through.
DREAMS…chasing deer at the creek and through a few thickets, barking away another pesky Harley on Harmony Grove Road, retrieving Old Mike’s Croc from the lake, guarding Mom while Dad’s away, chasing rabbits and chipmunks and blue jays from my territory.
Now my journey changes. Remember the Eternal restores all things. Then, I’ll fetch, leap and roll again. So, beloved family, until then, maybe soon, until then.