Happy Halloween!
posted by Jennifer @ 4:57 PM
1 comments
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Lucky
Not too long ago, I was having a discussion with a friend about how I find myself in the most interesting of situations. We went back and forth for a few minutes and I finally came to the conclusion that it is because I am lucky.
At twilight, I was on the phone with my brother as I drove home along 190 coming from Killeen into Belton. If you can envision it, there is a pretty steep incline as you travel east. In the distance I noticed some smoke, but just figured it was from some overzealous folks trying to enjoy their fireplaces as the harvest moon was becoming full . As I got closer, I realized it was a car on fire. There were no flashing lights yet and as I approached there was only one other car pulling over. I quickly told him I would call him back...but before he would let me go, he told me to make sure I was parked far enough back in case the gas tank blew up and to not do anything stupid. (As if!!)
For a second, I thought about driving on by....surely someone had called 911 already... and that I would just be in the way....but I recognized that the vehicle was a mini van. Not to be dramatic here...but it just moved me to my core thinking that there might be kids caught in there.
As I ran up to the van, Everyone had gotten out before it had fully engulfed and I was right. Someone had called 911. After confirming folks were ok, I retreated to my car (about 50 yards back) and drove away before I could get caught in traffic. In my rear view mirror I saw the flashing lights coming toward us. I passed the spectacle and could finally feel the heat on my face-even thru all the glass, metal and distance. I suppose I didn't realize how hot it was while I was next to it.
After I caught my breath, I called my brother back. I asked him who we got this strange trait from......Since my mom is a nurse and I can't count how many times we would pull over on the side of the road to help folks hurt in accidents or her administering CPR to some poor chap who collapsed in Wal-Mart---I fully expected him to say "Mom". In fact, mostly I meant the question to be rhetorical. More of a statement than a question. What is it about us?
Jason surprised me when he said we got it from our Dad. In fact, I started to make a case for Mom. I just didn't see it. Jason then proceeded to tell me a few stories of times he spent with Dad before he got so sick. Stuff I had never heard before. I hung up the phone, kinda sobered from my earlier excitement.
I rode the rest of the way to Temple in the thickness of contemplative silence. I quietly made dinner and it wasn't til I sat down to eat that I told Scott what had happened. Somehow sharing that little piece of my dad with Jason made him seem very near and I didn't want to break that connection by speaking too quickly.
How do I attract these happenings??.....I still think it is because I am lucky.
At twilight, I was on the phone with my brother as I drove home along 190 coming from Killeen into Belton. If you can envision it, there is a pretty steep incline as you travel east. In the distance I noticed some smoke, but just figured it was from some overzealous folks trying to enjoy their fireplaces as the harvest moon was becoming full . As I got closer, I realized it was a car on fire. There were no flashing lights yet and as I approached there was only one other car pulling over. I quickly told him I would call him back...but before he would let me go, he told me to make sure I was parked far enough back in case the gas tank blew up and to not do anything stupid. (As if!!)
For a second, I thought about driving on by....surely someone had called 911 already... and that I would just be in the way....but I recognized that the vehicle was a mini van. Not to be dramatic here...but it just moved me to my core thinking that there might be kids caught in there.
As I ran up to the van, Everyone had gotten out before it had fully engulfed and I was right. Someone had called 911. After confirming folks were ok, I retreated to my car (about 50 yards back) and drove away before I could get caught in traffic. In my rear view mirror I saw the flashing lights coming toward us. I passed the spectacle and could finally feel the heat on my face-even thru all the glass, metal and distance. I suppose I didn't realize how hot it was while I was next to it.
After I caught my breath, I called my brother back. I asked him who we got this strange trait from......Since my mom is a nurse and I can't count how many times we would pull over on the side of the road to help folks hurt in accidents or her administering CPR to some poor chap who collapsed in Wal-Mart---I fully expected him to say "Mom". In fact, mostly I meant the question to be rhetorical. More of a statement than a question. What is it about us?
Jason surprised me when he said we got it from our Dad. In fact, I started to make a case for Mom. I just didn't see it. Jason then proceeded to tell me a few stories of times he spent with Dad before he got so sick. Stuff I had never heard before. I hung up the phone, kinda sobered from my earlier excitement.
I rode the rest of the way to Temple in the thickness of contemplative silence. I quietly made dinner and it wasn't til I sat down to eat that I told Scott what had happened. Somehow sharing that little piece of my dad with Jason made him seem very near and I didn't want to break that connection by speaking too quickly.
How do I attract these happenings??.....I still think it is because I am lucky.
posted by Jennifer @ 8:32 PM
2 comments
Friday, October 05, 2007
Bestest Brother Ever
If you know me at all, you will agree that I love my siblings. I am proud of each one of them in their own way. Being the oldest of five, I have either experienced first hand or watched from a distance the growth and development of Jason, Brittany, Tiffany and Jessica. I want to take a few moments to brag about Jason.
Jason joined the Navy right out of high school. Even he would say that he wasn't "college material". Throughout elementary, middle and high school, Jason struggled to stay out of trouble. He couldn't sit still and had a hard time paying attention. He was never malicious or disrespectful. He was (and still is!!) an intelligent child, but very rarely did this translate in the classroom. In fact, most of his teachers really liked him, he just drove them nuts. In hindsight, I recognize Jason's challenges were an ADHD type of issue that was never addressed properly.
After Navy basic training, Jason went to a school to be a meteorologist. But his passion--what he really loved, was spending his spare time as a volunteer firefighter in Pensacola, FL. I knew he loved the thrill of the chase and the personal satisfaction of serving his community. I thought the volunteer fire program was kinda firefighter lite, tho. I was glad he was staying busy and happy, but didn't understand how much risk was involved in what he did. He carried a radio with him, a prepared fire suit complete with boots ready in his trunk. If he heard dispatch call out a wreck, fire or other emergency within his area, Jason shot off like a rocket. In this geographical region, the paid city firefighters were only on call in the station from 6am til 6pm or so. In other words, these volunteers were taking the same full responsibility in the night time that paid folks took in the day. He had the same training and earned the same credentials as "real" firemen, but he did it on his own time. By the time Jason left Pensacola in late 2004, early 2005--he had attained the rank of Captain with the VFD. As a first responder, Jason has helped deliver a set of twins ("They were slippery little boogers!!"). He was on a volunteer fire and rescue squad when Hurricane Dennis came ashore and devastated the Gulf Coast just prior to Katrina. He called me the night the storm was supposed to hit...from a carpet warehouse in an evacuated zone so that the equipment would be ready the next morning to make necessary rescues and cut thru debris. I could hear the wind howling in the background. Rather than worring, I had peace, knowing he was where he wanted and needed to be. The Weather Channel did a "Storm Stories" piece about his unit on Innerarity Point in Escambia County.
Jason joined the Navy right out of high school. Even he would say that he wasn't "college material". Throughout elementary, middle and high school, Jason struggled to stay out of trouble. He couldn't sit still and had a hard time paying attention. He was never malicious or disrespectful. He was (and still is!!) an intelligent child, but very rarely did this translate in the classroom. In fact, most of his teachers really liked him, he just drove them nuts. In hindsight, I recognize Jason's challenges were an ADHD type of issue that was never addressed properly.
After Navy basic training, Jason went to a school to be a meteorologist. But his passion--what he really loved, was spending his spare time as a volunteer firefighter in Pensacola, FL. I knew he loved the thrill of the chase and the personal satisfaction of serving his community. I thought the volunteer fire program was kinda firefighter lite, tho. I was glad he was staying busy and happy, but didn't understand how much risk was involved in what he did. He carried a radio with him, a prepared fire suit complete with boots ready in his trunk. If he heard dispatch call out a wreck, fire or other emergency within his area, Jason shot off like a rocket. In this geographical region, the paid city firefighters were only on call in the station from 6am til 6pm or so. In other words, these volunteers were taking the same full responsibility in the night time that paid folks took in the day. He had the same training and earned the same credentials as "real" firemen, but he did it on his own time. By the time Jason left Pensacola in late 2004, early 2005--he had attained the rank of Captain with the VFD. As a first responder, Jason has helped deliver a set of twins ("They were slippery little boogers!!"). He was on a volunteer fire and rescue squad when Hurricane Dennis came ashore and devastated the Gulf Coast just prior to Katrina. He called me the night the storm was supposed to hit...from a carpet warehouse in an evacuated zone so that the equipment would be ready the next morning to make necessary rescues and cut thru debris. I could hear the wind howling in the background. Rather than worring, I had peace, knowing he was where he wanted and needed to be. The Weather Channel did a "Storm Stories" piece about his unit on Innerarity Point in Escambia County.
Flash forward 3 years. Lots has happened. Jason left the Navy. He reenlisted with the Tennessee Air National Guard. Our father died. Jason married the beautiful nurse that cared for Daddy. He is now working as a paid firefighter for the small town of Bryant, Arkansas--But recently had an opportunity to apply with the City of Little Rock Fire Department. Out of 400 applicants, Jason ranked #14 and (pending his background check) is being offered a spot for the next round of hires in January. In addition, he has been approached by at least two other Department of Defense organizations looking for a firefighter/EMT with his credentials and certifications. I couldn't be more proud of Jason's accomplishments. He is one hell of a brother, husband, son and fireman. With this kind of success, who needs to be "college material"?
posted by Jennifer @ 12:44 PM
5 comments
Monday, October 01, 2007
Sermon from the Mound
A friend of mine sent me a message today asking how my sermon went yesterday. Actually, his precise words were, "How did the sermon on the mound go yesterday?". I wasn't sure if he was trying to make a joke, be clever or had just committed a malapropism. I wondered to myself if he envisioned me in a baseball uniform preaching the Beatitudes from the pitcher's mound @ Ameriquest Field. Regardless, it made me laugh and I needed that.
I enjoyed studying the scripture text and writing up a speech with a spiritual message. Somehow, using the word "sermon" sounds so stuffy and official. I don't really feel qualified to preach, per se....but deliver a 10 minute speech? No problem.
As I may have mentioned, I chose to use Psalm 91 as the basis for our service. Basically, I read the verses and talked a bit about how there has always been danger throughout the ages-wars, diseases, plagues, violence, etc. That the worry and anxiety today is no worse than what the ancients and our ancestors experienced. We all long to return to that feeling of security and safety that(if we were lucky) we had as children.
The primary visual image the writer of Psalm 91 uses is that of a mother bird covering her young with wings of protection. I went on to use some common birding idioms and then told a couple of short stories about fearing thunderstorms hopping in bed with mom and dad, then about an urban legend about a mother bird that sacrificed herself for her chicks. I drew those together to get the feeling of safety and security and that God invites us into that kind of relationship with Him--one of protection and rest. In addition, the invitation isn't just for a visit, but for a dwelling, a residence. He wants us to stick around and change our address.
We sang a couple of hymns and then served communion. There were about 30 residents attending the worship service. Half of them were in wheelchairs and many more with walkers. It was sobering to be near the congregation--Trying to convey a message of hope, safety and security to folks who have lived thru more than I can imagine at this point in my life. I felt very welcomed, but certainly under qualified. They were all very gracious and kind and carried themselves with a certain dignity despite living every day away from their families, potentially enduring a slowing of the mind and a failing of the body.
Humbling indeed.
I enjoyed studying the scripture text and writing up a speech with a spiritual message. Somehow, using the word "sermon" sounds so stuffy and official. I don't really feel qualified to preach, per se....but deliver a 10 minute speech? No problem.
As I may have mentioned, I chose to use Psalm 91 as the basis for our service. Basically, I read the verses and talked a bit about how there has always been danger throughout the ages-wars, diseases, plagues, violence, etc. That the worry and anxiety today is no worse than what the ancients and our ancestors experienced. We all long to return to that feeling of security and safety that(if we were lucky) we had as children.
The primary visual image the writer of Psalm 91 uses is that of a mother bird covering her young with wings of protection. I went on to use some common birding idioms and then told a couple of short stories about fearing thunderstorms hopping in bed with mom and dad, then about an urban legend about a mother bird that sacrificed herself for her chicks. I drew those together to get the feeling of safety and security and that God invites us into that kind of relationship with Him--one of protection and rest. In addition, the invitation isn't just for a visit, but for a dwelling, a residence. He wants us to stick around and change our address.
We sang a couple of hymns and then served communion. There were about 30 residents attending the worship service. Half of them were in wheelchairs and many more with walkers. It was sobering to be near the congregation--Trying to convey a message of hope, safety and security to folks who have lived thru more than I can imagine at this point in my life. I felt very welcomed, but certainly under qualified. They were all very gracious and kind and carried themselves with a certain dignity despite living every day away from their families, potentially enduring a slowing of the mind and a failing of the body.
Humbling indeed.
posted by Jennifer @ 9:39 PM
1 comments
Grinding my Gears
I spent this evening up at the library, studying for my A&P exam. It was well after dark when I got home and I had all my school stuff, as well as my work paraphernalia to bring up stairs. Of course, for the second night in a row....someone has parked in my numbered parking spot. So, I go find an open spot that is a block away from our apartment. I don't really mind walking that far to get home, but I had so much to carry! And its a been a long day! And I'm tired! Usually I assume the best and figure they are visitors and didn't realize they were taking some one's place. Tonight, not so much. I wrote a nice little note to my new friend. Actually, it was nice. (duh! the 249 on our parking place corresponds to our apartment number!!!) But ugh!!!! I was so mad I could spit. It isn't as if that person pulled into to my spot and said to themselves, "Bwahhahahaha, I am gonna really piss her off and make her walk home in the dark!!!". At least I hope not. I have a modicum of hope in the goodness of humanity.
Ive been feeling kinda agitated lately. I think I might need an extra chill pill. Or at least increase the dosage in the one I am currently taking.
Ive been feeling kinda agitated lately. I think I might need an extra chill pill. Or at least increase the dosage in the one I am currently taking.
posted by Jennifer @ 9:25 PM
0 comments
