1975

Last Friday night was the first time I had to spend the night alone since the night we were burglarized. I could have sworn I was 9 years old and sitting in the living room of my house at 209 S Roeske Ave. I still remember that night in 1975. My parents went out and thought I would be ok alone for a short while. Remember everyone, the dark is not my friend. I turned on every light in the house. The TV was up probably as loud as it would go to drown out scary sounds. I sat where I could see all the doors. My neighbor Mr. Tylisz came to check on me and I didn't even hear him knocking. Needless to say, my parents came home early likely realizing I couldn't handle it. I said I was fine. I seem to remember Mr. Tylisz there shaking his head the opposite way! 

Well last Friday there was no neighbor to pound on the door and check on me, that would have been embarrassing considering 50 is just around the corner. No parents to come home early. Just me, my dogs, and my wild imagination. The lights were on all night just like the alarm. The dogs were never far. I watched more movies that night than I have in 2 months. It's all good though. I survived and worked out more of the fear that was left from that awful August night. 

So many things change...so many stay the same. 

Daddy's Little Girl

The day finally comes. There is singing and speeches and pomp and circumstance. Then there is the search through the crowds to find her. At the same time she is looking...where is she? Where are they?

She spies his bright green shirt. She knows it is him. She breaks formation and runs to him.  Tears flow. Joy is abound. Only a picture holds the words...

Not angry

An armed burglar broke into our home in the wee hours of Monday morning.  He stole some things very personal to me and he shot at us, but we live to tell the tale.

In talking to my mom she said 'you must be so angry.' I'm not.  I don't know why. In my past when a major event like this happened I would get really emotional...angry.

Maybe I have reached maturity after all these years.  Some people get there later than others. Maybe I have reached a level of peace this past year that I didn't have before.  Whatever it is, I am good with it. 

All I know is I am putting things back together and moving on. Hoping this doesn't ever happen again.

Be safe.

Ten minutes

For 30 days you wonder, worry, imagine, cry, rationalize, remember, encourage, believe, write, and write, and write.

Then it happens...the phone call.

Ten of the greatest minutes ever.  The voice sounds like pure happiness feels.  It is enough until the next time.  I.Am.Relieved.

The hardest part

Haven't blogged in a while.  Haven't felt like it.  I am being a bit selfish.  Emmy left for the military and I am wallowing in the fact that I can't go see her whenever I want.  What is that?  I have always been able to do what I want when I want to.  Now I can't.  I'll get over it and she will come back with new skills and experiences.  But in the meantime, I will continue to shed a tear here and there.  

Soccer runs in her blood

World Cup woes:

Spain v. Netherlands...

Emmy: this guy at the pub asked us if we played soccer.  My friend said she played from 3 til 15.

The guy:  don't get too attached to a team.  It's just for fun.

Emmy to me:  this guy must not have played soccer.  When you lose you feel horrible.  When your team loses you feel horrible. No, no, no...Spain's goalie's mom is probably beating him twice tonight for that shit he pulled. 

Em and I watching the Chile/Australia match...

Me:  I am thinking this game is very one sided (ref calls)

Emmy:  that's how the Spain game started.  They were getting all the calls, then the Netherlands just took a shit on them.

How do you really feel Em?

Proof that kids never learn

Come with me back in time on this Throw-back Thursday:

Emmy is 1 year old and we are in the kitchen.  I tell her the top of the stove is hot, it will hurt you, don't touch it.  What does she do?  She reaches out and touches it.  Off we go to the ER.

Fast forward twenty years.

Emmy is 21.  We just fixed a pizza on a stone.  Michael sets the stone outside to cool off.   Emmy gets ready to go outside.  Michael tells her to be careful the stone is out there and it's hot.  Don't touch it.

What do you think happens?!!!  That's right.

Time for us to receive our Parent of the Year Awards...