WHEN DOES A MEMORY START

Are they from years gone by and become memories when we are old, or do they happen as we live life and become more precious as time goes by? That's one of those questions, you know, the chicken or egg sort of thing.

If you have known me for a while, or have followed this blog over the last couple months, you know there aren't answers to most of the questions I have about life. Life happens, through the Grace of our Lord, and we live and love through it.

Today has been another chapter in a friendship that started several years ago in a hospital in Galveston, Texas. The very beginning of this story is for another time, but through that beginning a very special lady came into our lives. That is when God, working through Jill Jones Douglas, changed my life.

Jill was, at first, a pre-transplant co-ordinator working to help secure a "new" kidney/pancreas for me. We saw each other every month for "labs" and tried very hard to maintain a professional nurse/patient relationship. Lots of things happened and several trips for the anticipated transplant occurred over roughly four years.

Finally one night in August of 2004 I received a phone call while our family sat at Chili's having a family dinner. By this time Jill had moved to post transplant and I had a new co-ordinator. As God would have it though, Jill happened to be on call that evening and called to tell me we had a 7 out of 7 match for "KIDNEY ONLY". Of course we didn't see that as the answer we were seeking but Jill said, "Mrs. Fenter, (there, that professionalism) think about this really hard, this is a perfect match; I can't advise you, but if I had to make the choice for a loved one, this would be my choice. Think hard about it and call me back within an hour. We do have others waiting but I wanted to offer it to YOU first". Les and the kids and I discussed it and one of them said "Mom, what did Jill say, that's what we need to do". That's what we did. Before that transplant took place, lots of stuff happened to my little kidney but Jill watched it, literally, for me until we went to surgery. She reported on it daily for three days.

On August 18, 2004, mid-afternoon, we went to surgery. Me being the questioner I am, Les said I questioned the doctors and anesthesiologist until they rolled me into surgery. I don't really remember much about all that. Actually, I think the family made up a LOT of dumb stuff they said I did anyway...

In June of 2005 during a clinic visit Jill told me she had met her Mr. Right, or Mr. Douglas as it were, and would be moving to Denver in July. I just knew at that point I would not be able to continue on my road to complete recovery without my Jill. I think I cried a river of tears and while everyone at UTMB continued to be wonderful and completely supportive I missed her smile and encouragement so much.

Throughout the last four years we have remained friends, e-mailing often and almost getting together on one of her visits to Galveston. She came to visit her dad, to help after Ike came to call, to see her daughter and just to try to hold a family together. We couldn't manage our schedules until today, here in Denver.

This morning, five years and one day after transplant, we sat in a restaurant, ate breakfast, laughed, cried and laughed some more. We started catching up on our families, events and people we share in common. I know somehow this friendship will continue and it will not be four years before we see one another again.

I know this, like most of my blogs, makes much more sense to me than to you. These are the times life collides with memories and memories become part of life.

As I sat across the table from her and looked into her smiling eyes, I couldn't help thanking God for yet another glimpse of what eternity is going to be like. I know He works out problems and overcomes distance even when we don't see how.

Love ya, Jill.

Alma

Welcome to First Grade

++++++------FIRST GRADExxxxxx=======

Surely not! It can not be...but yes, it's true. Today Zackary went to register and get his class assignment and his teacher's name. They told him his class could change, depending on the number of enrollment. He had this happen to him last year after the first week. That doesn't sound like a big deal in Kindergarten, but it made an impression on him because he wasn't keen on the idea. He is, however, looking forward to school starting.

Not the best picture, but who needs a camera when you have a cell phone, right?

On the way to get school supplies...DON'T get me started! Can any one remember what in the world we carried in our new school bag other than ONE pencil, a new tablet and maybe lunch money and one box of crayons???? He needed THIRTY pencils, about NINE different writing tablets, TWO kinds of construction paper, TWO kinds of manila paper (what is that? Wal-Mart hasn't gotten it in ever. Zack said it was probably something like vanilla but you couldn't eat it) He needed TWO dry erase markers, different tips on them, FOUR boxes of twenty-four crayons, folders WITH brads and folders WITHOUT brads, some red and some blue and one green...did someone say a FREE education? Of course the above isn't nearly the whole list.

I think the most disturbing part of the trip was when we were leaving the store and talking about his teacher. He told us some of the kids in his old class said she was really mean (we didn't have any of those, did we?). When Toni asked who had said that, of course it turned out to be Willieam/William, the little boy who was in trouble more last year than Zackary. Willieam also told Zack that if kids were on anything but the yellow, orange or red they were strange. No wonder he struggled to stay on the purple and green toward the end of school. I thought peer pressure was something we still had a little time to work on. Wayne was in the 6Th grade before being smart wasn't cool anymore.

I know Cheyenne has also gone to register and get her supplies and new clothes. I haven't had a chance to talk with her about being ready to go back or not. I feel like Chey will be ready to get back to friends, friends and friends. She is a little social bug.

Abby was on a break for a couple weeks while mommy went to visit aunt Libby and her new baby so I'm sure she has started back by now. While she and Abram were here for a week she was glad to have a break but wanted to read a book. She did very well. I hope she doesn't have a problem with her teacher...(mommy home schools her so it might be difficult to have a parent/teacher conference).

I thank God for my little ones and ask each one who reads this post to not only pray for them, but for all the little one's returning to school. We have a lot going back, or going for the first time. Pray also for our teachers. They have a job that could weigh heavy if left alone to do it.

Love to all
Nana

Special People

******MAKING MEMORIES******

Up to this point I have been recalling memories from our years as children in a loving Christian home, living, loving and laughing... Making memories.

Today I want to change focus and look at the memories we are making now. Hopefully ones our children and grandchildren will remember with as much fondness.

This blog started on Thursday afternoon when "Old Uncle Wayne" and Wa arrived. Zack was hoping to play another game of "run the bases" but he couldn't find a ball or bat. Maybe next time, buddy. Don't look now but there is a memory in the making.

Over the weekend we had the pleasure of blending two families. Not a new concept for our family, in fact most of our family is blended. The love and joy we have received and hopefully shared has blessed us deeply.

Jason Parker is in Houston working for a construction company, Griffin Construction. They build nursing homes around the country and he is here to oversee the building of one in Northwest Houston. (Exactly opposite from where we live) Jason is LaJuanah's son, a delightful one I might add.

I'm not sure if he is over a site from breaking ground to opening the doors, but what we saw was impressive.

He came down on Friday night and spent most of the weekend with us learning what it means to be in a crazy, loud family. We went out for dinner Friday night in Kemah, on the Boardwalk...yes the one that Ike destroyed. LaJuanah is crazy with the camera so, beware.

"Little Wayne", Uncle Wayne and Jason outside of Ichabons...

Dinner for Jason and probably Wayne, Tonty, was raw fish.

Saturday morning we went to see his job site and another facility his company is building and he was overseeing for the weekend.

Site of new nursing home...

Finished project...

Mid afternoon on Saturday The Family descended full force at our house where we ate, laughed, and played NERTS, what else would this family do??
This is the practice hand. I don't think it prepared him one bit for the real thing...

The real thing and guess what, he and Toni won. Beginners luck, or a nerts star? Only time will tell. Wayne and Candi were not good losers.

He got a "call" late Saturday evening, AFTER he and Toni won the Nertz game. You have all either known or been the one on "call" and it isn't fun. I'm not sure if he thought the game would go on all night and couldn't think how to escape, or if he is just a dedicated supervisor. The latter I'm sure, but that call came later in the evening.

While all the craziness went on those who didn't play watched and went a little nuts from kids and noise. I have to admit my house isn't exactly arranged for different indoor activities. We had much fun and look forward to another weekend soon.

I am going to post pictures of Jason and his family so we will all know the real part of his life. His wife's name is Kim, son is Ryley and daughter is Josie. They look like they might understand something about family and fun.

Ryley and Josie...

Jason and Kim...

Kim and Josie, love the smile and the dimples...

We are looking forward to Kim, Ryley and Josie coming to Houston in September and hope we get to share a little of their time.

Welcome to the family y'all.