Hero For A Day- Ann

Ann's birthday was February 13, and I worked that whole weekend so I let her birthday post sit in my drafts until I had time to devote to sitting down and finishing it. I finally decided that if I waited until the post was "good enough" to adequately honor Ann, it would never get posted. I hope I have been able to express how important she is, and to let you know just what a hero she is.



Definition of a Mother: Ann

Prior to August 1, 2008, I don't think I had ever talked to Ann on the phone! She is my aunt on my father's side (his youngest sister) and due to conflict with my parents I rarely saw that side of the family while growing up. I only saw them on the occasional holiday or birthday/graduation. Since that day in August, I'm sure we've clocked thousands of minutes on the phone, and she has become one of the most important people in my life. In fact we talk so much that I've had to switch to Verizon!

I don't know how to describe the amazing things that Ann and Jim have done for the family. I guess I will just try to describe Ann and that will have to do for now.

Ann loves the people she is supposed to love. Fiercely. I'm still somewhat bewildered by how she loves her nieces and nephews. When she says "like my own children" I really believe her because her actions show it. She stays up late, gets up early, drives around town like a mad woman, and works long hours all for "her children". She and Jim took on the extra work load three new children bring, all at a moment's notice, and completely disrupted her own family life, because she loves the people she is supposed to love.

She shows her love by caring what her peeps are going through. She knows that actions lead to results, and doesn't hesitate to step in and voice a concern or two (or ten) if she thinks the actions may lead to an ugly result. That's hard to do. You have to be willing to make someone mad on the off chance that they might just listen to you, and make the right choice. Her motives are always clear, and they are never to hurt you, only to help. Even when it hurts her to step up and speak out.

One of the things I love most about Ann is her ability to wait. She can get piping hot mad about something (the phrase "NOW, I'm pissed!" simply must be mentioned here!) but waits for the "right place, right time" to say something. I have known her to agonize for months before having a talk with someone because she doesn't want to do it in anger, or in a way that would unduly hurt someone who has already been hurt. She strives to never fly off her cuff and deal with a big issue lightly, or too quickly. She senses when to wait.

Ann keeps her advice simple and easy to follow. I'll never forget when Eva was born. I was stressed about keeping my house perfect, spending time with my small boys, nursing, and everything else under the moon. Ann called me one morning and stopped me as soon as I began griping. "Kathleen, when your children are older, when they look back at this time in their lives they will remember having a crabby, bitchy tired mom way more than they will remember whether or not the house was perfect!" That was just what I needed-permission to leave the housework (even if for just a bit!) and go read a story to my little loveys.

Ann is my hero for so many more reasons besides these. I just have to get this out there. I wish I had all the time in the world to tell you all how much I appreciate her friendship to me.

Ann, I think you are a lot of peoples' Hero. Love you.

Note To Self

Kathleen,
When you have a very important Hero For A Day post that has been sitting in your draft folder for a week, don't wait until the last minute to polish it up. Especially when that special person's birthday falls on a busy holiday weekend and you work that whole weekend! Now you feel dumb. Well, get over it, and go ahead and finish that blog post up! And get a head start on the next Hero For A Day so it doesn't happen again. Ok?

Coming Soon!

Its been two days, and although I'm the only one reading the blog at this point, I like it a lot more than Facebook. I was getting bored with Facebook, and I really like my facebook friends' blogs. I'm not saying I'm quitting Facebook or anything (it cracks me up when people say that, and quit for all of two minutes and then come back!) but this just may be my niche where I can be creative in ways I can't be on Facebook, and not clutter people's newsfeeds with things that may not interest them at all. Only check my blog if you're interested in what I have to say...its simple! Its more for me than anything else-I definitely won't be winning any awards.
So I need to start jazzing up my side bars. In addition to "Hero For A Day", I'm thinking about a column for stuff the kids say, quotes from good books I'm reading, and goals I've set and reached....all I can say at this point is...MORE COMING SOON!

Hero For A Day: Zeke Burns

January 19

I'm not sure if you can see what I see here, a strong, tough, forgiving young man. This post is not the place to rehash all that he's been through, but one thing should be clear; Zeke knows what it means to "let it go". Human beings are all different. Some let the bad things that happen to them dictate the course the rest of their life takes. They dwell on what has happened in the past because they've given up ownership of their thoughts and feelings to the past. I can tell from talking to Zeke and talking to the people who live with him that he doesn't brood over the aches and pains of his childhood. He seems to realize, although he only just turned 16, that what lies ahead of him is disinterested in what lies behind him.

He used to call me Mama Kathy. Ok who am I kidding, he still does. And you know what, I'll always be his Mama Kathy. I was 12 when he was born, and we had an immediate mother/son attachment, born out of necessity. I left home for college when he was only 5, barely able to stand missing him and Elizabeth so much. He went to live with my aunt and uncle a few years ago, and I think he has tried to listen to them and to really let go of the past. They've told me time and again how much he has grown up.

My hopes and prayers for Zeke is that he will continue to be a positive person, will always forgive those who wrong him so that he can be free from whatever they have done, and will remember how much God loves him. And how much I love him. Happy Birthday Zeke!

Hero For A Day

I've never been one to send out birthday cards or Christmas Cards, although every year I say "This is the year!" I still say that this year, but maybe its time for a modern "I can do THAT!" twist; I'm going to feature each loved one on their birthday with a special birthday post. I'm already down one, since my little brother Zeke's birthday was January 19, and I didn't officially start blogging until February. But I'll go ahead and honor him with a post now. Better late than never (and he's worth it, believe me!)

Blog Name

Blog Name
I'm all about being rich. Not just money rich; wholesome, enriched, full, satisfied rich. Rich in love, influence, hope, faith. Rich in belief. There's so much more to the word than just the monetary connotations. Although I think it's important to have money, too. The world needs more people who have money, and have Godly priorites to go along with that money. I definitely plan on blogging more about how my husband, children and I are implementing our plans to bless others, but for now, please click this to enjoy the song that so aptly describes the kind of rich I am, and want to be.
Shalom,
Kathleen

Stepping Out

I've read friends' blogs for a few months now, and have often envied their ability to describe their life events so beautifully, many times evoking emotions in me so strong I feel like I know them better than I actually do. Every now and then I'll read a particularly creative blog entry and wish I could recreate my own experiences with success like that. In keeping with my personality, I've put off starting a blog of my own because I have this weird idea that I have to be perfect at something before giving it a try. Maybe that's why I'm 28 years old and have a bucket list the size of Texas! With very little check marks in the "done" category.
I have been learning that everything I want in life is just outside of my comfort zone. So I'm going to give this a try. I know how much I have to grow and I want to be able to look back and see how it happened. If I don't have something concrete that I can actually look back on, I just might forget the important lessons as soon as I learn them!
I invite you along for the journey.
Shalom,
Kathleen