I better start off saying that if you expect some great theological insights here or a great reflection on “Earth Day”, then you better find another article to read. But, you might find this mildly entertaining, and it does have a point of practicality.
Earth Day #1 was in 1970, 40 years ago. I was 17. Sure, do the math. I’m 57 now. It’s all-good. :-)
That first Earth Day in Lower Bucks County, PA was celebrated by a 26 mile walk.
I was a Senior at Neshaminy High School and I had been accepted at Drexel University. I loved High School. I was in concert choir. We did tons of concerts every year in and out of the school. When I was a Junior we went to Florida to sing at the DeSoto Celebration. That was awesome, except for our train crash on the way down. I was in lots of school plays. Each year I was in the school musical, a drama, and the musical we would do in summer stock. I never had anything close to a lead role, only a few speaking parts here and there, and “chorus”. A part in the chorus was what everyone got who tried out and didn’t get a real part. Kindof like the “participation” ribbons everyone gets today. It was still fun taking part, dressing up, and on show nights some girls would put makeup on you. Always enjoyed that part.
I was a volunteer fireman, so I had equipped my dad’s Dodge Polara with a CB, a PA, my fire radio receiver, and blue emergency lights. I kept my “dress uniform” fire hat on the dash. The girls thought I was pretty cool. Well, I guess actually, I thought I was pretty cool. Not sure about anyone else. I had not yet met my wife. I did not even go to my High School Prom. Still, an inflated ego. Somehow, I lived through it.
So, being the fine volunteer, civic minded young man I was, I volunteered to help out at the Walk. In case you missed it, that’s an exaggeration. I was no different from most of any other high school guy – I just wanted to have fun – especially anything with a car.
So at Earth Day #1, I was a go-fer. I visited various aid stations along the route through the day, bussing some of the organizers around. Honestly, the day itself didn’t really mean much to me. Of course I thought it was a good thing. But, I certainly wasn’t passionate about saving the Earth. I was too interested in cars, girls, electronics, and fighting fires. Not much intentionality in my life. Somehow, I lived through it.
One of the kids at my school ran the whole 26 miles, literally a marathon distance. I thought he was nuts.
Somewhere along the way I pulled up behind a guy (a real adult) on a ramp to route #1 South. His brake light was out. So, I just thought I’d be a nice guy and let him know, while we were waiting to get onto route #1, so I got on my PA and told him his taillight was out. So he opens the door and walked back toward my car! I had no idea what was going to happen. He walks up and starts apologizing to me for not getting it fixed yet. I regained my composure, straigtened up a bit, told him it was ok, but he should get it fixed as soon as he could. This man was probably 20 years older than me. I was a kid in my dad’s car. I had no authority. I guess the fireman’s hat (which was actually, yes, on my head at the time) made him think I was some kind of authority. Well, I never did that again. Not sayin’ I didn’t have other fun with my PA though. Youthful craziness. Somehow, I lived through it.
Years later, I did find out my wife was one of the participants in the walk! Also found out years later, she also lived next-door to the church I went to as a kid. Right next-door! We figured out we were probably both at VBS together at least once or twice, as little kids. Feasterville Baptist. A few years ago when my in-laws were moving out I had the chance to spend some time in the old sanctuary there. The pews weren’t there. The church was changing hands and being completely renovated. So I had to imagine where I was sitting when I responded to an altar call the “first” time, when I was about 7.
Gotta say, it was kinda cool to be there in that room again after all that time. I felt like I was looking back at myself 50 years ago. I’m glad my Aunt suggested to my mom that I go to that church with her and my cousins.
So today, of course I do care about the Earth. It’s God’s Creation. I care immensely about my faith and I value the place and day it began, and all the Saints who tried to guide me along the way. My old Sunday School teacher was a pretty cool guy. He used to take us to Phillies games, at Connie Mack Stadium. Maybe he’s one reason I do what I do today.
Funny. He used to try to tell me rock and roll was the devil’s music. But I loved it. My parents didn’t know it, but, I used to sneak-listen to a transistor radio I bought, under the covers after I went to bed. Now I love Contemporary Christian Music and work at some of the concerts. I was a little off the mark from where my mentor wished I was. Somehow, I lived through it.
Somehow, maybe God is at work in spite of everything I do. And, maybe somehow, God was able to work in and through everything my mentor did, whether it was exactly the right approach or not.
Maybe that’s a good point to end with. Youthful craziness, just how critical should I be of the youth I pastor? As a youth pastor, it’s really hard to figure out what you are doing right, exactly where to take a stand, without alienating kids. Maybe it doesn’t matter so much. Like parenting. I’m no authority, but I don’t think it’s the day-to-day decisions individually that make that much difference. Just that we are there, to bring God into a kid’s life, and make them think about God once in a while. Maybe what really counts is what God makes happen between God and each kid. Maybe I should not be so concerned about making all the right calls like a good umpire. After all, the Pharisees probably would have been great umpires, but they couldn't recognize the Son of God.
Maybe sometimes at least, I just need to stand to the side, get out of the way, and let God in.
Happy Hiking and God Bless,
- allen
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Great Olivet ASP Olympic Obstacle Race
I am pretty excited about this new ASP event this year. It will be held at the South Brandywine Middle School Track on May 16, starting at 1PM.
Each participant will have the opportunity to compete in 4 quarter-mile races (that's 1 mile total), with a final run-off of the winners from each heat. There will also be an obstacle race with some simulated exercises such as crawling under the house, walking on rafters, ladder work, and a construction exercise. I'm pretty sure God will give me some other nifty ideas before the day arrives.
Of course, sensitivity is one of the 3 S-'s at ASP, so this event will be as competitive or as non-competitive as each individual makes it. We never force anyone at ASP to do something they are really uncomfortable with. A little uncomfortable, well, then we might help you push yourself.
I'm taking requests for "Olympic competition music" to play during the events, so if you know any great songs to get us moving, please let me know! I wonder if I can get a hot dog vendor, or, at least a gatorade table, maybe some banannas! This is gonna be so much fun! :-)
I'm planning on having chairs available for plenty of spectators to watch so please come on out and cheer on your Olivet ASP Youth Trip Team!
Happy Hiking, and God Bless,
- allen
Each participant will have the opportunity to compete in 4 quarter-mile races (that's 1 mile total), with a final run-off of the winners from each heat. There will also be an obstacle race with some simulated exercises such as crawling under the house, walking on rafters, ladder work, and a construction exercise. I'm pretty sure God will give me some other nifty ideas before the day arrives.
Of course, sensitivity is one of the 3 S-'s at ASP, so this event will be as competitive or as non-competitive as each individual makes it. We never force anyone at ASP to do something they are really uncomfortable with. A little uncomfortable, well, then we might help you push yourself.
I'm taking requests for "Olympic competition music" to play during the events, so if you know any great songs to get us moving, please let me know! I wonder if I can get a hot dog vendor, or, at least a gatorade table, maybe some banannas! This is gonna be so much fun! :-)
I'm planning on having chairs available for plenty of spectators to watch so please come on out and cheer on your Olivet ASP Youth Trip Team!
Happy Hiking, and God Bless,
- allen
Friday, April 2, 2010
Reflections on Katie's wedding day -
It's been two weeks since I updated this blog. Two weeks since Katie's wedding. That's along time to wonder how Katie's wedding went, if this is the only way you hear from me.
I apologize.
Katie's wedding was a major event. It could not have been a better day. As Libby put it, it was a fairy tale weekend! The weather was beautiful. The wedding was beautiful. Katie and Andrew are back from their honeymoon and life has restarted again.
I would like to reflect on a few moments of note.
- I was uncertain how my father's date of death coinciding with Katie's wedding was going to be for me. As it turns out, it did not even occur to me while walking up the aisle with Katie. It was only after we reached the front of the church and I turned around to see the close relatives sitting in the front pews, that it occurred to me that my mom and dad were not there. But it was not a completely sad moment. I felt like mom and dad were enjoying the event from a better vantage point. I'm not sure about all the theology involved there. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me that much at the moment, maybe later it will. For now, what matters is that I felt like mom and dad were there, even though they weren't physically present, and I feel like that's all O.K. :-)
- I can't begin to get my hands around this day. Katie is a daughter to be proud of. The music quartet did a wonderful job. Libby did a beautiful job with The Lord's Prayer. Absolutely beautiful. For me, the most memorable moment of the wedding itself was when Libby and Nick sang an upbeat song with the words, "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend" ... It was just what we all needed, especially when Katie and Andrew smiled and bee-bopped with the music, Andrew pretending to put a flower in Katie's hair. That moment to me is a perfect picture of the loving bliss that they begin their marriage together with. The reading (done by Katie's YCP roommate Hillary) from Song of Solomon went along with it, and along with the first day of spring, beautifully.
- It was great seeing so many people I know and consider good friends as part of the wedding party. Katie's sister Jenny, Katie's childhood friend Hannah, Katie's other YCP roommates Jen and Laura (with Hillary they make up "The Nurse Nerds" - my term, not theirs), and Andrew's sisters Cara and Courtney, and Andrew's best man, Sean, who he roomed with at Drexel and grew up with in Coatesville. The rest of the wedding party are new friends, on Andrew's side, which I am only beginning to know but look forward to lots of opportunities to spend time with them all in the future. Oh - but actually - there are two more in the wedding party, my granddaughter Naomi, 5 months old if my math is close, she was assisted as a flower girl by her dad Tim, dropping rose petals I and others have given to Katie over the years, down the aisle. And last but not least, my grandson Ryan. About 2.5 years old, we all wondered if Ryan would really carry those rings (yes the real rings, we did trust him I guess) all the way up the aisle to Pastor Joe. Not only did he make it, he even stopped at the direction of the photographer, for a picture! Gotta say it was darn cool also to have two twins from our neighborhood, that Katie was a "nannie" for several years in the summers anyway, handing out programs. Thanks Rachel and Sarah!
- I can't wait to see the professional pics of Katie and Andrew and the wedding party crossing third avenue, Abbey Road Style! What an awesome idea for a musical groom! I am proud of my son-in-law's musical abilites and his love of the Beatles, and also, for his love for the children he is teaching. I think he's discovering that he really enjoys teaching children about his passion for music. That's very very cool!
- There were lots of special moments at the reception too. The wedding party being introduced with sunglasses on was a cool idea, don't know whose idea it was, but it was cool. Dancing with Katie was amazing. We talked alot. That's between Katie and I. It was awesome to have a chance to see so many of Katie's friends again! I miss them all so much. They used to come over all the time. Not any more. They're all growing up. There were a few very special moments talking with some of those old friends too. Finding out what they're up too. Sharing some struggles too. Life is hard. I pray for them all. May they know God's love. Of course I also saw many of my old friends, and, ok, I can say it right, my favorite cousins from my Aunt Ginny's family who grew up so close to my house when I was a kid I felt we were all part of the same family. Do you guys remember watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan? I do. She loves you and I wanna hold your hand. A historical moment I am happy to have shared with my cousins. I think it was Cheryl said, I like their music, but I'd never be jumping up and down pulling my hair out like that! Yeah right. Of course you would have! Well, we were all together in Mission Viejo for Aunt Ginny's funeral in December 2008, and all together (well minus one, sorry you couldn't make it Marilyn, it's ok really) all together again for Katie's wedding. I really enjoyed our breakfast on Sunday morning!
- Of course, there are many other relatives I see more frequently that we also got to see. It is good we see each other so frequently that it isn't such a special event to see you all at Katie's wedding. You are all dear to me.
- So as I sat there at the beginning of the reception, I looked around the room, and I felt surrounded by love. Everywhere I looked I saw someone I wanted to talk to. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to talk to you all. I did go back to my room and change, then come out later to talk to many of the relatives staying at the resort that nite. In fact, I was up until almost 2AM talking. Especially with Andrew's side of the family which I am only beginning to know, but, many of you I didn't even see until it was time for you to leave and I feel very badly for that. What to do?
- At any rate, the sign in front of Katie and Andrew, at the head table, which is now over Andrew and Katie's closet in their apartment, encapsulates so much: Andrew, Katie, The Beatles, God, Karen and I too. What an appropriate sign for Katie and Andrew's wedding. Not a bad motto for life. Not too far off from "Love God Love People" - that was Jesus. Katie and Andrew's sign reads ... "All You Need Is Love".
I apologize.
Katie's wedding was a major event. It could not have been a better day. As Libby put it, it was a fairy tale weekend! The weather was beautiful. The wedding was beautiful. Katie and Andrew are back from their honeymoon and life has restarted again.
I would like to reflect on a few moments of note.
- I was uncertain how my father's date of death coinciding with Katie's wedding was going to be for me. As it turns out, it did not even occur to me while walking up the aisle with Katie. It was only after we reached the front of the church and I turned around to see the close relatives sitting in the front pews, that it occurred to me that my mom and dad were not there. But it was not a completely sad moment. I felt like mom and dad were enjoying the event from a better vantage point. I'm not sure about all the theology involved there. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me that much at the moment, maybe later it will. For now, what matters is that I felt like mom and dad were there, even though they weren't physically present, and I feel like that's all O.K. :-)
- I can't begin to get my hands around this day. Katie is a daughter to be proud of. The music quartet did a wonderful job. Libby did a beautiful job with The Lord's Prayer. Absolutely beautiful. For me, the most memorable moment of the wedding itself was when Libby and Nick sang an upbeat song with the words, "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend" ... It was just what we all needed, especially when Katie and Andrew smiled and bee-bopped with the music, Andrew pretending to put a flower in Katie's hair. That moment to me is a perfect picture of the loving bliss that they begin their marriage together with. The reading (done by Katie's YCP roommate Hillary) from Song of Solomon went along with it, and along with the first day of spring, beautifully.
- It was great seeing so many people I know and consider good friends as part of the wedding party. Katie's sister Jenny, Katie's childhood friend Hannah, Katie's other YCP roommates Jen and Laura (with Hillary they make up "The Nurse Nerds" - my term, not theirs), and Andrew's sisters Cara and Courtney, and Andrew's best man, Sean, who he roomed with at Drexel and grew up with in Coatesville. The rest of the wedding party are new friends, on Andrew's side, which I am only beginning to know but look forward to lots of opportunities to spend time with them all in the future. Oh - but actually - there are two more in the wedding party, my granddaughter Naomi, 5 months old if my math is close, she was assisted as a flower girl by her dad Tim, dropping rose petals I and others have given to Katie over the years, down the aisle. And last but not least, my grandson Ryan. About 2.5 years old, we all wondered if Ryan would really carry those rings (yes the real rings, we did trust him I guess) all the way up the aisle to Pastor Joe. Not only did he make it, he even stopped at the direction of the photographer, for a picture! Gotta say it was darn cool also to have two twins from our neighborhood, that Katie was a "nannie" for several years in the summers anyway, handing out programs. Thanks Rachel and Sarah!
- I can't wait to see the professional pics of Katie and Andrew and the wedding party crossing third avenue, Abbey Road Style! What an awesome idea for a musical groom! I am proud of my son-in-law's musical abilites and his love of the Beatles, and also, for his love for the children he is teaching. I think he's discovering that he really enjoys teaching children about his passion for music. That's very very cool!
- There were lots of special moments at the reception too. The wedding party being introduced with sunglasses on was a cool idea, don't know whose idea it was, but it was cool. Dancing with Katie was amazing. We talked alot. That's between Katie and I. It was awesome to have a chance to see so many of Katie's friends again! I miss them all so much. They used to come over all the time. Not any more. They're all growing up. There were a few very special moments talking with some of those old friends too. Finding out what they're up too. Sharing some struggles too. Life is hard. I pray for them all. May they know God's love. Of course I also saw many of my old friends, and, ok, I can say it right, my favorite cousins from my Aunt Ginny's family who grew up so close to my house when I was a kid I felt we were all part of the same family. Do you guys remember watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan? I do. She loves you and I wanna hold your hand. A historical moment I am happy to have shared with my cousins. I think it was Cheryl said, I like their music, but I'd never be jumping up and down pulling my hair out like that! Yeah right. Of course you would have! Well, we were all together in Mission Viejo for Aunt Ginny's funeral in December 2008, and all together (well minus one, sorry you couldn't make it Marilyn, it's ok really) all together again for Katie's wedding. I really enjoyed our breakfast on Sunday morning!
- Of course, there are many other relatives I see more frequently that we also got to see. It is good we see each other so frequently that it isn't such a special event to see you all at Katie's wedding. You are all dear to me.
- So as I sat there at the beginning of the reception, I looked around the room, and I felt surrounded by love. Everywhere I looked I saw someone I wanted to talk to. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to talk to you all. I did go back to my room and change, then come out later to talk to many of the relatives staying at the resort that nite. In fact, I was up until almost 2AM talking. Especially with Andrew's side of the family which I am only beginning to know, but, many of you I didn't even see until it was time for you to leave and I feel very badly for that. What to do?
- At any rate, the sign in front of Katie and Andrew, at the head table, which is now over Andrew and Katie's closet in their apartment, encapsulates so much: Andrew, Katie, The Beatles, God, Karen and I too. What an appropriate sign for Katie and Andrew's wedding. Not a bad motto for life. Not too far off from "Love God Love People" - that was Jesus. Katie and Andrew's sign reads ... "All You Need Is Love".
Saturday, March 20, 2010
It's Katie's wedding day
It's Katie's wedding day ...
When I was a small boy my mom would drive me down to Somerton train station just before dinner. A bell would ring inside the station before you could even see the train. Then I would look down the tracks and the light of the train would appear as it came around a bend. In a minute, the station would no longer be quiet, but filled with the sounds and smells of the arriving train. After his day working at the bank, my dad would emerge from the clouds of steam and I would run over to walk alongside him to “old Betsy”, our blue 1956 Dodge, for the 1 mile trip home for dinner. I love my dad.
Many years later, that little boy was a father. After my day at the computer company, I would drive home in my blue Toyota, walk in the door of our house and be greeted by a smiley little girl named Katie who would come running out to daddy to be picked up and hugged. I love my Katie.
Highlights of life with Katie -
- Using her dad (me) to get me to pick her up so she could pull on my hair, pat me on the head, or reach whatever she couldn’t reach from her own level
- Our first trip to DisneyWorld, Katie was about 2 years old -
o Katie was absolutely enchanted and spellbound with The Electric Light Parade
o Almost in tears, Katie let out this beautiful loving “Mickey ~ …”, as Mickey came over to give her a hug at a character breakfast
o At the hotel, for some reason, Katie always led us running down the hallway yelling, “fly like an eagle!”
- Kindergarten field day – Katie was winning the 50 yd dash until she turned around to wait for her friends to catch up
- Second grade. Katie was very frustrated trying to please her teacher. She was already a perfectionist!
- Katie often used her older sister Jenny to go down to the basement and get things for her
- Katie was honored to be asked to read her “Rainbow” poem at graduation from Rainbow Elementary
- Katie and Jenny were playing on the steps with the cat one day when I screamed at them for endangering the cat. They both instantly broke into tears.
- Vacations with Katie, while my wife Karen and Katie’s sister Jenny went to ASP:
o The time we went camping at French Creek State Park – Katie was so excited about the great camping site she made me write it down, it was A35.
o The time we went camping at Shenandoah National Park and saw mama bear and 2 cubs, as well as a giant buck walking across our path
o The Subaru breaking down on the turnpike on the way to Sesame Place
o Washington D.C., Mr. Roger’s sweater at The Smithsonian, The National Zoo
- Softball, Katie was more interested in talking to the base runner on the opposing team than in catching the ball.
- Eating grilled cheese every night of vacation.
- Vacation to visit Anne of Green Gables on Prince Edward Island when a deck of playing cards flew out the window. Katie instantaneously went from being a happy little princess into the depths of despair. We went back and found all the cards along the roadway.
- The rest of the family was often indecisive, so the common question while on vacation often was, “But - What does KATIE want to do?”
- Field Hockey, Katie thought everyone was cheering for her while she took the ball the wrong direction down the field.
- Katie came running over for dad’s shelter one day on the OCNJ boardwalk when a random guy tried to hit on her at about 14 years old
- Katie was “The Nanny” a few years for some neighborhood twins and their brother
- Katie, her friend Hannah, and Hannah’s mom Elaine, were on my ASP team together at a house in West Virginia – We all fell in love with the little girl living there and remember her talking about our trip through a long long very dark tunnel on the way to the ASP picnic, “This tunnel used to have lights, but they all busted!”
- I love being used by Katie to fetch a drink when she is too tired to get off the couch in the living room
- Katie wasn’t sure how I would take it when her bike fell off the garage wall-rack onto my cherished new car
- On a trip to Boston, the police were interviewing some guys in the motel room next to ours, Katie just shook her head and called them “Losers”.
- Katie watched as I confidently kicked a giant ball over the house, except that it actually went right through the playroom window instead
- Katie was one bewildered teenage girl marching off to her Chrysalis Weekend after Angel Fran took her cell phone away
- Katie would call my wife Karen to arrange little “get-togethers with a few friends” after school and a dozen kids would show up
- We had a backyard birthday party where our deck turned into a stage for her boyfriend Andrew’s band, “Fusion 15”. About 75 kids showed up. Kids were sneaking in from the neighborhood to watch the show from behind the woodpile
- Katie and her friends worked Purple Door and a few other Contemporary Christian Music concerts with me
- Katie had her first car accident in the driveway at CASH, with my dad’s Crown Victoria, which she had named “Vicki”
- She went to “Doctor Camp” at Villanova – body parts and all
- Allied Health:
o Bringing home a colon stapler given her by someone in the OR with her one day
o Having the opportunity to see an autopsy
- Sitting in movie seats on the way to the PROM
- An extremely difficult Freshman Year at York
- Picking out clothes for her dad at the Old Navy in York – Katie is the family fashion expert
- The "Nurse Nerds" (Katie and her roommates for the last 3 years at YCP
- An extremely difficult tragic day at CHOP when Katie decided if she could get through the worst day in her mentor’s life, then she could handle anything she would ever have to deal with in nursing
- The internship banquet
- Katie’s pinning ceremony at York College
- The day Katie saved a baby’s life for the first time
- Katie’s wedding day, soon it too will be on this list of great times to remember
I believe that heaven is going to be the best place ever. God called my dad to that place on March 20, 2007. Now, for heaven to be the best place ever, I believe we’ll be able to relive our own lifetime experiences over and over as much as we want.
Among many other wonderful experiences, I’m looking forward to reliving –
- playing catch with my dad in the backyard of 11 Elbow Lane
- sitting on the porch with God at ASP, late on a cool Kentucky Friday night, the summer after dad moved on
- fiery moments of bliss with my wife, including our trips to Vermont, California, and Paris
- climbing Mt. Washington with my daughter Jenny
- meeting my dad at the train station
- 3-year old smiley Katie running into my arms when I come home from work
- Katie getting married on the first day of spring, March 20, 2010
I love you Katie, you will ALWAYS be my youngest daughter,
- Dad
LET’S PUT ON A WEDDING !!!
When I was a small boy my mom would drive me down to Somerton train station just before dinner. A bell would ring inside the station before you could even see the train. Then I would look down the tracks and the light of the train would appear as it came around a bend. In a minute, the station would no longer be quiet, but filled with the sounds and smells of the arriving train. After his day working at the bank, my dad would emerge from the clouds of steam and I would run over to walk alongside him to “old Betsy”, our blue 1956 Dodge, for the 1 mile trip home for dinner. I love my dad.
Many years later, that little boy was a father. After my day at the computer company, I would drive home in my blue Toyota, walk in the door of our house and be greeted by a smiley little girl named Katie who would come running out to daddy to be picked up and hugged. I love my Katie.
Highlights of life with Katie -
- Using her dad (me) to get me to pick her up so she could pull on my hair, pat me on the head, or reach whatever she couldn’t reach from her own level
- Our first trip to DisneyWorld, Katie was about 2 years old -
o Katie was absolutely enchanted and spellbound with The Electric Light Parade
o Almost in tears, Katie let out this beautiful loving “Mickey ~ …”, as Mickey came over to give her a hug at a character breakfast
o At the hotel, for some reason, Katie always led us running down the hallway yelling, “fly like an eagle!”
- Kindergarten field day – Katie was winning the 50 yd dash until she turned around to wait for her friends to catch up
- Second grade. Katie was very frustrated trying to please her teacher. She was already a perfectionist!
- Katie often used her older sister Jenny to go down to the basement and get things for her
- Katie was honored to be asked to read her “Rainbow” poem at graduation from Rainbow Elementary
- Katie and Jenny were playing on the steps with the cat one day when I screamed at them for endangering the cat. They both instantly broke into tears.
- Vacations with Katie, while my wife Karen and Katie’s sister Jenny went to ASP:
o The time we went camping at French Creek State Park – Katie was so excited about the great camping site she made me write it down, it was A35.
o The time we went camping at Shenandoah National Park and saw mama bear and 2 cubs, as well as a giant buck walking across our path
o The Subaru breaking down on the turnpike on the way to Sesame Place
o Washington D.C., Mr. Roger’s sweater at The Smithsonian, The National Zoo
- Softball, Katie was more interested in talking to the base runner on the opposing team than in catching the ball.
- Eating grilled cheese every night of vacation.
- Vacation to visit Anne of Green Gables on Prince Edward Island when a deck of playing cards flew out the window. Katie instantaneously went from being a happy little princess into the depths of despair. We went back and found all the cards along the roadway.
- The rest of the family was often indecisive, so the common question while on vacation often was, “But - What does KATIE want to do?”
- Field Hockey, Katie thought everyone was cheering for her while she took the ball the wrong direction down the field.
- Katie came running over for dad’s shelter one day on the OCNJ boardwalk when a random guy tried to hit on her at about 14 years old
- Katie was “The Nanny” a few years for some neighborhood twins and their brother
- Katie, her friend Hannah, and Hannah’s mom Elaine, were on my ASP team together at a house in West Virginia – We all fell in love with the little girl living there and remember her talking about our trip through a long long very dark tunnel on the way to the ASP picnic, “This tunnel used to have lights, but they all busted!”
- I love being used by Katie to fetch a drink when she is too tired to get off the couch in the living room
- Katie wasn’t sure how I would take it when her bike fell off the garage wall-rack onto my cherished new car
- On a trip to Boston, the police were interviewing some guys in the motel room next to ours, Katie just shook her head and called them “Losers”.
- Katie watched as I confidently kicked a giant ball over the house, except that it actually went right through the playroom window instead
- Katie was one bewildered teenage girl marching off to her Chrysalis Weekend after Angel Fran took her cell phone away
- Katie would call my wife Karen to arrange little “get-togethers with a few friends” after school and a dozen kids would show up
- We had a backyard birthday party where our deck turned into a stage for her boyfriend Andrew’s band, “Fusion 15”. About 75 kids showed up. Kids were sneaking in from the neighborhood to watch the show from behind the woodpile
- Katie and her friends worked Purple Door and a few other Contemporary Christian Music concerts with me
- Katie had her first car accident in the driveway at CASH, with my dad’s Crown Victoria, which she had named “Vicki”
- She went to “Doctor Camp” at Villanova – body parts and all
- Allied Health:
o Bringing home a colon stapler given her by someone in the OR with her one day
o Having the opportunity to see an autopsy
- Sitting in movie seats on the way to the PROM
- An extremely difficult Freshman Year at York
- Picking out clothes for her dad at the Old Navy in York – Katie is the family fashion expert
- The "Nurse Nerds" (Katie and her roommates for the last 3 years at YCP
- An extremely difficult tragic day at CHOP when Katie decided if she could get through the worst day in her mentor’s life, then she could handle anything she would ever have to deal with in nursing
- The internship banquet
- Katie’s pinning ceremony at York College
- The day Katie saved a baby’s life for the first time
- Katie’s wedding day, soon it too will be on this list of great times to remember
I believe that heaven is going to be the best place ever. God called my dad to that place on March 20, 2007. Now, for heaven to be the best place ever, I believe we’ll be able to relive our own lifetime experiences over and over as much as we want.
Among many other wonderful experiences, I’m looking forward to reliving –
- playing catch with my dad in the backyard of 11 Elbow Lane
- sitting on the porch with God at ASP, late on a cool Kentucky Friday night, the summer after dad moved on
- fiery moments of bliss with my wife, including our trips to Vermont, California, and Paris
- climbing Mt. Washington with my daughter Jenny
- meeting my dad at the train station
- 3-year old smiley Katie running into my arms when I come home from work
- Katie getting married on the first day of spring, March 20, 2010
I love you Katie, you will ALWAYS be my youngest daughter,
- Dad
LET’S PUT ON A WEDDING !!!
Late Friday nite - can I still call this one day to the wedding?
What a day.
So it turns out we don’t have any additional nurses here tonight after all. Changes of plans. It’s ok, still covered by a NICU and an ICU nurse.
Got the cars washed. Various errands run. Got to do a tiny load-in/load-out roadie job for the slide show / music at the rehearsal dinner. Checked the Tux. Rented some videos for the girls to watch over the weekend.
Rehearsal was great, and so was the rehearsal dinner. I really don't know what words to use. It is really cool how I think both families are feeling blessed to become part of the others. Andrew's fam is awesome. I have a tremendous respect and admiration for them. And I cannot wait to have Andrew for a son-in-law. I love having a real musican in the family that I can talk to about all kinds of music and music production stuff.
Katie gave me iTunes card with some nice words on it tonight at dinner, as a gift - she is so cool - I did not see that coming. Gotta love that girl. :-)
This is really going to be fun tomorrow. Music by local youth. Pretty good music from what I heard tonight. Beautiful weekend coming up. Everything is going very smoothly. Thank you Jesus!
So it turns out we don’t have any additional nurses here tonight after all. Changes of plans. It’s ok, still covered by a NICU and an ICU nurse.
Got the cars washed. Various errands run. Got to do a tiny load-in/load-out roadie job for the slide show / music at the rehearsal dinner. Checked the Tux. Rented some videos for the girls to watch over the weekend.
Rehearsal was great, and so was the rehearsal dinner. I really don't know what words to use. It is really cool how I think both families are feeling blessed to become part of the others. Andrew's fam is awesome. I have a tremendous respect and admiration for them. And I cannot wait to have Andrew for a son-in-law. I love having a real musican in the family that I can talk to about all kinds of music and music production stuff.
Katie gave me iTunes card with some nice words on it tonight at dinner, as a gift - she is so cool - I did not see that coming. Gotta love that girl. :-)
This is really going to be fun tomorrow. Music by local youth. Pretty good music from what I heard tonight. Beautiful weekend coming up. Everything is going very smoothly. Thank you Jesus!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Two days to Katie's wedding
Two days to Katie’s wedding, the excitement is building.
Tonight our home becomes a Bed & Breakfast as bridesmaids begin arriving. If anyone gets hurt, we’ll be in good shape with 2 ER nurses, an ICU, and a NICU nurse. Our dog is boarded. Just can’t risk having an 80 pound Golden jumping up and licking you to death in your wedding duds. I’ll try to get some homework done tonight, try on my tux, and tomorrow, the cars get washed before the rehersal.
I’m sure there are about a million other things I don’t even know about yet. Gotta love it! :-)
Tonight our home becomes a Bed & Breakfast as bridesmaids begin arriving. If anyone gets hurt, we’ll be in good shape with 2 ER nurses, an ICU, and a NICU nurse. Our dog is boarded. Just can’t risk having an 80 pound Golden jumping up and licking you to death in your wedding duds. I’ll try to get some homework done tonight, try on my tux, and tomorrow, the cars get washed before the rehersal.
I’m sure there are about a million other things I don’t even know about yet. Gotta love it! :-)
Blog Vision
I expect this to be a sort of straight from the heart place. I don’t expect to update it every day like facebook or twitter. And it will typically be bigger than a status line. I do expect to write about how God is working in my life, how I see God working in things that touch my life, the lives of those around me, and the lives of people around the globe.
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