A song for today . . .
Birthdays come.
And birthdays go.
Cake. Candles.
Parties.
Make a wish!
But. . . y'know. . . some birthdays are just BIGGER than others.
Like this one.
Freedom. At 21.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIAN!
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And . . . speaking of birthdays . . . be sure to wish Miss Patty a happy one herself!
Erin. . .
It's been a delight.
Watching you grow.
Seeing you change.
Becoming yourself.
Unfolding . . . before my eyes!
One thing for sure. You're never dull!
Happy Birthday, Erin!
We had a family celebration yesterday. We had so much to celebrate!
Mothers. . .
(And celebrating by buying SHOES! Two matching shoes for walking in comfort and style. And that's a real reason to celebrate!)
Birthdays. . .
(Better late than never, right Dad?)
Master's Degrees. . .
(Even if you weren't physically with us, Erin, we toasted your success!)
The end of a successful sophomore year. . .
(With more details about . . .what's cookin'. . . later this week.)
The beginning of fishing season. . .
(Have fun, Tom!)
Blooms. . .
(Eye-popping color everywhere!)
and the end of that damn festival!
So. Very. Much.
On Friday, I had an unexpected day off. Which meant. . . I got to see this. . .
My two chemists. . . talking chemistry. . . together!
Tom is a chemist. Brian is a chemistry major at Hope College, where he is working in the lab on a research project with one of his professors. Last Friday, he was able to present his work at a "poster session" at the Hope College Research Celebration.
It's a great experience for Brian -- all the way around. To be able to be involved in this type of research as an undergraduate is just wonderful (and the reason he went to Hope in the first place). And to be able to present his work in this format is just icing on the cake!
Tom (who has a PhD in organic chemistry, himself) was so proud!
And me?
Not a clue! I have no idea what they're doing or what they're talking about or what any of it means. But it really doesn't matter. I was thrilled to be along for the ride!
Yes. Another sock post featuring socks from long ago . . . to divert your attention from the fact that I'm not saying anything about the "footwear" I'm currently knitting for SocktoberFest!
You see, I used to knit socks all the time. Always plain-vanilla socks. I have many pairs still in my own personal sock-rotation, but I've also knit several pairs of socks to give as gifts. (I even knit a pair for Brian once -- which is a huge undertaking, given his size 13 feet!)
They were Socks With a Purpose!
When Erin was in high school, she was active in forensics (competitive public speaking; not the NCIS kind of forensics). Her high school is Very Good in forensics and debate. Very Good. They just won their tenth consecutive state championship in forensics last year. Erin was a member of four of those state championship teams, and, in fact, was the individual storytelling state champion as a senior.
(Sorry. Just had to stick that in there. I didn't blog back then, and this was a Very Big Deal.)
Anyway. Forensics is a very intense, very nerve-wracking "sport." The season is long. The tournaments are long. The pressure is unbelievable (especially when you're a contender for top honors, which Erin was -- each year of high school). And Erin liked me to "be there" with her/for her.
So I was.
Forensics tournaments begin with three preliminary rounds, where all competitors participate and compete against each other (in fourteen separate public speaking events). After those rounds, they cut to 12 semi-finalists. After those rounds, they cut to 6 finalists. And then you wait a long time while all the results are tabulated and winners are announced. It takes all day. It is very intense. (Regional and state tournaments last even longer, with more rounds.)
Erin was always right in there - as a finalist - intense to the bitter end.
What was a mom to do? Why. . . knit through it, of course! Knitting got me through forensics. (Really, I think it was the only thing that kept me sane through all those tournaments and all that stress.)
Socks were the perfect forensic-knitting (in fact, I called them my "foren-socks") because they were portable, somewhat mindless, and small. I used to crank out a couple of pairs each forensics season. But, then, when Erin finished with high school -- and forensics, I put away the sock knitting (mid-sock, truth be told), and I haven't picked it up again!
I'm not sure that I ever will pick it up again, actually. I think there is just too much intensity wrapped up in knitting socks for me now. Four years of "foren-socks" probably just did me in as far as sock-knitting goes.
Socks got me through. . . they served their purpose. But now? I think I'll stick with sweaters.
Yesterday, I went out to my mailbox and brought in the usual assortment of stuff. . . catalogs, junk mail, solicitations, and this. . .
An informational brochure about the upcoming Family Weekend at Hope College.
I did a double-take.
It's my kid! On the cover! Made my day!
Yeah. It's a contest.
And, in the end, one team is declared the "winning" team.
But. There are so many ways to win.
You win . . . when you become a part of something bigger than yourself.
You win. . . when you work together in a coordinated effort.
You win. . . when you learn to depend on others.
You win. . . when you reach deep inside yourself and find out what you got.
You win. . . when you keep going, even when you want more than anything to quit.
You win. . . when you find your friends-for-life.
You win. . . when you understand that you can lose, but still win.
You win. . . when you have no regrets.
1-4 Pull Team; Awesome Pull Team. You left it all on the rope. Every one of you. Winners, all.
It's that time of summer. . .
Days are hot. Nights are cool. Kids are gone.
Dog Days.
Enjoy 'em while you can.
Because. . . they won't last forever!
So fish. . .
and swim. . .
and dive right in!
Before summer's gone for good!
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Speaking of diving right in. . . Have you seen the new GIANT marshmallows?
Perfect for toasting.
And s'mores.
Just ask my mom!
Mmmmmmm!
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Hey! Check out my kid! He's an Orientation Assistant at Hope College this semester, which means -- he helped the new freshman class move in to their dorms (among other things). He made the front page of the Holland Sentinel for his efforts! Go, Bri!
