A Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day. I am happy.

Congratulations, Nate and Sabrina!

Japan...

Long ago and far away a baby boy was born on a US Air Force base in Tokyo, Japan. His four older sisters remember the country of his birth much better than he does, and yet only his birth certificate reads Tachikawa Air Force Base, Tokyo, Japan.

Though he played amongst the bamboo trees, the only memory is in old photographs. He was not quite three years old when the family returned to the shores of North America, taking along a love for the Japanese people, their food, and language. Wasn't it just two weeks ago my own daughter wandered the Tokyo airport and purchased a small package of seaweed to bring home to her father? And those funny fish and shrimp crackers?

Today the country of Japan is in great danger and terrible turmoil. Our hearts are heavy as we read the news and watch footage of utter destruction. We pray for the Japanese people, hurt for their loss, hope for their safety, and realize the world will never be the same.

ABC Wednesday- Letter T

T is for teal, which is either a color or a member of the duck family, unless it is one's last name.

I acquired the name Teal when, as a teenager, I married my husband. We have been together now for twenty-nine years, almost thirty. We have raised seven children on this journey and it has been quite the trip!

My husband's family can be traced to Ridgeway, Ontario where the Teal family grew and multiplied. Ours seems to be a branch now little known as my in laws moved from the area over fifty years ago. My father in law was in the US Air Force and my husband was born in Tokyo; Tachikawa Air Force Base. (It's true.)

There remains in Fort Erie a road by the name of Teal where my husband's grandparents had a farm. On the Garrison, I think, is a mostly neglected and all but abandoned cabin which was once the original "Teal House." It is now a museum on the Ridgeway Battlefield, but I think maybe only Teals and tired truckers ever bother to stop there anymore. It is never open when we stop by.

Here, at this house, we have Teal Lake. Well, we have it today anyway. It appears, uninvited, in the backyard during torrential downpours. Hopefully, it will be gone by tomorrow, but I doubt it. It's still raining.

To see the other participants in the new round of ABC Wednesday, click here!

The Flag Box

My father in law retired from the United States Air Force. After the military ceremony at the funeral his wife was given the folded American flag. My husband is a wood worker. In honor of his father he built a flag box which will soon be shipped to California. It is beautiful.

Tongue Tied

My mind is full, but my thoughts are still jumbled. I have said in the past that words can be a healing balm or full of bitter poison, and found that to be true once again this week. I do not feel the need to defend anything I have written as my words were not meant to hurt or offend. Each one sees the world from a slightly different perspective and last week I had the opportunity to see a little piece of it through the eyes of others, not just my husband and his sisters, but my father in law's family in California.

My husband was born on a US Air Force base in Japan. His family has, for most of their lives, been exposed to the culture and customs of the Asian people. They have enjoyed authentic Asian foods, seen faraway lands, and learned simple Japanese phrases. I have never had the honor of such privileges so everything about it is still new. Two days in the home of near to perfect strangers is hardly a chance to come to know and appreciate such things, especially when everyone involved is grieving.

My father in law had two distinct families who came to together last week to honor the man who ties them together. One family has had him for the past 40 years. They have come to know and love him well. Their hearts ache for the presence of the one they love. The other family, the one I know, aches for the father they never had a chance to know, the one whose presence they have missed for most of 40 years. We have tried for much of that time, in our own ways, to mend fences and break down barriers, but didn't always know quite how to bridge the gap.

Relationships have grown through the years. When Jimmy was born I wrote letters, "Dear Grandpa," "Love, Jimmy". After all, they had the same name. There were occasional phone calls, like the one that got me out of bed in the middle of one dark night. There were sporadic visits. I have met my father in law three times in the past 28 years, the first at a family wedding. There were pictures and emails. He once refferred to me as his "email buddy," but really getting to know him was a mountain we never overcame.

So, two families grieved together and yet alone, in the same place, at the same time, and for the same man, in different ways. I watched my husband hold his weeping stepmother in his arms and for a moment the families almost became one... who knows, maybe it will still come to be.

One, Two, Three

Three guys with one name. Once upon a time in a far away land, we had a baby. We named him James, like his father, and his grandfather. There was not too much name confusion as we called the little guy Jimmy, the middle sized guy James, and the grandfather, who lived far away, Grandpa Jim.

Late one night when Jimmy was very small the telephone rang. I woke from sleep, jumped out of bed, and ran downstairs to answer the call. "Hello, is Jim Teal there?" said the voice on the other end. "Can I ask who's calling?" I inquired. "Jim Teal" said the unfamiliar voice. My mind was sleepy. "Who is this?" I asked again. "Jim Teal," he replied. I was confused. "Who is this?" I repeated. "Jim Teal." I gave up and decided whoever it was wasn't going to tell me who he was. As I called up the stairs to my husband it suddenly dawned on me that the man on the other end of the phone had told me precisely who he wanted and who he was. I was just a little slow in having it sink in. I suppose my father in law got a good laugh out of it, but he never fooled me twice.

More Tears...

Saying good bye is never easy, I guess it isn't supposed to be. It could be tempting to wish for all the things that never were rather than be thankful for what one did have. I pray my family can find something to treasure in the life of the man they knew so little of and yet who was such a big part of their lives.

I am thankful for the man whose name lives on in my husband and my son. I am thankful for the opportunity to watch him years ago help my husband fix his tie before a family wedding, for the unexpected phone calls late at night, for cards exchanged, and emails sent and received. I am thankful for the few times I had the chance to meet him in person and the little ways I see him in my children; bushy eye brows, a cleft chin, Bethany's congenital cholesteatoma that gave her a special connection to her grandpa, and an avid love of cars in my boys.

Grandpa Jim was not a particularly religious kind of man, but we know that God sees the heart of each one and He does not make any mistakes. We are asked only to trust that He makes wise choices and so, though our hearts are hurting once again, we give another loved one into the hands of the God.

Bear Hugs

I can almost smell the sweet scent of baby. I can almost hear his tiny sighs, and feel his warm little body in my arms all curled up in baby sleep. There is something about a brand new baby; soft, fragile, tender and sweet. Little eyes that struggle to see, tiny fingers clasping bigger ones, skinny little legs kicking involuntarily as he cries.

I recall being a brand new mommy and feeling suddenly very vulnerable, wondering how I would ever protect my tiny bundle from the wiles of the world. It's been over twenty-eight years since I first looked into the sweet, innocent face of my first newborn, but those feeling rush back all over again whenever I see a brand new baby.

This is my great nephew, Ethan. I may never get to hold him while he's tiny, in fact I have no guarantees that I will ever see him at all, but I can still love him. I can still pray for him. And, I can still think he's beautiful!

Shirt-Tale Relatives

The internet is an interesting tool. Just before Christmas I got a Facebook friend request from someone with the last name of Teal. She appeared to be collecting Teals as friends which I thought was kind of fun. Although Sarah and I don't appear to be related, I have since connected with a few other Teals, all from the same area of Ontario, Canada as my in laws. Today one of them and I made the connection and decided we are actually related after all.
It all goes back to the man who once lived in this small cabin and his brood of thirteen offspring. So, my new friends and my children actually do have the same German ancestors who once lived in the Hudson Valley in NY state. Since I had sent for a family history almost twenty years ago, it wasn't too hard to find the connection. It was almost too easy.

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to my very favorite mother in law!

Now don't you roll your eyes at me. That's what Leta did the very first time I called her my favorite daughter in law and she still holds that title. You very well may hold the favored position forever!

I love seeing your exuberance show up in my children; their love of art, music, nature, photography... I smile when I see you appear in that little dance My Darling does when the holidays are near, music is playing on the radio, and he is happy... you know the one, I'm sure you do.

It's been three years now since you were here, a visit is long overdue. See? I am keeping track. There is another wedding in New Mexico this spring... hey, maybe we can all make this one too. We can always hope...

The day is almost done and I am late posting this. I do hope you had a super day full of things you love and that turning 70 was every bit as wonderful as you had hoped. Though we couldn't be there, we send our love and wishes for another year full of fun and adventure. Christmas is just around the corner and I hear you are heading to Dallas, so you are off to a good start!

Thankful #4

(Yes, I can count. Number three is at the bottom of the last post.)

Today I am thankful for internet because I get to see my lovely niece, Tori, and her beautiful new baby boy. He arrived safely yesterday morning around 9 am. I hope someone made him some nice soft booties to keep his feet warm during that long Montana winter! Maybe they'll just wrap him up in a blanket like a little burrito. That should keep him nice and toasty.
Welcome to the world, Beckett! You're too far away for me to snuggle. I'll have to settle for imagining it in my mind... Mmmmm, you smell nice!

San Francisco

I didn't even leave town but still felt the effects of jet lag. It must have been that early morning trip to the airport on Saturday and the late night return trip on Monday. In spite of the crazy mixed up schedule and lack of sleep, I am glad my husband was able to make the trip to California to see his dad and two of his sisters, or was it three?

Lori met James at the San Francisco airport and they shared a hotel and rental car. We didn't want to impose on the family out there, especially since Dad has been so sick and in and out of the hospital. (He's looking pretty good here.)

Kim is in California from New Mexico and is helping Dad and Pon for an extended period of time. James and Lori decided to take Kim and the girls, Kim's daughter, Abby, and Dad's granddaughter, Imani, for a ride to Stinson Beach. It looks beautiful in the pictures.

I hear they had a wonderful "Thanksgiving" dinner on Sunday afternoon with a turkey and all the trimmings. Of course Dad's family was there too. It was a short visit but a good one, I think. Maybe next time I'll go along to meet the family and see California...

The Funny Farm

My son Jim has been home from Minnesota for a couple of weeks now. It really has been great to have him around, to gather the family together, and to watch him get to know his little nephews. Josh first referred to him as "Neet" but now recognizes him as Uncle Jim and not Uncle Nate. Funny how he can see the resemblance. (Nate has been wearing glasses lately.)

The other night we gathered at Beth and Adam's house for supper together.

We had fun trying to get some decent photographs of the bunch, but they prefer silly pictures to serious. Can't say as I blame them.

Another Prayer Request

Please pray for my father in law who lives in Fairfield, California. He suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week and is in the hospital in an induced coma. His wife (not pictured here...) is at home ill with pneumonia. They also have a small daughter who needs attention. Imani is nine and is actually their great granddaughter and has been adopted by them. She and her grandpa are very close. Also keep my husband, his sisters, and my mother in law (she's in the photo) in your prayers. To complicate matters, the family is spread across the United States and Canada making it difficult to know how to respond.

More Thinking

The last couple weeks have not been very good for sorting out thoughts. I'm not sure if it is actually imperative that this be done or not, but somehow I feel better when it is accomplished.

A couple weeks ago this photo appeared on my niece's Facebook. I am borrowing it. (Annie, if you want me to put it back, just say so.) My husband thought it made a good wallpaper for our computer and so each time I come to sit down, there it is, and it makes me smile. I don't know why, but it does.

My niece lives in Dallas and works in a tall office building. One day she went to get on the elevator and found it already occupied. Initially she was told she couldn't ride along, but then someone said she could, and so she did. She found the gentleman to be "nice" and sent him a thank you note, which he returned with a note of his own.

The story left me wondering who crosses my path each day and how I treat those people. Who rides the elevator with me? Who is in line behind me at the grocery store? Did I smile at a stranger today? Did I bother to say "thank you"? Does meeting "the man" make a difference? I don't know what Ann's opinion of this man was prior to meeting him, nor do I know if their meeting made any change in how she thinks of him. (Maybe she'll let us know...) It did however, leave me thinking.

Happy Birthday, Kimberley!

Many years have passed since this photograph was taken. The little boy in your arms turned into my nephew when I married your brother and you became my sister in law. Since that time Jason has grown up and now has little boys of his own. We've added several children to our own collections and many of them are grown up too, but we haven't changed a bit... Where have the years gone?

I have often wished we didn't live so far apart. What fun we could have had homeschooling our passels of children, but God did not see fit to have that happen. Instead He has given us a sprinkling of times together; Indiana 1988, Albuquerque 1992, Boulder 2002, and Albuquerque 2006. I am so looking forward to the next reunion!

Thank you for your friendship and encouragement through the years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM!

Happiest of Birthdays!

Happy birthday to the woman who was once this little girl! A lover of photography, nature, good food, the ocean, and of course her wonderful children and grandchildren! She has taught me much, laughed with me, encouraged me, and taken way too many pictures of me. I think she didn't quite know what to think when all of the sudden I was her daughter in law (it was kind of a surprise...) but here it is nearly 30 years later and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Gramanita, I wish the ocean was just a little bit closer so visiting would be easier. Maybe one day we'll actually make it to Nova Scotia. I wish you a big piece of cake and lots of laughter on this your day. I love you!

Happy Birthday, Kathy!

Today is my sister in law's birthday. I first met Kathy soon after James and I were married in 1981. She was never far away when we lived in Albuquerque and kept an older sister's watchful eye on us while we were there. For two short years she lived here in New York state and we enjoyed her company, then two years ago she married her childhood sweetheart and moved back to New Mexico.

Kathy, we miss you here and hope you, Mike, and William will come visit someday soon. We love your green chile enchiladas and miss your presence at the local barber shop. We aren't quite sure where to go for a haircut anymore. But, we blessed to know that you are with people who love you, and that you are in God's hand. I hope you had an awesome birthday!

Jim's Visit

Our son Jim has been in town from Minnesota since late Saturday evening. He has managed to avoid the crowds and chaos of the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul by heading home to NY to spend some time with family and friends. Last night our children gathered here for a pizza party and some time together.
While our family was growing up, I took for granted all those days when everyone was in one place. There was noise and activity constantly and I often sought to find a quiet moment alone. They were few and far between. Now times of stillness are many and I look forward to the rare days when I am priviledged to watch my children interact. Last night we were missing Bethany's husband, Adam, who was attending a class for work. We took a group shot anyway because it is doubtful that they will all be in one spot again before Christmas. Maybe we can paste Adam in later.

Happy Birthday, Little Brother!

When James and I got married 27 years ago, I inherited something I'd never had before, a little brother! I used to be amused by the fact that Darius would follow his older brother around copying everything he did. If James jumped over a log, Darius jumped over a log. If James spit on the ground, Darius spit on the ground. Darius was almost nine back in 1981 and today is his 36th birthday. So today I want to wish him a Happy Birthday and tell him I miss him. Through the years we have not been able to see each other often but I have always enjoyed the time we do spend together. I am greatful for the family reunions that have given me a chance to know my husband's family just a little bit better. I love to watch, listen, and laugh as my husband and his brother tell childhood stories. Each time they are embellished a little more until I can't tell truth from fiction but they are always funny. Hmmm... maybe I really do need to take a trip to the Pacific northwest.