Ok, so by now you have all heard this new song. It states "Work like its up to me, and pray like its up to him." What a powerful message.
This weekend we were privledged enough to go to our Allen family reunion. This is to honor Jaque's great great grandma on my mom's side. Grannie Lee. Although Jaque never got the chance to meet her, her love and genuine selflessness was evident in the stories that we all gathered around to share. We had 40+ just on our side there. What a testimony to the life that she created in our grandmother Christine and her children, Ladonna Lola Linda and Rodney.
Our lives touch so many in ways that we do not even realize. When we arrived at Ardmore, tears filled Uncle Dee's eyes. I had forgotten how far Jaque has come. I had forgotten that so many lay and wait to see. He had been waiting and praying. I am sure there were so many others that had and are still, but Uncle Dee...Strong as he was stood weeping at the sight of her.
As he held me and hugged me, I said, Uncle Dee it will be alright. God knows what he is doing, and in his time, she will be ok. I kind of got tickled as some of the family sit and watched the way she manuvered. She just strolled along, popping wheelies! Giving them all a heart attack. As she stood tall in the pool, Lindsey, Kyle, Deanna, and Ashley just glowed with pride. And there she was, smiling wanting papa and grandma to see. She is tall -- yep, still taller than Deanna, but not by much.
I must say that our crazy family is really the greatest. We very rarely see eachother, but could not shut up when together. I miss not making ball games or school plays, but a real family knows that our love is unconditional. Our love for one another looks past differences (even as hard as they are sometimes) and knows that we are all linked for a reason.
It was wonderful seeing Grannie Chris's headstone. I thought for a moment how beautiful that she must look...above us, keeping watch. I thought how she too must weep for Jaque. Jaque got that "TOUGH OLD BIRD" from her for sure.
Then I bet she got tickled seeing Jaque driving her little rascal all over the cemetary. Cody walked Eddie, so he too was a part of it all.
So, my original statement. Work like its up to me.........Work at life, love, friendship, and family because it is all up to us. No one owes us anything. The Lord gave us the ability to Seize the moment, so DO IT.
Pray like its up to Him. It really is. And I can promise that if you pray, you will not only sleep better at night, but you will have unwaviering hope in knowing that the Lord has a plan for your life.
God has something great in store for Jaque. Just grab ahold and enjoy the ride with her. All too soon she will be going at full steam, and we will feel the wind in our hair. God Bless you today, and if you are thinking about giving up on a problem, pray to God that he show you the way. Have the courage to listen.
Love you all!
Cave Conquered!
Picture is worth 1000 words!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The First Day of the Rest of My Life
Wow, what a weekend. Since we had everyone in, we had a surprise birthday party for Chris. He was red in the face, not realizing what all that sneaking around was for. Ashton was so cute helping him blow out the birthday candles. We had such a wonderful turn out of family and friends for the party on Saturday. God and Mother Nature teamed up for beautiful weather for the entire weekend. Chris and Toby started cooking at around 10:30 am and had hot/fresh fish and crawfish until late in the afternoon. Carl and Phillip manned the fire. Grandma Donna kept drinks and ice full and fresh, Aunt Belinda made her strawberry cake, Grandma Kay made delicious tarter sauce, Emmy made the pasta salad, Lori made her wonderful hushpuppies, and Doni and Deanna helped all of us decorate the house. Melinda. Aaron, and Kari did whatever we grabbed them for, and Papa Larry, Papa Danny, Uncle Gary, Aunt Terri, ,and Grandma Della kept the company entertained.
Aiden and Jordie asked if they could be cousins too, since they were both Jaque's cousins. It was so funny watching the kids play with the crawfish. I think that from now on we need to buy them a pound just to play with. The boys chased the girls with cooked ones, then the girls grabbed the live ones and scared the boys!!
Graduation day came, and it was packed. I think that Jaque had 37+ there and we just about got in trouble having so many. But I think that Mr Crabtree was too afraid to say anything to her Gramdma's and I don't say as I blame him.
When Jaque entered the auditorium, she looked almost angelic. There she sat with her hair straigtened, gimmering like the sun had just kissed it. She proudly sit tall with her white hat and flowing gown. She had a smile on her face as if God himself was her co-pilot leading her down the isle. She was surprised by the applause from the audience as she made her way down swiftly. The entire audience. Graduation went very well. They did a wonderful job of taking Jaque's suggestions and making them work. She was just another student on the risers. And that was the point all along.
It was over all too soon. I did not shed a tear, but that could not be said for our group. I looked around at all the mothers, and they were red eyed and weeping. I thought why was I not. Then I thought back to softball. When we would lose a big game, or tournament, other girls would cry. Jaque would not. She said that she would be sad it was over, but took pride in knowing that she did all that she could and gave it her all.
I feel the same. I know that Chris and I could have done some things different, but we really did the best we could, gave it our all, and were pround in knowing that she was rolling on that stage. SHE DID IT. She did what most did not expect her to, but all knew that she would, she overcame and conquered. Anyone sitting in the auditorium could have looked at her and not ever known that she was in an accident. She looked healthier than she has since Jan 3, 2008. She had that same ol Jaque smile.
Now, I guess the real work begins, trying to figure out the rest of her life. I know that God has big dreams in store for her, big plans, and with all of you continuing to support and love her like you have, continuing to PRAY for her, she will see those dreams in God's own timing.
Special Thanks to Grandma Donna, Papa Danny, Papa Phillip, Mamaw Melinda, Papa Larry, Grandma Kay, Papa Carl, and Grandma Della. You are wonderful Grand and GREAT Grand parents. Without you all, nothing in our lives would be possible.
I will try and get pics of Graduation day posted, If we missed sending you a senior pic, we probably do not have your address. Please send it to us and we will get some to you.
carol.hall3@weyerhaeuser.com or jaqueshomeplate8@yahoo.com
Love and God Bless You.
Aiden and Jordie asked if they could be cousins too, since they were both Jaque's cousins. It was so funny watching the kids play with the crawfish. I think that from now on we need to buy them a pound just to play with. The boys chased the girls with cooked ones, then the girls grabbed the live ones and scared the boys!!
Graduation day came, and it was packed. I think that Jaque had 37+ there and we just about got in trouble having so many. But I think that Mr Crabtree was too afraid to say anything to her Gramdma's and I don't say as I blame him.
When Jaque entered the auditorium, she looked almost angelic. There she sat with her hair straigtened, gimmering like the sun had just kissed it. She proudly sit tall with her white hat and flowing gown. She had a smile on her face as if God himself was her co-pilot leading her down the isle. She was surprised by the applause from the audience as she made her way down swiftly. The entire audience. Graduation went very well. They did a wonderful job of taking Jaque's suggestions and making them work. She was just another student on the risers. And that was the point all along.
It was over all too soon. I did not shed a tear, but that could not be said for our group. I looked around at all the mothers, and they were red eyed and weeping. I thought why was I not. Then I thought back to softball. When we would lose a big game, or tournament, other girls would cry. Jaque would not. She said that she would be sad it was over, but took pride in knowing that she did all that she could and gave it her all.
I feel the same. I know that Chris and I could have done some things different, but we really did the best we could, gave it our all, and were pround in knowing that she was rolling on that stage. SHE DID IT. She did what most did not expect her to, but all knew that she would, she overcame and conquered. Anyone sitting in the auditorium could have looked at her and not ever known that she was in an accident. She looked healthier than she has since Jan 3, 2008. She had that same ol Jaque smile.
Now, I guess the real work begins, trying to figure out the rest of her life. I know that God has big dreams in store for her, big plans, and with all of you continuing to support and love her like you have, continuing to PRAY for her, she will see those dreams in God's own timing.
Special Thanks to Grandma Donna, Papa Danny, Papa Phillip, Mamaw Melinda, Papa Larry, Grandma Kay, Papa Carl, and Grandma Della. You are wonderful Grand and GREAT Grand parents. Without you all, nothing in our lives would be possible.
I will try and get pics of Graduation day posted, If we missed sending you a senior pic, we probably do not have your address. Please send it to us and we will get some to you.
carol.hall3@weyerhaeuser.com or jaqueshomeplate8@yahoo.com
Love and God Bless You.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Here comes the Graduate!
Well, it is almost here. I can't believe that she is just about out of high school. It was just a moment ago when she was starting kindergarten, and poof....she has arrived.
In looking back at old year books, she has discovered that some of her friends now were actually in her K, 1st and 2nd grade classes. I told her that this is a hard life lesson to learn. Kind of like now, being surrounded by classmates, but none that are super close. When she starts her life journey, she will find friends in people that were never in that "high school" crowd. Life will give her better friends than school ever did. Very few of us have kept in touch with those from our high school days. Those that have, I commend you.
For those of us that did not, our true friends were discovered by lifes challenges and hurdles. Suzanne came to me at t-ball practice. Courtney came to me at work. Lori was there all along, but really came to be my friend during Jaque's accident and recovery. Cissy came from Chris's friend Shawn. Our family comes to us as we age, and we grow older together. God bless our wonderful family.
I say all this to Jaque to make her realize that most of my friends I found in my 20's. Long after high school ended and life began.
In her journey to discover what she wants to do with the rest of her blessed life, she too will have many friends. She will find those that are there when your screwing up, and those that are there when you are facing the music. True friends lay that cigarette down when you cannot be around smoke, true friends can go a night without drinking to make sure you make it home safe, and true friends (as a wise email once said) aren't there to bail you out, the are in Jail with you.
Days come when she thinks about all she cannot do (for the moment). But then God touches her or CJ sends her a shooting star to make her realize that she can do so much more now, because she has clarity in ways that most young people do not.
I know that this is the point in life that Chris and I start holding on a little less harder, and watching more. I assure her that God will send her true friends that will pick up the slack on the day to day issues. She is getting more independent every day. And true friends do not mind helping. If she would stop and think, they may help her get in her car, or help her get out at Wal-mart, but she is helping them mentally.
Jaque's personality makes you want to be a better person around her. She makes you light up with one smile, and she gives new meaning to each day. She would not only give you the shoes in her closet, the shirt on her back, but she would literally spend her last dollar on you if you were hungry. No one that has ever hurt her could not turn right back around and be her friend with a simple "I am sorry." Her friends see her strength, but sometimes do not realize that she still needs them. She said, "mom, sometimes I know you are right, but somethings I have to find out on my own, see with my own eyes." Yes, dear, sometimes I am right. But in you doing things your own special way....sometimes I am wrong. Had you not leaped on your faith, you would have not accomplished all that you have in life, and that is many things. I hate that Jaque does not always play it safe....But my favorite quality in her is that she does not always play it safe.
God blessed me with her. Once her clay starts taking shape, she will do more than I ever dreamed that first day of kindergarten.
Martina McBride sings one of my favorite songs. She says "And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you d a n c e......I hope you dance."
With God, Faith, Family, Friends, and medical science -- One day we will look back on this period of Jaque's life, and be amazed at how she handled herself. And as I will walk beside her, we will feel the sand between our toes, and then we will hear music. And guess what.....we will dance!
Love you all and see you May 16 at fish fry and May 17 at graduation! If you need directions, call me at 580-245-1025.
In looking back at old year books, she has discovered that some of her friends now were actually in her K, 1st and 2nd grade classes. I told her that this is a hard life lesson to learn. Kind of like now, being surrounded by classmates, but none that are super close. When she starts her life journey, she will find friends in people that were never in that "high school" crowd. Life will give her better friends than school ever did. Very few of us have kept in touch with those from our high school days. Those that have, I commend you.
For those of us that did not, our true friends were discovered by lifes challenges and hurdles. Suzanne came to me at t-ball practice. Courtney came to me at work. Lori was there all along, but really came to be my friend during Jaque's accident and recovery. Cissy came from Chris's friend Shawn. Our family comes to us as we age, and we grow older together. God bless our wonderful family.
I say all this to Jaque to make her realize that most of my friends I found in my 20's. Long after high school ended and life began.
In her journey to discover what she wants to do with the rest of her blessed life, she too will have many friends. She will find those that are there when your screwing up, and those that are there when you are facing the music. True friends lay that cigarette down when you cannot be around smoke, true friends can go a night without drinking to make sure you make it home safe, and true friends (as a wise email once said) aren't there to bail you out, the are in Jail with you.
Days come when she thinks about all she cannot do (for the moment). But then God touches her or CJ sends her a shooting star to make her realize that she can do so much more now, because she has clarity in ways that most young people do not.
I know that this is the point in life that Chris and I start holding on a little less harder, and watching more. I assure her that God will send her true friends that will pick up the slack on the day to day issues. She is getting more independent every day. And true friends do not mind helping. If she would stop and think, they may help her get in her car, or help her get out at Wal-mart, but she is helping them mentally.
Jaque's personality makes you want to be a better person around her. She makes you light up with one smile, and she gives new meaning to each day. She would not only give you the shoes in her closet, the shirt on her back, but she would literally spend her last dollar on you if you were hungry. No one that has ever hurt her could not turn right back around and be her friend with a simple "I am sorry." Her friends see her strength, but sometimes do not realize that she still needs them. She said, "mom, sometimes I know you are right, but somethings I have to find out on my own, see with my own eyes." Yes, dear, sometimes I am right. But in you doing things your own special way....sometimes I am wrong. Had you not leaped on your faith, you would have not accomplished all that you have in life, and that is many things. I hate that Jaque does not always play it safe....But my favorite quality in her is that she does not always play it safe.
God blessed me with her. Once her clay starts taking shape, she will do more than I ever dreamed that first day of kindergarten.
Martina McBride sings one of my favorite songs. She says "And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you d a n c e......I hope you dance."
With God, Faith, Family, Friends, and medical science -- One day we will look back on this period of Jaque's life, and be amazed at how she handled herself. And as I will walk beside her, we will feel the sand between our toes, and then we will hear music. And guess what.....we will dance!
Love you all and see you May 16 at fish fry and May 17 at graduation! If you need directions, call me at 580-245-1025.
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