Shortly after Michelle returned from her vacation with Brian, she sent me a link to her Kodak Gallery and all 1104 pictures on it. Bless her heart, she never did figure out how to upload her pictures to individual albums or even how to eliminate doubles. No matter, this seems to be a lasting gift from her that I turn to more nights than not. One of my favorite shots is this one of our family snapped in Virginia last fall when we all gathered for our cousin Tonya's wedding. (Have I mentioned that she was the most gorgeous bride, like a fairy tale princess???) Anyway, I find it impossible to believe that this is the last family photograph we'll have. I catch myself wondering what we would have done differently had we known then that Shell wouldn't be with us into the summer. Then I remember that we didn't know, and so we cannot beat ourselves up and wish "if only." As I tell my firsties at school, I don't play the "what if" game. (Do you know how sidetracked that will get you? It's an incredible tool for kids who would rather build towers with the snap cubes than count them.) So I try to keep my own advice and be grateful for the memories I do have. And they're good. Even the one where my baby sister tricked me into the toybox and slammed the lid shut. "What if you sat in the box and I handed you the toys and you put them back in," she asked. Yeah, what if.

More angels...

Lying in bed last night, saying my prayers, I remembered more angels.

* Joel: my mother-in-law. She also drove in for the funeral. One of the things Joel does best is simply to be there. And she was. Thank you.

* Phyllis and her daughters, Kim and Karen: They came to town, too - for the first time since they moved back when Kim and I were in high school together. Kim, Karen, Michelle and I were inseparable friends growing up, playing tag and school, jumping rope and exploring the woods (which my boys now call "the forest"). Seeing them was just like taking a time machine to the past. Such easy relationships are a blessing for sure.

* Friends of Shell's from Florida: People I'd never met but have heard of over the years came to our tiny hometown to celebrate her life and mourn her loss. I remember Tommy, one of her dearest friends. And Dwayne. Dave and Matt. Nancy. Their presence was a huge comfort, knowing that she touched so many people blessed my heart.

* Brian: Michelle's husband. This man was perfectly suited for my sister. He radiates kindness, joy, and love. And at the lowest of possible moments in life, he continued to shine, a reflection of Michelle's life. Now that's love.

Love

Roses from 1st grade 

I am surrounded by God's love.
In the wake of losing my sister, He has sent his mighty angels to lift me up and keep me going. Angels like...
* Mom and Dad. Together, we hold each other up, cry, remember, and find reasons to laugh every now and then.
* A Gospel reading in church Sunday from John 14. The very same passage that Dad shared with me when we had a rare moment alone to remember Michelle. The same passage that he and Shell had read together just months ago. That was no coincidence. That was a God-wink.
* My class of first graders. After the school's spring concert last night, they quietly gave me this beautiful rose bush in memory of Michelle and a card signed by every single student. How they organized this and got the card signed without my knowing is beyond me. Truly, God can use even the youngest in his service.
* My best friend Jodie. She came to Norton for the funeral, and she only knew Michelle through my stories of home and family. But she came to be with me, to hold me up. You'll never know, Girlfriend, how much your presence and our many phone chats since have helped me out. Heck, remember what I asked you to do when I first saw you... you know, the thing we do when we need cheering up because we're about to cry??? I'll never forget that. Thank you.
* The staff and students at my school. Never have I worked in such a loving, caring, and gentle place. My family has been lifted in prayer since the morning I shared of our loss. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is answering their prayers. There's no other way I could be "hanging in there", as I tell others, without the power of prayer.
* Neighbors, Curt's co-workers, friends from my old school in Virginia. Wow. The cards that have arrived here bring me to tears every day when I come home. I am so touched by these.

* The karate students and instructors. First, let me say, I never wanted to take karate in the first place. I just didn't think I could do it. But, then again, I never wanted to be a lifeguard either. Somehow, when pushed, I can get out of my box and actually like it! Well, when Curt and Camden signed me up for a trial at karate, I couldn't exactly turn it down. How rude would that be! Long story short, I love it now. When I'm in class, I'm strong. I can handle what's coming at me. I can defend myself, perform my forms, break boards. Let me tell you, when you need to vent some frustration - anger - breaking a few boards with swift, strong front kicks and a primal yell does the trick. Anyway, I digress. God has placed these friends near me at just the right time. They have been there to do what friends do. They hold me up. They listen. They hug. They offer help and their sympathies. And I accept all of it. And then they hold kick pads and let me go at them, kicking, yelling, and driving them from one side of the room to the other. Thank you.

* Oh, I hope I'm not leaving out any angels. I'm sure I am. I must be. And I'll probably think of them in the middle of the night. Just know that I'm so very thankful.

* Curt. I put him last simply because I want to leave this post with thoughts of him. Thank you, Curt. Thank you for being my best BOY friend. My soul mate. The rock and provider of our family. Michelle always did like you. She never questioned US. She accepted you, loved you, and embraced you from the moment she met you. She could talk to you about our wonderful crazy little family and you always managed to make her feel happy. She had great taste. Curt, You have lifted me in ways unimaginable. Just knowing you were there to make Mom laugh, to talk to Dad in the quiet moments of the late night, to do what you're so darn good at in the bustle of the days. Thank you. I love you. I thank God for you.

The dandelions have been in full face-up-to-the-sun bloom this week. They quite honestly are one of my favorite flowers. No, I'd never get a bouquet of dandelions from a florist. And I don't drink dandelion wine. But Benjy picks these golden flowers for me, as do my first graders. I had a whole pile of wilting dandelions on my desk at school until I broke down and tossed them. 

I even like the dandelion fluff puffballs that come after the golden blooms are gone. I watch children blow the seeds. I watch their stems bend in the wind and the fluff float on the breeze. I watch the new dandelions emerge in the lawn that my dear husband maintains all summer long. And I don't regret a single solitary petal. Go dandelions, go!

tree

tree
Originally uploaded by wendirichert

Here's a digital page I did tonight remembering the significance of the word tree in Shell's and my childhood. Silly, yes, but a fun little memory for me. Just a few weeks ago, she and I giggled about this crazy game we used to play. Thank God for the memories.

I lost my sister last week.

I also lost my dearest friend.

Michelle and I were as different as day and night, as unlikely to be friends as the high school jock and the nerd. 

But we were linked forever by the bond of sisterhood. And thank God, for that made us the most special kind of friends. Sisters.

It's still impossible to believe that my sister isn't here anymore. 

It gives me peace to know that her relationship with Jesus landed here in a new room up in heaven. (See John 14....it's all there.)

Camden says Aunt Shell is sitting on a nice rock up there with Uncle Mitchell, Ellie dog, and the two guppies. The guppies are in a fish bowl. I believe they still need water, even in heaven. 

I'd like to write about some of the memories I have of my sister and me growing up. Yes, we had our moments of disagreement. Our moments even of absolutely despising the other. But in the end, we always managed to find each other on the same side. The side sisters and friends will always come back to. 

We shared a bond of love, friendship, trust, and loyalty.

I love you, Shell.

I miss you.

Trip through the 80s - A Video Compilation

OK, I'm hooked.
I'm skating
at Tucson's
in Norton
zooming down the
concrete floor
while my
Pacman
takes a break
wishing Michael would ask to
skate with me
just
once
then I'm a little
older
not much
but enough to know
that the 80s
are going to pass
and the
90s will give way
and I'll
get over it
and
i
did
:)
(yes, I'm getting hooked on youtube!)

Dallas opening

OK, this will take you back, too.
This makes me think of standing in Grandmomma and Grandaddy's trailer, talking to my cousin Mike about who shot JR. I must have been 10 or something. Not very into the more grown-[up nuances of "Dallas", but definitely into the opening tune. Well, I kinda liked Bobby, too.

TEC- Easy Reader

Oh, the memories.
That's Morgan Freeman, did ya know???

You've just gotta watch this. 

Expect tears.

Have you ever read this book - Big Stone Gap. It's one of my favorites, most probably because it's set in a small town just a short drive down the valley (past the state prison) from my hometown. Well, talking to Dad tonight, I learned that a tornado hit this small southwest Virginia town, creating a 300 yard-wide path of destruction a mile long. I googled it and found this set of photos on Flickr.com. Wow, powerful stuff. More telling than the news channels I found online. Please keep Big Stone Gap in your prayers.

And check this out: I couldn't afford the matching king-size pillow shams to go with my new duvet cover. Sooooooooo I ordered a sheet instead, paired it up with this gorgeously rich and heavenly silk fabric I got super duper cheap at at JoAnn's, and, voila, I made my own! I'm so darned proud of me. :)And I think you should be, too. (Mostly because I just did it. I mean, I didn't put this off. I went to my sewing machine and did it. Right on the spot. Woohoooo!

And finally, happy birthday, Dad! I know this is the best one you've probably ever had, even if you didn't get a new Red Rider BB gun.

This man, this patient, loving, constant, bright-side-of-the-road Dad, went to his ear-nose-and-throat specialist today. While there the good doctor did a scan of his throat. After 6 weeks worth of chemotherapy and radiation that left him drained, severely burned, cranky (but, hey, he has every reason to be, right?! And Dad told me this himself; this is in no way a personal judgment; for the record, he was only cranky to me one time, but who's counting?), unable to eat, and in the worst imaginable pain, Dr. A. peered into his tiny camera lens, walked out of the room, and then returned after a short while that must have seemed like a zillion years. 

Then he beamed. He did not see any cancer. It was gone. 

Praise God. Dad has been on more prayer lists than I can count. Mom, Michelle, and my little family have prayed for him daily. We've prayed for him weekly during devotions at school. Churches here and in Virginia have prayed for this man. 

And God listens. He always listens. We never know how he will act. I don't know why God chose to save this man. I like to think He has more work for Dad here on earth. I like to believe that somebody, somewhere, will be led to Jesus through Dad's healing. All I know is that God knows what He is doing. It doesn't matter if I know or not. For now, all I can do is thank Him. Thank you, God. Thank you for making my Dad whole again. Thank you for giving him hope, relief, LIFE. Thank you for loving him, holding him throughout his treatment, keeping Mom in your loving embrace, and guiding them both every single step of the way.

Dad needs scans of his body every six weeks for the next two years to be considered "cured" or "cancer free". Today's proclamation is early, but it's a bend in the road in the right direction. We'll take it.

Did I mention how very courageous that woman beside this man is? She is. She's my mom. She's the caretaker. The nurse. The worrier. She insists that Dad eat when he doesn't want to. She puts up a brave front when she might otherwise shrink into the bed covers for the day. She loves him. For at least 44 years she's loved him. Yeah, I'm praising God for her, too. I think Dad pulled through this horrible time with her right by her side. Right where she belonged. God brought the two of them together for better or worse, in sickness and in health. They are a testament to the power of love and marriage. Thank you Mom and Dad.

I wish I had a picture of this.

This thing that stopped me today. 

Slowed me down.

Made me marvel at the creativity of children.

The kids (my first graders, not my own personal children) came in this morning and developed a little competition among themselves building houses out of snap cubes from the math manipulatives corner. They started off in pairs and quickly settled into constructing their own unique homes for the barrel of monkeys who also live in our room. They convinced me that I should reward the best builder with a Hershey's Kiss.

What I hadn't expected was the sheer creativity these kids put into their little homes. They had fireplaces, see-saws, vines for swinging, even a prison for the naughty monkeys in the community. I sat, perched on the tiny chairs and cushions in our classroom and listened. Each of the four participants in this game of Flip This House To Mrs. Richert explained how their house worked for the monkeys and why their house was, indeed, the best. I was honestly just taken aback and filled with joy for them. For the fun they had making these and the friendly competition it spawned. 

In the end. I couldn't decide, so I awarded everyone a Kiss. And I popped one for myself for the sheer enjoyment of stopping to listen to these awesome kids.

cough

cough

cough

When you watch the news this weekend,

I want you to remember just

one

thing:

I am 

one of the

ones

who had the 

flu

this week.

I am an 

official

number

in the grand flu count.

I

am

one

of

the

epidemic.

today

in the dining room

which is my crafting room

with a couch 

and a way cool lamp from the

salvation army

that came with a light bulb

that still worked,

i made this little collage 

of birds.

That's the grand and 

wonderful

thing about a

Prompt # 6 ~ Lists Lists Lists

 Latest purchase: thrift store lamp

. 

Originally uploaded by wendirichert

List No. 1: What I did today in chronological order
5:30 - Rise and shine. Well, just rise.
6:00 - Make sure the boys are risen and shining.
6:30 - Drive to school.
7:10 - Morning devotions at school
7:30 - The first graders are coming!!!!!!
8:15 - Gym. Time to breathe.

8:55 - Library. More breathing  time.

11:00 - Fantastic writing workshop minilesson on general vs. specific.
11:30 - Lunch ~ tomato soup and grilled cheese.

12:30 - Finish Horrible Harry and the Goob. Glad this is over. Not terribly interesting, although the kids love it. Tomorrow - Junie B. Jones!!!

2:00 - While the kids make their art project, I reorganized my Reading Workshop notebook.
2:20 - Dismissal
2:45 - Staff meeting
4:00 - Back in my room, gather up my stuff and the boys and come home.
5:30 - Cook supper.
6:30 - Talk to Mom
7:00 - Read Wind and the Willows with Camden
8:00 - Boys "should be" asleep.
8:51 - Now. I'm on the computer. Blogging. Making lists.

List No. 2 - My day in order of time spent on tasks
The school day - 10 hours
Staff meeting - 75 minutes

Reading with Camden and Benjy - 45 minutes
CSI - 60 minutes

Talking with Curt after school, between dinner and his karate class - 30 minutes.
The rest of the stuff I did today - tiny minutes squeezed in between everything else.

List No. 3 - My day in order of what was most important to me
1. Reading with Camden and Benjy. Camden and I are loving Wind and the Willows. We got through 3 chapters tonight. That crazy Toad!
2. Stolen hugs from Camden and Benjy during the day when they see me at at school. These happen in the hallways between lunch and recess, in the mornings before the opening, in the afternoons when on the way to after school care. Love these impromptu moments, these hugs and kisses.
3. Talking to Mom on the phone, catching up on her day out with Charlene and how Dad's doing. He has 9 more radiation treatments left.

4. Reading and Writing Workshops - I just feel so blessed that God has called me to teach children how to read and write and love doing both. This class absolutely begs to read and write. That love of literacy is just amazing. Who couldn't love that?!

Land of the Lost 1 and Prompt #5

Dear Blog,

Today's prompt is to write a letter. To anyone. So I'm writing to you. After all, I write to you more than anybody else. You're easy. And have you seen the cost of a postage stamp these days? You're easy and free.

I've spent a couple of odd minutes searching Youtube for ancient stuff. I've happened upon old movies of Puff the Magic Dragon, which my first graders LOVE. I've watched old School House Rock videos. Wow! Interjection! And I just found this gem. 

This used to scare the pants off of me. Every Saturday morning found me and Shell in front of the TV. This was before remote control, so we were pretty close to the set. She loved this show. I was hesitant. I watched it because I am the older sister and I had to be brave. Yikes! Interjection! Do you remember those sleestacks? Jeepers, they were a fright! 

Anyway, Blog, if you want me to look up something for you, like, say TaeKwondo forms or Scooby Doo episodes or video footage of Elvis, just lemme know. I'm your girl. Yeah!

Journal Prompt #4

The word is

maniacal.

It's a fun word to say.

It's not a fun thing to be.

Not that I would know.

It's just the way that it 

slips off the tongue

sort of at the back of the mouth.

Maniacal.

Say it.

Maniacal.

That's my word for the day.

the W project - Journal Prompt #3

W

in the big blue van

at Suds carwash

on route 66

during Benjy's snooze

beside itself

at its first outing

in its lifetime

Journal Prompt #2

Shimelle's journal prompt tonight was to take some words you hear often and interpret them. I've been hearing Emma's words since the spring of 1995, so I think I've got a bit of insight into what she's saying. Click on the image to read it.