cousins.

I don't have any cousins. I didn't realize how strange that was until I got older and now as I watch my nine nieces and nephews love on one another.

On the 18th, the LeBlano clan headed over to Detroit for my Grandpas memorial service. We stayed in a hotel for the weekend. Once again, I was able to enjoy the perks of being in a wheelchair and requiring an accessible room- the room was HUGE! I have stayed in a lot of hotels but I have never had the pleasure of staying in a "suite" like this. It came with a kitchen, a sitting area, cathedral ceilings and a separate place for the bed and TV.

Needless to say, it was the hang out and the cousins were excited. Three of them wanted to spend the night in Aunt Holly's room and I loved every minute of it. It was late and I knew they were getting tired but I didn't want to squelch the spontaneity of the conversation. After discussing poop (don't all conversations revert to this?) and whether or not I could walk if I really tried (do they think I'm faking?) Kennedy sighed long and loud. "Why the sigh, Kennedy?"
"What a unique opportunity, Aunt Holly."
I looked over to see her taking it all in with her hand resting behind her head,"What do you mean?" I asked.
She exhaled again, "To stay in a castle like this. What an opportunity."

How right you are, Kennedy.
Thanks for reminding me to be thankful for life's unique opportunities...like cousins.

Here's to many more sleep overs at Aunt Holly's. I want it to be your castle.

my love for the theatre.

I can't explain it. Something happens inside of me as I enter a theatre and the curtain lifts. It is so exciting. So refreshing. For a couple of hours I am removed from reality and transported to the lives that are performed on the stage. It is home to me. A comfortable place. Somewhere that I feel I belong. No words can describe it.

This flame was sparked in me in my elementary days when my parents would take the family to a dress rehearsal on a school night (a BIG deal when your dad was a principal) and traveled five hours to Grand Rapids for an evening at the civic theatre. We would arrive early and split a pack of peanut M & M's (among 6 people) and try to work on homework that was assigned for that evening. Leaving the theatre, I would fall asleep in the back of our blue station wagon as we journeyed home back to Holland.

It wasn't until my adult years did I realize Grand Rapids was only a half hour away and Wednesdays were "cheap" nights. In order to secure a seat, you had to arrive at least two hours ahead of show time. And a bag of M &M's was probably only a quarter back then.

I didn't care. I don't care now. That is where it all started. I was bit by the theatre bug.

I was reminded of this passion in me last night as my mom treated me to a show at Hope College as one of my birthday presents, Rose and the Rime. It was phenomenal. Even more so when you knew that it was written and produced by students at Hope.

My disability is obvious. It's been life changing and down right irritating at times. I often wonder if I would have pursued the stage more if this obstacle didn't present its ugly head.

For now, I sit back and try to take it all in and relish in the fact that my love for theatre didn't leave with the use of my legs. I am happy that I can be transposed into a world that invokes such emotion.

Thanks, mom and dad, for the wonderful birthday present. Thanks for fostering my love for the theatre.

I'm forever grateful.

Giving Thanks in 2008.

While millions are in time square watching the ball drop, one girl is stuck on her deck.
Let me back up:
I had a fabulous birthday. I can honestly say that. My mom and dad brought over omelets in the morning that we prepared in a Ziploc bag and Christy, Ken, Brecken, Kennedy, Laurie, Danika, Jagger, Kaia and TJ came over too. (the O's were in Florida)
After moms wonderful brownies and three cups of Louisiana coffee, the family left and my mom and I were on our way to purchase a sign for my house from Home & Company with gift certificates and birthday money. I have been eyeing this sign since the summer and knew it would make a great birthday celebration and a good reminder to bring in the new year as it reads, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS.
Believe me, I needed this reminder shortly after I returned home from a dinner party tonight. I had left the gathering two hours before the end of 2007. On my drive home I was looking forward to soaking in my two man tub, getting in my PJ'S and falling asleep to the countdown of this past year in bed. It was while these thoughts stirring in my head, that I was in awe of the beauty of the freshly fallen snow and the way in which it engulfed the trees. As much as I complain about the winter and loathe being cold, I have to admit tonight was one of those nights that I feel bad for people who have never seen or heard winter. (yes, winter like tonight has a sound of peacefulness)
What better way to "freeze" the moment then to capture some photos...this is where it all began...an opportunity to choose 'thanks' over circumstances that would otherwise be extremely irritating.
I started snapping pictures in the front of my house as the thought occurred to me that it would be quite possible I could get stuck. No problem taking these photos from my snow covered driveway...my confidence grew. I entered the house and proceeded to the back door to let Delsie do her business one last time. I, again, was in awe of God's beauty and wanted a photo of D-dog in the white winter snow. It's at this time that it would be appropriate for me to tell you that the snow is wet and heavy- perfect for snowballs and snowman, not so good for girls in wheelchairs.
D took her spot on the corner of the deck and I put the chair in reverse, I heard the sound of tires spinning. I wasn't going anywhere. With the snow falling and temperatures dropping, Delsie gave up on me and retreated to her bed inside the house. (Did I mention the door to my house was wide open?) After what felt like hours but actually was 15 minutes, I realized this rocking business in high speed was getting me nowhere. I called friends that live nearby who came to my rescue...remember:IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS...

I'm off to take a bath and thank God for family, friends, wheelchairs and snow.
Happy 2008.

Christmas memories.

Approaching the New Year, which happens to be my birthday, produces a range of emotions. I have discovered that these emotions are highly dictated by the weather. (or should I say lack of sunshine.)

I am going through this day with a huge lump in my throat to be popped by some poor soul who innocently asks a question what I interpret as offensive or makes a statement that would be funny any other day but today would result in an outburst of tears. Maybe this is why I am not married. God wants to spare the poor guy of unfounded emotional abuse.

A day like today, I am a prime candidate for an episode of Dr. Phil and would embrace his advice and welcome his direct sarcasm.

Until then, I reflect on the year 2007 and play Josh Groban on high decibels on itunes. Tomorrow is a new day. The sun may come out. 2008 will be greeted with hopes and anticipation of Gods best.

IMAGINE.

Imagine the birth of our savior. A little tiny baby that changes the world.

"Genius. Pure genius."

This is my favorite line in this years production of Imagine Christmas.
(www.imaginechristmas.info) It is daunting, exhilarating, stressful, challenging yet extremely humbling to be a part in producing the single most powerful happening in ones life.

Working with the "worshippers" (20 children) has been my favorite experience so far. They are thrilled to be on stage and so teachable and wanting to please. They "act" out seeing Mary carrying baby Jesus for the first time. How in the world do you direct that?

"Genius. Pure genius."

Because we had no one to take over the role of costume designer this fell under my responsibility along with another director, Kim. I have had no prior education in costuming a show even though I minored in Theatre- one would think.

I have to admit it has been a blast. I am not sure it is because I am not spending my own money or the enjoyment of hunting for a bargain or discovering packages at my door for the past five days or shopping online...I love every minute.

Granted, I have yet to see the final product on stage as Wednesday is our first dress rehearsal but I can only imagine that God is going to be glorified...

that is my humble yet hopeful prayer.

Gramps.

I love these photos. It was the last time I saw my gramps alive. I made him smile and he let me take these photos- which he always held his hand over his face when the camera came out. I can't even count how many photos we have of gramps and his hand...

The end of August Gramps was in a nursing home recovering AGAIN- honestly, I can't remember what prompted Gram to call 9-1-1. Which doesn't take much at all. We are convinced they knew her by name. Between their neighbor and gramps failing health, the numbers of 9-1-1 are faded on her rotary phone.

After many trips to the hospital, nursing homes and his disobedient body, Gramps died on Friday, December 7. He was 91.

Gram and Gramps met when she was 18 and he was 23. They married that year. Gram now is 86 and doesn't know life without him. It is for this reason I am sad. I hurt for her and feel an ounce of her ache as the man she knew as her husband for sixty eight years is no longer on this earth.

I am thrilled for Gramps. He's with Jesus now. I am confident of that and at times jealous of it. He doesn't have to be transferred anymore. He doesn't have the shakes and I am sure he doesn't smell of BO. His voice is strong and I am sure he and Miss Lynn (Grandma Le Blanc) have introduced themselves.

It has been a difficult six years as his body defied him yet his mind grew sharper by the day. With the exception of introducing me to a nurse as his handicapped daughter in law and referring to my hair do on this particular visit as "tou-tou pigtails", (that's what he's laughing about in this photo) Gramps was on top of it all.

We'll take good care of Gram, Gramps. Don't worry about that. If you can just prompt her to move to this side of the state we will surround her with company- there won't be any time for her to get lonely.

Thank you, Gramps for raising your daughter, allowing me to be blessed with an amazing mom. I know you are proud of her. Thanks for being a father my dad never had. I know the two of you never talked about it but I know my dad is forever grateful.

...and Gramps, thanks for loving me and my sisters, your only grandchildren. You left a legacy for us. You gifted us over and over. You blessed us with your prayers.
I took pride in making you laugh, Gramps. Your smile melted my heart.

I will never forget that.
I will never forget you.

...until we meet again.

weekend plans.

This may sound a bit odd to some who may loath a basket full of dirty clothes but I was thrilled to do laundry this weekend. I am not certain if this a good indication of my lack of social life or the independence this house is offering. Let's focus on the later- a little less depressing.

When I designed the remodel I knew I wanted a place for my washer and dryer. It has been over three years that this part of my life has not been do-able. Thanks to a mom who has been faithfully taking baskets back and forth, the time has come for me to will this task back in my life.

The blueprints of it all seemed to be a great idea. That was until I discovered that my sister gave me a bum dryer and it takes over four hours to dry a medium size load of wet clothes.

I have made my three bedroom home into a two bedroom home with an accessible bathroom. Because stairs are not a reality for me, my washer and dryer have their own closet in my bedroom.

I actually was looking forward to the chores of laundry on Saturday morning. If only it were just the morning. The morning became afternoon and afternoon became evening which turned into a 3:00 in the morning task of once again starting the dryer for another 70 minute session while the load in the washer were quickly loosing their mountain breeze Tide smell.

Not only is my social life lacking, it's not such a joy to do the laundry anymore.
I'm off to take a nap without the sound of the dryer buzzer going off...