Somebody Slow Down This Train... I Want OFF!

Not really. ;)    But seriously.....Who put my life in SUPER SPEED? Was it God? Hmm... umm, no. I think that's ALL ME. I have this habit of agreeing to take on any project, a deep-seated need to please and juggle every single client who needs a home, and an overwhelming desire to make every moment super terrifically memorable for my family and friends. I can't tell you how I became this way, but I can assure you that every once in a while, it catches up with me, and I wake up to find there's no more "get up and go" in the tank and I'm forced to "sit still" for a day or so to catch my breath. Now that... that's all God. I'm pretty sure of it.

He's REALLY good at getting my attention, once I'm forced to slow down. Like today. The last two weeks have been some of the busiest of the year for real estate (and my lovely and beautiful helper, Renea, has been enjoying some well-deserved down-time at the beach). That has been bookended by two of the busiest and eventful family week-ends EVER in my life. EVER. Family grad dinners, prom, first college graduation of an offspring, daughter's 19th birthday in the middle of the week, cleaning of house for said off-spring's graduation party, HUGE party with 80+ friends, family & DJ, Kevy Kev famous breakfast for 15, more cleaning.... followed by COLLAPSE.

This morning I intended to get up, do a LONG list of work items, help get Andrew packed to move back to Boone for the summer, help Alex with a few promised items, and I have accomplished ZIP, NOTHING, NADA. I can't get off the couch, nor can I focus. But I have had that still, small voice whispering, then shouting loudly over the pounding migraine... "Come to me, my child. I can give you rest. I am here. Look at me. Call out to ME. I AM."

As I'm sitting here, my current favorite song comes to me.

ONE THING REMAINS
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing… Remains 

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

Thank goodness for Christ's never giving up on me. Don't get me wrong... I KNOW how totally and completely blessed my family is and has been. If you don't know me well though, I have CONTROL issues. To the point sometimes I reach a total collapse... I have to come crawling back to Christ and be forgiven. He knows that no matter how many times I'm reminded, I always continue to hold ALL the reins too tightly and be the control freak that I am, only to have Him remind me that I'm NOT ultimately in control. He is. All we have to do is stop, slow down, and hear that still, small voice. 

This is the P.S.  ... let me say before I am shot by my closest, and dearest friends, and my dear hubby... that ALL of the above events would NOT have happened without their help and assistance. And for that... you all have my undying gratitude. Cap & gown pick ups, barbecue transports from Wilkesboro, untold hours of cleaning by my kids, hubby & Steve 'THE MAN' Fishel; homemade ice cream, cookie dough dip, meatballs, mac & cheese casserole, cakes, fruit platters, etc deliveries... food that HELPED feed that great crowd and make it a stunning evening; besties found cleaning after I had been enjoying the karaoke, etc. You, my dear friends and family, ROCK. And I am so thankful for each of you. We've made some more great memories for this, our 25th year as a family, as we have all been freewheelin' through this thing called life.

Changes...... Tis the Season, for Graduation.... and LIFE.

So I started a blog and it's been 2 and 1/2 months since I posted. Life got in the way.

This blog is posted in honor of District 9. Who is District 9 you might ask? Well... back in Spring of 2009, the high school class of 2009 (newly accepted at ASU) was busily filling out their housing applications for dorm space at App State. About 24 or so of them were apparently REALLY GOOD KIDS!! They all made the decision to apply for the "Living Free" floor. To pick that floor, you had to agree not to drink, smoke or do drugs your freshman year, or you would be.... GASP... EXPELLED. Not a hand slap... THROWN OUT. Fortunately for Andrew, that turned out to be the best decision in the world.

These are a few of those kiddos from the 9th floor of Coltrane Dorm. Little did they know they had so much fun awaiting them. Football and friendships, enough to last a lifetime for the next four years. We knew Andrew had pretty much stumbled onto something special the first "parent's weekend" of football at App in September 2009. The kids were pretty amazing, and we learned many names, but more importantly, how great and special each of these kids were... especially when several of them took the time to get to know us also. Soon we were fixtures during each football season, hosting tailgates with the Halls, and feeding the crowds... learning to love each and every kid... because they loved my son. My Andrew had found his family, and apparently, a new name himself.... ANDY.

Their story is long, but is can be shortened by me to say... many of them have formed lifelong friendships that will outlive many of the changes soon to come for each of these new college graduates in the future. We just spent a weekend hosting several of them for Andrew's college graduation party. My heart was truly touched to see so many of them, some living in different states, making the trip to Midway to celebrate together. This is a bond. And I hope they know how special and RARE a bond like that is in this life.

As they left today, I had "Andy" read to them the post on the wall hanging I bought him for his graduation. It says this:

Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say "thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment.

May all of the members (and adopted members) of District 9 have a very bright and blessed future. And may they always remember to treasure this very special bond they have been given and to gather much and often in the future... celebrating all of life's blessings... together. I love you guys! Congrats to those of you who have graduated and to those of you who have already begun your life's work. God speed!