January - dreary January

What a month. I have to say I am glad it's almost over. You may or may not know, Tony was laid off on Jackson's birthday, the 9th. We had an inkling it was coming, but that never softens the blow. Tony has stayed in good spirits and has kept busy looking for a new job and finishing up projects around the house(s).

On the 22nd, I buried someone very close to my heart. If you know me, you know my dearest friend Allison. Her father passed away from an heart attack on Monday, the 19th. Allison and I have been friends since I was 6 years old. We lived together in college and after college. We have fought together, cried together, laughed together ALOT (we both think we are very funny) and now have buried both of her parents together. Her mom passed away in 93 from Leukemia. Marion, her dad, was a BIG man. Big in stature, big in spirit, big in compassion, big in every sense. He had an infectious laugh that shook his entire body and a sense of humor that always captured those around him.

Family was always important to Marion and I like to think I was always included in that family. He treated me like his own, both the good and the bad. Trust me, if he didn't like what I was doing, or didn't approve, he would be quick to tell me about. But also quick to give me a hug and support.

The memorial service was really well done. Joshua, Allison's little brother, was a member of the Texas Boys Choir when he was in the 5th and 6th grades and they came to sing a song at the service. It was BEAUTIFUL. The tributes spoken were exactly that, at tribute, a celebration of life and a walk down memory lane that left me with a smile on my face.

The economy is so frightening, I don't even know what to say. My job is sorta stable, but with the business climate changing so rapidly, you never know. Tony and I are doing ok, we have prepared ourselves to weather the storm and will face the future holding hands and supporting each other in whatever comes our way. When someone loses someone special, I typically always send a note with the following bible verse Phillipians 4:7

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

I went and re-read that entire chapter and realized it now pertains to me, not just for the loss of my friend, but the anxieties we face today with the economy.

Philipians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

Now, for such a bummer post - I leave you with something funny. I don't care how many times you have seen it, it's still funny