A Good Man Meets a Good Girl

My granddaughter was Sally in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

(You're a Good Girl, Carli Bear!)

Grandma says so.

=)

PHOTO BY TENDERSHOOTZ

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Irvine or Bust

I went missing for a couple of days, but I have a stellar excuse. Dave and I took a last-minute trip to Southern California Wednesday, where we met Todd at my parents' house in the desert. After a short but enjoyable visit with the two of them, we headed out to Irvine, rented a studio apartment, and went a good way toward furnishing it. Not a bad weekend's work! Todd and I will finish the job in mid-July.

Friday night we drove over to the campus and walked around a bit. It was fun to imagine our son hurrying through those halls––and hospital corridors––in the white coat he will receive in a ceremony next month. (Sadly, he's allowed only six tickets for that event, but he hopes to beg or borrow a few more so the whole family can attend.) Needless to say, every one of us would love to be there to support him.

=)

PS. We also enjoyed our two nights in Matt and Heather's home. Those grandkids of ours get cuter every time we see them. (I offer no excuses for not taking pictures. Mea culpa.) Saturday morning, everyone enjoyed a delicious but shamefully gluttonous brunch at the Original House of Pancakes before going our separate ways. As is my custom, I ordered the Dutch Baby. (Don't worry; it's a German pancake.)

Can't wait to spend a week with the whole gang in Newport come July.

Taking Charge

Sorry my Saturday Centus is the Sunday variety this week. (We got in pretty late last night from our road trip to Irvine, and my brain was on the blink.) As you can see, Jenny Matlock is up to her old tricks again. This time, we have no more than 60 words to turn the prompt into some kind of cogent story. Talk about word economy! And there's no better form for word economy than a poem, right? (The prompt is in red.)

∞§∞

Taking Charge

©2011 Susan Noyes Anderson

Dear John:

You’re gone.

Life goes on.

On and on.

Take a jet.

Don’t fret.

You can bet

I’ll forget.

Too bad.

So sad.

I’m the best

you’ve had.

You lack.

Stay on track.

I’ll be fine.

Don’t look back.

Too late.

Won’t wait.

Leaving me

sealed your fate.

That’s a wrap.

No recap.

No more us.

No more crap.

∞§∞

Joy Ride

As I followed my husband across California yesterday to meet our son in Irvine, deliver a working car (his finally bit the dust), and find an apartment as close to his medical school as possible (love saying those words), the overriding feeling in my heart was JOY.

A few years ago, he wasn't even sure what he wanted to do with his life. (You could even say he was floundering a bit.)

Today, he's in medical school! Sorry to keep repeating that, but that's what my mind keeps doing: repeating those words, over and over. Because it's kind of a miracle, really. A blessing. And he is the one who made it all happen.

Is it almost time for the letter P? I think I feel a Pride post coming on...

;)

PS. I promise not to do any more bragging about this! (Do you believe me??)

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Life is Sweet

The friends we pass along the way

remind us that we're A-okay...

And even when we wander through

those paths removed from others' view,

we find that peace is all around,

and there is goodness to be found.

We pluck from life the things that feed

our hungry spirits. Every need

is ours to seek and satisfy,

with help, of course, from friends on high.

The rich, ripe fruit makes living sweet

and gives our souls enough to eat.

Such fruit, once shared, is always sweet.

=)

PHOTOS OF MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE BY TENDERSHOOTZ

Taking the Pledge

My grandson (in the middle) takes the pledge of allegiance seriously...

(even though he does put the wrong hand over his heart) ;)

Our Flag

©2011 Susan Noyes Anderson

Every day, we pledge the flag.

I say the words real loud.

I stand up straight and tall because

it makes me feel so proud.

My daddy is a soldier, and

the flag makes him proud, too.

He fights for what it stands for.

It stands for me and you.

∞§∞

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Tree-mendous

You say you're feeling trapped? Break free.

Just get on up and ride a tree!

The Arrow Is Only As Good As Its Bow

"Our children take their flight into the future with our thrust and with our aim. And even as we anxiously watch that arrow in flight and know all the evils that can deflect its course after it has left our hand, nevertheless we take courage in remembering that the most important factor in determining that arrow's destination will be the stability, strength, and unwavering certainty of the holder of that bow" (Jeffrey R. Holland).

Today I want to take a minute to celebrate the "holder of that bow" for my children. I also want to thank him for holding it so firmly and with such steadiness over the years. With him in their world, my children have known a security that every child should have the opportunity to experience. Sadly, many do not.

When I was a young woman, my main ambition was to be a wife and a mother. Some of that desire was cultural, some generational, but I think the largest portion was spiritual. I simply longed to create, nurture, and raise a family. With that in mind, I was looking for a partner who would be solid and dependable, intelligent and ambitious, fun and funny, respectful and respect-worthy, committed and devoted. After all, I intended to be all of those things for him, so why should he not return the favor? (And be good-looking, to boot!)

I dated a lot of great guys, but not one of them even came close for me. When Dave finally hit the scene, I didn't have much trouble recognizing him for who he was and would be in my life. This guy was THE ONE, and he has spent the past 38 1/2 years proving the soundness of my judgment. He is the cream of the crop, and I have the privilege (and I know it is one) of being able to say, without reservation, that I would pick him all over again.

Dave is beloved by his wife AND his children.

From Matt:

These are my dad's qualities:

Dependability - can always count on him to show up

Athleticism - 60+ and still ballin'

Virility - has proven it 4 times, probably more... ;)

Integrity - great follow through, and not just his golf swing

Darn good dad

He is a great example and has provided me with a feeling of safety all my life. He is also a really good grandpa, who makes things feel special and magical (also did this as a dad). He has a great mustache that he should consider growing back. He has the ability to give VERY CLEAR AND CONCISE directions. ;) He will make sure you never get lost! (Translation from Sue: He...er...over-explains.)

Heather: Dad has been a wonderful example to Matt of how to be a good father, husband, and priesthood holder. He shaped the man I love. He is hard working and gives 110% in all he does. I appreciate his love for nature and his goal to visit all the national parks. It's so cute that he still plays ball with his "boys."

Karin: Dad has always brought a sense of security to my life. He has taught me what kind of person I want to be...and to work hard for what I want. My life without him wouldn't be as fun, and I wouldn't be as strong as I am today. I always thank my lucky stars that he is my dad. I love his creativity, his unconditional love, and his love for life. I always love his stories, too...and how much he loves and supports me in everything I do!

Bobby: Without Dad, I wouldn't have the love of my life. He is such a great example to me of what I want in my life, the love and respect of my family; and I want to start a family and have the kind of bond with my children that he has with his. I love his creative ideas for adventures for his grandchildren (ie magic trees, treasure hunts, etc.), his ability to make people comfortable with his friendly personality, and the fact that he's always interested in any conversation you may have with him.

Ryan: Dad brings an example and feeling of security to my life. Without him, I would not have a role model of how I should be. Some of the things I love most about him are his focus on our family, how hard he works for all of us and his ward (he's responsible), and how spontaneous he is with our vacations. ;) (Translation from Sue: He labors over every detail of every trip we take.)

Todd: Dad is dependable. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without his support, financial and otherwise. It's fun to have a dad who played and introduced us to so many sports as a child...especially Lakers and basketball. It's also great that he can still play really well (considering his age). (Sue: Uh-oh, them's fightin' words!) I appreciate his intelligence, the good genes he gave me (I hope to look as good as he does when I'm 61), his kindness and selflessness (ie children first, he's never even had a nicer car than a Honda, which is unusual considering how well he's done for himself), and how generous he is with his time (always coming to sporting events no matter how busy he was, etc.).

Of course, his grandkids think he's pretty great, too.

Jeremiah: I love Grandpa because he's funny. He makes me laugh.

Carli: I love to go on Grandpa's hikes and treasure hunts. He's fun!

Bryce: I love when Grandpa takes me to the park.

Thanks for always catching the ball for us, Dad.

Even when we throw it kinda crooked.

We love you!

Happy Father's Day!!

♥

Rebirth

Jenny has Jeff C. to thank for this week's Saturday Centus prompt, and I thank Jeff as well. It was a good one! As directed by our illustrious leader, I have added exactly 100 words to create the following sonnet:

∞§∞

Rebirth

©2011 Susan Noyes Anderson

Within the stone-cold reaches of his heart,

a red-hot revolution had begun.

The feeblest of stirrings was its start,

mere embers, kindled by another’s sun.

She tasted sweet as honey, deftly spun

his head around; oh yes, this was her art.

Her magic crept into that inner part,

where secrets hide and old wounds cut and run.

He was undone. She was Diantha’s wine,

the flower of heaven; no man could resist.

Such grapes as hers grew on no earthly vine;

her lips were petals, pleading to be kissed.

He sipped, drank deeply, knelt before her shrine…

surrendered darkness to the morning mist.

∞§∞

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Guess who doesn't need this any more!

Nearly a year ago, many of you old-timers around here responded to my pleading parent post by joining me and my family in wishing Todd well on the Medical College Admissions Test. In the angst-y months that followed, you supported one very stressed-out mom through a number of med school interviews across the country and encouraged me when Todd ended up on a couple of waitlists without any firm acceptances.

Lo and behold, your prayers, positive thoughts, and tightly crossed fingers must have done some good...because Todd was officially accepted yesterday by the University of California Irvine School of Medicine! That's right, my friends (and I DO mean friends), he will start August 5th as a first-year med student, and everyone who loves him is over the moon about it. In fact, Todd is flying pretty high himself. We simply could not be happier.

There's something quite wonderful about watching a child's dream begin to come true, no matter how old he gets.

=D