60 Years of Marriage

What a busy couple of weeks. Between my uncle in Edmonton recovering from brain cancer (first it was colon cancer and now this), and now my parents are here to help celebrate my great Aunt & Uncle's 60th Wedding Anniversary the month of August has just flown by. What an accomplishment thinking about 60 years being married and even my parents having achieved 50 years of marriage this year, to someone that will never reach that milestone given our ages. But I believe that every year that a person is married is a celebration, especially when cancer is so much part of our lives. My great uncle is going through cancer of the stomach and yet he still is an accomplished violinist, journalist and a husband caring for his wife - both in their 80's. Can you ask for anything better with that lifestyle and marriage accomplishment? We can all wonder about our own life expectancy but sometimes people never think about marriage longevity? Kind of a surprise when you think about how excited folks are in the beginning of planning a wedding or a life together..we forget to take inventory later on in the years about being excited for what else is going to happen down the road; or in the middle of the journey. As we get older we only plan for the next holiday or worse the next long weekend. We need to think about the tomorrows before they get here and include our spouses and make it a real plan together. Do you have your plan? Are you prepared for the next year; the next five years or what about the next 10 years? I know that Jack and I talk about our plans all the time and even though we might never hit retirement together, we know that our plans take us through this month and onto the next couple with all kinds of togetherness and celebrations. We encourage everyone to come up with a couples plan - could be fun and exciting but most of all could be like starting all over again in the beginning - you just never know!

Busy Weekend

Jack and I decided that this weekend was more about him needing to be in Regina for Carol's funeral service and being that this was more the "Ashby" side, that I would go up to Edmonton and spend time with Rachelle & Dana who is in the hospital recovering from brain cancer. It turned out that Rachelle was able to get Dana out on a day pass and so we took him to Bernie's trailer at the lake. That man has gone from XLarge clothing to a man's size small golf shirt and 32" waisted pants. Both bouts of cancer have taken a toll on his body. However one good thing was that his thought process was much better than it has been in previous visits. God works through people in so many different ways, that it is a marvel to see what he can do for some. I pray that Dana's radiation treatments will go okay and give him the pressure release on the brain that he so desperately needs. I pray that Rachelle receives good news tomorrow and that we have Dana around for many, many more years to come. We have just been so blessed with both of them as family members and such great friends. We pray for strength and endurance for Rachelle in the event that she has to make some tough decisions about Dana's next couple of months...may God give her wisdom, patience and most of all support to know that she is making all the right decisions based on Dana's needs at this time. God has shown me such power in so many people that have been living with this awful cancer sickness. He does have a plan for each of us and may I be able to live with my plan should this be his way for me or those close to me.

Summer is half gone!

Hard to believe that today is July 25th - the end of July is near, but then the other way to look at this date is that we are only 5 months till Christmas. Not sure which is the worst scenario!
My uncle is still in ICU with thoughts that verbally don't make sense, but his motor skills are getting better. Jack and I are hoping to do the Company golf trip to Hardisty tomorrow and then after church on Sunday drive up to Edmonton to have a quick visit. Good to be only a couple of hours away.
I met Nicole's new "man" and was most impressed. He seems to be a good, kind hearted man and should be a good match for her. His father passed away four years ago with a brain tumor so some things in common with our family. He sold his house in SE Calgary when his dad was first diagnosed, so that he could move back into the family home to care for him. When his dad got really bad he quit his job to give him 100% care...now that's the kind of guy I want my daughter dating. Someone that gives 110%to family, to give them support and much needed love and attention during there remaining time on earth. I know that I have that with Jack as I am reminded by many of our friends about how spoiled I am with him driving me places. And I know that sometimes I have to ask to just be able to drive myself somewhere, but in the end it shows how committed he is to me and our relationship.
I think about my daughters and how they find companions for life when they don't attend a "church" but I know that in their hearts they believe in God. I wanted them to marry "Godly" men but really what is that? I know "Godly" people go to church but does that make them better than non-churched people? I know some "Godly" people that attend church but I wouldn't trust them with my daughters or others that I don't want in my life as they wear two faces. It's sad to look at people that way and wonder what and if they are committed to believing in God and yet do they wear two faces?
Life is interesting when you can look at your kids and see how they mature and process everyday questions. I know that I have raised good kids that will rationalize there own lives with questions as to what/where/when/why and hopefully they will become closer to each other and then to God as a couple. I pray that in time they will see that he is needed in their lives to help round them out as a person. As I know what God has given me and shown me to be a better person in this lifetime. God has helped me feel secure and able to share with others and give from the heart. He has blessed me with finding a man that gives from his heart, not only to me but to others as well. God has blessed Jack & I to realize how hard a marriage can be if you don't work on it and yet when the kids leave the nest, God has shown us that we still can't take things for granted. That we must follow the bible and believe in God firstly and then have the belief in our marriage to make it stronger by working together as one!

Prayerful Times

How many times a day do we pray to God for things? Things that aren't even important or relevent? I have my dear Uncle Dana fighting for his life with a massive brain tumor and I guess that's what I should of been using my prayer time for and not little things such as, I hope I've bought enough food for the VBS wind up, and I hope and pray that the baby shower will have lots of folks staying to Welcome a new member on Sunday or the baby shower that I'm cooking for on Monday - I hope that the food will be enough and that the ladies will like it? What - are you kidding me - that isn't what prayers I should be concerned with? Who helps us determine what prayers we should be asking for from God? Or how many prayers should each person be entitled to? When will we know that we have exceeded our prayer quota or is there such a thing? So many questions that need answers, but the main question is will my Uncle live to see the rest of this week or next week or even next month. And if he comes through radiation or surgery, will he be the same Uncle that he has always been. I know that ONLY GOD can answer that. I pray hard and feverishly that God will continue to watch over him and his family and all the doctors that are working on his case. I pray that he will be saved for many more years to come. I pray that prayer is all that is needed and that I haven't used up all my quota as I have many more prayers that I need answers for. I trust in God and I trust that believing in God is what makes us continue to pray...very much like a circle with no end just a continuous circle of going around, and around.

Summer if Officially Here

What a great June & start of July! Happy 4th to all the American's! We officially kicked off Stampede today and it was a great day to sleep in. Jack and I took Marshall to lunch today and what a beautiful man he is. We talked about many things and Jack and Marshall share some great memories of being in the hospital together. I have really gotten to know him much better with our quality visiting.
We also went to the Farmers Market and waited to meet Ryan there so he could take the DVD and get copies of the 50th Anniversary made. The market is great at this time of the year. So many fresh veggies - okay we also bought Simon Tarts (3 kinds); some buffalo burgers (can hardly wait for that) and they even have a wine store...so of course we had to take a visit through there. When Ryan came we went back in and checked out the fish store, the food court and even had some gelato (oh I paid for that...good thing that Ryan and Jack could finish mine).
Life is short is some ways. Nicole called to say that the gravel truck driver that was killed on Deerfoot trail on Wed. nite left behind his wife, 5 year old daughter and his 3 week old son. There is a church up by CCOC that is helping the family out with a fundraiser etc. We offered to help out as well, so we will have to see what else they need. Nicole knows this family through the street race group that she hangs out with on weekends. A very compassionate girl about people in need.
Dana, we are praying for you and your next challenge of brain surgery. We are so thankful to God for so many prayers answered that your cancer had not spread to the bones or bone marrow. We know that more prayers will be needed when you undergo brain surgery. So just keep up the positive thoughts and you will be travelling with us in early September to Washington. We love you....xoxoxoxo

When Is Summer Getting Here

Calgary has had nothing but rain, rain and more rain. We haven't seen this much rain in a couple of years. The first year we moved here, it rained liked this. Poor Ryan was a goalie for soccer and had to stand outside in ankle deep water. It will be nice to get through this and into warmer, dry weather.
We are off to Regina to see Lorne being inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Bob and his wife Caren will be there to acknowledge this prestigious event as well. It's hard to believe that only 2 years ago both of them were inducted in. Such an honor to have this bestowed upon such athletes. We look forward to the quick trip in and out. Then when we get back we have got to get some yard work done before Jack goes back to the hospital for more tests and a little surgery. I pray to God that things can get resolved and that we can get our life back on track of being "empty nesters with a plan". We have many things to accomplish and try and get booked in.
We have been busy though spending time with Jaelyn's kids at their wind up dance recital - this was wonderful. These are very talented little girls and we look forward to watching more of them. Then we went to Edmonton to celebrate Bernie, Dana and Richard's 60th birthdays. This was a 50's theme so we had to dress the part and boy what a great time. Everyone looked so good and festive...all good sports even the birthday folks who were blindfolded and didn't know what was going on.
Anyway life is busy and so we just race along with everyone else. So having said that I must get coffee on to start another day finding "real treasurers" for the kids church garage sale. I'm sure that this house is holding all kinds that need to be shared with everyone. Until next time.....please God, enough rain!

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad

Jack and I got home around 3:30 this afternoon from probably one of the longest weekends ever. This weekend was such an emotional high with all the family, friends and of course the best - my siblings & parents. We all got together from Thursday until last night. We had the best time wishing mom & dad a very happy 50th Wedding Anniversary and a double 70th Birthday celebration on Sunday. Jack and I are used to setting up and taking down tables, chairs etc. but this was a new thing for my siblings. My kids pitched in and we had a hall set up; taken down; re-set the next day and then taken down. So many people came to wish my parents congrats including some of my high school friends, which was awesome to be able to have my kids meet old friends. As children grow up and become adults it's fun for them to see what a parents friends were like. The dvd was a success for many reasons of sharing and the photo albums as well. We as a family have so many memories to share and to thank God for all the fun times together and the stressful times that make us a family. We have endured two bouts of cancer with my parents and yet we still can come together and be one big family. We love our siblings spouses and all our nieces/nephews and include everyone in everything that we do....so refreshing! I must thank Jack to helping make this weekened a true success and standing behind me with all the months of planning and pulling everything together. I was very stressed over the past month with so many things going on, and yet he was there to support me and best yet he stood by my side through this complete weekend helping do whatever he could. I love you honey and I truly admire you for you. You were my ROCK during this complete weekend. I also thank God for bringing my grandma's sister all the way from down east when I know that it isn't easy for them, as my uncle is under going cancer treatments. It was amazing to have them there with everything they are under going, but also that they are an inspiration to others as they celebrate 60 years of marriage this summer.