Teenagers

Everyone with grown children already knows this, but I had to learn it the hard way.

When teenagers start driving, life changes. Of course, I remember when I started driving and how I LOVED IT. I knew I was grown and could manage my own life, quite well thank you. But we're talking about my little boy!

Since Doug has started driving I have learned so much! Like... how do you go to sleep when your kid isn't home, it's raining and he's on the road? Like... why doesn't he consolidate his trips to save a little bit of gas? Like... the call in the middle of the night that says, "I've wrecked my car" will be the one you remember forever.

This is a picture of Doug's car after the wreck. He walked away unhurt, but it could have been so much worse. He asked me today if there was anything good that came of his accident. I said, "If it keeps you from having a wreck where you end up in the hospital or dead, then yes, there was a lot of good that came from it."

For all you parents out there, I'm sending up a prayer that your kids will get home safe, every night.

Chrissie's Mom

Monday morning I went to a celebration of the life a truly gifted woman. Her name was Georgia Bishop and as her grandson-in-law sang so wonderfully, she wasn't a millionaire or famous but she was rich beyond measure because she was loved by so many. Georgia, "Mom", was my second mom growing up. Her daugther Chrissie was my best friend in high school and many, many days after school, I wound up at her house hanging around and eating wonderful food that she made for us. Chris and I would tell her about our day at school and watch her take care of the many children she babysat for working families. She had a wonderful, wicked sense of humor and would tease us about boys and trying to grow up too fast. I loved to hear her laugh at a silly joke or story that Chris would tell. Her first love was Jesus, but her second was Joe Bishop. All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were there to honor her. It was great to see them again.

Chris has lived in Louisiana for a long time so we don't see each other much. She and her husband are very busy with their many endeavors. It was a treat to see them, even under the circumstances. I hope that we will stay in touch better in the coming years.

"Mom", I know you are keeping watch over all of us, but I hope you are busy having a blast in heaven.

Heens in WA State

We just returned from what will probably be our last Great Heen Adventure, although I'm hoping for many more. We've been taking these trips together every two years since Doug was eight years old. He has started his new job now and so many other things may interfere with future opportunities.

We flew to Seattle, spent a day on the Peninsula with our friends Norm and Kareen, went to a Mariners game, walked up and down one million hills, saw the famous Public Market and the Fish Mongers, ate lots of great seafood and got stuck in a blizzard on Mt. Ranier on June 4th. It was a delightful trip with lots of time to spend with our almost adult son. He was a great sport about being with the parental units and only spent 3-4 hours a day on his cell phone.