Reality of Life and Loss

A friend of mine just lost his father on Dec 31 2011
The end of a year... the end of a precious, amazing life (here on earth).

People go into New Years Eve taking stock of their past year.
The amazing memories, the wise choices, but also the regrets.
A new year is coming so they look forward to making more memories and hopefully no regrets.

My hope for this coming year is to cherish my loved ones.
My friend's loss has reminded me how quickly and unexpected loss can happen.
i have been facing those thoughts over the past month as I have been facing the mortality of my own dad.

He has recently discovered he has cancer and as of January 2012 he will be undergoing both radiation and chemotherapy.  the reality of this has been hard to take.

Some losses come unexpectedly. 
accidents, heart attacks...
some losses may take years to happen.
illnesses, or natural causes...
but losses will happen. 

We don't know how long each of us has to spend on this earth.
I hope that any regrets that we have as we look back on the past year have nothing to do with showing love to those we care about. 
may the regrets we have be nothing about wishing we had spent more time with those we no longer can.. or never telling them how much we loved them. 

As 2011 ends and 2012 begins let's make sure we remember to love each moment of each day. 
forgive, love, cherish, hug, kiss, laugh, share, build memories that you'll enjoy remembering. 
i love my dad...he is one of the most special men in my life.
my friend loves his dad, and misses him like crazy.
but i know his dad knew he was loved by his son.

let's make sure to cherish the lives around us and not regret when they are lost.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar...

I got an early Christmas gift from my parents.

i know it's after Christmas right now but I got it the weekend before.

My dad figured it would help us as we decided when we were heading to Toronto to visit them over these holidays.

I love Mary Poppins.

I love theatre & musicals.

my dad got me 2 ticket to go see Mary Poppins the Musical in Toronto.

I think i said thank you.

i do know that i suddenly couldn't stop talking.

When i get excited i begin to babble - and babble i did.

i have introduced the movie to my kids and they like most of it.

(the girl doesn't like the 'pirates' that shoot their cannons at the 'guys dancing up on the white house')

i am looking forward to going.. to experience this musical.

i'll tell you about it after.

A Journey Home

I love being on stage.

I love watching a performance come together.

I love sharing this experience with the rest of the cast and support crew.

we have been rehearsing since mid September(?)

and on Sunday night we wrapped up our 2 performances.

it's always a bitter-sweet night.

yay, we're all done, and now maybe i can get some rest.

but, oh, we're done.  All that time, energy, excitement... wow, that was so fast.

(the following pics were taken at the dress rehearsal)

Thank you to all who were a part of this year's performance.

Janice for the words and drawing the picture for us.

Matt for the dream that became a reality this weekend.

Barb for believing in us and guiding us through it all.

Tech guys for all your crazy hard work and dedication

Robin & Cami for your amazing stand-in work, commitment, stage help, prompting and encouragement.

Construction crew for.. well, the amazing set.

HHS, and anyone else who donated books... that was a HUGE library we had to fill.

spouses, families, friends who supported these crazy rehearsals, for praying, for coming and inviting others.

anyone i missed - - sorry.  but please know you were appreciated!

and thanks to Jade for taking some pics for me since I couldn't do it.

too cute

Dan and the boy are heading to Illinois for a wedding. 

- Dan's cousin is getting married -

the boy is Dan's date and will get to meet some family he's never met before.

Yesterday, in the car, i listened to the boy telling his sister what he was going to be doing.

I couldn't hear what the girl was saying

"*I'm going on a road trip."

(* pronounced I'n)

"No, Papa's not coming"

 " Not with you.  with daddy, gamma, gampa and Cooper (the dog)" 

"I don't know...."

"I'm getting married to somebody."

I had to tell him that he wasn't the one getting married and that he was going to watch someone get married.

His face fell.

He looked so sad about that.

a prayer for the Cast of our Christmas Performance.

It's raining out.

the crazy snow we had is melting.

there are 11 days until Christmas.

but only 3 nights until our Christmas Performance.

A JOURNEY HOME

this week is crazy.

i am at the church every evening.

Last night i stayed after the rehearsal to prime the stairs, on the set.

i got home at 2:15am.

tonight is dress rehearsal #1

"Oh Lord, please help us all know our lines.

Please don't let us play a character, but let us BE that character.

when we step on stage, each night, i ask that we see through our character's eye, speak with his/her voice.  hear with his/her ears, may our actions, mannerisms, laughter, be the character we have become.

Thank you for the talent of the people involved.

i love them like family Lord. 

I am so honored that you allow me the opportunity each year to be able to be a part of these performances.

May the performances this year be pleasing.. very pleasing to you.

You have gifted us.

Our directors, writers, tech guys.

our builders, painters, creative geniuses.

our actors, stage crew, prompter.

and everyone else involved that i have no idea about.

Thank you for our families

who allow us to take the time to be out there doing what we are passionate about.

Help us as we strive to bring you the best.

to bring the community of Huntsville the best.

Help us not be shy, not be distracted, not be sick.

Help us to be confident, be strong, bold, healthy.

I ask for your blessing on those of us in this production.

i ask for your blessing on each of the audience members.

some don't know if they'll go yet. 

Use us to show them who you are.

Thank you for Christmas.

Thank you for sending Jesus, your son, as a baby.

thank you for easter, Lord.

without Christmas, Easter would not have happened." 

"Wow, Anna, it sounds like there might be a lot more to this story!" - Gail