Happy heavenly birthday, Daddy!

Today, I celebrate this guy. This time of year is bittersweet for me. My birthday was just a few days ago which for most people is a highlight of their year. And for years it was because I always celebrated it with my Daddy and Uncle Buck. But 13 years ago, that all changed. Daddy passed away on April 3rd and was buried on April 6th. To be honest, I’ve struggled…a lot. You see, I was and always will be a “Daddy’s girl”. Oh, how I wish Daddy were here today so I could get his thoughts on our current situation. Not a man of many words and a true gentle giant of a man, I can hear him telling me not to worry and have faith of a mustard seed. He would probably go about his daily life as if nothing was going on around him. Plowing the garden with his mules, going to bed with the chickens, but having his cornbread and milk before retiring for the night. To be honest, quite often I stifle the selfishness that rises up when I miss him and wish he were still here. But the reality is, he had slowed down a lot those last few years and wasn’t able to do the things he enjoyed. I was there with him in the hospital when he drew his last breath. He had been improving and was expected to go home the next day, so my brothers decided to let me stay with him. We talked a lot about various things, and he explained how he was tired. Looking back, I think he was preparing me for what was to come just a few hours later. The nurses came in that morning to test his sugar level before breakfast. One minute he was talking to me and as I held his hand, the next thing I knew he was gone. I’m thankful I was there and I’m grateful my children really knew him. One of the biggest lessons we all learned from him was to appreciate the little things. Big Henry didn’t need a pandemic to remind him. He loved watching Wheel of Fortune, time with his family and friends, sippin’ on a senior Diet Coke at McDonald’s, and singing old church hymns. Tonight, I’ll have steak in an iron skillet and some Blue Bell Butter Pecan Ice Cream in his memory. Ride tall, cowboy…we love you always and I am trying my best to carry on your legacy!

What day is it?

What day is it? Must be Friday since Duane isn’t laying next to me. What’s on my agenda today? These are the first thoughts I had this morning when I opened my eyes to begin a new day. We returned from racing The Mint 400 on March 11th. I have only left my gates at The Ridge for basic grocery supplies a few times. Being here has been my normal for about 10 years. You see, once our kids moved off to college and my tenure as a local school trustee ended, I confess…I became a hermit. Aside from sales calls for my business, the occasional dinner with my gal tribe, or traveling to see Alesi, you will find me here - safe inside my gates. When our chickens flew the coop for college was about the time Duane and I started building our new shop. It helped keep me busy and gave us time to adjust to our new normal as “empty nesters”. The more time I spent here, the easier it was to make excuses NOT to leave and I have become a master of having items to cook. Around here, my family calls it “Leif Surprise”. They don’t usually ask what we are having because they already know I’ll pull something together with what I have in the pantry. Where am I going with this? Despite becoming a homebody, I have always been accustomed to coming and going when I got the itch. Especially if Alesi is here for a visit. Our first stop after I pick her up from the airport is most always Chuy’s. I didn’t do that this last time and we are missing it. We would usually spend the day shopping at our favorite spots or pampering ourselves and depending on how early we got started, two visits to Chuy’s was not unusual. One thing is certain, a lot of people are going to look much different when this is all over…including me! Duane has impeccable timing and just summed up my closing with this text, “You are the luckiest girl in the world. I got your chickens home. We both need to realize how good we really have it. So do the chickens!” You are so right Duane. I am thankful we are all here to weather this storm and ride it out together. We will be fine and figure out how to enjoy this current journey we are on. Here’s to future Chuy’s visits with plenty of New Mexican Martini’s, Grandma’s Rocking Rita’s, Creamy Jalapeno dip, Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken with flour tortillas, Custom Roasted Chicken Enchiladas with Boom-Boom Sauce and Tres Leches for dessert!

Happy Birthday to my father-in-law!

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Gunar! Hoffe du hast einen schonen tag! Today is my father-in-law, Gunar’s birthday. A man I have known for well over half my life. My children were the first ones to break him in as Papaw. Through the years, I have seen him at his best and worst. Somehow, I was always available when he was in the hospital for surgery. That’s where the “worst” comes in. We have a unique relationship and he’s taught me so much over the years. Gunar was born and raised in East Germany. He and his family were able to make their way to the US after WWII and lucky for me, they settled in Texas. Maintenance genes run for generations in his family and he carved out a great life working in Texas and Colorado. Around the time Duane and I married, he sold his business in town and began working from home in his shop. Let me think for a moment all the hobbies and pastimes he’s enjoyed. Airplanes (home built, model, and the real thing), race cars (raced the Baja 1000, The Mint 400, Pikes Peak just to name a few), boats (from sailboats to homebuilt with a chainsaw motor), photography and much more. If you were to ask him, I am sure one of the greatest joys he had was running a youth outreach center in our hometown. It took me a while to understand why he dedicated so much time, money and energy to that center. I have read and heard it said that we are a huge reflection of our past. I have heard stories of their time in Germany during the war many times. It finally dawned on me that he was providing a safe place with activities for the youth of the community because growing up as a child during wartime, he lacked that. He may move a little slower, but he still maintains a childlike spirit. Always a smile on his face, a lover of Jesus and all things German, the healing properties of aloe vera and a desire to live until he’s 150 years old. Prost, Gunar!

March winds, April showers

In case any of you don’t know, my mama is a twin. And for those that do know her, you know she is loaded with old wives’ tales and folklore. Over the years, I have heard her quote sayings. One has stuck out this year. March weather…in like a lion, out like a lamb. I am not sure how best to describe March this year! But just so I never forget, I am going to make a list of a few things that occurred in March 2020. Most I never thought I would see in my lifetime. The lowest gas price in my hometown was $1.61 yesterday. When students left the hallways for spring break, they did not know they likely wouldn’t return this semester and classes would move online. Many graduation ceremonies are postponed or cancelled. Social-distancing, self-isolation and shelter in place are our new normal. Curbside pickup and online shopping are the new source for basic household needs. Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed causing unemployment numbers to spike. Parks and trails locked up, while many cities are on complete lockdown. Entire sports seasons cancelled. As well as concerts, entertainment events, weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings – all cancelled. Church services and funerals are taking place online. Panic buying sets in and there is no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towels, no laundry soap and no hand sanitizer - shelves are bare. Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE due to shortages. We learn who are considered “essential” workers because they possess a “letter”. This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020. Why do I share this? One day it will show up as a memory. A distant memory of how the world came together to fight an invisible monster. A reminder life is precious, and the little things should never be taken for granted. A reflection of how much we have all changed from going through this.