I know I haven't blogged for a while, sometimes I just don't feel the urge, other times I can't wait to put some thoughts down on the computer, then there is the times that I am guilted into it.
With Thanksgiving out of the way it is time to concentrate on Christmas, but before moving on I thought it would be important to take a few minutes to think about all the things that there are to be thankful for. Don't get me wrong, I am not walking around whistling and singing that life is great, and there are no worries here at the Mecham house, but I also recognize that during the rough times it easy to overlook the good things in life that happen daily.
I am thankful first off for my family, my kids, my wife, and even my brothers, sisters, and extended family. We had probably one of my favorite Thanksgivings this year, and it was born out of simplicity. For Thanksgiving dinner we met at my sister Machelles house. It was so interesting, we had most of the Mechams except for Brett and Family and Cherise and family, but Mindy invited C's sisters and nieces, Russell invited a couple that he knew through work, and Rachael invited a friend, every time she does this we adopt them into the family because they are always so funny and entertaining. Randy showed up and brought Bri with him, although Bri has been part of the family for a while. Whenever we get together it is such a madhouse, that I worry about what people who are not used to being around a house full of chaos will think, C's sister relieved my worries when she announced that we were so much fun that we were all invited to her wedding. When asked when her wedding was, she said that as soon as she found a man and got engaged then she would let us know.
Saturday night we went out to find a Karaoke spot at Stephanies request. We looked up on the internet to find a place, and found one that was a Filipino bar-restaurant. We showed up first to get a spot and immediately realized that we were most likely in the wrong type of place. There was a private party with a D.J a dance floor and lots of people that spoke really fast in a different language. We left there and ended up at a place called Three Tomatoes and a Mozzarella. The Karaoke was setting up outside, but it seemed harmless enough so we stayed. Karaoke quickly turned into karaoke roulette, with some of the submittals being handed in without the person singing knowing about it. We stayed until 12 and had a wild time. A couple examples of songs... Mockingbird duet with me and Manda, I like big butts by Heather. A whole new world with Randy and Bri.. I have friends in lowly places sung by Randy and accompanied by the whole Mecham family. The song from Grease by Jeff and my newest adopted niece. But the highlight was Mindy getting drug up to sing Down low and helped out by C's. If you don't know what this song is, watch the movie The Proposal with Sandra Bulloch. It was such a fun night, outdoors with the family, in a very quiet setting with a very rowdy group.
We had such a good time that I wish we could do it every week, but now the weekend is over and it is back to reality. Kathy is cramming some of her homework, and finishing looking over her teaching plans, I am sweating what this week will bring, and Jeff is on his way back to the Y.
The Tebb's stopped by on their way to a vacation in Monte Carlo and Jakes soccer team will have practice to get ready for the RugRat soccer tournament this week.
It would be great to live in a world that we don't have to worry about paying bills, finding work and studying for school, but that is not life right now. The year is coming to an end, and we are grateful that we are still slowly chugging along. We look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead in the new year.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Life is Fragile.
Kathy and I were out at a Halloween party last night at a friends house. It was good to see everyone there and we were settling in when the conversation of trying to find a ride back to BYU for someones kid came up. It was mentioned that maybe there was someone down for a funeral that might be going back. I recognized the name of the family mentioned, but was not aware of any deaths in that family. My friend told me about what had happened and all I could do was sit back in shock.
A while back a group of guys invited me to go with them for their morning bike rides. It was early in the morning, and we all rode with lights, jackets, coats, gloves anything that would keep us from freezing. I rode with the group for several months, and to be real honest, if I was asked to pick any of them out of a police line-up I couldn't, I could recognize them by bike and voice only due to the heavy riding gear and darkness that we rode in.
This invite to ride came at one of those low points in life, and I can't even begin to explain how grateful I was to this group for accepting me in and making me feel so welcome.
As we rode in the dark sometimes I would just listen to conversations, other times I would be involved in them. I felt like part of a close circle of friends, something that I don't normally do.
One of the guys that rode with us had a son that was on a mission in Japan and was going to return home soon. Every morning I would hear the sons name and listen to how he was doing, the plans they had to pick him up, and even what he was going to do when he came home.
A couple of months went by and it was time for the family to go pick up their son. When he came home, he became a part of the morning ride. He showed up on one of the ugliest mountain bikes that I had ever seen, but he still would kick my butt on the morning climb up Villa Ridge. On the way down he would fly. There is a stop sign that sits part way down the hill, it is kind of a stupid place for a sign, because there really is never any traffic and it goes to a nowhere street. One morning as I was descending (fat guys go down hill fast) I was ahead of most of the group, but slowed as I approached the sign. The new kid flew past me without even tapping the brakes. When we got to the bottom, I commented on the no slowing at the sign, and was he not worried about cars. He just smiled, shook his head and said "nah".
When he started working for his Dad for a short time before going to school, he would occasionally head back with me early and we would pace back until the turn-off. I can't say that we became great friends, because we never spoke much, he always rode with his I-pod in and I always wondered if he was rocking out, or listening to a church talk. The one thing I did know about him was that he was a good kid, and his Dad was proud of him and loved him.
Last night as I sat at the party trying to sort out the new information, I was numb as I was told of his accidental death. He was too young, it was not fair, and what a tragedy for this family that are such good people and have done so many good things for so many. I can't imagine going through such a loss, how do you say goodbye to someone so young that you love so much. Life is fragile, my friends son died doing something that he enjoyed. He passed away flying down a mountain, and had an accident. He will be missed by his parents, friends, family, and even the guy that he kind of new that would sometimes pace with him on his way back home to get ready for work. I know that in his short life he lived it to it's fullest, and left a positive impression on many. Life is Fragile. We don't get to choose how or when we will go, we only know that at some point we will all die. I know that I have a belief in a God, and it is my belief that when he arrived home that day, he was met by his Father in heaven, and welcomed home. I believe that we will all see our loved ones again, and when that day happens I feel that it will be a celebration for those on the other side. My thoughts and prayers go out to my friends family, it sure adds instant perspective to what is really important in life. I hope that time will heal the hole in their family.
It is my hope that anyone that reads this will take the time to look at the loved ones around them, tell them you love them. If they are not close by, pick up the phone and call them. Life is Fragile, but it has meaning, we have been placed and have been given the opportunity to be in a family. It is one of the greatest gifts that we have been given. Tonight when you get ready for bed, remember this and remember to give thanks to a wise, loving God that has put us here together for a reason.
A while back a group of guys invited me to go with them for their morning bike rides. It was early in the morning, and we all rode with lights, jackets, coats, gloves anything that would keep us from freezing. I rode with the group for several months, and to be real honest, if I was asked to pick any of them out of a police line-up I couldn't, I could recognize them by bike and voice only due to the heavy riding gear and darkness that we rode in.
This invite to ride came at one of those low points in life, and I can't even begin to explain how grateful I was to this group for accepting me in and making me feel so welcome.
As we rode in the dark sometimes I would just listen to conversations, other times I would be involved in them. I felt like part of a close circle of friends, something that I don't normally do.
One of the guys that rode with us had a son that was on a mission in Japan and was going to return home soon. Every morning I would hear the sons name and listen to how he was doing, the plans they had to pick him up, and even what he was going to do when he came home.
A couple of months went by and it was time for the family to go pick up their son. When he came home, he became a part of the morning ride. He showed up on one of the ugliest mountain bikes that I had ever seen, but he still would kick my butt on the morning climb up Villa Ridge. On the way down he would fly. There is a stop sign that sits part way down the hill, it is kind of a stupid place for a sign, because there really is never any traffic and it goes to a nowhere street. One morning as I was descending (fat guys go down hill fast) I was ahead of most of the group, but slowed as I approached the sign. The new kid flew past me without even tapping the brakes. When we got to the bottom, I commented on the no slowing at the sign, and was he not worried about cars. He just smiled, shook his head and said "nah".
When he started working for his Dad for a short time before going to school, he would occasionally head back with me early and we would pace back until the turn-off. I can't say that we became great friends, because we never spoke much, he always rode with his I-pod in and I always wondered if he was rocking out, or listening to a church talk. The one thing I did know about him was that he was a good kid, and his Dad was proud of him and loved him.
Last night as I sat at the party trying to sort out the new information, I was numb as I was told of his accidental death. He was too young, it was not fair, and what a tragedy for this family that are such good people and have done so many good things for so many. I can't imagine going through such a loss, how do you say goodbye to someone so young that you love so much. Life is fragile, my friends son died doing something that he enjoyed. He passed away flying down a mountain, and had an accident. He will be missed by his parents, friends, family, and even the guy that he kind of new that would sometimes pace with him on his way back home to get ready for work. I know that in his short life he lived it to it's fullest, and left a positive impression on many. Life is Fragile. We don't get to choose how or when we will go, we only know that at some point we will all die. I know that I have a belief in a God, and it is my belief that when he arrived home that day, he was met by his Father in heaven, and welcomed home. I believe that we will all see our loved ones again, and when that day happens I feel that it will be a celebration for those on the other side. My thoughts and prayers go out to my friends family, it sure adds instant perspective to what is really important in life. I hope that time will heal the hole in their family.
It is my hope that anyone that reads this will take the time to look at the loved ones around them, tell them you love them. If they are not close by, pick up the phone and call them. Life is Fragile, but it has meaning, we have been placed and have been given the opportunity to be in a family. It is one of the greatest gifts that we have been given. Tonight when you get ready for bed, remember this and remember to give thanks to a wise, loving God that has put us here together for a reason.
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