|
MusicianLife
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name: Lindsey
State: Missouri
Metro: Grain Valley
Gender: Female
Interests: singing, playing clarinet, saxophone, guitar, trombone, recorder, piano, and autoharp, reading, writing, crocheting, working out, cooking, learning French
Expertise: Music
Occupation: Music Teacher
Industry: Education
Message: message me
Member Since:
9/17/2003
|
|
| Losing Doug has made me realize that I have so many wonderful people in my family that I take too much for granted. Friends come and friends go, but my flesh and blood will be with me forever. And I want to know these people I have neglected for too long. I have spent probably too much time this last day researching family contacts and constructing a family tree. It's nothing fancy and there is a lot of information I don't have yet, but it's a start. If you are interested in taking a peek, check out this website: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/pedigree.aspx?tid=9414972
There's a lot of work to be done, and it would go so much faster if I didn't get an error every time I tried to upload photos. Alas, I've got some progress. All of my immediate family is on there, as well as all the 2nd cousins that I know of. I'm positive there are tons more, so if you have any information on those, or have more accurate information about those already posted, please feel free to tell me. Otherwise, just enjoy.
It's a tedious process, but I think in the long run it will be very rewarding. I have some relatives on the Kleyh side I have no idea how they're related but am looking forward to finding out. We'll see. Thanks for looking. Take care and God bless. | | |
| Wow. All I can say is "Wow." I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to think. And now that all I can do is think, I have to put some of it into words.
I never imagined what losing one of my aunts or uncles would feel like. Frankly, I never imagined what losing any of my family would feel like. I have been blessed with a family that has stayed in tact for many years (at least 26--and many more before that) and that not only has been in tact, but has been close with each other.
Not to say that we haven't had our ups and downs. Losing Grandma and Grandpa a few years ago really left a huge hole. That was the first devastating tragedy that struck either of my families. But I believe that has brought us closer together. We still gather for birthdays and holidays, and I see 95% of my family at least 2 or 3 times a year. My cousins all come out of the woodwork from their busy lives wherever they are to gather, and all of my aunts and uncles and my grandparents are a short drive away, save one.
One who doesn't know the dynamics of my family might think that the sudden passing of a 55-year-old, single man with no children of his own might not be tragic. Just because Doug didn't have any children of his own doesn't mean he didn't love each of his nephews and neices like they were. Probably the highlight (if one could be found) of going to his house last week was seeing every school picture, every wedding, birth, and graduation announcement and picture we had ever given him displayed in his home where he would see us every day. I saw my graduation announcement from 2 years ago and a picture of Ted and I from last year both displayed proudly on his fridge, among pictures of the Torres family from 10 years ago, my brother's dog as a tiny puppy, and my cousin's new baby boy. This man loved us like we were his own, and we love him.
The preacher today put it plainly and wonderfully: Doug was a man who lived and breathed his family. Yes, he liked to pick on us. My gosh, he liked to pick on us! I can vividly remember one Thanksgiving when I was younger, being literally dragged by Doug and Don into the living room at Grandma & Grandpa's to receive my birthday spankings publicly. It was so embarrassing and I believe I pouted the rest of the evening. But he never once forgot to give me a hard time on my birthday. Just the fact that he always remembered it amazes me.
One thing I will never forget about Doug is how he was always there when we needed him. And he did it selflessly. Just this past year I can come up with a handful of times he was there for me. There are many occasions he helped me and my dad with my cars. When my water heater went out he was here to change it while I went to work. He helped me move into my new house and fixed the plumbing when I found out it was messed up. He called me afterward to check on me and make sure everything was running smoothly. And he always did it with a light heart. He never expected anything in return. He did it all out of love.
Something I learned about Doug this week that I never knew before was that he served in the Marines. I know another of my uncles and his son have served but I had no idea that Doug was a Marine. He never spoke of it. He was very humble about everything he did. He did his duty and served our country for a term and then went on. There is a whole other man to him that I unfortunately never took the time to fully know.
There is a huge hole in our hearts that now can be filled with the stories, the memories, of our dear friend, brother, and uncle. Though he may be gone, he is truly never forgotten.
Once again, family comes into play. This event will eventually bring us closer together as we reminisce and celebrate new marriages, babies, graduations and other milestones. They will be bittersweet as we remember those that are no longer with us to share in the joy of the occasion but we know they are with us in spirit. I can only pray that we are not rocked by another tragedy any time soon, but as all good things must come to an end, it is inevitable. We are blessed with what we have.
If you would like to hear some of the other stories about Doug's life and how he touched others, check out the guestbook at the following webpage:
http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=220988&fh_id=10955
If you have a story to share, please do. It will only help the healing.
Rejoice in what you have. Tell the people you love what they mean to you at every opportunity and take nothing and no one for granted. Time on this sphere is short and you never know when the last time you'll see someone is. God bless you and keep you.
-Lindsey | | |
| I hope your holiday is as good as mine. I had a great week/month of celebrations :) God bless you and your loved ones. Always- Lindsey | | |
| I thought waking up at 4am for basketball practice on the first day
back was going to make me be in a bad mood all day. I was grumpy and
hardly even said hello to my choir girls first thing, but getting
things done has really turned me around. I had a good rehearsal this
morning despite my grumpy mood and I think we are really starting to
accomplish things.
French today was good as well. One of my
students came in and sincerely asked how my weekend was and I think
that got the ball rolling. I need to start putting a little more
thought into my planning (i.e., maybe start planning before an hour
before school) and having more days like today where we can converse
and have fun but still learn.
I got my first parent phone call
regarding grades today and that happened because of my neglecting my
duties. I took a moment to explain to her that all the grades weren't
entered and that her son was doing better than his grade reflected and
she was very easy to talk to. So they are paying attention...
I
hope the days continue to go well, and I will step up my game and see
what these kids are really capable of doing. I don't believe I have
been pushing them and I need to start. They deserve better than what
they have received. Unfortunately it has taken me three months to
realize this. It's never too late to admit you're wrong. | | |
| Hi all. Hope you're doing well. Just chillin' here in the Strong computer lab. Yeah, I'm in Springfield. Taking a short class this summer so I'll be in town a couple days a week for the next month. Call me if you're free. Not a lot going on. I got a job for August teaching near St. Joseph in a tiny little district called Stewartsville. Teaching K-12 choir (they have an awesome band program and band director) and 6-12 French. Yes, I am teaching French. If you have any tips or tricks on how to learn a language asap, please share them with me. I am in over my head here. I am also the assistant coach for softball and girls' basketball. Oh, and 8th grade sponsor. And I'm trying to get into CMSU's instructional technology Master's program. Do you think I'll be busy? Meanwhile, my dad had rotator cuff surgery, my mom has taken up ceramics (painting) and I am waiting for the love of my life to say he wants to spend his life with me and make it permanent. Ted and I are moving in together in August and I am just waiting for him to pop the question now. Not that I'm in a hurry to get married again, I just know what I want and he's it. It's pretty simple :) | | |
|
