Step One

 I want to write again - but I'm not sure about what.

I want to up my exercise regimen - as the two times a week strength training class isn't enough. 

I want a lot more things - but maybe that's what I'll write about...soon.

Because step one is to just sit down at the computer.

Which I have done. Go me. It's 8:45am, I can do this for a few minutes - and celebrate that after I got one kid on the bus, another kid in carpool, the dishwasher started and the counter clean, instead of sitting down, I went downstairs and walked on the treadmill for 12 minutes. I told myself 10 - but found my blog book from 2012 - where KK had just gotten to pigtails, Bubba was in SpEd preschool and we were moving for the first time.

To think of my life since in those last 10 years. It's humbling, unreal and extremely special. 

I'll be reading a few stories to my kids tonight at dinner.

Which I already got out of the freezer and is currently defrosting.

Anyway - I walked for 12 minutes which wasn't a ton, but it was 1,700 steps - all because I chose to put tennis shoes on.

Step one - Confucius was right.

And for giggles - almost 10 years ago to the day - my now-hair-farmer - just got to pig tails!

In Loving Memory

 In loving memory of my dad's oldest sister, my Aunt Shirley - you will be loved and missed. What a rich, rewarding life you led, may I be so lucky.

Kiss my grandparents for me.

xoxox

Jeni

We must say goodbye to a devoted wife, mother of unbound love, cherished sister and friend, an astute teacher of learning, and a beacon of beauty and faith: our dear Shirley Colsman.

 

 

Shirley was born on February 2, 1932 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This was the time between the wars, when the world seemed unsettled, and life could be hard.  Shirley transcended the turmoil, like she did every hardship in life.  She married Marv Colsman in 1952 while he was still serving in the Air Force.  Marv set about building his career.  But Shirley did not sit still: for over thirty years she taught the meaning of a Christian Life to young, aspiring minds.  Marv and Shirley traveled widely, unveiling evidence for heaven, in the majesty of earth; the language of seas, the clarity of streams, the intelligence of owls; and the flare of winter’s sun setting in the amber sky.  Their marriage reflected the divinity, Marv framed through the lens of a camera, endowed by God. Their bond was like a diamond; brilliant and strong. And just as gentle and long.   Shirley imbued their family with heart; a devoted son, two attentive and loving daughters, five grandchildren, and the euphoria of a great grandchild times four; and touched them with her laugh, with her love, and with her unshakable belief in the healing power of Christian faith.  When Shirley first became ill, not that long ago, Marv attended to her every need.  Shirley once said: “Marv never quits!  He is so positive about everything: his good nature keeps me going.” Marv would have said had he heard it: “It is Shirley, wholly and only Shirley, that keeps us going and young!”  So certain were they in their faith, and in each other, that just two weeks before Shirley passed, she announced she did not need help of the nursing sort; she would be getting up and around! She turned her adoring smile on Marv, adding: ‘besides our children will help, they are a ten!” Marv leaned back in his chair, stretched his long legs, his handsome face softening as though in a reverie, the glow in his voice, audible to anyone who could hear, “Yes, our children are a ten!” Then affirming a vision, he nodded his head, and passed on Shirley’s smile. One could not fail to feel the bloom of the blessing sent in their smiles.