Music…

I find myself in one of my very deep valley’s at present and I find myself listening to a lot of music during my alone hours after the kids are put to bed. I am constantly searching my own “itunes library” and those in the “itunes music store” looking for songs or even lyrics that speak to me but also have a melodic and easy tune that may, in some way, bring me some temporary peace. Contemporary Worship music is the obvious choice and I listen quite often to the songs of “Mercy Me”, “Chris Tomlin”, and “Michael W. Smith” to name a few. However, I find myself interested in finding songs and lyrics in pop culture songs where you don’t necessarily expect to find them where you would expect it from the “Worship” genre.

I have found two songs in particular that really speak to me at present. The first is “Let It Be” by the Beatles:

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom… Let it be. And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom… Let it be

The second song is “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor:

Won’t you look down upon me Jesus? You gotta help me make a stand. You just got to see me through another day. My body is aching and my time is at hand. I won’t make it any other way.

So I am asking for your help… What songs do you recommend? I am very open to all genre’s of music so country, contemporary country,easy listening, classic rock etc. However, I am looking for lyrics that can speak to me and comfort me that are coupled with a melodic tune. I want to build a play list of these songs that I can download on my computer and lose myself in during my downtime or as I drift off to sleep.

Relay For Life 2008….

As mentioned before I will be walking in the Relay for Life event sponsored by the American Cancer Society on May 16th in the Heights are of Houston. We participated last year and was a VERY important and emotional event for Julie. It meant the world to her to participate and we vowed to participate every year going forward. I am holding up my promise and will be there. The only way I can fight back and not give in to cancer (and maintain a part of Julie’s legacy) is to participate in these events, get the word out for awareness and raise funds for research. I know many of you have given very generously to me personally and for that I am forever grateful. I ask though, that you help give to those who are currently fighting or will be fighting in the future in Julie’s name. Please do what you can… donate or even better, join up to spend the evening with us walking, sharing in Julie’s memory and giving cancer hell. I just know we will feel her presence there and I feel sure she will speak to us during this event. The link to sign up for our team or donate to this cause is posted in my links section to the left.

The pictures posted below are just a small sample of what we documented in pictures at last years event. However, I think they are very powerful. A picture is worth a thousand words, or so it is said…. I think these pictures are reason enough to get involved.

Hallie saying a little prayer over her mom’s luminaria candle. The white bags indicate survivor’s or those still battling. Purple is in honor of those who have passed. This year “mommy’s” candle will be purple.

Julie participating in the “survivor” walk last year. It appears as though she is laughing here, but she was actually crying as she was overcome with emotion.

Our “Army of Ants” walker team photo. I say “walker” as there were many people who could not walk with us but were part of the team in spirit as they donated to our cause. We raised the most money of any “private” team (not sponsored by a corporation). I hope to have similar success this year. I would love to see many faces added to this picture this year!!!

Jack is pretty tuckered out here! It is a great family event and kids are welcome. I will have mine there as will my sister-in-law and others. Bring them out… Julie loved kids and would love to have them out there!

That is all for now. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to help me with my song selections and give serious consideration to helping us with our Relay for life. By the way… if you plan on joining us, sign up on line now to maximize your time to raise money for our team!!! The event is only 46 days away and we have a long way to go to even match last years total.

YAY GOD

-Brendan

I am a week overdue in posting but maybe that is because it takes that long to recover as a 34 year old attending a concert for pre-teens! And yes, you have probably surmised by now that I did not load up the kids in the ‘burban and drive all the way to “Big Sky Country” all by myself.

Thanks to my good friend Ken Arkell (thank you so much for all you have done for us by the way Ken) who was kind enough to give my little one front row seats to the hottest show in town for youngsters… Hannah Montana (aka Miley Cyrus). For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, it is a 2 1/2 week affair that includes a huge bar-b-q cook off, Livestock Show, Rodeo and every night the Rodeo ends with a concert.. Someone asked me the next day how I liked Hannah Montana. My response was I had a great time with my kids and to see them laugh and have fun was awesome. I, however, could do with out ol HM myself.

As you can tell by the picture, we did it up big. We got to the grounds early to take in some Carnival rides outside the arena.

And of course we had to eat some Corndogs and fresh squeezed lemonade as you haven’t truly been to a carnival until you have done so.

After the carnival we headed into the rodeo to watch the events. After watching the opening ceremonies we headed up to get some drinks and when we returned the rodeo clowns had taken over our seats! Jack had some fun with that! It should come as no suprise that Hallie’s favorite event was the barrell racing and Jack’s was the bull riding. Jack made me laugh when they opened the chute (that was right in front of our seats) and the bull came flying out and the cowboy immediately went butt over bootstraps. Jack started laughing so hard and turned to me and said… “Whoa that guy biffed really fast!” I love kids perspectives. Here is a pic of my little cowboy taking in the bullriding action… (I love this photo)

After the show, the wheeled out the stage and got the sound all hooked up. While they did this, I took the opportunity to go and buy the kids some cotton candy and some lightup twirly doodle things (that is the technical term by the way) and it is a necessity to have these if you are a kid at the rodeo concert.

You can see all the photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lyonsfamily/sets/72157604082444980/

On a separate note (and I will post more in detail in my next post) but I will be keeping my late wife’s spirit alive by participating in the 2008 Relay For Life event in Houston (The Heights) on May 16 or 17. If you will remember, we had a really good team last year and it was an evening that was very special to Julie. She really enjoyed herself and although very emotional for her, it was an event that touched her deeply and she talked about it alot and looked forward to participating in it year after year… so I will take on her dream.

My sister in law, Angie has set up a team page, so please, if you are available, please join us and help us raise the funds that will help those you know that are currently battling this scourge or will someday be battling… All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Please join or help if you can… http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeHighPlainsDivision?pg=personal&fr_id=6558&fr_id=6558&px=4186491

Untli next time…. YAY GOD!

-Brendan

I got a call from a lady (Suzette) I used to work with in another department at Fluor today. She asked if I could come by and see her as she had something for me. As has been the case lately (and as you have probably been able to tell as you have not caught me blogging in a while) I have been really busy at work as well as home. I didn’t think I would make it as I also had an obligation at home, so I asked Suzette if I could swing by tomorrow. She said, “NO”… I have something that you probably want to have. I figured that she had a little Valentine package for the kids as a few of the other ladies at work had put little candy bags together for them. So I told her I would swing by on my way out.

Flashback…

Last June I was asked to assume a new role within Fluor. Actually, I wasn’t so much asked as I was told to take a new role (right Bill?!) Since this new role was with a completely new department I needed to relocate to another office in the building where my new department was located. Since I left my last business unit, I know of at least one person that has occupied that office and probably another as well as countless visitors who have used the office while they were in town on business trips.

Back to Present….

When I got to Suzette’s office she had a folder in her hand and she asked me to follow her into my old office. She explained to me that she was doing some clean up in that office and preparing it for use for the next person. As she was doing so she noticed a manilla folder in the office that appeared to be an empty and abandoned folder. She flippantly grabbed a hold of it, and something fluttered out as the folder flipped open. Here is what lightly fluttered to the ground…

It was a card Jules gave me a couple of years ago on Valentine’s day!

Of all the things that could have fallen out of that folder that I accidentally left behind (and not been trashed by the other occupants), and for all the days for Suzette to be cleaning up that office, it happened to be a Valentine’s card on Valentine’s day. Needless to say, the tears started to stream down my face right there at the office as I was very choked up.

Coincidence? I don’t think so. I am sure it was her little way of sending me a Valentine and letting me know that even though I can not see, hear, speak to or touch her in the physical… she is still very much with me in the spiritual. She “sent” me a Valentine’s card today so that I would not spend this day without “receiving” something from her.

I miss you very much Julie and still love you dearly. Thank you for sending me this very tangible sign of your presence with me… just like I had asked you to do. Happy Valentine’s Day Babe, with All My Love.

-Brendan

YAY GOD.

(Also… Thanks Suzette. You helped make my month.)