And we're at it again...
Kelly: I would love to be a Hobbit. Just for a day or two or ten.
Brittany: You could house sit while Bilbo goes on his adventure.
Holly: He WAS gone for 13 months.
Kelly: I could!!!! Oh my gosh I would totally do that.
Brittany: I would love to have tea with them.
Holly: I would love to take them to Orange leaf. I could just see them standing over there like "aahhhhhhhhh" because they love food.
Kelly: Honey, I do that when we go there.
Kelly: Brittany, I keep telling Holly about all the stuff that's at Plato's Closet because she keeps asking me.
Brittany: They really do have everything.
Kelly: Except scrubs.
Holly: Or puppies. So they don't have everything!
Holly: Devin (other guy I work with) thinks Wiley's gay.
Brittany: Why?
Holly: Because he likes to lay on shoes, and my purse, and all that...'
Brittany: Nah, I'd say he's more like Smaug. They're his treasures!
Dead. Holly died. XD
(A few minutes after the above conversation)
Holly: (notices Wiley laying on her shoes) Wiley, are you Smaug? Are you guarding your treasure?
(Wiley purrs)
Kelly: (while watching America's Funniest Home Videos) Ok, that HAD to have been photo shopped. Or video shopped. Or whatever the video equivalent of photo shop is.
Kelly: (watching an Arby's commercial). Au jus. Au jus. Au jus sauce. Au jus. Bless you. (Holly proceeded to laugh so hard she snorted).
Holly: I'm officially in cell-phone limbo. I'm in cell phone purgatory. I'm scared.
Holly: (in reference to Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, who are often photographed together) I don't see how the world just hasn't blown up because of their awesome.
Brittany: Come on Wiles, let's get crunk.
Kelly: German just sounds like a very angry language.
(while out with friends, one of whom is a photographer. She asked if we felt pretty)
Holly: (taking a large spoonful of ice cream) No, I feel fat.
Holly: I feel bad for Gollum because he doesn't eat.
Brittany: No wonder he's losing his hair.
Holly: Well there's Aragog, then Aragorn and Christopher Paolini wrote Eragon.
Kelly: It's like different tenses.
Brittany: Oh Wiles, why are you so cute? You have such a handsome face, like Liam Neeson.
Holly: (after watching the DoS TV spots) Smaug kind of sounds like Darth Vader.
Kelly: I'm already ready for bed tomorrow.
Brittany: Oh look, boyfriend is calling. (picks up phone). Hello, boyfriend. (short pause). Yes, this is girlfriend, how may I help you?
Kelly: Peter Jackson! (while watching Jeopardy)
Holly: Um, Kelly, the category is Female New Zealand Directors.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Relentless love
Holly: The following is my Facebook status from this morning:
Thought of a couple things on this rainy Wednesday morning:
1. Last night at choir, there was mention of a young man in Rockcastle County who attempted suicide. Praise God he is still with us, but he is 15, and while he is physically healing, the spiritual and emotional damage is probably so much more extensive than we can even begin to imagine. Granted, my life was not perfect at 15 (although better than most, I must admit), but I can not imagine wanting to take my life at that age. At 15, you're still a kid; there's still so much more out there. As I was praying in the car this morning, I prayed that we would be aware, that we would reach out, that we would show love, RELENTLESSLY, to others, because we never know what we are going through. Sometimes it's one encouraging word, a smile, a silent prayer, that keeps someone from going over the edge.
2. I love the concept of a subtle witness: There is a shuttle driver that drives UK employees from the stadium to campus, and right as he pulls up and opens the doors, he ALWAYS says "Have a good day, and may the Lord bless you." EVERY time. It never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Doing my best to think of others and to be that subtle witness, today, and every day. :)
The first part, the young man, has been heavily on my heart since yesterday. The word that kept running in my mind was "relentless". We ought to NEVER stop showing love and compassion for one another. Guys, it's still hard for me. I know the words above probably disagree with that, but it's true. The more I think of this, the more I realize that life isn't about me. I was not put here on this earth for me. I was put on this earth to love God and to love people. I have hope, and every day I do my best to live out that hope. I fail, I know I do, and I accept that, and I accept God's amazing grace and I try again tomorrow. But I've said this before and I'll say it again- I sincerely desire to impact someone's life just by me being in it.
For the life of me I simply cannot imagine getting to a point in life where you think the only way out is taking your own life. I just can't imagine the pain, the loneliness, the fear, the despair that one must feel. Especially with these young people; it just destroys me. Feeling like there's absolutely no one and nothing...you're so, so alone. I think at some point, we hit the lowest of valleys, but I have been blessed with an amazing support system, and I know that there are those who love me and support me and pray for me (And God knows I need it!). But some people do not have that. That destroys me too. We weren't meant to do this life thing alone. We're stronger together than we are apart. I think it's high time we show people the human side of humanity, instead of all this nastiness and bitterness everyone is so hell-bent on broadcasting.
Even darkness must pass.
Kelly: Where I work, I would say the most common report I get from patients is "I feel hopeless", "I've hit rock bottom" or "If (insert situation) doesn't get better, it will kill me." They feel like there's no hope. Some of these patients I've encountered don't have any family, or even a place to call home and no one to call friend. Some have all of the above and still feel hopeless, and that's when they come to us. Sadness, hopelessness, loneliness and fear, it doesn't discriminate. I've dealt with 18-year-old suicidal people and older suicidal people. My reaction is always the same; I hurt. I told a co worker on Monday that at one point or another I'm sure everyone has gone through some sort of depression in their life. I have. I KNOW I have. But never, not even for half a second did I ever even consider taking my own life.
But some people have. Some people succeed and some don't. I remember this song from high school and some of the words are "how do you get that lonely? How do you hurt that bad?" That's why I do what I do; just try to love especially when someone doesn't feel loved. And the love that I share comes from Christ alone. That hope, joy and peace I have comes from Him too. I often wonder if my words of encouragement to others falls on deaf ears, but I'd like to think that what I say is what someone needed to hear at just the right time. I left early for work yesterday and a patient asked me to unlock his door. I jokingly said "you just want me to stay don't you?" He didn't say anything for a while, but he said "yeah, I do." It's the little things.
Friends, I don't know what you all are going through. I'm sure some of you are going through the most unimaginable circumstances. I sincerely hope and pray that your situations, whatever they may be, will resolve soon. But when someone tells you they are thinking/praying for you, I hope it encourages you and lifts you up, even if it's for just a little bit. A sliver of hope goes a long way.
Thought of a couple things on this rainy Wednesday morning:
1. Last night at choir, there was mention of a young man in Rockcastle County who attempted suicide. Praise God he is still with us, but he is 15, and while he is physically healing, the spiritual and emotional damage is probably so much more extensive than we can even begin to imagine. Granted, my life was not perfect at 15 (although better than most, I must admit), but I can not imagine wanting to take my life at that age. At 15, you're still a kid; there's still so much more out there. As I was praying in the car this morning, I prayed that we would be aware, that we would reach out, that we would show love, RELENTLESSLY, to others, because we never know what we are going through. Sometimes it's one encouraging word, a smile, a silent prayer, that keeps someone from going over the edge.
2. I love the concept of a subtle witness: There is a shuttle driver that drives UK employees from the stadium to campus, and right as he pulls up and opens the doors, he ALWAYS says "Have a good day, and may the Lord bless you." EVERY time. It never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Doing my best to think of others and to be that subtle witness, today, and every day. :)
The first part, the young man, has been heavily on my heart since yesterday. The word that kept running in my mind was "relentless". We ought to NEVER stop showing love and compassion for one another. Guys, it's still hard for me. I know the words above probably disagree with that, but it's true. The more I think of this, the more I realize that life isn't about me. I was not put here on this earth for me. I was put on this earth to love God and to love people. I have hope, and every day I do my best to live out that hope. I fail, I know I do, and I accept that, and I accept God's amazing grace and I try again tomorrow. But I've said this before and I'll say it again- I sincerely desire to impact someone's life just by me being in it.
For the life of me I simply cannot imagine getting to a point in life where you think the only way out is taking your own life. I just can't imagine the pain, the loneliness, the fear, the despair that one must feel. Especially with these young people; it just destroys me. Feeling like there's absolutely no one and nothing...you're so, so alone. I think at some point, we hit the lowest of valleys, but I have been blessed with an amazing support system, and I know that there are those who love me and support me and pray for me (And God knows I need it!). But some people do not have that. That destroys me too. We weren't meant to do this life thing alone. We're stronger together than we are apart. I think it's high time we show people the human side of humanity, instead of all this nastiness and bitterness everyone is so hell-bent on broadcasting.
Even darkness must pass.
Kelly: Where I work, I would say the most common report I get from patients is "I feel hopeless", "I've hit rock bottom" or "If (insert situation) doesn't get better, it will kill me." They feel like there's no hope. Some of these patients I've encountered don't have any family, or even a place to call home and no one to call friend. Some have all of the above and still feel hopeless, and that's when they come to us. Sadness, hopelessness, loneliness and fear, it doesn't discriminate. I've dealt with 18-year-old suicidal people and older suicidal people. My reaction is always the same; I hurt. I told a co worker on Monday that at one point or another I'm sure everyone has gone through some sort of depression in their life. I have. I KNOW I have. But never, not even for half a second did I ever even consider taking my own life.
But some people have. Some people succeed and some don't. I remember this song from high school and some of the words are "how do you get that lonely? How do you hurt that bad?" That's why I do what I do; just try to love especially when someone doesn't feel loved. And the love that I share comes from Christ alone. That hope, joy and peace I have comes from Him too. I often wonder if my words of encouragement to others falls on deaf ears, but I'd like to think that what I say is what someone needed to hear at just the right time. I left early for work yesterday and a patient asked me to unlock his door. I jokingly said "you just want me to stay don't you?" He didn't say anything for a while, but he said "yeah, I do." It's the little things.
Friends, I don't know what you all are going through. I'm sure some of you are going through the most unimaginable circumstances. I sincerely hope and pray that your situations, whatever they may be, will resolve soon. But when someone tells you they are thinking/praying for you, I hope it encourages you and lifts you up, even if it's for just a little bit. A sliver of hope goes a long way.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Packages from Mom
Kelly: It's no secret of mine that I have a close relationship with my mom. With both of my parents actually. But in the past few years, I feel that I have grown especially closer to my mom. Don't know if that's because I've been out of their house since I was 18; officially since last year. We talk at least once a week, sometimes more. I am not ashamed to say that at my age I still need my mommy and daddy! Like a child getting lost in the mall....like that. It's the same way that I need (and we all need) Christ! To those who out there who are not as close to their parents, I hurt, because I do not know what I would do without my parents. I sincerely hope you can work out your differences, whatever they may be. To those of you who lost your parents due to death, again, I hurt. I know you miss them deeply and would love to see them again; I'll say a prayer for you tonight.
But one of the things that my mom did while we were in college was send us random holiday packages...for each holiday. This tradition of holiday packages started around our sophomore year of college. Valentine's Day, Easter, our birthday, Halloween, but not Christmas since we were usually home then. In these packages there's usually candy, candles, a sock monkey or two (for me!), coupons, and other assorted things. Sometimes there have been socks for that holiday, toys for our kitties, or other assorted Dollar store goodies (the very place we introduced our mom to in the first place), but in each one there was always a card or a note that usually says "yay! Good for you" or "you can do it" or "we're so proud of you!" I'm not a mom yet nor I don't know if I will ever be, but I think those are some of the greatest things a parent can, and should say, to their child or children. And they should say it often. And our parents did and still do.
Holly: When Kelly texted me earlier today with the words "MOMMY PACKAGE!!!!" my day instantly got better. When I got home and perused through this particular package's contents, I said "If I ever have kids, I am going to send them packages too." I know my parents love me and are proud of me, but sometimes it's the unexpected surprises that remind you just how much you are loved. And missed. I miss my mom and dad. Yes, at 23, I still miss my mommy and daddy, and I don't see that changing any time soon. I figured that when I moved out and was on my own, I would miss them less. Nope. Don't get me wrong, I love being on my own and being independent, but if my parents showed up at my door tomorrow and said I could move back home, I wouldn't spare a second thought.
I know my parents aren't going to be on this earth forever, and it breaks my heart to imagine my life without them. So for now, I try to cherish the time I do get to spend with them. Usually it's just for a few days at a time, several months apart. I appreciate the time I spend with them now, possibly more than I did before I started college, moved out, etc. I regret that. I really do. My parents have been there for me so many times, have believed in my craziest dreams, and have never been shy of voicing how proud they are of me and Kelly and how much they love us. It kills me when I hear my friends say that they don't get along with their parents, or they never hear their parents tell them that they are proud of them. Or my friends who still live with their parents but they just don't talk. When my parents come to visit, that's basically all we do. I feel like I could talk to my parents all day!
If any of you are reading this and you don't have a good relationship with your parents, maybe it's time to bridge the gap. If any of you are reading this and your parents aren't with you anymore, I hope you think of them with a smile on your face, tears (of whatever magnitude, if necessary), and love and warmth in your heart. If any of you are reading this and you still live with your parents, please hug them a little more. Tell them you love them. Tell them you're proud to be their son or daughter. This world is so ugly, as our roommate Brittany said, and it needs beautiful things. One of our candles from today's mommy package is burning, and now I'm thinking of home-cooked meals, the smell of the house, laughing together. That's a beautiful thing.
But one of the things that my mom did while we were in college was send us random holiday packages...for each holiday. This tradition of holiday packages started around our sophomore year of college. Valentine's Day, Easter, our birthday, Halloween, but not Christmas since we were usually home then. In these packages there's usually candy, candles, a sock monkey or two (for me!), coupons, and other assorted things. Sometimes there have been socks for that holiday, toys for our kitties, or other assorted Dollar store goodies (the very place we introduced our mom to in the first place), but in each one there was always a card or a note that usually says "yay! Good for you" or "you can do it" or "we're so proud of you!" I'm not a mom yet nor I don't know if I will ever be, but I think those are some of the greatest things a parent can, and should say, to their child or children. And they should say it often. And our parents did and still do.
Holly: When Kelly texted me earlier today with the words "MOMMY PACKAGE!!!!" my day instantly got better. When I got home and perused through this particular package's contents, I said "If I ever have kids, I am going to send them packages too." I know my parents love me and are proud of me, but sometimes it's the unexpected surprises that remind you just how much you are loved. And missed. I miss my mom and dad. Yes, at 23, I still miss my mommy and daddy, and I don't see that changing any time soon. I figured that when I moved out and was on my own, I would miss them less. Nope. Don't get me wrong, I love being on my own and being independent, but if my parents showed up at my door tomorrow and said I could move back home, I wouldn't spare a second thought.
I know my parents aren't going to be on this earth forever, and it breaks my heart to imagine my life without them. So for now, I try to cherish the time I do get to spend with them. Usually it's just for a few days at a time, several months apart. I appreciate the time I spend with them now, possibly more than I did before I started college, moved out, etc. I regret that. I really do. My parents have been there for me so many times, have believed in my craziest dreams, and have never been shy of voicing how proud they are of me and Kelly and how much they love us. It kills me when I hear my friends say that they don't get along with their parents, or they never hear their parents tell them that they are proud of them. Or my friends who still live with their parents but they just don't talk. When my parents come to visit, that's basically all we do. I feel like I could talk to my parents all day!
If any of you are reading this and you don't have a good relationship with your parents, maybe it's time to bridge the gap. If any of you are reading this and your parents aren't with you anymore, I hope you think of them with a smile on your face, tears (of whatever magnitude, if necessary), and love and warmth in your heart. If any of you are reading this and you still live with your parents, please hug them a little more. Tell them you love them. Tell them you're proud to be their son or daughter. This world is so ugly, as our roommate Brittany said, and it needs beautiful things. One of our candles from today's mommy package is burning, and now I'm thinking of home-cooked meals, the smell of the house, laughing together. That's a beautiful thing.
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