WanderingAmylessly 2.0

Top Ten Invisible Guy Pickup Lines 10. "Ever wanted to do it with a laboratory experiment gone awry?" 9. "Do you mean it when you say, 'Looks don't matter'?" 8. "What's a nice girl like you doing here in the Victoria's Secret dressing room?" 7. "Why don't we go somewhere private, because everyone at this bar thinks you're talking to your gimlet" 6. "That's not my hand but don't stop shaking" 5. "You may as well go out with me -- I'm just going to follow you home undetected anyway" 4. "Here's an invisible necklace -- trust me, it's really expensive" 3. "I can pretty much guarantee the kid will look like you" 2. "We haven't met, but I watch you shower every day at the gym" 1. "Would you like to have dinner with me and watch and my food digest?"

So my sleepy, bedhead almost-two-year-old wanders out of his room one morning, rubbing his eyes and saying "Mommy...hohdchew?" (Henryspeak: 'hold you,' which actually means 'hold me') I pick him up and hug him and kiss him, then I say, "Mommy has to go to work now." And then his face crinkles, big tears spill from his eyelids, and he says, "No Mommy. Mommy. Mommy." Then adds, "Mommy, pwayaminute?" (Henryspeak: 'play a minute') Of course I give in and, even though I'm already late for my commute, sit down on the floor and race toy trucks with my kiddo. I announce to him, after a few minutes, that I really have to go to work or I'll be late and I'll be in trouble. As I'm picking up my purse and heading for the door, I hear... "Mommy, kiss?" I turn around and plant a big smooch on his pink, pursed lips. I'm almost to the door, when I hear... "Mommy, hug, too?" Yes. He got a hug, too. I ...

Today would have been Will Kenyon's first birthday. Thinking of his mom and dad, and of his extended family and friends, on an emotional day of remembrance... With Hope by Stephen Curtis Chapman This is not at all how We thought it was supposed to be We had so many plans for you We had so many dreams And now you are gone away And left us with the memories of your smile And nothing we can say And nothing we can do Can take away the pain The pain of losing you, but... We can cry with hope We can say goodbye with hope 'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no And we can grieve with hope 'Cause we believe with hope (There's a place by God's grace) There's a place where we'll see your face again We'll see your face again.. And never have I known Anything so hard to understand And never have I questioned more The wisdom of God's plan But through the cloud of tears I see the Father's smile and say well done And I imagine you Where you wanted most...

The following is from my cousin, Kerry: We asked some of Joe's doctors if there were particular charities which they felt strongly aided in the education, prevention, and treatment of congenital heart defects in children. We were given the following information: Memorials may be sent to: THE CHLOE DUYCK MEMORIAL FUND C/O CRSTI 7777 Forest Lane C-742 Dallas, Texas 75230 You may include "Joe Prasifka" in the memo and we will receive a card letting us know you have honored him in this way. All proceeds will go towards Congenital Heart Defect Research. For more information on Cardiopulmonary Research Science and Technology Institute (CRSTI), click this post's headline.

Pulling oneself out of the deep dark pit of despair can be a daunting task. It's easier to wallow. Then again, there are flashes of light that signal the happier times in our midst. 1. Our friends K and L had a beautiful 7 pound, completely healthy baby girl Annelise earlier this week. Here's to "UNEVENTFUL" GESTATIONS and BIRTHS! Amen. (And I might add, something must be in the air, because our friends are procreating at quite a speedy pace these days.) 2. My H-man's second birthday is 17 days away. 3. My cat is (cross your fingers) recovering quickly from a nasty case of - apologies in advance - worms. (And an H "funny": he says, "Dohchay havin' wooms. Ukky." I agree. 4. I joined the gym. I'm not sure I'm happy about it; I'll be happier when my clothes aren't so tight they cut off circulation. 5. Today is the last day of our public radio station's week-long Fall pledge drive. 6. Saddam's on trial. At last. 7. Jenni...

After last week, I've just not been in the mood to blog. I sort of adopted a - so what's the point - attitude. I won't delve into many details of my trip to Texas or the services, but I will say that my cousin and her wonderful husband and their feisty and adorable 4-year-old redhead are so brave and strong and gracious in the midst of their worst tragic days. They spent time with close relatives during a dinner at their church following the services, assuring us that they were coping and welcoming our hugs and fumbling words of support. And Jackson, to the tearful delight of everyone, showed glimpses of his usual self as he donned a purple cape (not sure how it ended up in the church, unless it was a misplaced, glitzy wise man costume of Christmas past) and ran through the halls giggling with his cousins. Jackson has some of Mighty Joe's "might" coursing through his system, I think. The laughter echoing through the halls warmed hearts. Jason even spoke at Joe...

During a heart cath procedure this a.m. at the hospital in Dallas, Baby Joe lost his mighty battle with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He and his family have gone through so much pain. He has escaped that pain, but for those still here who love him, we have no escape. Bless you Baby Joe. I never even met you in person, never got to hold you. But you have forever touched me...and many. I'm not sure where this quote came from or who wrote it. But it seems to fit right now... He has taken his light and is gone now But I know he has been here By all the lights he left behind....