Sunday, December 16, 2007
In Honor of James Gayle Reiff
Last night Terry and I went to Clinton for a party in honor of Jamie finishing law school. My 4th child.
Jamie was the only one of my children who caused my water to break before labor began. I say "caused" because it felt like he was coming out weeks before he arrived! I had a bad cough and I spent many night sitting up in bed so I could sleep without coughing. He was also my one and only sonogram kid. I think he was 2 days late. Terry's parents had come for the weekend, hoping to be there for the event, and then gone home. Sunday afternoon after they left I was taking a nap and I heard a "pop." And then warm water.
I went into having my last child like I was entering a war zone! I was not looking forward to the birth! But I did want another child. So... I was ready. Terry and I left together to go to the hospital when my contractions were just beginning. He had to work the ER, so I went there with him. I figured I would stay with him as long as possible in the room he slept in. I watched "Jaws" on TV through the beginning stages. Then I went to the labor room. That week, Nancy Sacry had sent me a card with the scripture, "God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind." I had decided to use that scripture from Timothy in the Bible to help me concentrate through labor and delivery. When the contractions were fairly light I panted to "l-o-v-e". As they got worse, I panted to "p-o-w-e-r" and when it seemed I couldn't bear them any more I used, "s-o-u-n-d m-i-n-d." I hardly paid any attention to anything else. I do remember during part of the evening that they wheeled a darling little girl with thick black hair into the labor room. She had just been born and was being adopted. I wanted a little girl. 2 boys, 2 girls just like Gayle and Kathryn.
In the delivery room I was not able to keep as good of control. As usual, the pushing was the tough part. I remember thinking I couldn't stand it much longer. Then the doctor accidently pinched me with the forcepts. I screamed a little cry and he apologized. I surprised myself by not even being disappointed when Jamie came out and he was a boy. He was absolutely beautiful! I immediately took him and nursed him but he wasn't really hungry. The doctor asked me if I had ever had an injury on my tailbone. I remembered one when I was tubing. He thought it might have contributed to my difficult deliveries.
By that time, all of the children could come up to the hospital and visit me. I remember Mom came up with them. I was pretty tired and was glad when they went home. I think I felt especially confident with Mom being with them that they were fine. What a treat to have her there! When we got home we had a celebration of her birthday.
I have to tell you that the word I would use to describe raising Jamie would be delightful! He was a fun child and by then I knew what was important and what was not. I didn't worry as much about the small things and I enjoyed so much each moment, knowing the time goes so fast! All the kids loved holding him and he was strong and healthy.
Mom said I finally got a child that looked like a Sacry. I don't know about that since he looks like Terry and Nathan especially.
One qualitiy I loved and still love about Jamie is his desire for relationship. He loves people and he can't hold anything against anyone. One day I was so mad at him because he had been acting out. I was ignoring him and fuming around the house. He said to me, "Mom, you've got to forgive me or something."
As a child, he had a deep sensitivity to God's Spirit. One day I was driving with him on the way to pick up Terra from kindergarten. We were passing the beautiful fields of cotton in Mississippi with the red blooms against the white cotton and green leaves. I was listening to a tape in the tape player that was a Christian music tape and had mostly forgotten he was even in the car buckled in the seat behind me. Then I heard his little voice,
"Mom"
"What, Jamie?"
"I'm so happy."
Surprised, "Why Jamie?"
"Because God loves me."
It was a confirming testimony to me that the Spirit I was feeling, was also touching this little child.
It is so tempting to continue writing about other experiences with Jamie, but I know this writing is too long because my neck hurts. If you ever read this, Jamie, I hope you know how very proud of you I am. Somewhere, deep inside of you, you know how very much God loves you. My prayer is that you claim that love as you move on to another phase of your life. Congratulations on a job well done.
Posted by Carol Ann at 5:35 AM 0 comments
A Prayer Answered
It was the summer of 1980. Terry and I decided to go to the reunion in the Jefferson City area before he began his internship. We borrowed his parents' trailer. I was about 2 month pregnant with Jamie. I was concerned about the year ahead. Being pregnant, having 3 , 5 and under, knowing Terry would be gone alot and moving to a new town. Frankly, I wasn't sure I could do it. One morning I woke up early and decided I would go to a wooded area to pray. I had been taught all my life about Joseph going to God in prayer. Why not me! Sneaking out of the camper, I found a spot where it was quiet and sat on a log. I don't think I was there long. I simply lifted my prayer to God. My prayer was simple, something like, "Lord, you know what my year is going to be like. I don't have the strength to face it. You've promised to be with me. I'm asking you today to give me some help. Somehow, today, through what happens, give me help in knowing how to cope with this year." And then I snuck back to bed.
The first activity of the morning was a prayer service. I remember sitting in the service, watching a beautiful red bird in a hole in the front of the chapel. The man in charge stood up and said, "I feel lead by the Spirit this morning to
ask you to center your prayers and testimonies around the needs of mothers with small children." People began to pray for just that, and to give testimonies about how they had been helped by God in raising their families.
At the close of that service it was announced that there would be a special tea for ladies. The wives of the guest ministers would be sharing. When I went to that tea, women shared about how they coped with their husbands being gone so much.
After I returned home, I received a book that Terry's Mom had sent on the day of my prayer about how to organize and clean my house better.
I am still amazed when I think about that day. How can I ever wonder now if God really works in our individual lives. I told no one about my concerns, not even Terry. I'm not sure I even testified after those experiences about the goodness of God. But I have never forgotten how God answered my prayer, as, in an act of faith, I went to that place, as a child of God, asking my Father for help.
Posted by Carol Ann at 5:12 AM 0 comments
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Jefferson City
David says in the Psalms (somewhere), “I was young and now I am old and I have not seen the righteous forsaken.” Lately, I have been feeling old. I don’t really claim to be righteous except through Christ’s blood, but I can say, like David, that I have never been forsaken.
This morning I am remembering a time that was such a spiritually high time for me in my life. For Terry’s internship we moved to a little duplex outside of Jefferson City, Missouri. I was pregnant with Jamie and it was the year Matt started kindergarten. Terry was seldom home. He seldom had any time off, working 12-14 hour days, though I do remember him going to church with me some. We were blessed with a marvelous church family. Some spiritual “giants” went to that church, very strong in faith and people who were consistently praying, studying scripture and serving others through community and church. It was a pleasure every time we went. I remember crying a lot in that church maybe because I felt the freedom to cry because people were so supportive. I sometimes crave being there again.
This morning I remember especially one time when I felt lead all week to study in Ephesians, the section on the armor of God, “Finally brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints…”6:10-18
It was a beautiful week studying this scripture. I remember especially being drawn to the part about the flaming arrows of the evil one because I felt like that was happening to me through negative thoughts. Each time I had a bad thought I would think of a shield of faith going up to block it.
But the great part of that week was on Sunday morning when the minister for the week (don’t remember his name) stood and said he had been praying for us this week. He believed that those who came were brought by God. His message this week was on the scripture on the Armour of God from Ephesians. This was before we used the lectionary or had any communication to direct us to these scriptures. I had simply been lead through the Spirit as a result of his prayers for me and others. It was a powerful testimony to me during a time when I needed that help of God’s knowledge of my situation and my needs. I sat bathed in the warmth of that Spirit, praising and thanking God.
This morning I am remembering a time that was such a spiritually high time for me in my life. For Terry’s internship we moved to a little duplex outside of Jefferson City, Missouri. I was pregnant with Jamie and it was the year Matt started kindergarten. Terry was seldom home. He seldom had any time off, working 12-14 hour days, though I do remember him going to church with me some. We were blessed with a marvelous church family. Some spiritual “giants” went to that church, very strong in faith and people who were consistently praying, studying scripture and serving others through community and church. It was a pleasure every time we went. I remember crying a lot in that church maybe because I felt the freedom to cry because people were so supportive. I sometimes crave being there again.
This morning I remember especially one time when I felt lead all week to study in Ephesians, the section on the armor of God, “Finally brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints…”6:10-18
It was a beautiful week studying this scripture. I remember especially being drawn to the part about the flaming arrows of the evil one because I felt like that was happening to me through negative thoughts. Each time I had a bad thought I would think of a shield of faith going up to block it.
But the great part of that week was on Sunday morning when the minister for the week (don’t remember his name) stood and said he had been praying for us this week. He believed that those who came were brought by God. His message this week was on the scripture on the Armour of God from Ephesians. This was before we used the lectionary or had any communication to direct us to these scriptures. I had simply been lead through the Spirit as a result of his prayers for me and others. It was a powerful testimony to me during a time when I needed that help of God’s knowledge of my situation and my needs. I sat bathed in the warmth of that Spirit, praising and thanking God.
David says in the Psalms (somewhere), “I was young and now I am old and I have not seen the righteous forsaken.” Lately, I have been feeling old. I don’t really claim to be righteous except through Christ’s blood, but I can say, like David, that I have never been forsaken.
This morning I am remembering a time that was such a spiritually high time for me in my life. For Terry’s internship we moved to a little duplex outside of Jefferson City, Missouri. I was pregnant with Jamie and it was the year Matt started kindergarten. Terry was seldom home. He seldom had any time off, working 12-14 hour days, though I do remember him going to church with me some. We were blessed with a marvelous church family. Some spiritual “giants” went to that church, very strong in faith and people who were consistently praying, studying scripture and serving others through community and church. It was a pleasure every time we went. I remember crying a lot in that church maybe because I felt the freedom to cry because people were so supportive. I sometimes crave being there again.
This morning I remember especially one time when I felt lead all week to study in Ephesians, the section on the armor of God, “Finally brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints…”6:10-18
It was a beautiful week studying this scripture. I remember especially being drawn to the part about the flaming arrows of the evil one because I felt like that was happening to me through negative thoughts. Each time I had a bad thought I would think of a shield of faith going up to block it.
But the great part of that week was on Sunday morning when the minister for the week (don’t remember his name) stood and said he had been praying for us this week. He believed that those who came were brought by God. His message this week was on the scripture on the Armour of God from Ephesians. This was before we used the lectionary or had any communication to direct us to these scriptures. I had simply been lead through the Spirit as a result of his prayers for me and others. It was a powerful testimony to me during a time when I needed that help of God’s knowledge of my situation and my needs. I sat bathed in the warmth of that Spirit, praising and thanking God.
This morning I am remembering a time that was such a spiritually high time for me in my life. For Terry’s internship we moved to a little duplex outside of Jefferson City, Missouri. I was pregnant with Jamie and it was the year Matt started kindergarten. Terry was seldom home. He seldom had any time off, working 12-14 hour days, though I do remember him going to church with me some. We were blessed with a marvelous church family. Some spiritual “giants” went to that church, very strong in faith and people who were consistently praying, studying scripture and serving others through community and church. It was a pleasure every time we went. I remember crying a lot in that church maybe because I felt the freedom to cry because people were so supportive. I sometimes crave being there again.
This morning I remember especially one time when I felt lead all week to study in Ephesians, the section on the armor of God, “Finally brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints…”6:10-18
It was a beautiful week studying this scripture. I remember especially being drawn to the part about the flaming arrows of the evil one because I felt like that was happening to me through negative thoughts. Each time I had a bad thought I would think of a shield of faith going up to block it.
But the great part of that week was on Sunday morning when the minister for the week (don’t remember his name) stood and said he had been praying for us this week. He believed that those who came were brought by God. His message this week was on the scripture on the Armour of God from Ephesians. This was before we used the lectionary or had any communication to direct us to these scriptures. I had simply been lead through the Spirit as a result of his prayers for me and others. It was a powerful testimony to me during a time when I needed that help of God’s knowledge of my situation and my needs. I sat bathed in the warmth of that Spirit, praising and thanking God.
Terry's anniversary
Dec. 12. 43 years ago today was a day when Terry made a small mistake. He stepped out in front of an oncoming car. He was selling holly for scouts and was on his way back home, walking. He looked up highway 291, nothing coming so he watched another car coming the other way. When it passed, without looking back up the road, he trotted across, right in front of a car that was speeding down the highway. Some people who watched said he was knocked over a telephone wire but that sounds far fetched. It knocked him 66 feet down the road, right out of his tennis shoes! His Dad said he heard the screech and he knew. Judy, his Dad and Mike ran for the road. His Mom was getting groceries. Mike went to tell her after the ambujlance left. The big pool of blood on the concrete was still there when he came home 3 months later. That frightening experience, seeing their son and brother sprawled out on the highway ended at the hospital. It just "happened" that there was an ambulance cruising up the road on 23rd st. It just "happened" that all the specialists he needed to do all it took to help him survive "happened" to be at the hospital that Saturday.
He doesn't remember anything of that day but his family remember that they almost lost him. At one point Judy said the line on the machine started to be a flat line and she yelled, "T". He seemed to jump and they had him back. His Dad said it was a terrible thing to watch. He had to hold Terry's head as they stiched up his head. He said he got faint when they drilled the hole in his leg to put the pin to hold the traction unit in place. He woke up that night about 10 with a bandage on his head and iv fluid and blood going into his body. His right eye was swollen shut. All the white of his eye was red. He was in the icu for 3 days. He lost about a week in his clear memory. Terry spent that Christmas in the hospital. He had his own little tree, a special red smock that we still put out at Christmas and a little man we hang over our table. He was in the hospital for 6 weeks and then in a body cast for 2 months. His parents set up a bed in the living room where he could watch TV. They changed their work schedules so someone could be home with him all the time. He did his studies at home. Karen Dyer was a teacher who came in to teach biology and math.
When I began to date Terry at college he spoke of that time. He would talk about his football games before the accident, detailing plays like it was play by play action. I could hear the enthusiasm in his voice. People told me later how good he was. An amazing athlete. He was all set to be a coach someday. Suddenly, this 14 year old boy's dreams were shattered. Yet, I never heard in his voice disappointment or sadness. He told me his life was changed in a good way by that event. With all those experiences he began to see the value in becoming a doctor. His dreams changed as he watched doctors care for him. A new vision was set in motion, not because he was unable to be the strong athlete he was before. Because he saw that other things were more important.
I remember sitting one autumn evening under a tree at Graceland talking. He asked me why I came to Graceland and I asked him the same question. We both agreed. We came to get our degrees and we came to find someone to spend our lives with who shared our beliefs.
Today, we were talking about a trauma someone in our town was experiencing. Terry said, "One moment, one mistake can change your life, either for good or bad. It's your choice." At first I thought he was being callous and I thought, "Easy for you to say!" Then I realized he knew exactly what he was talking about. He chose to make it a positive thing. He followed his dreams and became a doctor as a result of the "bad" thing that happened to him.
Happy anniversary Terry! I hope when you remember on your anniversary, you do 2 things: 1. You thank God for directing your life. and 2. You feel proud that you made something good out of one of the most difficult times in your life.
He doesn't remember anything of that day but his family remember that they almost lost him. At one point Judy said the line on the machine started to be a flat line and she yelled, "T". He seemed to jump and they had him back. His Dad said it was a terrible thing to watch. He had to hold Terry's head as they stiched up his head. He said he got faint when they drilled the hole in his leg to put the pin to hold the traction unit in place. He woke up that night about 10 with a bandage on his head and iv fluid and blood going into his body. His right eye was swollen shut. All the white of his eye was red. He was in the icu for 3 days. He lost about a week in his clear memory. Terry spent that Christmas in the hospital. He had his own little tree, a special red smock that we still put out at Christmas and a little man we hang over our table. He was in the hospital for 6 weeks and then in a body cast for 2 months. His parents set up a bed in the living room where he could watch TV. They changed their work schedules so someone could be home with him all the time. He did his studies at home. Karen Dyer was a teacher who came in to teach biology and math.
When I began to date Terry at college he spoke of that time. He would talk about his football games before the accident, detailing plays like it was play by play action. I could hear the enthusiasm in his voice. People told me later how good he was. An amazing athlete. He was all set to be a coach someday. Suddenly, this 14 year old boy's dreams were shattered. Yet, I never heard in his voice disappointment or sadness. He told me his life was changed in a good way by that event. With all those experiences he began to see the value in becoming a doctor. His dreams changed as he watched doctors care for him. A new vision was set in motion, not because he was unable to be the strong athlete he was before. Because he saw that other things were more important.
I remember sitting one autumn evening under a tree at Graceland talking. He asked me why I came to Graceland and I asked him the same question. We both agreed. We came to get our degrees and we came to find someone to spend our lives with who shared our beliefs.
Today, we were talking about a trauma someone in our town was experiencing. Terry said, "One moment, one mistake can change your life, either for good or bad. It's your choice." At first I thought he was being callous and I thought, "Easy for you to say!" Then I realized he knew exactly what he was talking about. He chose to make it a positive thing. He followed his dreams and became a doctor as a result of the "bad" thing that happened to him.
Happy anniversary Terry! I hope when you remember on your anniversary, you do 2 things: 1. You thank God for directing your life. and 2. You feel proud that you made something good out of one of the most difficult times in your life.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Convicted
I'm reading a book called Love and Respect. It's a marriage book and reminds me often to be more respectful of Terry. It's a pretty convicting book and today it reminded me of another part of my time when Matt and Nathan were small. Susan was the only one I talked to much during those first 2 years of med school. She was busy with her little ones too though so mostly it was over the phone. Once we tried to go out together and both Nathan and Bryan screamed at the top of their lungs as we tried to talk over them. Finally we just both burst out laughing. It was not fullfilling! One particular day I was really frustrated with Terry. I started sharing my frustrations with Susan on the phone. Every time I would say something negative she would share with me something from Terry's perspectrive. Finally I just hung up on her! But as I stomped around the house angry now at Susan as well as Terry her words began to slowly seep into my brain. I remembered how Grandma Pyfer used to tell me not to criticize someone unless I had walked in their shoes a mile. By the time Terry came home I had a new perspective. I think Sisters are the best gift in the world. Husbands too.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
nostalgia
If ever there was a vivid memory in my life it is the first two years of Nathan's life. It was a time of extremes. On the one hand, those first 3 or 4 months was a terrible depression. Terry was stressed, having tests every 5 weeks and so fearful of failing. And I was trying to work part time at a pre-school in Independence, wanting to be home all the time. We didn't have a babysitter who we knew very well. One of Terry's classmates' wife had just had her second child and we she offered to babysit. I would pick up Matt and Nathan and their diapers would be literally falling off because she didn't know how to put them on right. She was a good and kind person and I knew they were safe but I would leave them off and cry all the way to work many mornings because I hated to leave them. Susan told me if I wouldn't have had so much guilt I would have been fine. Maybe she was right. But I was not able to do that and I finally decided it was too much. I felt very divided and couldn't get over the feeling.
The job was a good learning experience for me. I taught the 3 and 4 year olds and I still remember some of them. I had to get tough and still be tender.
By Christmas Terry and I had found out we could get help from Vocational Rehab because of his leg being shorter than the other one. We also got help that we could pay back year for year by working in an area of need so we got a stipend every month and money for school. So after that I could stay home. It took me, however, most of that year to begin to climb out of that depression. I remember feeling like I was in a dark whole that I couldn't climb out of.
One day Terry took the kids to his parents house and I had a rare moment alone. I was working on some cleaning job and was horrified when I realized I did not want them to come back. I wanted out! And as I was thinking that, the words from the bible came to me, "Let this cup pass from me." Through the spirit I knew that Jesus understood my feelings. He too had wanted out. I felt a peace I hadn't felt for a long time.
In the middle of all of that, there were times of extreme joy. Each day I took the boys for a walk, pulling the wagon with Matt in the back with his arms around Nathan. I loved those walks. Sometimes Matt would forget to hold Nathan and Nathan loved to watch the wheels go around and he would fall on his head. I would get after Matt and it would work for awhile. Pretty soon we got the hang of it.
We lived in "little Italy" in Kansas City about 4 blocks from the school where Terry went. We had great neighbors but the surrounding area was not so good. It was a mofia area and 2 times people were shot within blocks of our house. Hooded men went into a bar at the end of our street and shot someone. Another time in a yard just over one street from us.
But I never felt unsafe. Maybe my need to be outside overrode my need for safety!
This was also a time when Terry and I grew closer. We had more time for us. We had been surrounded by friends and now we had no couple friends. We were across town from family and didn't go there often. We had wonderful times of intimacy and talks by our fireplace.
The boys were so precious and fun to be with. Everywhere we went people told us how cute they were. They would play together all day, so creative and funny. Matt would say, "Bye, Mom."
"Where are you going now?"
"Los Degos" or "Cali-fornia"
They built homes and trains and cars with blocks and toys. Our "dining room" was their play room and they were constantly creating.
Once I quit work I was in heaven home with my boys.
The job was a good learning experience for me. I taught the 3 and 4 year olds and I still remember some of them. I had to get tough and still be tender.
By Christmas Terry and I had found out we could get help from Vocational Rehab because of his leg being shorter than the other one. We also got help that we could pay back year for year by working in an area of need so we got a stipend every month and money for school. So after that I could stay home. It took me, however, most of that year to begin to climb out of that depression. I remember feeling like I was in a dark whole that I couldn't climb out of.
One day Terry took the kids to his parents house and I had a rare moment alone. I was working on some cleaning job and was horrified when I realized I did not want them to come back. I wanted out! And as I was thinking that, the words from the bible came to me, "Let this cup pass from me." Through the spirit I knew that Jesus understood my feelings. He too had wanted out. I felt a peace I hadn't felt for a long time.
In the middle of all of that, there were times of extreme joy. Each day I took the boys for a walk, pulling the wagon with Matt in the back with his arms around Nathan. I loved those walks. Sometimes Matt would forget to hold Nathan and Nathan loved to watch the wheels go around and he would fall on his head. I would get after Matt and it would work for awhile. Pretty soon we got the hang of it.
We lived in "little Italy" in Kansas City about 4 blocks from the school where Terry went. We had great neighbors but the surrounding area was not so good. It was a mofia area and 2 times people were shot within blocks of our house. Hooded men went into a bar at the end of our street and shot someone. Another time in a yard just over one street from us.
But I never felt unsafe. Maybe my need to be outside overrode my need for safety!
This was also a time when Terry and I grew closer. We had more time for us. We had been surrounded by friends and now we had no couple friends. We were across town from family and didn't go there often. We had wonderful times of intimacy and talks by our fireplace.
The boys were so precious and fun to be with. Everywhere we went people told us how cute they were. They would play together all day, so creative and funny. Matt would say, "Bye, Mom."
"Where are you going now?"
"Los Degos" or "Cali-fornia"
They built homes and trains and cars with blocks and toys. Our "dining room" was their play room and they were constantly creating.
Once I quit work I was in heaven home with my boys.
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