Hello… hello, hello, hello
January 14, 2011
Is that an echo I hear?
I am ALIVE, still! I am humbled by how many of you emailed, concerned by my lack of blogging. Thank you.
So what have I been up to? The truth is not much. A few things have conspired to keep me from writing here.
1) Um, I just discovered streaming movies from Netflix. I know you already knew about it YEARS ago. But I am slow. I descended into a wormhole of movie viewing. I would start watching a movie and the next thing I knew I would look at the clock all bleary eyed and confused and come to the stark realization that almost my entire 6 hour window of freedom had elapsed and I had spent the whole time watching 3 movies that I would never have paid to rent, yet felt compelled to watch in their entirety because I COULD. I am beginning to think that I need a 12 step program.
HeatherB called me on Day Three of my insanity. After she recovered from the shock of my having JUST discovered the instant viewing ability of Netflix, she welcomed me into the cult and gave me recommendations. I did sort of feel like my grandmother when she discovered you could program the VCR, long after the rest of us had moved on to DVDs.
2) I have FINALLY taken an interest in decorating my house, almost two years after I moved in. Actually that isn’t entirely accurate. I have always been interested; it’s just that I have expensive ideas and an unhealthy love for everything in the Pottery Barn catalog. Instead I have embraced my empty bank account and IKEA. I moved furniture around, put up curtains, and hung stuff on the walls. It is amazing how doing just those few things has made the house feel more homey and less temporary shelter.
I texted a friend yesterday:
If I am going to keep up with this I really need to buy a real hammer. They plastic Brio toy one that I am currently using sucks.
I got back:
It probably wasn’t meant for driving large metal anchors into your sheetrock.
I texted:
Considering the job that it IS doing, however, I am shocked that 1) I allowed my toddlers to play with it, and 2) that I had any walls standing.
Somewhat tangentially related, my kids make fun of me for the way I text. “Why do you use punctuation and spell all the words?”
I retorted with, “Why do you douse yourself with Axe?”
Just some things one generation will never understand about the other.
3) I did write over at Alphamom.
One post is about talking to kids about violence in world. Or why I chose not to.
I also wrote a Parenting Resolution list for all of us.
And I wrote about bullying. Can Bullying be Stopped?
4) The last thing, which really is the most important thing and has been the one occupying most of brain space, is that a boy my oldest two sons are friends with, in fact the very first friend they made in the neighborhood, was severely burned during their school break. He is in a special burn unit in a hospital a couple hours away from where we live. He has endured multiple surgeries, including an amputation. I cannot even imagine what his mother his going through. It has also been difficult watching my teenagers come to grips with it. Still being fully immersed in the invincibility of their youth, they honestly believed their friend would be “just fine” or “perfectly ok.” And while in the long run he may very well be both of those things, the meaning of those words has shifted.
The sadness I feel hits me at unexpected times. When I walk by the work out equipment where the boys would all lift weights almost every afternoon. When I go into the freezer in the garage and remember all the afternoons he sat on it, all the boys sheepishly eating popsicles they had taken from inside of the freezer, always leaving the empty boxes inside. When my 6 yr old asks if the boy is going to get “one of those cool robot legs.”
He is still not out of the woods, by any stretch, but he is alive. In spite of the doctor’s predictions. They are baffled by his resiliency and offer no medical explanation. The family believes it is prayer. So if you want to say a prayer, light some candles, send some vibes, some mojo… whatever it is that you believe, I know they would appreciate it.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s friend. We’ll add him to the prayer list. We have a little (2 year old) here in Atlanta who had an elevator crush him….The enormity of tragedy is sometimes hard to absorb. For those that read Chris’ comments….please add this little tyke to your prayers. Thank you. And welcome back! I was one of your concerned crazy followers that e-mailed you!
Laura Hirsch
January 14th, 2011 at 12:44 pmTalkingThroughMyTeeth.com
Yes, I’ve missed you but thought you were on hiatus because I can’t imagine that you’re really all that busy — HA! I am sorry to hear of your sons’ friend — how terrible. I will send positive thoughts and prayers the family’s way and hope for healing and recovery.
January 14th, 2011 at 12:53 pmHappy New Year to you –
That is just heartbreaking, Chris. We hear all the time of people being injured/burned/etc., but whenever it’s a child, it just seems that much worse. I will think happy, healing thoughts for him and his family, knowing he has a very long road ahead of him.
My curtains are from Ikea, too. Wonder if we bought the same ones?
January 14th, 2011 at 12:56 pmI’m so sorry to hear about your friend. What a tragedy. I wish the best for him.
I hope we eventually get pictures of your decorating progress. Now that we feel a part of things, having picked your paint colors and all
I resisted multiple urges to email about the lack of blogging. Understanding that, well, you don’t know me. And that you aren’t obligated to keep me updated on your life.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:02 pmWelcome back, and know that prayers and well wishes are sent by the internets. May he continue to astound the doctors with his recovery.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:04 pmWill certainly pray for him, his family and for your sons as they adjust.
Streaming movies are a tool of the devil. Even worse when you stream entire seasons of television shows…not that I would know anything about that.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:09 pmI am certain you deserved the break from the blog. Glad you had some entertaining down time and happy to find you posting again.
So sorry about your sons’ friend. It is a hard thing for them to go through, but I am sure it will give them understanding and compassion that many others never manage to attain. Best wishes to the boy in the burn unit and to his family.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:11 pmSending prayers for all of you as well as the young man and his family…
January 14th, 2011 at 1:23 pmFirst, sending prayers for your sons’ friend and his family. What a terrible thing to endure. Second, I just read your bullying post and hats off to your 10-year old for standing up! It’s hard for kids to know what to do today! At our school, there are bullying problems from outright physicality to the subversive words. I feel like my kids are in a no-win situation. They’re told if they retailiate, they’ll be punished. If they go to a teacher, they’re told to stop tattling, or “Well, I didn’t see it so I can’t do anything.” What’s a kid to do? Very frustrating for them and I don’t know what to tell them! I feel like teachers/staff don’t want to get involved and just perpetuate the whole problem.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:44 pmWe will be praying for him, for his family and for all of you.
Peace…
January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pmGlad you posted. Serious prayers for the young man offered.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:59 pmAnd texting? I do the same thing - whole words, proper grammar, etc.
The comment about the punctuation and the Axe just about did me in! I love it, I think it TOTALLY cements the differences between today’s parents and their children. So help me if I ever use anything other than accepted abbreviations or initials in my texts I will cry!
C UL8r
January 14th, 2011 at 2:44 pmThis:
Somewhat tangentially related, my kids make fun of me for the way I text. “Why do you use punctuation and spell all the words?”
I retorted with, “Why do you douse yourself with Axe?”
Just some things one generation will never understand about the other.
Was awesome & so accurate!
Sending prayers for the neighbor boy & his family. Glad you’re back. I’ve missed you & that’s kinda creepy since we’ve never met. =) Have a great weekend!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:47 pmI’m sorry, I was taken aback with laughter at the texting and did not finish the post before commenting.
I will hold the family, and yours, in my heart today! I will also hug my children extra hard tonight! Both motherly experiences you two are going through makes my heart ache.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:48 pmGlad you are back. So sorry about your son’s friend; I will say a prayer.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:55 pmYea Chris….so happy you are back, you are my life line to my own silliness as a mom of ONLY 2, well one is a 17 yo girl so I think that counts for atleast 3 boys no?? Love you and will certainly offer up a prayer to that boy who was burned. Gives you pause I guess when I’m yelling at wet towels on the floor or the lovely habit my darling daughter has of putting her looooonnggg hair on the shower walls rather than down the drain or horrors on a damn tissue!!! Hairy walls = gag for my baby boy. Glad we have our own bathroom! But yea, those horrible incidents are too ugly for anyone. xo
January 14th, 2011 at 3:00 pmWelcome back! I will be keeping you and your boys in my thoughts - kids that age think they are invincible and this has got to be difficult…
January 14th, 2011 at 3:01 pmI am glad you are back, I am sorry for your sons’ friend, and god help us all if you start watching TV series on Netflix - I once watched 22 episodes of Veronica Mars in two days…
January 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pmI can, sadly, understand exactly how your son’s are feeling. We lost so many of our friends in my high school years that the school actually called in therapists for us to talk to at one point. (small town)
I am sending some positive vibes, some healing mojo, and I’ll even light some candles! I hope he pulls through!
January 14th, 2011 at 3:36 pmWelcome back! I was wondering if we were going to see a new picture of a moving van once you got back on this thing. I am so sorry to hear about your children’s friend. It sounds horrific for all involved.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:47 pmSo happy to see you back! Sad to hear about your boys friend. Am praying for him and his family and your sons
January 14th, 2011 at 4:24 pmtoo…gotta be rough for them. That kind of stuff is not
supposed to happen in a kid’s world. Gee, did I say it’s
great so see you back? You have been missed! Hugs to you and your kids!
Glad to have you back. I get the netflix thing as I,too have recently been sucked in by its magic.
There is nothing worse than a tragedy that involves a child. My son was treated in the burn unit for his hand. It was a huge deal because he was two, but was in fact a small injury. I can not even imagine how his parents are dealing with this.
My prayers are with this child. And they are with you too as you help your kids navigate the changes they are going to face.
January 14th, 2011 at 4:34 pmWell I have been checking to see when you would be back, glad all is okay with you and yours.
Oh burns….as an ICU nurse I can tell you there is nothing more painful…..this poor boy. I hope he can recover his life…no one should have to died this way.
Prayers are sent for this suffering boy.
January 14th, 2011 at 4:40 pmPrayer sent. Good thoughts winging their way across the Atlantic
January 14th, 2011 at 4:40 pmOh, welcome back. I have missed you. I have been praying that all is well with and for you and your family. You have some very good reasons for going MIA — Netflix, now that can get you in some trouble — that whole time management thing. And, moving stuff around to make the house more homey — what a great way to spend your time. I have been praying for the young man that you tweeted had been burned. I will continue to pray–maybe if enough voices are heard it will help. In the meantime, I look forward to your next blog entry.
January 14th, 2011 at 4:50 pmOh my God the poor boy, I will definitely say a prayer for him. Glad your back, missed your words so I started at the beginning again(your archives are so funny) This is the first blog I ever read, so it’s your fault I get nothing done when the kids are at school only read blogs!! Best wishes.
January 14th, 2011 at 4:56 pmOh, Chris….It is wonderful to see you back…I was worried also…
January 14th, 2011 at 4:57 pmNetflix streaming is the best!!! Your young friend with the burns….
prayers will be offered everyday. That is the most horrible tragedy.
Nienie blogs about her burns after a horrible plane crash and she does not hide the truth. I know people who have survived…who have gone on….who have triumphed after wanting to give up. Prayers and cyber hugs to him and family, to you and your boys, to all the wonderful people who treat burn victims…You have been missed.(( ))
So glad you are back…have really missed you…prayers being sent…
January 14th, 2011 at 5:11 pmWelcome back! I’m so sorry to hear about your sons’ friend. He will certainly be in my prayers.
January 14th, 2011 at 5:25 pmOh man. That must be so awful, for you and your boys, and of course for the boy and his family. Will certainly say a prayer.
January 14th, 2011 at 5:39 pmSending prayers your way.
It’s good to hear from you again!
January 14th, 2011 at 5:56 pmSending prayers…oh, and welcome Back!
January 14th, 2011 at 5:58 pmOh, my. Words fail. Prayers sent… PS Glad you’re back.
January 14th, 2011 at 6:09 pmChris, That pains me to no end. I am so glad that he IS resilient, though … he must really want to live, and that says a lot. I’m sure his bond with your family is one of the things keeping him going. Please keep us posted. I’m a pray-er, so I will do that.
January 14th, 2011 at 6:15 pmThinking of your sons’ friend and hoping he recovers swiftly.
Thinking of your sons and hoping they stay safe
Thinking of you and happy you’re back.
January 14th, 2011 at 6:38 pmI’m glad you’re back, Chris! I was hoping you and yours were okay. I’m sorry about your son’s friend.
Too funny about Netflix. I’ve just discovered that TV shows are available “on demand” free through my cable company, and am also spending way too much time in front of the screen.
January 14th, 2011 at 8:11 pmYour sons’ friend is in my prayers along with his family. I can not even begin to imagine.
January 14th, 2011 at 8:14 pmThank you for sharing that story. I have never commented here but the story compelled me.
I am a believer of God and the power of prayer.
I am totally praying for that poor boy.
and I am so glad you are back.
January 14th, 2011 at 8:35 pmMy prayers are with you, your sons, and their friend.
January 14th, 2011 at 8:53 pmThinking of the burn victim in Australia
January 14th, 2011 at 10:42 pmWelcome back, you’ve been missed! Sending positive and healing thoughts for your boys’ friend and his family- oh, my heart hurts for them.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:43 pmsaying prayers, sending vibes, mojo etc. Although we don’t know you, and we don’t know your friends, we ache for their suffering.
Much love.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:56 pmGlad that you are back!! I was getting worried about you.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:20 pmwelcome back! have really missed your weekly antics!
January 14th, 2011 at 11:22 pmWelcome back! I was one of those people who was really concerned but had no idea how to express it. Do I email? Is that weird or “lurky” I worried. During these past few days of silence (I noted that the last post was about the silence of morning. I kept wondering was that a secret message? Or something in code?) I have come to realize how much I feel connected to your blog. Glad to know you are healthy and hale. Relieved that nothing has happened to you or your brood. So sorry about the neighborhood boy. Take care.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:57 pmGood to have you back. Suspected there was something sad behind the quiet and braced myself… anyways, Happy New Year.
January 15th, 2011 at 3:15 amSo nice to have you back. I have missed your writing. Thoughts and prayers to the boys family.
January 15th, 2011 at 6:18 amI was getting worried and I don’t even know you other then the blog! I will pray for the friend of your sons. Thanks for updating the blog.
January 15th, 2011 at 8:54 amAll my prayers will go to your friend tonight. I burnt my hand yesterday making some pizza for the kids and I’ve been complaining all day, can’t even imagine what this poor guy is feeling. Really hope that he and his parents are “gonna be just fine” and “perfectly OK”
January 15th, 2011 at 12:56 pmWarm thoughts
Fadia
Thanks for returning. Will pray for the burn victim.
January 15th, 2011 at 1:15 pmi also have just found instant netflix and have been watching old tv series, like veronica mars. I haven’t yet breached the movie section… lord help me!
January 15th, 2011 at 1:57 pmI totally understand how real life takes over from our blogs sometimes. I will pray for your boys’ friend. Sooo sad!
January 15th, 2011 at 3:11 pmAnd yes, funny how netflix can suck us in! We have been living overseas most of the last decade, so we are just discovering the joys of netflix too. Such bliss!
so happy you are back; I feared you were going to stop writing and I so enjoy stories about your husband and children! Anyway - prayers and good thoughts for your sons’ friend, bc I do think the power of positive thought, in whatever form it takes for each person, has amazing healing powers! (and I hear you on the streaming netFlix thing — we got it around Christmastime, too, and I found myself watching The Money Pit — again - and which we even own on DVD. Other than that, though, I am having trouble finding movies that I want to bother with — recommendations for time sucking? Please share! (look — I just gave you a post idea! :))
January 15th, 2011 at 3:50 pmI was missing you too and hoped there wasn’t a problem, glad all is well.
January 15th, 2011 at 4:44 pmMy older boys 14 and 16, have had friends who have a series of tragedies recently also. one lost his father very suddenly. He was only 49 and had 5 kids, oldest 16 years and just died watching television one night when his wife was at book club. Another kid lost his 7 year old sister unexpectedly after a routine medical procedure and finally a third friend, aged 14, was killed when her home made sled hit a tree during a recent snow fall. The kids got really upset at the time but their resilience is amazing, they still think they themselves are indestructible. My kids were back sledding down our road which is on a steep hill the following day.
Sounds like your lads friend has a long road ahead of him. I,m sure you have heard of NieNie Dialogues, she was very badly burned but was back skiing again recently. He will be in my thoughts and hope your kids are ok too.
gem
Wow. Watching movies? I’ve been so worried. Mostly about your in-laws. I know. (Due to the snow/their age/you didn’t blog, etc.) Who the hell do I think I am? A “concerned” reader. Happy all is well. I wanted to email you but didn’t want to seem like a stalker.
January 15th, 2011 at 6:36 pmGlad you’re back, but so very sorry about your sons’ friend. Sending the vibes right now.
January 15th, 2011 at 6:36 pmWe just spent NY Eve/New Year’s in San Antonio and Austin. I thought about you while I was there! By the way there is an AWESOME outlet mall in between San Antonio and Austin. We thought we had hit the mother ship of all outlet malls when we found it.
January 15th, 2011 at 7:01 pmglad your back, I will pray for your friend and family
January 15th, 2011 at 8:45 pmGlad you’re back - I was worried too.
How did the young man get burned? Sending positive thoughts his way.
January 15th, 2011 at 9:26 pmMy nephew was severely burned last year. I know what your son’s friend and his family are going through. Prayers going up!
January 15th, 2011 at 10:15 pmMy thoughts and prayers go out to the young man and his family. Your post remind us to live each day and to love our kids and to tell them of this love
ps i was waiting until Feb 1st to email i thought you were just taking a break
January 15th, 2011 at 10:27 pmMissed you!
Sending prayers for your sons’ friend.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:15 amGlad to hear you are still with us… we’ve missed you! I’m very sorry to hear about you son’s friend… will send prayers and good vibes their way. Keep us in the loop… I think I can speak for all of us moms that we will be thinking of him and his family and wondering how he is doing.
ps… before and after photos?
January 16th, 2011 at 12:17 pmDefinitely saying prayers for this young man and his family. Are there any updates?
January 16th, 2011 at 1:47 pmPrayers being said.
Welcome back.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:22 pmWill light a candle in Goliad, Texas. Glad to have you posting again.
January 16th, 2011 at 9:26 pmWelcome back! I got my boyfriend a subscription to the streaming Netflix for xmas…I totally understand how distracting it can be.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:37 pmSo glad you’re back!
January 17th, 2011 at 2:58 amI was all poised to type in my flippant comment until I hit #4, that poor boy!
I am glad that your boys are looking forward to seeing him and don’t sound like they’d mind his scarring or his “cool robot leg.” Other children might shun the poor kid, but yours are too awesome for that to even occur to them.
January 17th, 2011 at 8:28 amI am so sorry to hear about your sons’ friend, not only for what their friend & his family are going through, but for what your family is enduring as well. Sending sympathy & love.
January 17th, 2011 at 2:21 pmWow - I am sorry for your friends and your children. Will include them in my prayers - and you and your kids as well…
January 17th, 2011 at 2:41 pmThinking of your friend, your kids, and glad you are ok.
January 17th, 2011 at 8:36 pmI was worried about you being gone for so long and I feel weird for being so worried. Make sense?
January 17th, 2011 at 9:28 pmI just discovered how to access Netflix on the Wii last night. I spent about 30 minutes perusing movies to add to the queue. I’m afraid to see how many I added. And I had to laugh about you using tangentially. My daughter was in a spelling bee and tangential knocked her out. We told her not to worry, it was a math term. It hasn’t been 2 weeks and I’ve seen it twice.
January 18th, 2011 at 9:58 amI use the heel of whatever shoe I can find to put those hooks in the walls…
January 18th, 2011 at 10:45 amLBC
I don’t know if you’ve ever read NieNie Dialogues. She is a young mother of 4 and burned in a plane crash over 85% of her body. Her story is an amazing testament of our will to survive. Keep us posted on your young friend.
January 18th, 2011 at 6:40 pmWow!
That is a lot of doing of stuff and a truly heartbreaking ‘under’ story.
I cannot begin to imagine the horror that his parents are feeling. In fact, I can’t even think about it because it makes me want to throw up from the sheer possibility of the horror of it.
I admire the resilience of the young and their ability to hold onto the possibility that everything can be right in the world given enough time. Alos, a testament to your parenting skills that your kids have found a silver lining (robot leg, COOL!). I hope that his recovery is one that ensures that their friendshhip can continue, albeit with a little less weight lifting and a little more popsicle licking.
January 19th, 2011 at 8:01 amPrayers for your friend, his family, and for your family too. This is a terrible thing.
January 19th, 2011 at 4:10 pmI am a long time reader but I have never left a comment. I love your blog - very funny. I wanted to give my condolences to you, your boys and of course their friends family for your lose.
January 19th, 2011 at 10:36 pmChris,
So happy to have you back!! I am so sorry about your son’s friend, I too, don’t know how you cope with that as a parent, and pray to God I never do…And I completely understand your new addiction to Netflix, I got one a couple months ago and will probably need a 12 step program to get me through my depression when Friday Night Lights comes to an end!
January 19th, 2011 at 11:32 pmVibes, mojo and whatever else positive I can muster are being sent your way, right now
January 20th, 2011 at 9:58 am{{{ HUGS }}}
Sending many prayers to your boys’ friend.
And hugs to your whole family as y’all work through this.
Welcome back to blogging! I had wondered but was in no way organized enough to send off an email.
Karen
January 20th, 2011 at 11:51 am