Leicester, England
Rubber Plantations
London Model
The Who Drummer, Keith Moon
Skin Care and Facials
Ian McLagan
Red Hat Ladies of Austin
Jane Long Middle School
Wii Fit
Erin Buenger
Now what if I asked you to write a coherent story that connected the items in this list? It starts, "Once upon a time. . ." Can you finish it?
Here, let me help:
If you know the online game, Funny Farm, these places, people, things, and concepts would form a network of connections around the central key word, Kim Kerrigan (if you don't know Funny Farm, I promise you are really missing out on fun and distraction, and you should stop right now and give it a try.).
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These wonderful folks, whom we have never met and who we may never meet, arranged the surprise for last Friday afternoon, shortly before the school dance. Erin is not speechless very often. Friday at 5:35 she was. As she pulled the paper back on the first box, her stunned look and flushed cheeks said it all. Eventually, she stammered, "Mom. . .mom. . do you know what this is?"
Here's how it went, step by step (I recommend clicking on each shot to zoom in and see the facial details):
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Why did I wait until now to post this entry? Well, Erin did have the Valentine's Dance about to start. Then, we had to run up to Dallas (only two hundred miles) on Saturday morning for cousin Emma's Pump It Up four-year-old birthday party.
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Some fine folks at St. Francis Episcopal Church heard about Erin's lanyards and asked us to come an teach a workshop, so they could make lanyards and raise money for pediatric cancer research, too. Boy, they did beautiful work, and while we shared the work, we shared some fine fellowship. At one point, I was explaining to the group how to know that you could stop adding beads and go to the finishing process. I wrapped a partially beaded wire across the back of my neck, so that the front two ends hung in front, and said, "most people would like their lanyards to come down about even with their bosom."
From across the room, I heard, "twenty or fifty?"
I, thinking 20 inches would be too short and 50 inches way too long, looked confused and said, "I beg your pardon."
The woman said, "Should it hit the bosom of a twenty year old or a fifty year old?"
Rim shot.
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I always get in trouble when I start mentioning the kindnesses that people do for us, because we are touched by so many friends. Aaron and Jesse gave Erin carnations at school on Friday because they are great buddies. When she got home Friday evening (she ate so much and danced so hard that she accidentally threw up at the dance and got sent home early), a candy and flower arrangement from her retired historian friend, Jim Smallwood was waiting for her, just in case she needed to replace the calories lost from dancing and vomiting. The inestimable Bate family, who gifts Erin on so many special holidays, had another lovely box of surprises waiting for her when we got back from Dallas. There is absolutely nothing I can say to express how loved these action make us feel, so I will just say thank you.
I'm glad that I zoomed in. That look on her face is priceless!
ReplyDeletekim-
well, that post, for some reason, was nearly a tear jerker. i know that erin isn't the perfect angel all the time (none of us are), but she certainly sounds like a very cool kid and i'm soo glad that she was so blessed. i'm also jealous of her wii and wii fit! (i guess its good i don't have one, i certainly don't need another distraction from academia). keep telling the good stories vickie - imho the world needs more of them.
ReplyDeleteI just wish you could see the smiles this put on all of our faces as we read this entire post. never a girl more deserving of very special treats!
ReplyDeleteLara
That is so cool! We have a Wii fit too, and we LOVE it!! Erin totally deserves it. Also, in regards to the last post, I just want to mention that both MY sets of gym clothes got stolen in jr. high as well!! That really does stink!! Stolen gym clothes are much better than a million cancer related yuck-things that I can think of though! ;-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome...what a rich life! And we'll all be waiting to hear your
ReplyDeleteWii age!
SheaVb
As an almost-fifty year old, the "twenty or fifty" line was priceless.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Erin got blessed!
I'm so happy for Erin! that was so amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHey, next time you're in Dallas, let me know. Maybe we can meet for tea/coffee and I can get to meet Erin!
HEY!!! That's me! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
ReplyDeleteI have really been debating getting a Wii! Maybe it's time to give in. I hope Erin can start playing soccer soon!
ReplyDelete