My niece Scarlett recently went up to Varnville, S.C. to visit my Aunt Ruby. My sister was taking the trip almost as a chance to say goodbye to our beloved Aunt, who has been such an important piece of our lives. My niece took the opportunity to use her skills as a photographer to capture the events of the couple of days that they were there as sort of a timepiece of the last days of the life of Ruby Cook.
I won't lie to you. This slideshow is hard to watch. But yet, its so achingly beautiful, and so special....that while you cry, or find your self getting emotional....you'll have to admit that its an amazing tribute. The song that accompanies the slideshow is called "One Moment More" by a singer named Mindy Smith. Again....very emotional stuff.
Please watch....not for me, not because I asked...but because Ruby Cook deserves to be remembered.
A Tribute to Ruby Cook
After you watch....read the lyrics to the song....which was written by Smith about the death of her own mother. Yikes. Heart wrenching stuff.
"One Moment More"
Hold me
Even though I know you're leaving
And show me
All the reasons you would stay
It's just enough to feel your breath on mine
To warm my soul and ease my mind
You've got to hold me and show me now
Give me
Just one part of you to cling to
And keep me
Everywhere you are
It's just enough to steal my heart and run
And fade out with the falling sun
Oh, please don't go
Let me have you just one moment more
Oh, all I need
All I want is just one moment more
You've got to hold me and keep me
Tell me that someday you'll be returning
And maybe
Maybe I'll believe
It's just enough to see a shooting star
To know you're never really far
It's just enough to see a shooting star
To know you're never really gone
Oh, please don't go
Let me have you just one moment more
Oh, all I need
All I want is just one moment more
Oh, please don't go
Let me have you just one moment more
Oh, all I need
All I want is just one moment more
You've got to hold me and maybe I'll believe
So hold me
Even though I know you're leaving
Later,
Jeff
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
5/23/07--People that matter
I told you in my last entry the sad news about my Aunt Ruby, who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. My sister wrote me and told me that Aunt Ruby always wanted to know what sort of things people would say at her funeral.
And I remembered a television show from years ago where a character was wondering what sort of impact he had made, in the long run, during his life. And then he remembered his children and the legacy he would one day leave. And it struck me that so many people can go through their lives wondering what sort of legacy they leave behind, not realizing the impact they have and leave behind.
How do you let someone know? How do you let someone know the importance and impact they've left on your life?
I decided the easiest way is to say.....with all the love that a nephew can send to his aunt:
You mattered. You mattered to your children. You mattered to your mother & father.
You mattered to your brothers. You mattered....to your only sister. You mattered to one of your nephews--the one who bragged to his wife that in the kitchen, there was a standard that had been set....an invisible bar established when it came to the quality of food that was prepared....and that it was mighty high. That whenever macaroni & cheese are prepared, for whatever reason, I'm invariably asked:
"Is it as good as your Aunt Ruby's?"
And I tell her...that it was good--really good---but it wasn't quite there yet.
And I didn't have to worry that I wasn't telling the truth.
I used to say that I always thought the life of my Aunt Ruby would make an incredible story...and it would. She's lead a quietly amazing life. When she is greeted and welcomed at the pearly gates....the good Lord will think to himself that she got her money's worth out of life. There was no wasted time...no wasted effort.
A life that mattered....to so many people....and a nephew who wanted her to know.
All my love,
Jeff
And I remembered a television show from years ago where a character was wondering what sort of impact he had made, in the long run, during his life. And then he remembered his children and the legacy he would one day leave. And it struck me that so many people can go through their lives wondering what sort of legacy they leave behind, not realizing the impact they have and leave behind.
How do you let someone know? How do you let someone know the importance and impact they've left on your life?
I decided the easiest way is to say.....with all the love that a nephew can send to his aunt:
You mattered. You mattered to your children. You mattered to your mother & father.
You mattered to your brothers. You mattered....to your only sister. You mattered to one of your nephews--the one who bragged to his wife that in the kitchen, there was a standard that had been set....an invisible bar established when it came to the quality of food that was prepared....and that it was mighty high. That whenever macaroni & cheese are prepared, for whatever reason, I'm invariably asked:
"Is it as good as your Aunt Ruby's?"
And I tell her...that it was good--really good---but it wasn't quite there yet.
And I didn't have to worry that I wasn't telling the truth.
I used to say that I always thought the life of my Aunt Ruby would make an incredible story...and it would. She's lead a quietly amazing life. When she is greeted and welcomed at the pearly gates....the good Lord will think to himself that she got her money's worth out of life. There was no wasted time...no wasted effort.
A life that mattered....to so many people....and a nephew who wanted her to know.
All my love,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
5/16/07--An update on the family
So I haven't really updated the blog with much news lately...and there's been some.
Andy was accepted for a summer internship up at Stevens Institute in New Jersey.
He's very excited and we're very proud of him. He's really worked much harder this year at school and its nice to see him get rewarded. Kellie, on the other hand, did not get accepted for her summer music internship in Ohio. She was a little disappointed, but is moving on and hopes to audition for another program being offered this summer in the Tampa area.
This past Sunday was Mother's Day, of course, and we tried our best to make sure that Kim had a nice day (which doesn't mean that I cooked or anything silly like that though).
We took her out for dinner a couple of days before the holiday smart aleck!
Anyway, I would certainly be remiss in not mentioning MY MOM, who of course is absolutely terrific and one of my favorite people in the whole world.
But she knows that....because I tell her that all the time....and I'm not afraid to let her know how much I love her and how much she means to me.
We visited the cemetary to leave some flowers on the gravesite of Kim's Mom, who I never had the opportunity to meet, much to my disappointment. Kim says she was really a wonderful person...and its my loss. Kellie went with us and it got us discussing our future and our own mortality and such...which can be a little depressing, but is also important to talk about with your kids I think.
I also received some sad news regarding the health of my Aunt Ruby, who is my mother's older (and only) sister. She is just an amazing woman...and I'm thinking lots of good thoughts for her in the upcoming weeks and months as she fights a tough fight.
Aunt Ruby.....you can only guess at the impact you have made on my life and on the lives of so many other people. We love you very much.
Later,
Jeff
Andy was accepted for a summer internship up at Stevens Institute in New Jersey.
He's very excited and we're very proud of him. He's really worked much harder this year at school and its nice to see him get rewarded. Kellie, on the other hand, did not get accepted for her summer music internship in Ohio. She was a little disappointed, but is moving on and hopes to audition for another program being offered this summer in the Tampa area.
This past Sunday was Mother's Day, of course, and we tried our best to make sure that Kim had a nice day (which doesn't mean that I cooked or anything silly like that though).
We took her out for dinner a couple of days before the holiday smart aleck!
Anyway, I would certainly be remiss in not mentioning MY MOM, who of course is absolutely terrific and one of my favorite people in the whole world.
But she knows that....because I tell her that all the time....and I'm not afraid to let her know how much I love her and how much she means to me.
We visited the cemetary to leave some flowers on the gravesite of Kim's Mom, who I never had the opportunity to meet, much to my disappointment. Kim says she was really a wonderful person...and its my loss. Kellie went with us and it got us discussing our future and our own mortality and such...which can be a little depressing, but is also important to talk about with your kids I think.
I also received some sad news regarding the health of my Aunt Ruby, who is my mother's older (and only) sister. She is just an amazing woman...and I'm thinking lots of good thoughts for her in the upcoming weeks and months as she fights a tough fight.
Aunt Ruby.....you can only guess at the impact you have made on my life and on the lives of so many other people. We love you very much.
Later,
Jeff
Friday, May 11, 2007
5/11/07--Its about damn time
Here's an honor that is very deserved...although the fact that he got in and Tim Brown (helloooo....the guy won the Heisman!) is sort of bizarre.
Zorich to Hall of FameMay 10th, 2007
Zorich to Hall of FameMay 10th, 2007
Zorich becomes the 42nd Notre Dame player to join the Hall but the first who suited up in the 1980s or ’90s.
“I did some research that blows me away,” Zorich said. “There are only three defensive linemen who have been inducted from Notre Dame—Ross Browner, Alan Page and me. Are you kidding me?”
Perhaps Zorich never developed the entitlement bug because it took so long for him to feel as if he belonged.
“Even in college I was considered small,” Zorich said. He measured shorter than 6 feet and didn’t play a down as a freshman.
But Zorich was a beast on the scout team, making life hell for Notre Dame’s offensive linemen. When they protested by reminding him it was a Tuesday practice, he would yell back that this was his game.
“I got into so many fights and got kicked out of practice so many times, it was borderline hilarious,” he recalled.
“If I’m not remembered for Notre Dame or the Hall of Fame thing or playing for the Bears, it would be more than enough to be remembered as someone who cared about others,” he said.
5/11/07--Its about damn time
Here's an honor that is very deserved...although the fact that he got in and Tim Brown (helloooo....the guy won the Heisman!) is sort of bizarre.
Zorich to Hall of FameMay 10th, 2007
Zorich to Hall of FameMay 10th, 2007
Zorich becomes the 42nd Notre Dame player to join the Hall but the first who suited up in the 1980s or ’90s.
“I did some research that blows me away,” Zorich said. “There are only three defensive linemen who have been inducted from Notre Dame—Ross Browner, Alan Page and me. Are you kidding me?”
Perhaps Zorich never developed the entitlement bug because it took so long for him to feel as if he belonged.
“Even in college I was considered small,” Zorich said. He measured shorter than 6 feet and didn’t play a down as a freshman.
But Zorich was a beast on the scout team, making life hell for Notre Dame’s offensive linemen. When they protested by reminding him it was a Tuesday practice, he would yell back that this was his game.
“I got into so many fights and got kicked out of practice so many times, it was borderline hilarious,” he recalled.
“If I’m not remembered for Notre Dame or the Hall of Fame thing or playing for the Bears, it would be more than enough to be remembered as someone who cared about others,” he said.
5/11/07--Movie reviews
I want you to know...that I am just NOW beginning to get over my annual cold--which last a minimum of a week and a half. UGH.
So, while I sit at home (work? what's that?) I thought I'd review a couple of films that I just had a chance to watch--both of them thumbs up.
1) Spiderman 3--okay, this is the big summer blockbuster that everyone is going to want to know about, so here's the thing. One part of the movie, I really didn't like....the other part...I thought was great. So, take that for what its worth.
One of the villians in the movie is Sandman, who's played by Thomas Haden Church.
First of all, the guy just doesn't come across as a bad guy--its not the actor's fault, that's the way the character (at least in the movie) was written. The whole thing with Peter Parker and Mary Jane is just getting old--I mean, marry her or throw her over the top rope for someone new. We're now on the 3rd Spidey movie and we are still rehashing the Green Goblin situation. Enough already! Now, those are the movie's faults.
The other part of the movie concerns the character of Venom (Topher Grace from t.v.'s That 70's Show--who knew he could act?) and the symbiote that creates the character.
In a word: awesome. This was without question the best part of the movie--the way that the alien takes over not just Topher Grace, but Peter Parker for a time. This is a storyline that they could easily pick up in another Spidey film---and they should.
Overall grade: ****
2) Blood Diamond--this was one of the last of the big award winning movies from last year that I had yet to see. All I can say is....this is one damn good movie. Leo DeCaprio is rapidly becoming, along with maybe Matt Damon, the best actor of his generation. This role, in which he plays a diamond smuggler in Sierra Leone who begins to understand the implications of his smuggling efforts when he meets a local fisherman (Djimion Hounsou--very good here) who has been captured by a local revolutionary group to mine the diamonds to fund their groups actions...which results in his entire family being seperated. Both leads to a fine job, particularly DeCaprio, who plays a not entirely likeable character. They are also supported by Jennifer Connelly and Arnold Voosloo (the mummy from "The Mummy"). A really good movie, worth going out of your way to watch. ****1/2
Later,
Jeff
PS...a quick but funny teenager story. We were in a store at the local mall the other day, and I saw a t-shirt that said "Mary Jane" on it. The dreaded Kellie Poe-Bowdren happened to be with me and I asked her what the shirt meant.
"Isn't that the girl from Spiderman?" she said.
So I figure...ya know...she hasn't stopped being a little girl just yet.
So, while I sit at home (work? what's that?) I thought I'd review a couple of films that I just had a chance to watch--both of them thumbs up.
1) Spiderman 3--okay, this is the big summer blockbuster that everyone is going to want to know about, so here's the thing. One part of the movie, I really didn't like....the other part...I thought was great. So, take that for what its worth.
One of the villians in the movie is Sandman, who's played by Thomas Haden Church.
First of all, the guy just doesn't come across as a bad guy--its not the actor's fault, that's the way the character (at least in the movie) was written. The whole thing with Peter Parker and Mary Jane is just getting old--I mean, marry her or throw her over the top rope for someone new. We're now on the 3rd Spidey movie and we are still rehashing the Green Goblin situation. Enough already! Now, those are the movie's faults.
The other part of the movie concerns the character of Venom (Topher Grace from t.v.'s That 70's Show--who knew he could act?) and the symbiote that creates the character.
In a word: awesome. This was without question the best part of the movie--the way that the alien takes over not just Topher Grace, but Peter Parker for a time. This is a storyline that they could easily pick up in another Spidey film---and they should.
Overall grade: ****
2) Blood Diamond--this was one of the last of the big award winning movies from last year that I had yet to see. All I can say is....this is one damn good movie. Leo DeCaprio is rapidly becoming, along with maybe Matt Damon, the best actor of his generation. This role, in which he plays a diamond smuggler in Sierra Leone who begins to understand the implications of his smuggling efforts when he meets a local fisherman (Djimion Hounsou--very good here) who has been captured by a local revolutionary group to mine the diamonds to fund their groups actions...which results in his entire family being seperated. Both leads to a fine job, particularly DeCaprio, who plays a not entirely likeable character. They are also supported by Jennifer Connelly and Arnold Voosloo (the mummy from "The Mummy"). A really good movie, worth going out of your way to watch. ****1/2
Later,
Jeff
PS...a quick but funny teenager story. We were in a store at the local mall the other day, and I saw a t-shirt that said "Mary Jane" on it. The dreaded Kellie Poe-Bowdren happened to be with me and I asked her what the shirt meant.
"Isn't that the girl from Spiderman?" she said.
So I figure...ya know...she hasn't stopped being a little girl just yet.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
5/1/07--Sick as a dog...but still here for you--my public!!
Its all about dedication folks...out two days sick, but still trying to get to my computer and give you my latest thoughts. I started catching this thing while I was up in Orlando watching the kids compete in a tae kwon do tournament. We pay $65 admission fee, drive 200 miles...sit around approximately 12 hours...and Kellie fights a girl from her own school.
UGH.
That's one reason I hate tae kwon do. And their instructors tell us that we should go to out of town tournaments so they can "meet different competitors". Huh?
So my ND boy Brady Quinn dropped to #22 in the draft. Why? Hmm...a few things:
1) The Dolphins are morons. Trust me....that's the #1 reason.
2) The teams after the Dolphins (cough, MORONS!) did not need a QB. Hey, as much as I like Quinn...why would a team who has a young QB draft another one with their first pick? The answer is...that of course they wouldn't...not win they have other needs. Now, the exception to that is the Dallas Cowboys. They have Tony Romo, who I wouldn't exactly call the 2nd coming of Roger Staubach just yet. But they made the trade that enabled the Cleveland Browns to get back into the first round and draft Brady. Some people are calling it a great trade for the Cowboys. It certainly was.
Unless, that is.....that Brady turns out to be a Pro Bowl QB and Tony Romo ends up being the pretty much average QB that he's been so far. Trust me, I'm a huge Vikings fan...love the fact that we got RB Adrian Peterson and all....but if Tarvarious Jackson doesn't end up being a really good QB in the next few years....and Brady Quinn is a Pro Bowler....then a lot of Vikings fans are going to want to know why. Of course, if Brady Quinn ends up being a horrible QB, then all those teams that passed him did the right thing.
I've missed the last two days of work.....but I'm back at work tomorrow. Well, at least for PART of the day....we'll see how I feel when I get there.
Later,
Jeff
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