Quite Contrary

Who do I talk to about taking the rest of the Mondays of 2010 off? I think work might catch on if my kids are "sick" every Monday and I don't have enough personal days.

Two Mondays ago I received the fateful call from our neighbor alerting us to the thieves in our garage. This Monday I received a call from the same neighbor telling me that the news media had just left her porch and was headed for my front door. Well, they found me at work and we made it on the 6 o'clock news.

Please bear with the brief advertisements at the beginning.

So, I'm done with Mondays. Done with these ignorant robbers who in the midst of 15 minutes have managed to take hours from us and not to mention thousands of dollars in repairs.

Okay, rant over.

I'm so thankful for my wonderful neighbor who saved our house and belongings. I'm grateful that the burglar I encountered was compliant rather than violent. Words cannot express my relief when I realized EVERY picture of Molly's life was in that van and would've been at a pawn shop within the hour.

Lucky?

Nope.

Blessed!

Silver Lining

To say our week started off on the wrong foot might be an understatement.

But in good 'ol Wendel fashion we dusted ourselves off and began to look for the silver lining.

And we found it!

Time

There are times, like today, when I miss him so much it hurts. Then other times, like last night, I'm confident he's in my corner. The times in between are pretty unremarkable; laundry, working, playing, and just life.

But a few times during each of those days, I know. I know he loves me. I know he's watching over my kids. I know he'll be waiting on me. I know he's at peace.

My Dad

Jack Stahl
August 11, 1934 - October 12, 2010

We clamored into his oversize lap

Eager to hear his tales

Singing along to the Animal Fair

His involvement was wind in our sails

We gathered around the kitchen table

Seated at the head to lead us in grace

His hands were never too busy

To pause for a treasured embrace

When his back was turned

Balls would fly through the room

Often followed by:

No throwing balls in the house!

When we had a problem

No matter how big or small

Out came the paper and pencil

A diagram could solve them all

Then our family’s second generation began

Their lives started with baptism

Wearing Grandma Rita’s gown

Blessings, prayers, and oils he gave

Our families all grateful to have Grandpa around

Always searching for an adventure, wherever they might land

Their toddlerhood was spent holding his hand

Drawing him colorful pictures

And receiving whiskery kisses

Summertime brought some of his favorite pursuits

Like visiting the fair to eat all that was forbidden

Boating across Indian Lake to the donut shop

And sitting around the campfire, bedtime rules overridden

God graced him with endless gifts

Which he shared with everyone he met

His compassion, empathy, understanding, brilliance and love

Encompassed all, as he cast a wide net

He’s the man who would welcome a student in danger into our home

Or pick up a stranger on the side of the road

He was not only a husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and teacher

He was a man of God

Some of you know him as Deacon Jack

Others know him as Dr. John P. Stahl

But most importantly he was Dad and Grandpa Jack

Thank you J.E.B and my wonderful husband for making this tribute possible.

Supposed

He's supposed to fix things for her.

She's supposed to listen to him lead her in the Animal Fair song.

He's supposed to sneak a bite of donut to her.

She's supposed to hold his hand as they feed the ducks.

She tells everyone "shhhhh" when "her papa" is sleeping.

She walks in the door asking; "Where's my papa at?"

She giggles as his whiskers tickle her cheek when she kisses him.

But as his light dims, her love for him shines even brighter.

False Alarm

I had to leave work today because this darling girl was not feeling well. She spent hours on the couch at the sitter's-not even moving a muscle when music came on the TV.

It seems as if Molly wasn't sick, but just needed a few more hours added to her weekend. She spent the evening helping Daddy clean up the garage.

She walked through the neighborhood talking to everyone she passed; stopping to listen to the trains, dogs, and airplanes.

Just between you and me, I didn't mind getting another day to spend with my silly girl!

Catching Some Rays

As summer draws to a close, we all need to look on the bright side.