Little Known Facts

A few of you have asked, so here are a few of the reasons for the delay in blogging lately. Last week both sides of my family faced troubling health issues. My uncle is in critical care after having surgery on his lungs. They are filled with a mysterious and yucky infection. He will be in the hospital for a few more days as they attempt to get his fever, infection, cough and "gunk" issues worked out. On the other side of our family, my cousin's hubby was diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing a procedure on Tuesday to discover the extent of the tumor. He is a very young daddy to be messing with the C word. To those of you who are praying people, would you join me in asking for their healing?

This year I have had to reexamine my ideas about life and death, health and illness. All I have come up with so far is that it is all real fragile and there are just no promises about how it is all going to look. You just can't plan for this stuff. I feel grateful to know the One who does. So even though it has been an emotional week, I am trusting the Lord with my uncle's illness and my cousin's husband's diagnosis. That sounds pretty pithy considering my brother just died tragically. I am not sure how to explain why I have this trust in God. I simply know Him to be trustworthy. He has proven it to me over and over again. That may not resonate with some of you reading here. I understand. But the Perfecter of my faith is taking the little mustard seed that I possessed before this year and growing it.

Okay, so that explains the delinquency. Now here are some little known facts about my brother to reward you for your understanding:

Bryan was a really good bowler. And a great square-dance partner! Really. I am not talking about the Wii bowling here, I am telling you about the real thing. My parents joined us up in a bowling league at Palomar Lanes in Escondido. We were on the same team and I am not sure if mom and dad bowled on a team on the same night. I have no idea why they thought we needed more extra-curricular activities. Baseball, softball, football, cheer leading, how did they do it? Whew! But they bought us our own balls, engraved with our names, those dorky shoes, cool bags and even monogrammed towels. We spent one night a week bowling. I loved it. I don't know if Bryan did. I can't remember. But he was pretty good. Bryan was a Pro at the Wii bowling this last year, but I am convinced it a result of that early training. NO! We did not wear zippered, monogrammed, polyester team shirts.

As for square dancing, Bryan was my partner. Right and Left Grand! Promenade two by two! What exactly does Do-See-Do mean? My parents thought it would be a good family night. My mom and I had huge petticoats and goofy dresses. Bryan hated it. I would infuriate him when I threatened to tell his junior high buddies that he square-danced with old people once a week. You know, looking back on it, I admire my parents for their efforts to keep us united and close. It may have been cheesy and mortifying to pre-teens, but we did grow to enjoy it once we learned to bust the moves. And believe it or not, I have used my square-dancing abilities quite a few times in my past. I am not sure Bryan ever did.