Vote

I know you may think a post about the election doesn't fit here, but that's not necessarily true. This blog is all about Patti and remembering her. One of my earliest memories from my friendship with Patti is of her getting on and staying on me about my voter registration status.

Patti valued the right we have to vote in this country. She was very patriotic too. Every single election, national or local, she would always "remind" me to get out and vote.

I admit, up until about 10 years ago I did not exercise that right very often. But when I became friends with Patti... well, I don't think I've missed a voting opportunity since.

It is one of the most valuable rights we have as American citizens and we should all register and get out on election day and cast our ballot. Especially in these uncertain times. I feel this election is the single most important of my lifetime so far and very well could be the most critical the nation will have as a whole. America as we know it could be changed forever... for the good or bad.

Do not take anything for granted and don't let anyone in the media or your daily life discourage you or make you think for ANY reason your vote does not count. Get out and cast your vote Nov. 4th. It's your opportunity to influence the well being and future of our country.

Let's all go make Patti proud! :)

In Loving Memory

This post is in loving memory of Patti, who we lost one year ago today, from her every day family.

Patti, we miss your amazing spirit, your compassion, your smile, your laughter, your caring nature, your strength, your support, your hugs, our long talks... we miss all the ways you shared yourself with us every day. We laughed together in the good times and shared burdens in the bad times. You chose us and brought us into your heart as family and for that blessing we are forever grateful to God.

Though we may not be able to hear your laughter, see your smile, see those big eyes looking into us, wrap our arms around you or feel your arms around us, you are still here with us in so many ways. On a deeper level, we do see, hear and feel you.

You live on deep in our hearts. You have always had and will always have a very special place in our hearts. Our lives are better having had you in them. We are better people for having had the blessing of your strong presence in our lives.

The legacy you have left within this small, every day family is beautiful and lasting and has a far reaching ripple effect.

We love you more and more every day, even in your absence. We miss you more than you could have ever possibly imagined.

Always,

Janet, Vi, Prim and Allison

Stand Up 2 Cancer

Please check this site out and get involved if you can...

Stand Up 2 Cancer

Get One for Yourself!

Hey everybody. If you like blogs... and there are some really interesting ones to follow... then get out here and get your own going! It's a great way to journal, keep family and friend up to date on your corner of the world, share a hobby or interest, speak your mind, connect with good people, etc.

My sister Judi develops blog pages and is very creative and great at design! She also developed this site for me in memory of Patti. Patti loved her as she did the rest of my family and they all love Patti just as family too.

Check her out by pressing the button below and consider getting one for yourself! It's fun!

Be sure to let me know if you do so I can visit!

Stand Back Up

I was listening to some of my old music today and heard a song that described Patti so well. I couldn't get it for the playlist so I wanted to share the lyrics with you. I think those of us who knew Patti well will agree this song is just... her.

Stand Back Up by SugarLand

Go ahead and take your best shot
Let 'er rip, give it all you've got
I'm laid out on the floor, but I've been here before
I may stumble, yeah I might fall
Only human but aren't we all?
I might lose my way, but hear me say

I will stand back up
You'll know just the moment when I've had enough
Sometimes I'm afraid, and I don't feel that tough
But I'll stand back up

I've been beaten up and bruised
I've been kicked right off my shoes
Been down on my knees more times than you'd believe
When the darkness tries to get me
There's a light that just won't let me
It might take my pride, and tears may fill my eyes
But I'll stand back up

I've weathered all these storms
But I just turn them into wind, so I can fly
What don't kill you makes you stronger
When I take my last breath
That's when I'll just give up

So go ahead, take your best shot
Let 'er rip, give it all you've got
You might win this round, but you can't keep me down

'Cause I'll stand back up
And you'll know just the moment when I've had enough
Sometimes I'm afraid, and I don't feel that tough
But I'll stand back up

Patti went through some hard times in her life but I think we all can say she always turned the storms into wind so she could fly. She's flyin' now... standing up, looking into the loving face of her Jesus and smiling that beautiful smile I'm sure.

ASPCA... Please help

I wanted everyone to take a moment to visit the ASPCA website and consider helping. I know Patti really believed in this organization and would love it if we all considered helping in some way.

Please visit http://www.helpaspca.org/ for more information.

Patti loved animals more than anyone I have ever known. Please take a look and help if you can. You can donate in memory of Patti. Or if not, we can all say a little prayer that Patti said every time she saw these unfortunate innocent victims... "Lord, please surround them with your angels and protect them."

Be well and hope to hear from you soon.

Be Young...

Hi, everyone. Hope your new year is off to a good start!

You may be wondering why "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" is playing now as the first song. Well, two reasons.

1) This was Patti's favorite song of all time. It's one of the first things I learned about her many years ago. She loved it.

2) While "I Can Only Imagine" was one of her favorite Christian songs, it was played at her service and was pretty sad to hear over and over right now. "Bring the Rain" I thought did a good job of describing Patti's attitude throughout her sickness... she never complained and said many times if her suffering had to take place for God to be shown to someone then it was worth it. However, I was afraid this might make some sad too.

So, I went and got some of her favorite pop songs from the past and put them up to play. You can still hear the others while visiting here if you want too. I can see Patti now, bobbing her head and smiling while she sang along... "Be young, be foolish, but be happy..."

Thanks for visiting.