MELODY & MICHAEL














Stay Tuned For The Rest Of The Story!



photos taken by Melody's Maid-Of-Honor, Brittany!

I was volunteering at the ER on Tuesday when the call came in from the EMS. A deadly accident on a winding road between our town and a small town up the road. One dead on the scene, the other air-flighted to the city. Whenever I hear of an accident I always say a prayer that it isn't anyone I know, but I'm not sure why I do that since the deed had already been done, so a prayer at that point wouldn't do any good. We all waited anxiously for the name of the deceased and when I heard his name I turned so white the nurses asked if I was okay? A friend of 23 years. His daughter and my twin daughters have been friends since kindergarten. His wife is a co-worker at school. Their son and wife just had a baby 6 weeks ago and their daughter is expecting. I couldn't go to the funeral today because I had to work, but my husband and I went to the viewing last night and visited with his wife, children, mother and sister, plus so many of our friends who were also there. He was well known in town and almost everyone knew him because of his business. His wife asked us to sit and watch the video they had playing with photos throughout the years. She said she wanted to share his life. I know this is becoming more of a practice these days and as we sat there and laughed at many of the pictures and ah'd at others, it was indeed a time to celebrate his life. Today I looked at my husband of almost 39 years and so grateful I have those precious moments with him. Life is so unpredictable. Here my husband has had health issues for more years than I can remember and the friend who died was the perfect example of good health. He was a runner and kept fit for all the years I knew him.

Blessings to all these holiday seasons and please remember to not let a day go by without telling your loved ones how much they mean to you and how much they are loved.

Karen

I really don't want to bum anyone out this holiday season, but I felt that this story had to be told. Small towns are more like a close knit family, especially when tragedy strikes one of our wonderful families who have been here for a very long time and have a family owned business which everyone at one time or another has patronized. Tommy went hunting two nights ago and didn't return. Someone went looking for him and he was found in the early hours of yesterday morning. The story is new and the details may not be as accurate as they should be because of hearsay and speculation, but the outcome is the same. Dear Tommy had died. He evidently fell out of the deer stand, broke both legs that had compound fractures and bled out. We had his precious little girl in Kindergarten several years ago. I believe he has two other children as well. This family has had several tragedies strike within the last few years and being human we always ask why so many in one family? I couldn't help wondering what it must have been like for Tommy. Was he concious and knew that if someone didn't come soon he wouldn't survive? All alone in the cold and dark? Please pray for Tommy's family and friends. Tommy is now without suffering, but his family has a long road ahead of them. When things like this happen I realize I haven't spent enough time in prayer to my Heavenly Father. His Blessings to me and my family have been incredible and I know He knows I appreciate every one of them, but I'm certain He likes to hear my thankyous for them. Love your Dear ones this Thanksgiving season. The greatest Blessing God has given us is one another. My thanks is for having an opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful family here on the Stream. I thank all of you for being a part of my extended FAMILY.
God Bless, Karen

I had the privilege of taking Darren and Shannon's engagement pictures. They are getting married next month, only a week before my daughter, Melody, and her fiance, Michael, are getting married.

Shannon's friend, Michelle, was going to take their engagement and wedding photos. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, and Michelle, who is also an EMT, was killed in an auto accident when she and her boyfriend were on their way back home from a wedding that Michelle had photographed. Michelle was killed and her boyfriend was injured.

Michelle loved both her jobs. She was 28 years old and had just found the perfect place to set up her own photography studio. We were all saddened by her death. She was a wonderful young woman. Loving and dedicated to her job as an EMT and her love of people and photography.

Michelle's family found a photographer who was willing to honor Michelle's photographic commitments. Shannon and Darren wanted some country photos, instead of ones taken in the city. We had a beautiful day for them. My principal from school where I work graciously allowed us to take them at their country home. We decided the photo I'm sharing in my post that was taken by a wooden windmill would be the one for our local newspaper. I might also be taking photos at their wedding. While the professional photographer will be doing his thing, I will be doing mine. The less formal shots of the guests and just those fun shots.

Shannon is one of the nurses at the ER I volunteer in and I have become friends to this extraordinary young woman. I am so blessed to have found a whole new world of friends.

Our auxiliary had our annual fund raiser Saturday at the hospital. It was a great success. We had a craft booth and my Texas greeting cards were well received and sold quite well. I helped with the baked goods, the Purple Angel Pantry. There were so many wonderful baked and canned goods. What a success that was! Everyone loves to eat! There were many different booths of vendors plus our Purple Angel's had items that will be available in our hospital gift shop. Their were several things I want to purchase for my grandchildren. There was also a raffle of items our local merchants so nicely donated to the cause. I didn't win anything, but I never have been a big winner of things like that.

I did once win a gift certificate worth $500 to a jewelry store from a drawing I had entered at an opening of a new electronic store. A local radio station was there and it was their drawing I signed up for. This was many years ago and I was so excited when I was summoned to my school's office and told of the message that was left for me. Of course news got around very fast. I decided to have a mother's ring made. I have worn it on my right hand since it was finished. It's one of my prized possessions. No matter how far my children live from us, the ring keeps them close to me everyday.



Karen

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had blogged.
I didn't realize the years would pass by at an alarming rate,
I didn't realize when I was young that I would one day be this old.
I didn't realize how wonderful the world can be.
I didn't realize how awful the world can be.
I didn't realize how many people are similar to me.
I didn't realize the extent of love.
I didn't realize the extent of hate.
I didn't realize so many things.
I didn't realize there is a universe of friends.
I didn't realize until Blogstream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do realize you are all wonderful in your own way!

I Pray each and everyone of my fellow Streamers have a Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday, even if you live in another country, there is always something to be Thankful for.

Yes, I know, it is a little early yet, but I thought while I'm having one of those restless nights, or I should say, early mornings, which by the way are far and few between these days, I would send my Thanksgiving Greeting.

Why?

Because, I have been so busy and not online much these last few weeks, I thought I had better, just in case I don't make it back to the Stream before the holidays.

What have I been up to?

Life, I guess you could say!