Growing and Growing

… hit our church family today.  RuggedMan was killed in a car accident early this morning. Here’s a guy that always had a pep in his step and a smile on his face.  He had his full life in front of him.  

What’s happening, God?  What are you up to right now?  My brain hurts. Kinda like that MindNumb we all had a couple of months ago.  Do you remember?  … It’s where life has you wrapped so tight that your mind goes numb … numb to the point that you are just surviving … some by instinct … some by faith … some by grace …

I will let you all know more about RuggedMan when I find out more details about the accident. For now, please pray for the Rugged Family … you know we will … and so will Dad and Mom.

When MyBeloved said on the day after Christmas that all she wanted to do was play with the kids … she was absolutely serious!

No use in complaining. It doesn’t work. So, let’s call this venting. MyBeloved is sick (as in weak and nauseous … No, she is not pregnant!). Most of my kids are sick (as in runny noses and yucky coughs). This morning, I got sick (as in hurled, chucked, threw up, vomitus maximus … No, I am not pregnant!).

Then, we got the call … another accident … another single car accident … a single car accident with a deer. As you know, my bro and sis-in-law left early this morning on their trek back to Minne-sowta. Right after they crossed the Tuckey-Illinoise border, while getting back on the interstate, a herd of these …

… ran across the road. BAM! Accidente con el deero! Good news is that everyone is okay. Bad news is car won’t run. Also, I am not sure they get to keep the deer for food. He may be evidence in the trial. ( … We will have to dry him out, save him for after the huge verdict, and then have an all-you-can-eat Tuckey-Jerkey Party … ).

For now, the Minne-sowta-ns are waiting for a rental car and a tow truck. We will let you know.

I am sitting here late Sunday evening. My brother and his family (CaveBear, Fargo, and NorthernRunts) are packed for a 4:00am departure. Wii is already worn out. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 are pooped and sleeping. MyBeloved is sick. I am trying to get some work done in preparation for another round of family to arrive for New Years weekend … the Okies Not from Muskogee are coming!

We already have some good new memories from this Christmas Season … we have been given new life with an old Dad. But here’s a favorite old memory for you Sunday late-nighters … you Monday early-risers … and you mid-morning-surfers …

…of the rumors about us being pregnant again. January 4 is not another “due date” for another child. Nor is it the date that we are announcing another “due date” for another child.

While we are on that subject, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” is not another announcement for another child. Nor is it an announcement about announcing another child.

Since the bag no longer holds the cat, let me end all of the rumors:

• January 4, 2009 … Dad will preach his first sermon since the accident … He will be sharing his story! Invite your friends and family!

• Extra! Extra! … The Tennessean will run a year-end-New-Year-brings-hope-and-promise-to-this-messed-up-dude-and-his-family article sometime this week. (Make sure you pick up a few extra copies for Dad and Mom!)

• NO … WE ARE NOT PREGNANT AGAIN! … yet …

You’ve heard the often joked about phrase, “She wears the pants in the family!” And as you look around your family and friends … and especially that chic down the street … the one with the white Lexus SUV … you know exactly the type of family we are talking about.

As a rugged man, I know that “I” wear the pants in my family. That is, the “I” am king … “I” am lion … Hear me roar! … just like all the other rugged men out there. Even Dad wears the pants in his family.

Well, this brings a whole new meaning to the question … Who wears the pants in the family?

Since Dad’s accident, Mom has been on double-duty caring for his needs. Chocolate milk with his meal. Pillow on his chair. Setting out his clothes before therapy.

Last week, in a mad rush to get ready for the day’s happenings, Mom set out a pair of jeans and a sweat shirt for Dad to wear. They got everything together and raced out the door. As Dad was walking down the hallway to an appointment with the social security department, Mom noticed that Dad’s socks were showing … as in, “high-waters” … as in, his pants were too short. Mom was puzzled, but did not say anything.

As the two LoveBirds arrived at the bank for some “banking needs,” the short-legged pants became more apparent. Dad was definitely getting ready for a flood. With a “No…it couldn’t be!” look in her eyes, Mom schooched over to Dad … looked the tag on his jeans … and read the words quietly:

Yep, Dad still wears the pants in the family … only they were Mom’s pants!

… how my wife and children feel when I am preparing for a big trial. No family dinner. No tuck in the bed or ni-nite sing time. No morning play time. No love notes. Not even a call to tell you I’m okay.

And there you are … Home Alone … and you’ve been hitting refresh on G&G every few hours over the past two days … nope … nothing … not even a call to tell you we are okay!?!?!?!

But it’s Christmas, you keep telling yourself. It’s okay. I missed you, too. I thought about you. I just couldn’t sneak away to tell you. I tried. Honest. I did. But I got busted by her!

Well, it has been a fun few days with the kids … and my brother CaveBear, my sister-in-law Fargo, and their runts. We have a few stories to tell, but please be patient.

Family picture tomorrow.

Shhhhhh. Here she comes. Don’t tell her I was here. Talk to you later.

Out.

We are not not going to recite the classic tale here. Besides, there is an updated version called “Twere Three Months Before Christmas” that is circling the Internets.

Have you guessed what’s coming on January 4? There’s a lot of speculation out there. One important thing about January 4 is … that is the day that Mom’sLad … one of Mom’s lads that became part of our family during this whole ViolentSilence … gave his life to Christ! Amazing coincidence? Nope!

Thanks to BrainyHistory, here are some other great January 4 moments in history:

January 4, 2007 Nancy Pelosi is elected Speaker of the House, by a vote of 233-202 (Yuck!)

January 4, 1995 Newt Gingrich becomes speaker of the House (Yea!)

January 4, 1984 “Night Court” starring Harry Anderson premieres on NBC TV (Cool!)

January 4, 1969 Birthday of Jay Z, American Musician (Word!)

January 4, 1965 T S Eliot, poet, dies in London at 76 (Big sigh, Little tear!)

January 4, 1954 Elvis Presley records a 10 minute demo in Nashville (Uh-Uh!)