Simple Things

Mornings are roughest.  I find myself awake at least 2 or 3 times a night now, laying on the floor some nights trying to stretch out my legs and feet.  The spasms come on almost instantly, capturing me and holding me hostage till they subside.  Closest thing I can think of to it would be a long term brain freeze in the legs.  You try to move your head in such a way to find some relief and all that seems to do is make the situation worse.  Thoughts are put on hold and rest is cancelled.  When relief comes I find myself in a corner, or in the floor staying still till it is safe to move again.

He comes over to hug me

Daddy what are you doing here?  He pats me on the head and hugs me.

I am watching out for ninjas!

Daddy you locked the door they cant get in, are your legs hurting you.  I will watch you.

There he sits till he falls asleep in my lap.

I daydream about they will become, what they will face, and if I will be there.  Can I get a deal on bride's dresses?

Daddy, lets go back to bed, I'll help you.  He tugs at me and i put all my effort into getting up quickly so it looks like he is strong.

Wow daddy I have super strength, can I drive now?

I laugh, and realize I've moved around too much and the spasms have started again.  I muffled a quick when you are 16, and try to get back to sleep.  Collin tries to wake up mommy and says I can drive at 8:16!!! 8:16!!

Shhh son its 4am

Oh daddy that is way too early to drive.

Be a Lifeline

I have stage 4 cancer

My husband is sick and cant work

We were in a car accident

My best friend died yesterday

All our furniture is lost

We sleep in the woods

Do you have a mattress?  I have slept in the floor for a long time

I just want to be able to shower

Will you pray for me?

Theses are some of the things I hear at Lifeline of Northern Kentucky from the people who come in.  Lifeline is a non-denominational, non-judgemental, non-confrontational, compassionate, loving, kind, different ministry that seeks to serve the tri-state by providing food, clothing, furniture basically trying to meet any needs at no cost.

I get that I have friends of many beliefs and non-belief.  Would it be too forward of me to ask, as your friend to consider volunteering here or anywhere?  My home is filled with material things, my fridge is filled with left-overs.  My children throw away non-eaten pop tarts.  I want to do more, help more show love and compassion more.

Hehe so much I want to say, break our hearts to show, act, give love to others, not the just the "I'm prayin for ya"

Make a donation, Volunteer, Pray, put your love into action.  Be different

http://lifelineofnky.org/

http://www.redcross.org/index.jsp

http://www.unitedway.org/

Husband, Father, Soldier, Friend

4am would come too early for him.  Mom would have his coffee ready and for a long time his cigarettes.  I'm not sure he even ate most mornings.  He would go warm up the truck and come back in one last time to kiss mom and to tell us he loved us.  We slept through most of them, and if we were fortunate we would be just awake enough to see him put the cover us up and kiss us on the head, then he was gone.

6:30 is to early to get up I tell myself, Erin is usually first up taking a shower.  I can hear Collin up already talking about cars or the cat.  He is wide awake, where does this energy come from??  I begin to call the kids to wake up and Katrina wants to be held.  My body aches but I take the hug and it knocks me back up against the couch.  Here comes Payten, "Daaaaaaaaaaad Collin is touching the cat."  She is the cat police.

Dad would come home sometimes by the time we got home, but usually later.  He found some odd job after work to make a few extra dollars, to help with bills or just to have a few extra dollars to get a snack at work, or in later years be able to play golf with his friends.  He wouldn't buy a club he would take ones that his buddies were going to throw away.  They were defective in some way to the owner, but my dad would take them as a treasure doing what he could to repair them.  He was so handy.

I struggle to get Payten's hair brushed, Collin fed and Serena is done helping.  Connor is bringing up the clothes, and Payten asks me what is Veterans Day?  I have these moments where I want to give this long speech about something to teach the kids something, but usually the shorter answer is the best.  To say thank you for serving our country, I say.  Hmm, Payten replies when do they get to stop serving daddy?

Around this time two years ago, my dad was in a hospital bed he had blockages in his heart that required surgery, the hospital had little signs they were putting on the doors that said happy veterans day.  Dad was proud of serving, his stories of being in the marines was something as a child I didn't quite get, and as I got older appreciated most of the time.  Now I would give anything to hear them again.  Tell me dad how you met Chad Everett, or how you met John Wayne.  Just one more time.

I thought long about the question, and answered "I don't think they ever stop, Payten."  Veterans serve their country their family and their friends.  Veterans put themselves last when they deserve so much more. Pa-paw served Uncle Donny served, Grandpa served, others served, to protect you.

It was a windy day at the cemetery the day they laid my dad to rest,  Amazing grace played on the loud speaker, the 21 gun salute was given.  Stephen Lee Bridgers 1944-2011 a devoted husband, loving father, a hero to us, even if I didn't say it enough appreciate it enough.  Day in and day out he had a heart of service, honoring his country and loving his family.

Tonight, I will go home, to hugs and kisses.  I will listen to my childrens stories and then I will put them to bed, I will cover them up and pray over each of them.  Thank you for those who served who will serve and who died so my family can live.  Dad...I love you