The Future

I am looking at the future, and it is a wonderful thing to see. Andy was invited by one of his favorite directors; Scott Derrickson to sit on the set of a film that he is directing. We flew to Vancouver and he was able to shadow and listen in on the filming and blocking, talk to propmasters, CGI creators, stand -ins and costumers and Scott Derrickson's assistant. I thought as I sat and watched everything go on around me. Will this overwhelm him, or inspire him? The atmosphere on set was tremendous. I am sure that there were times that tempers would flare, but Andy watched a great example of a director who was very grounded and respectful of all those he worked for. The more I watched him work, the more he reminded me of Andy, so focused, so intense, but with a strong sense of confidence and humor. This is my favorite picture of the trip, Andy watching the two directors blocking some shots. Andy left even more inspired to pursue what he believes is a call to film direction. I dream and pray this for him as I watch him grow and become a man who knows to trust God with his dreams. It is a gift to be his mom.

Mom

Mom left earth for eternity last week. It was so fast that it is hard to process my feelings and thoughts right now. Joy in knowing she is with Jesus and my Dad whom she missed so very much. Sorrow deep within that has only surfaced during the strangest moments. Compassion for knowing how much she went through, peace in looking back at how God seemed to be so involved in the details when she left. She had friends, new and old. She was going out more. The day before she died she was able to share her unused airline ticket to send her oldest grandson to Vancouver on a trip the trip of his life (so far). I called her to tell her how grateful and excited we were to be able to go. It was a really great conversation. The last few months we made some terrific memories together. John and I took her up to Apple Hill in the Fall. It was such a beautiful day and we actually talked her into buying a shirt she liked. I felt a great sense of accomplishment that day! She is even wearing it in this picture that I took at Thanksgiving. The holidays were the best we had been able to share in years because she was feeling better, and we all felt better too. I honored my mom. God says that every mother is worthy of honor. I wish I could have had time to say goodbye, that I could have looked in her eyes and really see her say she loved me, not to hear, just to see. The song "Beauty from Pain" has been running through my mind since last Thursday when I held her hand and kissed her goodbye. I really hope that she heard me tell her I loved her. The Dr. said that she couldn't, but only God knows.

After all this has passed

I still will remain.

After I've cried my last,

There'll be beauty from pain.

You will bring beauty from my pain.

King is King

Dale was chosen as Mr Atwater last night! What a fun night with a happy ending. Of course Andy filmed the whole thing and we were all there to cheer him on as he read his own original poetry...such as "Man in my Trash Can". He led an AHS cheer in the spirit competion as the crowd responded with wild enthusiasm, and when asked if he could choose the brain of a famous woman to inhabit his own, after a brief thought came to his head, that he would NEVER want a woman's brain, he responded with "Super Woman, because she must have super brain power!" My favorite moment was as he appeared in the swim suit competition with a shower cap,towel around his waste and the rubber duckie from our hot tub. He proceeded to pretend to shower and turned around to see the crowd and almost fainted from surprse. No, that really wasn't my favorite moment. The best moment was when they called his name as the new Mr. Atwater. The good guys still do win. :)

My Winter Rose

I walked out the door this morning and was taken by a winter rose in my front garden. It had rained all night, actually it had rained for a week with only spots of sunshine, but here was one rose, the only flower in my garden. Daniel gave me this rose bush when he was two years old for Mother's Day. I wanted to remember it. On this dreary, cold day, God blessed me with the gift of a Winter Rose. Unexpected. Beautiful. Simple. Isn't that just like you God to brighten my day like that. Thank-you for every gift that comes to me in this way. May I never be too busy to notice.