Under Where

With only three days remaining in January, Shanna has come through (under the wire, that's where) with her January Guest Blog.

The Moments We Share

The dead of winter hits. You’re walking Fido, and you make it all of 30 seconds in the Midwestern warmth before you look down at the hand you now have in a fantastic crimped position and frozen to the leash the puppy is pulling on. It is then that the epiphany arises with the thought: “Hmmmm…there’s supposed to be a mitten attached to those fingers.” But, when you reach into your pocket (with the other, still mobile, hand, of course) to get it, it is nowhere to be found. It’s a chilling thought isn’t it? About as cold as a drive in Dave’s Toyota before he shovels it out. But, we won’t go there. ☺

Life is like a lost mitten at moments. When that thing a person enjoys isn’t there in a moment they would love to share with it; it is missed. Whether it’s a mitten, a favorite shirt, a pet, or friends that have returned to Michigan for three months, we long for those moments we love.

I write this because the other day, I was thinking about the day the Kelly family walked into my life. Well, actually, I walked into their “cave”, but, you get the idea. Dave was creating HJK 6, Hannah shared with the world that I was in fact a dancer, and we laughed until we had a video to the song “Crazy” created in our honor. It was there that began one friendship that has been nothing but a blessing in the lives of us all.

So, in honor of the reminiscing, I thought I’d compose my own top ten. Here it is; the top ten Kelly/Decker moments of history as we know it:

10. Dave making an attempt with our famed lawnmower to assure I would spend life with two fake limbs.
9. Lens cap thief.
8. “Wronger”; the formal definition.
7. Lost in downtown St. Paul.
6. Shanna really learns to dance.
5. 2 half glasses of wine, Irish dancing, and no carmel apples.
4. A Harley ride along the river.
3. Toilet paper in the hospital (what? I would NEVER do that!)
2. OSN
1. Each and every moment God has blessed us with in knowing he led our paths to cross, and we will be able to share all the future holds with each other.

In the past year, I have never felt so blessed. By the grace of God, the amazing Christian people that have walked into my life cannot be counted. The moments we have shared are ones that can bring tears to my eyes or make me laugh out loud in a silent room at any time even when those friends are miles away. And, the beauty in missing a person, like that mitten, is that if we miss it, we know there’s a spot in our heart that no one else could ever fill. One that will ALWAYS be there.

A favorite quote of mine is:
“Memories never wear out, so relive them as often as you’d like.” –Anon

It's In The Genes

Having 'Good Genes' can be a comfort. Finding comfortable jeans,... another milestone in middle age.

Two grandfathers who are both living life to the fullest, 'loving every minute of it' (lyrics by???), and clearly not trudging through a Michigan Winter, as they bask in the Florida warmth. People often tell me,.."WOW, you're going to live a long life," after hearing that I have both granddads around.

These are the same people that tell me to look to my Mom's father to determine if I'll be left with any covering on the roof top (aka: hair). The classic theory that if he has hair, I will be blessed with hair as well in my older age. check - hair is goooooood.

If this is true and I'm to look to my grandfathers for life expectancy, someone better get Willard Scott to my house soon, because between the two grandfathers and modern medicine, we're looking at biblical times. I wonder if the banks would consider extending my loans to triple digits - apparently I'm going to be good for it.

History says a great deal. Your medical history, for example, sets the stage for the insurance company when it comes to medical procedures,...."Do you have a medical history of...?" Well then, you are covered. It's that simple - at times.

The funny thing about history is that no matter what you derive from it, your future is not determined by it. It's all in God's hands and the plan for your life is laid out. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. I'm speculating the ugly is the stuff between the good and the bad. When I begin to look at the future and what it has in store for me, I have to step back and remember, .......'This is already determined.' And when I can do that,..well, the Good becomes Great, while the Bad the Ugly become Good, because God wouldn't make plans any other way.

Peace and Prayers

Arm Glad It's Friday

Day 242:

Hannah has been working everyday after school with the physical therapists in order to regain movement and develop strength in her hand and arm. Being new at this, we're not quite sure what to look for or really,... how fast progress should move.

One area that has not made much movement is her little finger (which is now casted to help maintain a stretch).

As for her arm, we can definitely see the size difference along with the work that needs to be done on the scar area. As we've been told, NOW is the time to loosen up the tissue and make it soft. This is Hannah's least favorite part of working her arm. The sensation she sometimes gets as we move over her scar with our fingers sends her squirming in her seat. The rotation of her arm is another area that she will continue to work on. As you can see in the picture to the left, the left arm is turned palm up, while the right is about as far as it will turn right now.





Another development that we DO know about is the hair!

"Dad, you missed my bed head the other day!" Hannah bellows at me as we took pictures this morning. "It was sweeeeeet! This side of my head had the hair doing this whoosh-thing! You should have been here to take a picture of that!"

sNOw Car Like an Old One

"Coach,... you really need to get a new car."

I get more comments about my car than I do about my bike. I don't know if most of them are out of pity, genuine concern for my fellow road travelers, or if it's taken the place of 'talk on the weather.'

The other day as I tromped through the snow to reach my car in the parking lot, I realized there was work to be done before taking off to practice. Perfect, I thought, it's a bitterly cold day and the car can warm up while I'm scraping.

As I opened the door and sat down to turn the key, there in front of me, sitting on the dashboard,...a pile of snow.

I had always known that my car was a bit drafty, what with metal flaking off in chunks under the duct tape masking. There's bound to be a chink in the armor where air flows in,....BUT SNOW?!

Maybe my player was right? Maybe it is time to begin looking. Or,...maybe, just maybe, I find pleasure in moments like these and have a good chuckle - I just need to add 'scraping the inside of the car' to the list of things to do.



Hannah is doing great and I plan to have some photos with a 'Where's Hannah Now' update this weekend.

Harley is the Best Medicine

"Mr. Keeeelllly! There's a boy who fell over there!" a little bundle of a kid proclaimed as she pointed at a group that had gathered around the boy who laid on the ground, as if waiting for the chalk outline.

Great,..two minutes before the recess bell rings and this happens - don't they realize that it's Friday (and the fact that I don't carry a fanny pack with medical supplies).

"Hurry!" the little girl insisted as she ran ahead of me, arm swirling in a windmill motion (which I suppose in reflection, was meant to make me go faster, but didn't), to announce to the others that an adult would immediately be on the scene.

As I moved in for a closer look, I spotted our new first grade teacher already there (with fanny pack), bent down, and talking to the boy. Apparently he had bonked his head into the wood chips on the ground from a staggering height of 3 feet (which in kid height that's like 6 feet for an adult). "What do you suggest we do?" questioned the new teacher. Why is she asking me? She's the one with the fanny pack and stuff. I just wondered over here because the little girl wouldn't leave me alone.

It was then that I took a look at the young boy laying motionless (except for his eyes darting around at the various faces that were staring at him). Hey, that's a Harley-Guy's kid. With the rugged assurance of a biker I looked at him and said, "Get,... Up," probably the two most profound words I had said yet today.

The boy stood up, took a few steps, and began to tell me about his head hurting. Unfortunately for him, I was more interested in his dad's bike and thus, directed the conversation away from his bumps and aches. It was like a miracle happened. As soon as we began to talk Harley, his painful look vanished and a smile replaced the grimace.

We wrapped up our talk, as the bell sounded, with, "I'll let your teacher know that you hit your head,...and if you feel sick or dizzy, you need to go to the office."

"Mr. Keeeelllly! The new boy hurt his ankle on the soccer field and can't move!"
I hope his dad has a Harley.