Mother Goose

Goose turns 31 in three days. He goes on-call for the fire season the day before his birthday. Since the Hotshots are first on the schedule, we are assuming that he will be gone on his big day. Yuck. I love the fire season. He makes good money and his leadership abilities seem to grow and shine like a beacon. However, Daulton misses him, the family misses him and MOSTLY I miss him.

The kids always say "Goose is the golden child. You love him most." I answer "duh". And leave it at that.

I've always turned to Goose for help in fixing, remodeling or yard work. I know at times he tires of me running to him for everything. I simply enjoy working with him. I enjoy his company. We laugh. We talk. We tell stories. We share excitement over progress. It's so fun! So I ask. He helps. And my house is better because of it.

New Years rolled around and the cutest-couple-in-the-world (Daulton and Goose) were visiting and Daulton said "Tell your mom what we are doing for our New Year Resolution."

"We are looking up random facts everyday and sharing the knowledge of something we want to learn a bit about."

I wanted to join the group. Since they were put on the spot and couldn't say "no". I got to join.

We shared a variety of info from local legends behind the Timpview Mountain, to Dr. Seuss, to podcasts from Oprah. I absolutely LOVE that these two spend thought and energy in bettering themselves.

February rolled around and it was my turn to go. I hadn't yet researched what I wanted to share.

Goose sends a text. "I don't know who is up, but I'm going to go, cool?"

"Yes" I write "It's me. I totally forgot. Ugh. Sorry"

I begin to read the link my son sent.

The link is titled "An Expectant Dad's Guide To Pregnancy"

Realization dawned. I began to shake. Uncontrollably. I started typing "Why am I reading this?" It came out "ıut it cam out qty en i trsding?" So I called.

"Goose. Why am I reading this?"

"Why do you think Mama"

I freaking lost it. I was bawling so hard I couldn't speak.

My baby is having a baby and I couldn't be more proud.

Daulton and Goose will rock this parent stuff.

Back to the title of this blog. I have called my boy "Mother Goose" off and on through the years. Goose is super intense and spends time to not only improve his own abilities, but wants those around him to rise to their own capabilities. No more. No less.

That right there is why he is a good leader, a superb friend, a great brother and an amazing son.

At the end of one rhyme, Mother Goose wrote:

Jack's mother came by,
And caught the goose soon,
And mounting its back
Flew up to the moon.

Goose can fly to the moon. This much I know. If you make it to the moon? Check your list of friendships. I guarantee my boy is right there.

Happy birthday, son. Fly.

A Good And Faithful Servant

Mark called me on his birthday.

I answered the phone by singing, "Happy birthday to yoooooooo"

"I just got off the phone with Rick. Uncle Paul died. Rick, Theresa, Aunt Jacque, Uncle Johnny and Elise were with him when he died. "

"Oh."

It was awful. 

That night, while reading our book, the author quoted:

"...Well done, good and faithful servant."
Matthew 25:23

And I thought of my Uncle Paul.

Paul was the driving force in our family. I didn't get the opportunity to meet Grandpa Jack. I only knew Uncle Paul as the patriarch in the Deason family. He did it well, you know. 

Uncle Paul simply loved our family camp-outs. He would get to camp a few days early to organize, build and ready for the family to come. I don't know that we "kids" knew to what extent he would go to assure a perfect experience for each. The wood would be chopped and stacked, the fire pit dug and surrounded by logs for sitting, the bathroom dug and built, the kitchen staged and set, camp spots for each, wooden "chairs" for the little ones and even a shower for those that felt the need to cleanse. If it needed done, Uncle Paul was the one to make it happen.

My first impression of Uncle Paul was how very handsome this man is. I know. I know. I'm a bit biased. However, Uncle Paul was tall, lean and had the best eyes EVER. And he absolutely adored Aunt Charlene. She would tell her stories and he would simply shake his head and grin. One of the last times I got to visit with Uncle Paul, he told me "Man, I love her." And he meant it.

Uncle Paul quietly observed the goings-on in the Deason tribe. He was super smart and would watch stoically as we muddled and figured things out on our own. I admire that. I know, at times, he would have loved to knock our heads together. Yet he didn't. He met our grievances with humor - and taught us the same.

Uncle Paul taught "the boys" a love of camping, and fishing, and hunting while teaching them to respect the world in which we reside. There aren't many stories that Mark tells that don't include Uncle Paul.

The other day I was bathing. My iPod shuffled to Brantley Gilbert singing "One Hell Of An Amen". 

Doctor said he ain't got long
He just smiled said bring it on
If you think I'm scared
You got it all wrong
A little cancer can't break me
My heart's right and I believe
We all hit our knees
Started praying
No, he never gave up
Said the good Lord's waiting
And that's One Hell of an Amen
That's the only way to go
Fighting the good fight
'Til the good Lord calls you home
So be well, my friend,
Until I see you again
This is our last goodbye
But it's a Hell of an Amen

I love you, Uncle Paul. Thank you for teaching each of us to love God's creations. Thank you for guiding us with love and patience and kindness. Thank you for the twinkle in your eyes and the smile on your lips. Thank you for leading us through good times and trials.

Dumbledore said it best in Harry Potter:

"It's not really goodbye after all."

The Champion of my Heart

A new year has turned the corner. Today is Mark's birthday. And he's getting old....er....older. How did this age crap even happen? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were in High School and he was stealing an extra lunch and my MOM worked in the school cafeteria and SHE caught him and yelled at him in front of the entire school and Mark just looked at her. All Mark could say? "I was hungry." Yep. That really happened. Yesterday. Right?

A few months back, Mark and I were discussing all that we have done in our lifetime. Sometimes I envy my athletic/fatherly/honest/sailor/friendly/rock star/trucker/shop owner/hiking/karate kicking/jiu jitsu loving guy. Seems like he has done it all. I think he's done it all and doesn't give up until he is really, really, REALLY good at all he does. He's humble about his successes and does not brag on himself in any way.

I found it interesting that Mark stated, "I want to leave something important behind. Something that my kids and grandkids can talk about." Doesn't he know that he has already done that?

I don't want for anything. I like to say that it's because I don't ASK for anything. That's not really true. I don't ask because Mark would find a way to make it happen. And sometimes my wants are not nearly as important as my needs.

Montgomery Gentry sing Something To Be Proud Of. EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear:

Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down
If you're ashamed of how I turned out
Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow
Said, let me tell ya right now

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million
Just be thankful to be workin'
If you're doing what you're able
And putting food there on the table
And providing for the family that you love
That's something to be proud of

And if all you ever really do is the best you can
Well, you did it man

In 2005 Ron Howard wrote and directed the movie Cinderella Man. Mark Deming wrote on the rottontomatoes.com:

The true story of an athlete who achieved his greatest success against the most daunting odds of his life is brought to the screen in this historical drama. In the 1920s, James Braddock (Russell Crowe) from Bergen, NJ, was a promising contender in professional boxing; he had strength, spirit, and tenacity, but the combination of a serious hand injury and a 1929 defeat in a bout with light heavyweight champ Tommy Loughran sent his career into a serious tailspin. As Braddock's career in the ring dried up, the Great Depression put a stake through the heart of America's economy, and Braddock found himself working at the New York docks for pitiful wages as he tried to support his wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger), and three children. Desperate for money, Braddock turned to his former trainer and manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti), who was unexpectetedly able to scare up a bout for him, battling John Griffin at Madison Square Garden. While conventional wisdom had it that Braddock was too old, out of shape, and out of practice to have any chance of winning, he defeated Griffin, and continued beating his opponents with a powerful left hook that had been intensified by years of punishing dock work. In a nation desperate for good news, Braddock's surprising comeback became a tonic to struggling workers and unemployed people, and all eyes were on Braddock when in 1935 he took on powerful heavyweight champion Max Baer (Craig Bierko) in what was both literally and figuratively the fight of his life.

The Deason family owns this movie and periodically it finds its way to the DVD player. We pop popcorn and settle in with the yummy goodness, warm blankies and the guarantee of a wonderful movie.

Mae (René Zellweger) didn't want James to fight. At all. She worried that something would happen to James and, quite frankly, she kinda liked him and wanted to keep him around. Mae sent James off to fight, yet the fight was truly at home. She was mad and scared and no amount of money could make this right by her. She wasn't speaking to him. As the movie progresses you see the fear in her eyes, but they are met with determination in his. 

A few months back, Mark took up jiu jitsu. He fights and rolls with the best of them. He comes home bruised, winded, sweaty and sore.

In February, the Utah State Jiu Jitsu Championship came to Salt Lake City. Mark enrolled. I said all the right words "You'll rock it." This is going to be fun." "I'm excited to go. Really, I was thinking "What if you get hurt?" "Can you do this?" "Do you have any idea how OLD you are?"

Mae makes her way to the Braddock locker room before the fight. She says:

Maybe I understand, some, about having to fight. So you remember who you are...you're the Bulldog of Bergen, and the pride of New Jersey, you're everybody's hope, and the kids' hero, and you are the champion of my heart...

Off to the Utah Open Gi, No Gi tournament we went. After getting me in the door and settled (which is a workout in and of itself), Mark made his way to change. Goose, Daulton and Uncle Mike showed up just in time to watch Mark's first match.

He won! OHMYGOSH! HE WON! After fighting and rolling and sweating and (in his words) leaving his soul on the mat, my husband became the State Champion.

I about burst with pride. I know how hard he worked for this moment. I saw the sweat. I saw the bruises. I heard the stories. I watched the bad moves and the awful You Tube videos. All that faded to the distant past. Mark was a Gold Medalist and the Utah BJJ State Champion.

And the champion of my heart.