Storms

I want to thank everyone that has offered up prayers for my friend Jackie. We learned recently that she is going for radiation treatments 5 times a week and that the cancer is now attacking every part of her body. The doctors have told her that she can expect to live another 6 months or perhaps a year.

I watched cancer steal my mother away 8 years ago. The cancer would sneak in and take a little bit of her away at a time. First it was her independence followed closely with no longer being able to control her thoughts and speak what was in her heart and on her mind. Next came her ability to walk. After many months of watching her become a shell of a body that once was my mother, I watched as the light left my mother's eyes and was replaced with an empty stare. I was at her bedside when she took her last breath before going on to her reward.

How cruel this disease is to those that it attacks. It doesn't discriminate, it doesn't matter to cancer the age, race or religion of it's victims. All the money in the world can not change your destiny if cancer has chosen you as it's next victim. I would venture to say that everyone has lost at least one loved one or someone they know to cancer.

Please continue to remember Jackie and her family in your prayers. I will continue my prayers for Jackie in the hope that there is a miracle out there with her name on it. In case there isn't a miracle for her, then I will pray that our Father will ease her pain as she waits to join Him.

The Joys And Tears Of Friendship

Have you ever had a friend that is always there exactly when you need a friend the most? How about a friend that no matter how screwed up you sometimes are, she is by your side offering unconditional love and understanding? I have such a friend and her name is Jackie. She has been the sister to me that I have always dreamed of having. When I was going through my divorce and between the stress and the Prozac, my mind was telling me I would be better off to just go to sleep and never wake up. Jackie was there to talk me in off of the ledge so to speak. Not only was she there for me at that time, but she lined up a group of friends up who loaded me down with so much love and support and gave me the strength that I needed to see me through that nightmare.


Our friendship consist of more than the stormy weather love and support. We have had our share of good times and laughs. On one of Jackie's visits to Ohio, I took her on a tour of our countryside. I pointed out the cows grazing on the hillside and told her that we grow lop-legged cows here. Two of their legs are shorter than the other two. This is necessary so they don't tumble down the side of the hill. We had a good laugh over that. To this day every time I see cows grazing on a hillside I think of Jackie. Then there was the time that she commented that I was a loyal friend much like a good dog is loyal. I told her that it was all because she handed out such good ear scratchings.


About 6 years ago she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She fought the battle of her life. Once diagnosed as being cancer free, the colon cancer did not come back. Recently she was having a problem with her knee and leg and went to the Dr. to try and find out what was causing the problem. After x-rays, MRI's and bone scans she went to the Dr. in Atlanta Thursday, the 3rd for results. She was told that she now has bone cancer. The Dr. directly admitted to Emory Hospital and Jackie went through a 3 hour surgery on Friday, the 4th. I am asking you to please offer up prayers for Jackie and to place her name on as many prayer groups as you can. She needs as much strength as she can muster to get through this. Her battle with the colon cancer took it's toll on her and she still wasn't back to 100% when she was hit with the news of the bone cancer. It would be easy to throw in the towel and give up, but I know that God answers prayer and he is in the healing business.

May your week bring you many blessings.

Busy Week Ahead

Seth will be going in for surgery on his neck Thursday morning. He has had a visible knot there since he was just a wee baby. It has grown gradually over his two years and just recently it opened up and lots of yuckies oozed out. The Dr. found that there is still something in there which is the reason for the surgery. It will be a 90 minute procedure and they will be intubating him. Please remember our little guy in your prayers. I will be sure to give you an update.

Me, Chris and Theresa

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I thought I would get this post done early because the rest of the week is going to get past me in a hurry. The above picture was taken on my baby boy's first birthday. Saturday we will be celebrating his 34th. Would someone please tell me where did the years go! We will be hosting Chris' birthday dinner complete with those brats on the grill that he loves so well. Melody tried to pull a fast one on me by demurely asking if I was going to fix fried chicken too. It didn't work.... I am fixing chicken for the ones that don't like red meat (I don't know where these people came from), but not fried. It will be on the grill and soaked in BBQ sauce. We will have my potato salad (something else they always are wanting) and baked beans. Getting on with this birthday post, I am so proud of you Chris and the man that you have become. I don't remember a time in Chris' life that he wasn't quick to take an every day situation and add something funny to it. When he was 4 years old we were living in Santa Ana, California. Chris' dad's step mother and one of her friends had come across country to visit with us. The friend was getting dressed one morning and Chris just barged right into the bathroom while she was putting on her bra. She was a breast cancer survivor and one of her breasts had been removed. Chris just happened to see her putting the breast form into her bra and he was quite puzzled by it. She allowed Chris to stand in the doorway while she finished her morning routine of getting dressed. Next on the list was to brush her false teeth and then put them in her mouth. Following that was combing her hair, which amounted to adding an extra piece that made it look like her hair was nice and thick. When she had completed her morning ritual Chris was just flabbergasted by the whole ordeal, but still found the words to describe what he had just witnessed. He told this nice older lady that she was just like a puzzle, it took a lot of pieces to put her together in the morning. Chris, you have certainly added spice to my life so it wouldn't be bland or boring. I remember when I would have to punish you for something that you did and you would look at me with those big brown eyes and long eye lashes and ask me how I could be "SO MEAN TO YOU"...... I remember telling you that I punished you and your sister (not so much as you) because I am trying to raise a couple of descent human beings. I have had quite a few jobs over my life time, but when I look at the people you and Theresa have turned out to be, I would have to say that the most important job I ever had was raising the two of you.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS"

We received a call last week from J.D.'s youngest brother to let us know that he and his wife will be coming to visit us for a few days the end of this week. It will be the first time Hulen and Linda has met my bunch of heathens. I just hope they remember to use their company manners and use their silverware and napkins.... (my children, not Hulen and Linda) hehehehe.

Have A Great Rest Of The Week...

Let Freedom Ring

That Fateful Fourth

by Roger Robicheau

Our will was strong, our want was great

Let freedom reign, what better fate
We journeyed long from Plymouth Rock

The time was clear to end all talk
That fateful fourth our courage showed

Americans - and how we glowed
We won the right to be self known

Our Independence, clearly shown
The test of time has stood us tall

Through bravest hearts, some forced to fall
We’ll always cherish those we’ve lost

Their gift to us, their total cost
Today we face another foe

And stand together, all do know
Please often pray to God above

He’s seen our hearts, He knows our love

©2002Roger J. Robicheau

J.D. and I would like to wish and everyone of you a happy and safe 4th of July weekend. What ever your plans for today, we hope that you will set a little time aside to remember how this country became known as "The Land Of The Free". We also hope that you will offer a prayer of thanks for those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom as well as, those that still stand guard over this great gift that we have been given.

Dreams Do Come True.....

How proud we are of our rebel son, Gregg who lives in Texas. Gregg has been working as a paramedic for some years now. Gregg and Tammi (Gregg's wife and our wonderful daughter-in-law...... Wave at us Tammi :o) have dreamed of the day when their two daughters, Alaina and Becky were on their own. It would be then that they dreamed of journeying across the country as freelance RNs. Before they could do that though Gregg needed to go to school and get his RN training and license. Tammi already has hers. His hard work and studies has paid off. Gregg is now an RN!! We are so very proud of you Gregg. We know that you will do your job with dedication and show the kind of care to your patients that will bring them healing both of the mind and the body. Tammi and her mother Sandra deserve a round of applause too for all that they did to make sure Gregg had the oportunity reach his goals.




J.D. and I have been walking around here with so much pride for our guys that we are puffed up like a couple of toads. You see Gregg isn't the only one that has had a dream come true. Our Yankee son Chris, has also been working hard to realize a goal that he has been reaching for. Chris studied to be an Electrician at JVS. After graduation he drove around 140 miles a day to work at his trade. Because it wasn't a union job he was working for low pay and no benefits. Chris has worked many jobs in his young adult life and wore many hats. When he was fortunate enough to join IBEW local 575 he then found himself working as an electrician at a decent wage and benefits while at the same time back to school to complete his apprenticeship program. The union recently had an opening for an Apprenticeship Instructor. Melody got his resume together and Chris applied for the position. We all were praying, as well crossing our fingers and anything else we could cross because this has been Chris' dream for a very long time. He will only be about 5 miles from home..... No overtime, no more long drives to and from work and no more working outside in the cold of winter and heat of summer. Most important he will have more time to spend with his family doing something else that he does in an outstanding way, being a Dad. Chris is finishing up his second week now as instructor. There is no doubt in my mind that the students that finish up their apprenticeship program with Chris as their instructor will be outstanding electricians. Again, we are so very proud of you Chris! Melody deserves a round of applause as well, many times she has taken up the slack doing her part as well as Chris' as a parent because demands of Chris' jobs were requiring more time from him for one reason or another.

Last week we were able to catch Riley and Alley Oop's ball games on the same day at the same time and the same place. Chris is now able to help with coaching Riley's t-ball team. Another of Chris' dreams coming true. He is so good when it comes to dealing with children, he knows that the important part of these games isn't winning or losing, but learning and enjoying the game.

Wishing you all a beautiful and safe 4th of July weekend!