Blah, Blah, Blah

Tragedy in Arizona

It has taken me three-plus days to digest and understand what has happened in the state of Arizona. And if you don’t know what I am talking about, or haven’t paid close attention to the national news, I envy you.

The loss of life, of any life, to a hail of bullets delivered by a madman plain and simple is indescribable. The shooting of a lawmaker, a judge, a bystander, a child can in no way be justified.

And yet here we are. The death of the innocent painted in blood with the broad brush of intolerance and insanity.

For the past few days pundits and news anchors, bloggers and columnists, as well as everyone else have been struggling to come to terms with this newest bloodshed foisted upon the national landscape. A congresswoman is gunned down in broad daylight and those who work with her or attend the doomed gathering become victims and heroes.

Neither an enviable position to be in.

Can we blame someone’s mental state on someone else's political views? As much as I would like to, I can not. Because rational people don’t finish an argument in gun play. They just don’t. As a nation we should rise above such action. Retaliate with words, whether in patience or anger, but it end it there.

Unfortunately, not everyone is rational. But don’t make the mistake of lumping the mentally ill with those who are, in essence, deranged. It’s not fair to the mentally ill.

The political scene is quite toxic right now. A war of words is engaged between factors from the left, center and the right. There is quite a bit of posturing over the already passed health care bill and animosity toward the president from all sides. Discourse is becoming very heated.

Words have power. Add firearms to the mix and suddenly words become deadly. In a country of over 300 million people and a cherished Bill of Rights, statistically it’s going to happen.

But who is to blame? The right? The left? One deranged person with a gun who can’t tell the difference between (mostly) civil discourse and blatant intolerance? We may never know the whole truth. Nor can we pick and choose half-truths a la carte to satisfy a rush to judgement.

Still, in honor of those injured or killed, in thanks to the brave and heroic, maybe, just maybe, we could dial down the flaming rhetoric. If just for a short while. Even if it wasn’t the cause, there can be effect. Perhaps choosing better symbols to prove, or make, a point for example. At least pretend to listen, even consider, an opposing view before outright belittling it.

The political horizon is fraught with pitfalls. The environment is beyond toxic and it needs to be cleaned up. That toxicity in itself may not kill, but it certainly can poison an already sick mind. Maybe push him or her over the edge into violent insanity. Maybe not.

We can’t know what will trigger the next horrific incident. And there will be one. There always is. What will be the motivating factor? An idea, a thought, a word spit out in anger and hate? Prejudice? Just plain crazy in an all too crazy world?

What is annoying to most may be that which sets off an already deranged or deluded mind into doing the unthinkable. As a nation we can slow that process down, but we will probably never stop it.

But in the name of Abraham Lincoln, Harvey Milk, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and now Gabrielle Giffords, Judge John Roll, Christina Taylor Green, Gabe Zimmerman, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwin Stoddard, and Dorothy Morris, we can, and should, try.


                                              

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Christmas 2010

Christmas. My favorite time of the year.

This year, however, is vastly different than in holiday’s past. Why? Two things stand out for my wife and myself this season. While Christmas is considered a time of giving, my wife and I this year can not. At least not in a material gift-giving sense.

It isn’t because we are unwilling, but because we are unable. The very reason we are unable to give gifts this season has, in fact for us, clarified the spiritual aspect of Christmas. Bringing it that much more into focus.

Give vs Receive
Giving vs receiving. The role each plays during the holiday season is magnified ten-fold when feeling the pinch financially. It doesn’t matter if it’s the loss of a job or an unanticipated decrease in family income by losing one of two or more breadwinners. If there is scarcely enough money for the bare essentials, where is the money coming from for a sleigh-load of presents?

Certainly we would like to be generous in our gift-giving. But not this year. I have no idea how a family of four or five would handle a hard candy Christmas. It makes me shudder just thinking about it.

Children shouldn’t have to wonder if there will be presents under the tree. Or if there will even be a tree.

“Why did Santa forget us this year?” A young child may lament. How does a heart-broken parent explain? It brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. For some, grandma and grandpa may come through in a pinch. But that is not always the case. 

The last couple of years have been hard financially and emotionally on many people in the United States--and all over the world. Things may be picking up for Wall Street. But, Main Street is still feeling the pinch.

Frankly, I would rather find my Christmas stocking empty than heavy with lumps of coal. Santa knows...
  
But the holidays are not all about presents, parties and bows. Nestled in between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is the humble, most solemn holy day of Christmas. The day celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Katy and I are anticipating a quite Christmas together after visiting with family. The tree is up and decorated. An Eskimo-theme Nativity adorns the breakfast nook. Colored lights are intertwined with faux pine garland draping the bookshelves. Stuffed Snoopy Santas stand side-by-side with Victorian-era Santa figurines on a writing desk. It’s holiday eclectic. I make no apologies.

Here’s the bottom line for us this year: Christmas is coming. Presents optional. And that’s okay. Sometimes it’s good to remember what Christmas is all about. And it’s not us. It’s not expensive presents. It’s not about turkey and all the trimmings. (Actually, that’s kind of a bonus. A small turkey has made its way to our freezer this year. Thanks to sister Liz!)

Merry Christmas vs Happy Holiday(s) Controversy
The holy day of Christmas can be easily separated from the far more commercial entity known as the “holiday” season. Yet, both can co-exist as long as it is understood that they are not co-equals.

Linus Van Pelt said it best when he quoted the Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 14 from the King James Version:

"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men (“Or all”, as my wife would say. This is the 21st century!)'"

 "......That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." Cue commercial.

The holiday season starts with Thanksgiving. Advent begins. Moving on to Hanukkah, it migrates to Winter Solstice,  Kwanza and ends with the New Year. Sandwiched within is Christmas. A season of holidays. Plural.

Celebrate them all. Or none. It’s up to you and your spiritual compass. In our home we try to recognize them all in some small way, but the birth of Christ is most important to us.

And so I finish with wishing you all a Happy Holiday! Because there are many and I don’t feel like ticking them off individually every time I greet someone. It’s too much like work. As we get closer to the ‘day’ I will wish you a Merry Christmas, and finally Happy New Year. It’s a season of holidays. Enjoy them all!

Note: For those who scream to the mountain top about the hijacking of “Christ” in Christmas, he has hasn’t gone anywhere. The Christ in Christmas remains firmly in place. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The only people who see a war on Christmas are those folks decrying that there is a war on Christmas. If someone wishes you a “Happy Holiday” be a good Christian, go ahead and wish them a “Merry Christmas”. They won’t be offended. Neither should you.



                   

Blah, Blah, Blah

A beautiful thing: Kim and Henry tie the knot.

Great things can happen to regular people. Some might pick the winning numbers of the lottery. Another may have a long-forgotten Michelangelo painting hidden behind the couch. Most of us, while we do need money, and who doesn’t, would really just settle for a smidge of happiness.

The greatest path to such happiness is sometimes fairly simple. Often it’s as elementary as finding the perfect ‘Someone’ to enrich their life. The concept of finding Mr. or Ms. Right, of course, is elegantly simple. It’s execution can be somewhat more, shall we say, complicated.

Let’s face it. I’m a sucker for weddings. It’s always fun to see someone else take the plunge, painfully unaware that instead of an Olympic-sized pool waiting below, it’s more like a child’s sand bucket. Minus the water, of course. But plenty of sand.

It’s not that I abhor marriage. Or being married, for that matter. I’m a big fan. Marriage is not for the faint of heart. There is a such a big disconnect between the extolled vision of a future happiness, versus the sometime’s harsh reality of daily togetherness.  

What the hell. They can figure it out for themselves. We did.

Complicated for some, not all
That wasn’t the case a couple of weeks ago when Katy’s niece Kim and her “Mr. Someone” were caught exchanging vows in a beautiful wedding ceremony in Marquette. The bride was beautiful and blushing, the groom exuded pride and faithfulness. All very important qualities when searching for the perfect mate.

Kim found her Mr. Right. Quite honestly, I’m not sure Henry even had a chance. Henry, on the other hand, has in his new bride a wondrous quality. Faith. Faith in God. Faith in the sacrament of marriage and most importantly, faith in her chosen partner. I expect Henry will not disappoint. Right Henry?

Both sides of the aisle celebrated with the bride and groom after a beautiful, sometimes humorous, ceremony before God, their families and friends. The bride was gorgeous, no, stunning in her bridal gown.

He’s a fashion trailblazer!
Sources close to the family tell the story that Henry, given the opportunity to participate fully in the overall planning of the nuptials had but one request. Can you say ‘camo’?

That’s right, we’re talking the cutting edge of Yooper fashion here. Camouflage vests for himself and the groomsmen. Not something you’re likely gonna see on WE tv’s ‘My Fair Wedding’. I expect the look will be all the rage at shotgun weddings everywhere!

After the service, everyone broke away for either pictures, catching up with family or a quick run back into town for some quick shopping before upcoming cocktails, dinner and dancing at Marquette Mountain. (Last time I attended an event there it involved downhill racing, operating a cafeteria tray without a license, and the unfortunate death of tens-of-thousands of innocent brain cells. Not pretty.)

The dinner served was, as some people say, awesome. The spread was premier Yooper wedding fare: cheese and crackers, salad, meatballs, baked beans, ham, rolls, lasagna and some things I’ve probably forgotten. The open bar pulled two kinds of beer–heavy and lite. Who could ask for more? I did. Twice.

The bottom line
I expect this new partnership will fare better than some. Perhaps better than most. Why? This is a marriage, not of convenience or necessity, but of trust and fellowship. Of love. The real deal. It will never diminish. It can only grow.

To Kim and Henry Schwanke: Live long. Love longer. Don’t look back. Look forward, together. ’Nuf said.

Life is Like

Life is Like...Responsibility (Bites)

Last year, I gave Joe a column suggestion. I know this will be hard for all of his readers to believe (especially those that know him personally), but he took the concept and went off in a completely different direction. After reading the first word scribbled on my note “responsibility” he took a left at Albuquerque. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely funny, and in NO WAY am I dissing his work or think that the following is going to be anywhere near as funny as what you usually read here. But he is in Houghton and I have the laptop and as Paul Harvey would say, "here is the rest of the story".

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, the word:  young (adjective) is, in part, described as being in the first or an early stage of life, growth, or development.

Now, take a moment, think back to those young carefree days we had as children. Grant it, some were blessed with more than others. Nonetheless, remember those hot summer days?

Going to the beach and making sand castles. Maybe your family didn’t go to the beach much. And your “beach” consisted of a garden hose, and, if you were lucky, a lawn sprinkler. Your only care in the world was that school was going to be starting, and your life as you knew it, was coming to an end. That is unless you actually liked going to school. Na, me either.

Those were the days.

Now jump to your early teen years. Remember that time in your life? Hormones and all? All you wanted to do was be older. After all, you were not an immature young child. You were on the cusp of becoming an immature young adult!

For you, getting older meant being able to date, drive, getting out of your parents house and so on.

The word “old”
Now for a brief description of the word: old (adjective); according to the same dictionary, to mean advanced in years, or age.

Now some of us can remember back. We remember hitting those favorite milestones in our lives, like turning 30 then 40. But that’s where I stop.

Many reading this will laugh, I hope, when they read that and think of me as almost being that carefree child I mentioned earlier. And if that is you, thank you!! Oops, looks like I’m going to be taking that same on-ramp to Albuquerque.

Some readers will remember the milestones further down the road, 60, 70, and maybe 80 or more.  Possibly remembering the times they put diapers on their babies, instead of their “babies” now helping them with their Depends. 

It reminds me of a comedian I once heard “justifying” his smoking by saying that the years that he would lose, would be the “crap in his pants years”.

When we are young, we just don’t understand that we should be enjoying those years. The ones  where we are responsible for nothing. We are just in a big hurry to get older.

The bottom line
As we age, we want to be younger; have energy again. We strive to be able to enjoy the things we used to, without having to take a nap in between.

Then there is the whole responsibility aspect! Remember again, a summer when you were too young to work. What a life! The toughest thing you probably had to do was a few chores.

With being older, come the harsh realities of responsibility. Taking care of your family, house, finances.  Not to mention your job.

And the list goes on and on...

The Mrs. Yooper Blah-Blah-Blah Theory on Aging
When you’re young, you fall, and bounce back up. 
When you’re early middle age, you fall, and look to see if anyone saw you.
When you’re smack dab in the midst of middle age, you take any and all precautionary steps necessary to insure that you do not fall.
When you’re later into middle age, you fall, and pray you don’t hear anything break.

While growing up, I frequently heard a saying from a very wise woman.
               
She would say, “I don’t mind growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.”

That very wise, and old woman, is my mom, Mary Faith Manning.

Remember that when you make that old person grunt sound as you get out of your chair.  Or, when you see a child without a care in the world.

But especially, when you wake up in the morning. Or from a nap, for that matter.

Katy Manning Schutte

Blah, Blah, Blah

Michigan State Spartans meet the BCS

Time is counting down until mid-term elections and I have only one thing on my mind right now. That’s right! The Michigan State Spartan Men’s football team is slated at number five in the most recent BCS rankings.

Personally I’ve never cared much for the BCS. That stands for Bowl Championship Series for those that don’t know. Kinda like WTF stands for ...well I think most people get the gist.

I don’t particularly like how the rankings are compiled. It’s a complicated process that includes three components: USA Today Coaches Poll, Harris Interactive College Football Poll and an average of six computer rankings. Each component will count one-third of a team's overall BCS score in the BCS standings.

Question: Why does a computer have the same clout as a coach when the BCS crunches numbers? Did the Supreme Court have a hand in this? I kid, I kid. Sorta.
   
Then again...
It’s always different when your team is having a Cinderella season. I will stand firmly behind the BCS ranking until it turns against us (as it inevitably will) sweeping away any hope of a shot at the national championship.

Frankly, I’d rather see the Spartans play in the Rose Bowl any day over the BCS Championship.

The Rose Bowl is literally the gold standard of bowl games. The BCS Championship always seems to bring confusion and disarray to the party; specially after the regular season games are played. Without a true playoff system there will always be pretenders to the throne.

Not to mention there is something a bit hinky about a championship whose teams are initially ranked by a couple of football polls and at least one neurotic computer with delusions of grandeur. Can you say HAL 9000? Perhaps, without naming names, I should include some coaches in that category as well.

And yet Michigan State is ranked number five this week. Will wonders never cease?

The Iowa Hawkeyes may have something to say about that. As long as we’re ranked in the top five, everyone with a BCS Championship complex is going to be gunning for us. It is my hope that Coach Dantonio’s gridiron machine can focus its penchant for causing mayhem at frat parties, breaking bad with their terms of probation and reckless driving charges into a continued winning season.

Or not. We’ll just have to see.

Not since 1966, when my aunt Jane and uncle Dave attended MSU have the Spartans had an 8-0 opening to the season. Back then Spartan defensive lineman Bubba Smith, quarterback Jimmy Raye, wide receiver Gene Washington, rover George Webster and barefoot kicker Dick Kenney led State to a 9-0-1 season (the tie being the controversial “Game of the Century” against Notre Dame).

Michigan State and Notre Dame both laid claim to being national champions that year.

Family lore
As a matter of fact, my aunt Jane (my mom’s sister) was living on campus at Michigan State in the same dorm as Bubba Smith. To this day she fondly claims he owes her a minimum of six Marlboro Cigarettes--having bummed them off her in the hallway during an age when smoking was cheap and still socially acceptable. Bubba would ask her for a smoke in a long, drawn-out Texas drawl that couldn’t be refused. How cool was that? 

My Spartan football enthusiasm is cranked all the way to code “Green and White”. To top it off, a couple of weeks ago my beloved wife surprised me with a Michigan State-theme garden gnome, decked out in green and white sporting a big, white Spartan logo on his even bigger green, gnome-y hat.

I have christened him “Sparty-cus, the Gnarly Gnome.” Sparty-cus can be seen daily in the unenviable capacity posing as my new avatar on my Facebook page. (See pic below).

Regardless of how the season plays out, Michgian State has proven itself a force to be reckoned with on the playing field. Finally. Off the field is another matter entirely. There is much work still to be done. The BCS ranking notwithstanding, this team has much to prove. To themselves, their coach and their fans.
                 

Katy's Korner

LIFE IS LIKE…A “STORM”

Sometimes you hear a song for the first time and something really hits home.  Whether it’s just a phrase, a line or two or the whole song.  When I first heard Lifehouse’s “Storm”, well, it wasn’t just a homerun, it was completely out of the ballpark.

The song begins,

“How long have I been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
water's getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head”

How many times have you felt that way?  Perhaps you feel that way now.

The word ‘storm’ can mean so many different things I guess.  We all experience storms in our lives in many different forms. 

Right now a perfect storm has settled over the Schutte house. 

Hurricanes, tropical storms, etc. are given a persons first name. Ours doesn’t sport a name.  We refer to it as a ‘Shit Storm’.  It is as powerful as Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina combined.

I’ll spare you the details. Unfortunately too many people are experiencing the same financial problems.

Hopefully we have passed the eye of the storm.  Still not out of it, but we’re that much closer seeing the sunlight again.  Only God knows, but I’m certainly praying that we’ll be seeing the sun again soon!

He has been helping us tremendously, thru generous family members and offers of ‘if there is anything you need’ from family we know are barely making ends meet themselves.  We would like to take this time to thank them. (You know who you are). 

God is also chipping in with “simple” things.  A new razor found; (Joe was using the cheap ones-all you had to do was look at his face to know that-and we needed to purchase better ones).  I broke my food scale (which I use every time I eat a meal) and found one in the “donate” to St. Vinny’s box.  It was the same day as I found the razor, as a matter of fact. 

Even though that may not seem much to some reading this, it is proof He is providing for us.  Guess it’s the whole “Give us our daily bread” thing.  Personally I would prefer if it was longer than just a day.  But, He did have a reason for that and He’d probably get pissed if I tried to change it.  Perhaps that has to do with all that faith and relying on Him, I guess. 

FINALLY BACK TO THE SONG!

“I know you didn't bring me out here to drown

so why am I 10 feet under and upside down
barely surviving has become my purpose
cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface”

Without trying to be a therapist, how does that relate to you?

“I’m so used to living underneath the surface”.  Eight simple words with so many possible meanings.

Life is a struggle, some times more than others.  That’s when we rely more on Him and our faith to get us through.  Easier said than done.

“Living under the surface.”  To me, that phrase means my depression (and the infamous financial concerns as well).  I’m struggling to reach the surface, to see the light.

To others it may mean you are living under the radar.  Hiding.  Maybe from others and/or daily situations and the struggle that entails.

I doubt that there are any two people with the same exact answer.

“If I could just see you

everything would be alright

if I’d see you
this darkness would turn to light”

“and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be alright

and I will walk on water

and you will catch me if I fall

and I will get lost into your eyes

I know everything will be alright

I know everything is alright”

Even with the trouble we are having, God has been providing for the Schutte household. 

Look around.  In what simple ways (that you never noticed) has He been providing for you?

“I know everything will be alright”.  Hold on to that and before you know it “everything is alright”.

Life Is Like

LIFE IS LIKE…SEPTEMBER 11^TH

“Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”.  Country star Alan Jackson put so eloquently into words the most horrific event that, God willing, we will ever experience in our lifetime.

Before I continue on this subject, I feel it is necessary for a little background information about myself before I continue.

For those of you that may not know me.  I was diagnosed with Major Depression shortly after marrying Joe 20 years ago, as much as I’d love to say he is to blame, looking back it had been something that I had been dealing with since my mid teens.

Since my initial diagnosis (like that wasn’t enough) I’ve had several more mental health diagnoses; anxiety & stress issues and most recently, Bipolar II.

Upon the initial diagnosis 20 years ago at the Mayo Clinic, I was told the stress was too much and that I should quit my job or it would get worse.  In denial, I ignored my Doctor’s advice. 

In 2000 I was on literally more than a half a dozen depression and anxiety medications (this after trying a dozen other ones that didn’t work). My Doctor said the next step would be major tranquilizers as I was seeing and hearing things. My depression was definitely too far out of control.

In January she mentioned that it would be in my best interest to quit my job (I had been employed as a Baraga County Deputy County Clerk for 13 years).  She also said she would support, and do all she could do, to get me on Social Security disability due to multiple mental health problems.  A month later I handed in my resignation effective March 1^st.  As it turned out I still couldn’t hang in there until March, I had to take several weeks of sick and vacation time.

Mentally it was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.  With no other alternative and with the full support of Joe I left a well paying job that would leave us financially devastated.  It was truly necessary for my mental health and I yet felt that my job somehow defined who I was.

Prior to all of this, in seven months after my father passed away in January of 1996, I was admitted into the MGH Impatient Stress and Depression Unit.  It was far from a vacation, let me tell you, but was absolutely necessary at the time.

I don’t recall exactly how long I stayed there, but while there my medications were adjusted and I was able to hold on to “my sanity” until 2000.

Finally back to September 11^th.

As Joe was leaving for work that day there was late breaking news that a plane had hit tower number #1.  He stayed glued in front of the television horrified at the scene as it was unfolding. 

Having CRS – Can’t Remember Shit, I’m not exactly sure when I awoke but I immediately called Joe at work and the first words out of my mouth (expletive deleted) were, “What the hell is going on?”

In shock I don’t remember what exactly what he said except I asked him why he didn’t wake me.  Looking back he made the right decision not to, knowing my mental state and that I would learn about it soon enough.  After getting off the phone with him, I sat down and continued to watch in horror along with the rest of the world.  To me, one of the best descriptions of a hero is a person that runs into danger as everyone else is running away.

Rightfully so, the news continued to cover the unfolding events.  As they continued to show the coverage day after day, I couldn’t take it any longer and tried to get the images out of my mind and watched whatever comedy we had available.

I realize that I have been focusing mainly in New York, knowing that other cities were affected.  When I refer to September 11^th, I mean everywhere, every city and every plane that caused destruction.

Many, if not everyone asked and continue to ask, why it happened.  Where was God?  Why didn’t He stop it? 

For those questions I can only tell you what I believe and that is simply, He was there.

In the stories of every survivor.

For example

How normally there would have been more people in the twin towers at that time in the morning, saving countless people.

Hearing every prayer said all around the world.

Consoling everyone that lost a loved one and those that didn’t know if their family member had been in the tower or not.

Giving strength to the hero’s, both the ones doing their job and those that stepped up to do whatever they could do.

He was there with his arms wide open for all of those that were killed, bringing them to Heaven.

He was also in Heaven shedding tears.  We saw the debris of buildings, planes, the smoke, ash and papers flying around in the sky.  His tears were there also, even if we couldn’t see them.

I urge you to continue to pray for all of those still suffering with their individual issues as a result of that day.

I also urge you to remember that in every race there are good people and bad ones as well.  Hate breeds hate.  That is not what this country needs!

Scary times still continue.  Unfortunately that is a reality, but if there is anything we can do is to try look at the best in people.

Upon every ones death, we will be held accountable for our lives.  This is His job, not ours.

Geography is definitely not one of my strong suits.  I still can’t point out Iraq on a map (I can’t spell either so I’m not going to bother with the other countries).  But what I do know is our servicemen and women would rather be home with all the comforts it brings, than stationed away.

It doesn’t matter if you agree with the war or not, they, along with their families, are making huge sacrifices to keep America safe for each and everyone of us.  I urge you to pray and support them.  If you are unable to give financial support, a simple (and free) thank you to those families would be appreciated.

If you happen to see our servicemen and women in the armed forces, thank them for their service.

To sum this up.  God bless and protect America and all of us lucky enough to call Her home.

Katy Manning Schutte

Please Note:  This is my first post to the blog and I would like to include the following even though it truly has no place in this September 11th article.

I want to credit my beloved husband Joe.  His creative writing style of being able to work humor in everything he writes.  I Hope that during the 10 years of reading and being the 1^st editor of his column that some of his creativity has worn-off on me.  If not, blame him, I will.

I also want to say that I honestly believe that I would not still be alive if not for his unwavering support and love.  He has gone through more than you can ever image with my ongoing mental illnesses and numerous other major issues in my life.  He has always stayed by my side and keeps me and my mental health as his #1 priority.

With everything I have, and unfortunately continue to, put him through he is still with me.  It is my firm belief that no other man on the face of this planet would have stayed with me this long.

I pray for him (and would appreciate your prayers as well) both in thanks and also the heavy burden that he continues to carry.

Thank you for reading this article and I promise that they are not all gushy about Joe!

I like to consider my Life Is Like… articles everyday things and how God works into them.

As a teaser, upcoming ones include:

Life Is Like…

    Poo (yes, poo)

    An Anti-Virus

    Fingernails…Not A Box Of Chocolates

    A Septic Tank

    A Hot Flash

Again, thanks for reading and remember, if you don’t like my writing style, blame Joe!

Katy