Christmas Reflections

Another Christmas has come and gone. With great anticipation, the day arrived and all too quickly became history. I love Christmas.......the sights, the sounds, the smells, the last-minute preparations (I seem to ALWAYS have too many last-minutes), the celebrations, and most of all the time spent with family. From the time we were first married, David and I have spent every Christmas day with his family at one home or another--some years at our home, some at his parents', and some at other family members' homes. We begin the day at our home with our immediate family and then travel to the "host" home for lunch and fun. This year we travelled to the home of David's cousin and spent the day with a group of 26 (and that's our count with one family of four missing!) What a glorious blessing it is to celebrate the birthday of Jesus surrounded by our loved ones.

Another of our blessings of the season was having our beautiful daughter, Blair, come into town from New York and stay with us for a whole week. After spending almost a week with us at Thanksgiving, this was such a bonus! I remember when she first arrived, thinking how great it was that we had SO MUCH time to spend together, and now the day has come for her to go back.......and I'm just not ready. I admit; I'm never ready for her to leave. I always have more on my "to do" list that we didn't do, more that we didn't say, more that we just "didn't". I am filled with such a mix of emotions each time she leaves, but the most profound of them all is always a blend of pride and joy--pride in the woman that she has become and joy in knowing that she is living a life she loves and returning to a city she loves and people she loves. So as we leave her at the airport later today, I will cry just as I am now, but I have learned that my tears are just my way of saying, "Goodbye, my sweet girl; I'll be counting the days until we see you again." (And in the meantime, just keep on living your dream!--Oh, and remember who you are!)

Of course, this blog began almost five years ago as a way to celebrate and share Jonathon's recovery with friends and family so I would be remiss not to mention the blessings of his life and the joys we've experienced in watching his progress. He is truly a miracle, and we thank God every day for letting us keep him here with us and using his life as a testimony to others of God's grace and faithfulness. This past semester brought new challenges to Jonathon and forced us to make some painful decisions, but through it all we tried to remain focused on the blessings rather than the difficulties. We decided mid-semester that it was in Jonathon's best interest to withdraw and regroup, so with heavy hearts we moved him back home in October. We are in the process of working out arrangements for another type of therapy, called Cognitive Reorganizational Therapy, to teach him new ways to process and recall what he learns. We are hopeful that this new therapy will help him become more pro-active in identifying and expressing his educational needs to prevent feeling so overwhelmed with the workload. Additionally, we are working with his Vocational Rehabilitation counselor to gain approval for a reduced course load. If and when that all falls into place, Jonathon should be able to return to classes next fall. Please join us in praying for yet another hurdle to be jumped.

This is beginning to look and sound like a "Christmas" update letter so to continue along that path......Jeff moved out about two weeks after Jonathon moved home. As happy as I was (and am) for him to find his own place, I admit that it would be nice for him to be around for Jon's sake. I know that Jonathon gets lonely (and probably bored) being here with David and me most of the time. On the positive side, though, Jeff is really great about taking him over to his place to hang out. Just last week, he bought a new couch and announced that now Jon would have a place to sleep if he wanted to stay over! I'm confident that Jon will take him up on that offer. Jeff is a gem and extremely committed to Jonathon and to seeing him become all that God desires him to be. He clearly loves his twin brother and wants the very best for him. Jeff is a truly unique young man and a blessing to each of us every day.

And finally, in other Clark news.....we have been given the "green light" to share our newest (and smallest at the moment) blessing: Drumroll, please.......We will be welcoming another little Clark into the world next July! Taylor and Portia shared this most wonderful news with us at the beginning of November but asked us to wait to announce it for a few more weeks. For two excited and proud grandparents-to-be, that was a huge request, but we somehow managed to restrain ourselves and wait for the go-ahead. I waited for them to make their announcement at our Christmas family gathering before posting it here, but now I can no longer contain myself--I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMARY! SO EXCITED! God has once again blessed our family. Please join me in lifting Taylor, Portia, and their precious little gift in prayer during this new season of anticipation. Christmas Blessings to you and yours ~ Mary

Christmas Day 2009

(and baby makes eight!)

Thanksgiving '09

It's almost 7:00 p.m., and our Thanksgiving Day is pretty much over. We're already in our "hanging out" clothes (a.k.a. pajamas) and feeling too full (STILL), somewhat sleepy, and ever so blessed. We had the joy of celebrating Thanksgiving with each of our four amazing children and our beautiful daughter-in-law. In addition, David's two sisters, brother-in-law, nephew, and cousin were here as well as one of my brothers, his wife, and son. All in all, we had a group of 16......a small group compared to some of our other family gatherings!

As I reflect on the day, I realize how very much I have to be thankful for......things that I so often take for granted in the chaos of every day life. Of course, I will be forever grateful to my Lord for sparing our sweet Jonathon and giving him a future. I am thankful to have a God who loves me in spite of myself. I think, though, that too often as I recognize the miracle of Jonathon, I sometimes overlook many of the other blessngs of my life. Things like:
1. My amazing husband of over 33 years and the love that has grown stronger through each of our joys, sorrows, and trials.

2. The beauty of living in the same home for over 30 years--a home where we raised our four beautiful children.
3. Our son, Taylor, who is married to his "true companion"--a blessing beyond words--who has grown into a man of honor and integrity and who continues to be a source of immense pride.

4. Our daughter, Blair, who has grown into a beautiful, strong, amazing young woman--someone who makes me incredibly proud to call her my daughter, as well as my friend.

5. Our son, Jonathon, who is alive today purely by the grace of God and who knows that God has a very special purpose for his life.

6. Our son, Jeff, whose strength never ceases to amaze me--whose loyalty to Jonathon and concern for his future is beyond measure, the kind of loyalty that is based on a bond that has only grown stronger over the years.

7. My brothers, David's sisters, and their families--through the years we have become each other's support systems. Through the laughter and the tears, we've "been there" for each other, and I am eternally grateful.

8. My wonderful friends and co-workers who tolerate me and embrace me in spite of my shortcomings.

9. A church family that has grown more precious to us with the passing of time, a group that rallied around us in our greatest time of need and made sure that our needs were met.

10. Parents who left a legacy of love and the importance of family. The lessons they taught and the memories they left impact our lives every day and will, hopefully, carry through to the next generation.

My list seems pitifully short in comparison to the mulitude of blessings in my life. I pray that I never forget to be thankful.

Is Anybody Going Where I'm Driving?

They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. GREAT........At this rate, I'm on a fast track straight to the not-so-divine down under. Why is it that I can't seem to at least occasionally eek enough time out of a day to keep this blog updated? When I first started it well over four years ago, my days were no longer than they are now, and yet I still found time to update almost daily! Maybe I need to stop saying I'm going to update and do like Nike says and, "Just Do It!"

So here goes another attempt at bringing my life up to speed, although I might change lanes and shift gears occasionally.....

• Jonathon and I had a wonderful trip to Savannah a few weekends ago. To those who covered us with prayer, we thank you. I picked Jonathon up on Friday morning and we drove from Athens to Savannah, something I'd never done. If you, too, have never made that trip, let me just say that it is a lovely drive! With our trusty GPS programmed for our destination, we took off into the wild blue yonder, and "yonder" is a perfect word for some of the small towns we travelled through. We drove over half the trip on back roads to get to I-16, but like many back roads, we were often the only car on the road for miles, something that is a bit of a rarity around metro Atlanta. We arrived in time Friday afternoon to get settled at my daughter from another mother's apartment and meet her for dinner. On Saturday, the three of us went to the wedding which was held in one of Savannah's historic squares, and then Jonathon celebrated with friend's at the reception while my daughter and I relaxed at a venue overlooking the Savannah River. When the reception ended, Jonathon met us for dinner and the three of us wandered along River Street, enjoying the sights, sounds, and delicious smells of OctoberFest in Savannah.
• Jonathon's return to school brought several changes to our lives. He is now living in an apartment style dorm which offers him a greater level of independence and quieter study environment. It is on campus so he still has access to campus transportation, but it is also so close to the building where all of his classes are held that he often walks to class. He didn't know his roommate prior to move-in, but has been very fortunate in being assigned one with whom he gets along really well. His roommate has been really helpful in including Jonathon on trips to the grocery store and inviting him along for workout sessions and trips to the dining hall. Without prompting from us, Jonathon has begun some strength exercises to build up his arm and shoulder strength, particularly on the left side. His roommate has been really supportive and encouraging; we feel really blessed.
• As he has transitioned to his new intended major, Jonathon has been faced with several challenges, many stemming from the fact that the Recreation and Leisure Studies program involves a great deal of physical activity in the form of games and exercises. Initially, he was a little hesitant to participate, creating a bit of a gap between the other students and him. One day he seemed to turn the corner when he called me and said, "Mom, I've got some exciting news! I broke into a sprint today in class!" It seems that the class was doing some activities that involved running into and out of a jumprope, and he actually did it! He said he just challenged himself to see if he could do it and was pretty pumped that he actually could! I think the secret with Jonathon is in believing that he can succeed. When he convinces himself that he can't do something, he's almost always right but when he truly believes that he can, he experiences at least some level of success. Isn't that true about each of us, though?
• Since Jonathon's return to school, I have begun working full-time again. The transition from part-time to full-time has been an adjustment for each of us. It seems strange to me to be on a regular schedule again after more than four years of flexibility. I've spent so much of the past few years working my schedule around Jonathon's that it is hard to believe that I no longer need to do that. Of course, when I accepted my position, I wanted it understood that my family would always come first. Each of my children and my husband are so precious to me that no job in the world is worth sacrificing one moment of time with any of them.

So I guess that's enough catching up for now. I'm sure I've omitted things, but the most important thing for me to remember is that no matter how often I slip up or how many times I disappoint myself, God is always there to pick me up when I slip up and love me in spite of my disappointments.

"Yes, the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion,
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him."
Isaiah 30:18

Travel Mercies

Jonathon and I are traveling to Savannah this weekend to attend the wedding of a college friend of his, so this is just a short request to ask for prayer for safe travel. I am picking him up in Athens later this morning, and we'll drive from there. You know he must really like this girl to be missing a Georgia game!

I have much to update (I've been a real slacker!) since he's returned to school, so I'll plan to do that when we return. Go Dawgs!

Scares, Prayers, and Miracles

We took Jonathon back to his beloved Athens yesterday to get him settled for another school year, a trip that I'm sure he has been eagerly awaiting since the moment he moved home for the summer. WE, however, are always filled with feelings of excitement as well as anxiety when we make the "move-in day" pilgrimage, and this year, the feelings of anxiety were even greater after having spent nearly ten hours in the Emory ER with him on Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

On Wednesday morning Jonathon and I made a back-to-school shopping trip in preparation for the big move, and while we were out he complained that the right side of his head felt sore or bruised, attributing it to wearing a baseball cap for prolonged periods. I honestly didn't think too much about it, nor did he, and when we returned from shopping, I went in to work for a while. David arrived home before I did and called me with an urgent request that I come home as quickly as possible, stating that Jonathon's head was noticeably swollen on the right side. I drove home as fast as I legally could and when I saw Jonathon, I was quite unnerved. His head was as swollen as it had been just a couple of days after his plastic surgery last summer! In fact, it was so puffy that his glasses were creating an obvious groove in his skin. As I drove home, I called David and asked him to pack an overnight bag for Jonathon, fearing that he would have to undergo some sort of procedure during the night. Our first fear was that the shunt that had been inserted in April of 2005 was malfunctioning causing cerebral fluid to back up in his head. This is something we have known could happen and have been on the lookout for ever since he had it inserted. Needless to say, we didn't want to unduly alarm Jonathon but we wasted no time in getting him to Emory. (Ever the loyal brother, Jeff was right there with us!)

After his initial triage where we gave the nurse his medical history, we found ourselves playing the waiting game--one that lasted HOURS. Jonathon was exibiting no signs of distress or any neurological decline, so I guess that's why they didn't seem to be overly concerned. After about an hour or so, he was finally taken to x-ray and for a CT scan. He then was returned to the waiting room where we waited at least another hour before they came to draw blood to check for any infection. After ANOTHER couple of hours, during which no one was called from the waiting room, I approached the charge nurse to inquire if his tests had even been read. He said he'd "check on it" and that they would get to Jonathon as quickly as possible--yeah, right! Anyway, I guess the squeaky wheel really does get the grease (or the pushy mom gets action) because within the next thirty to forty minutes, we finally were taken to an examination room. The ER doctor came in for an initial exam, basically to tell us that the neurosurgical team was in surgery and would be in to check on Jon as soon as they were able. (Please know that I NEVER complain about a doctor being tied up in surgery. My son, after all, was one of those emergency cases!) At that point, we just got Jonathon comfortable and waited some more! Finally at almost 3 in the morning, the neurosurgeon came to tell us that they had reviewed his tests and could find NOTHING wrong! He said the shunt was functioning properly (Hallelujah for that!) and there was no evidence of any type of trauma to the brain itself that could cause such swelling, nor was there any reason to hospitalize Jon. He said that the problem was most likely related to the implant either "shifting" or leaking and that we should contact his plastic surgeon--not exactly what we wanted to hear, but definitely a relief that there was nothing neurologically wrong. We waited another hour or more for him to be discharged and finally arrived home at about 5:15 on Thursday morning.

Of course, I was awake by 8:00 to start calling his plastic surgeon to try to get him seen, and as luck would have it, his doctor was out of town for several days and there was no way for them to get him in that day. We were able, though, to get him an appointment for Friday morning. He remained swollen throughout the day on Thursday, and that evening I sent out an urgent prayer request to my Bible Study friends and faithful prayer warriors. (I learned later that many of those friends forwarded my email to others who, in turn, forwarded to still more!) In my request, I asked specifically for the following:

1. we find answers
2. the swelling to be significantly reduced
3. the option(s) to correct the problem not have a major impact on his return to school
4. whatever recuperative period that might be required would be well tolerated
5. God’s hand would guide and protect each of us during this frightening time

Well, let me tell you, God heard our prayers! When Jonathon awoke on Friday morning, the swelling had been greatly reduced--I'd estimate at least by 90%. It was so minimal by comparison to the previous day that I was almost embarrassed when we saw the plastic surgeon! She read the CT scan and checked the implant carefully for any signs that it had moved and assured us that it was exactly where it was supposed to be. In addition, she said that the implant is made of a type silicone that cannot leak. Bottom line, she said that she had no explanation for what had happened. She could only speculate that he had either had a blow to the head that he didn't remember or that he had experienced some sort of allergic reaction or that he had been bitten by something. Whatever had happened, she said, there was no reason for us to worry any more. I then told her that she should have seen the list of people who were praying for him, and she basically said, "That's your anwer!" She said she could tell from reading his chart that prayers on his behalf had been answered on more than one occasion. I told her that we had been particularly anxious about getting him in to see someone at their office because he was supposed to be returning to school on Saturday. She asked where he went to school and said, "Pack your bags, Jon!" Of course, upon hearing that, Jon said, "How 'bout them Dawgs!"

God IS so good; I know I say that often, but when I think of the many times and ways that He has shown His faithfulness to Jonathon and to our belief that His plans for Jonathon's future have yet to be revealed, I can't help but proclaim His goodness! To those who have continued on this journey with us, we are humbled at your support and encouragement. God is indeed good! How blessed we are!

In closing I want to share something that one of my dear friends sent me in response to my request for prayer: "Just remember how far God has brought Jon… and while the journey was long, the blessings were many. We won’t allow the enemy to creep in . Cling to this promise…

Ephesians 6:16: “take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one”

Yes, the journey has been long, but with God's help and the encouragement of such amazing friends and family, we will continue to travel it as long as God sets it before us. We are grateful to be able to live the life we lead, and as my friend said, the blessings, most definitely, have been many.

Family Fun

The Shaw Clan

(Minus Morgan, Gordon, Jr., Melissa, Janna and Julia)

The Clark Clan

(Minus Ross)

The David Clark Clan The BEAUTIFUL Clark Children ;)Jon enjoying a little pool time!

It's been since Taylor's wedding in 2007 that ALL of the Clark/Shaw Family got together..........sad, I know! BUT..........on Saturday, we were able to get all but two nephews, one spouse, one niece and two adorable little girls together. Getting a family of our size together is never easy, but always worth the effort!! From the pictures above, you can see the fun had by all!

The initial reason for the gathering was for a book my sister-in-law is writing on the lives of my mother and grandmother. She wanted to get together with as many family members as possible in order to interview everyone for stories, memories, etc., of these two women who influenced our lives. We are all so excited that she is taking on this project and are extremely proud of her for being awarded a grant from Duke University to write it. My mother was raised by her mother and grandmother after the death of her father when she was only 11 years old, and the letters, scrapbooks, diaries she kept weave a most interesting tale of growing up as a true southern belle. In addition, the letters and postcards that my grandmother kept over a five year period from my grandfather in the early 1900's reveal a love story filled with issues that parallel many modern-day romances--advertisity, jealousy, doubt, insecurity, distance, ultimatums, and at least one break-up in which each had other romantic flings, but underneath it all a love too strong to be denied and a reconciliation and marriage. AHH! Good stuff! I can't wait to see the finished product!!! We are truly blessed to have her tackle this project and have their story come together.

I guess it takes growing older to really appreciate family, or maybe it just takes maturity. Either way, I know that without the love and support I have received over the years from my parents, siblings, spouse, children, and all of our extended family, I would not have grown to be the woman I am today. I thank God every day for blessing me with such an amazing group of people that I am so proud to call MINE.

July Shenanigans

Jon and Jeff enjoying a little tubing at Lake Murray in SC

Can you believe this is the same guy the doctors told us would likely exist in a vegetative state IF he survived? Ha! To witness the miracle of his very existence each and every day is a blessing beyond words.

Jonathon's summer has been filled with activity and excitement. He's gone tubing (as evidenced above), gone to Six Flags (riding the ONE thing his dad asked him not to--roller coasters, yes plural), chaperoned middle schoolers on a week-long retreat at Lake Burton in north Georgia, served the Lord as a "mingler" at a homeless shelter, attended a fraternity brother's wedding with a group of Fijis at Chateau Elan, worked Sunday mornings as a Sunday School assistant and daily as an intern in the youth department at our church, and will be going to Stone Mountain with a church group in a couple of days. I'd say he's had a pretty fulfilling summer, wouldn't you? He has one more week of his internship and then we'll be preparing for him to return to school. I can't believe how quickly this summer has flown! When I reflect on previous summers, this has been by far the most active, independent one Jonathon has enjoyed since 2004. What pure joy it has been for each of us.

We continue to pray for his healing and I ask that you include another young man, Justin Bellmor, who is struggling to recover from a bleed similar to Jon's. We know that God has special plans for each of these young men. As He teaches us, He has plans for their future! Let's remember, also, to pray for each other.

Lessons

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.~Angela Schwindt

Happily Ever After

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. ~Mignon McLaughlin

Okay, so after NOT blogging for almost two weeks, today I decided to write two blogs! I thought about combining them into one entry but the nature of each made it easier for me to just write two separate ones. Anyway........I am writing to share that David and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary this weekend and what an amazing 33 years it has been! We met in the spring of my freshman year in college (he was a hotshot senior), but didn't really begin our "courtship" until early in my sophomore year. After that, we were pretty much inseparable.......sickening, I know. We got engaged at the beginning of my junior year and married the summer before my senior year. There have, of course, been times when each of us have questioned the sanity in marrying so young (and so broke), but I honestly believe that if we had the chance to do it all over again, we would have done the exact same thing! I remember our wedding day so clearly, especially the moment when his mother took me by the hands and said, "I hope that you will be as happy being Mrs. Clark as I have been." Isn't that the most beautiful sentiment? When our oldest son married two years ago, I shared the same wish with his bride, and I'm sure that I will share it with each of the other sons' brides on their respective wedding days. I can honestly say that although the road to 33 years hasn't been without its share of bumps, detours, and a few potholes, I can't imagine traveling it with any other man than David.

Then.....














Now.....

Yep, I'll take it! Bumps, detours, potholes, and all! I love this man....for better or for worse!

All In

Today's sermon was based on Isaiah 6:8--Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" The message was that each of us is to live our lives more like Isaiah and seek ways in which we can be agents of and for God in sharing the good news of His atonement for our sins..ways in which we can be ALL IN for Christ. Our minister even used the analogy of a antibiotic to treat an infection. When the doctor tells us to take all of the prescription, it is because all of the infection is to be treated, not just part of it. When God asks us to be His witnesses, He wants us to live our lives in such a way that ALL the time we evidence His love for us, not just part of the time. He wants us to be ALL IN--to be more like Isaiah and live each day as if God has sent each of us personally to be His agents for Christ. For me, that is a pretty straightforward request........not necessarily easy, but certainly straightforward. We can't be true Christians unless and until we are ready to "Walk the walk, and talk the talk" on a daily basis. Are we up to the challenge? I am praying that when I hear God calling me--whatever the task--I will proudly open my heart and lift my voice and say, "Here I am. Send me!"

Ponderings

"Throughout our lives, there have been numerous times when God's hand reached down at just the right moment. More often than not, we didn't know it was the right moment until we saw it in the rearview mirror." ~ from I Am Potential by Patrick Henry Hughes

Green Thumbs

This past weekend David and I devoted ourselves to one of our favorite summer projects--landscaping the yard. We had already planted roses and a few begonias (a staple) before Memorial Day, but Saturday and Sunday we tackled our backyard haven full on! On Saturday morning, we made our first of three weekend trips to Pikes to fill up two carts with lovelies for the yard. We spent the afternoon (well, I took a break for a much needed hair appointment) gettng the morning's purchases in the ground. On Sunday, we took Jonathon to the church to go on a week-long retreat chaperoning middle schoolers (please say a little prayer for him and for the rest of the group), and then made not ONE but TWO trips to Pikes to purchase even more plants/flowers. We worked the remainder of the day pretending to be landscapers. Actually, for a couple of non-professionals, we do a pretty good job! I'll try to post some pictures soon of the results of our efforts. We still have a small area to finish, but in a couple of weeks, it should look like our own little piece of paradise! Now if I can get the pool furniture cleaned and ready, we'll be ready to actually enjoy it!

Memorial Day

I am a slacker.........no other way to say it. I have great intentions when it comes to updating this blog, but something invariably seems to prevent me from following through. Maybe I should start sending myself Twitter nudges!

So anyway....David and I had the opportunity to take a weekend trip to Savannah to visit our "adopted" daughter (a.k.a - "daughter from another mother") this past weekend. We left after David got home from work on Friday night and drove back this morning. Although we had hoped to spend a couple of days on the beach at Tybee Island, we settled for an hour there yesterday afternoon! Ah well, it is what it is! Since it rained on Saturday, we spend the day shopping (yeah, it was rough) and then went to The Lady and Sons for dinner. Talk about overeating! By the time we left the restaurant, I thought I was going to pop! I was absolutely miserable--I guess the second piece of fried chicken was a bad idea after all! On Sunday we made our token trip to the beach where we hauled our beach bags, chairs, and cooler to the shore only to haul it all back about an hour later. Oh well, at least we got to put our toes in the sand, and David was brave enough to put his in the water! We then had a low-country boil where we once again gourged ourselves on too much of everything! I guess tomorrow I'll have to go back on the dreaded D-I-E-T. It was certainly fun while it lasted, though!

Jonathon has begun his internship at the church and seems to be enjoying it very much. He is working with middle school youth and will be travelling with them on a couple of weeklong trips. He is very excited and most grateful for this opportunity. God is so good!

Fading fast after a busy weekend........ciao!

Now What?

I started this blog as a means of sharing the amazing progress of my son, Jon, and I admit that there have been times that I struggled because I thought, "If it's not about Jon, I shouldn't be sharing it; after all, the site IS called Jonathon's Journey!" Right? Well, I must admit that over the course of the past few weeks, I've come to the conclusion that this site is really an extension of MY feelings........no matter what is on my heart! So please forgive (and indulge) me if some of my posts do not directly relate to Jon but to the state in which I find myself. Most of my friends create blogs to share their feelings, so I'm thinking that's what I need to do as well.

Anyway, to focus FIRST on Jon, let me say that he is amazing! He is completing his second year back at UGA (and he assures me that he will do well enough to go back for his third year), so I couldn't BE any more proud of him. How 'bout them Dawgs! :)

Now as to what's really weighing on my heart........as I mentioned in my previous post, I (we) have a daughter living in New York City. She is our only daughter (for which we are extremely grateful--love her to death, but still grateful that there was only one girl in this brood......my hat's off to those who raise more than one girl!) "Things" haven't been great for her lately, I must admit. She recently found herself at a juncture in life that she definitely DID NOT anticipate....nor did we. It reminds me of the Rascal Flatt's song, " These Days". You know, the line that says, "Yeah, life throws you curves, but you learn to swerve". It sometimes feels like her whole life has been one big swerve! I admit that I felt that way with Jon, but I never anticipated that I would have to "walk that walk" (or swerve that swerve) with another of my children! She is such an amazing young woman, and I know she'll be fine, but it doesn't make the journey any easier for either of us!

Please join me in praying for strength and wisdom for her as she seeks God's guidance in her life.

Outlooks

I haven't posted in over a week (and my ONE friend-haha-hasn't been on my case about it), so I figured it was time to at least write SOMETHING! I've actually been quite busy since Easter making plans for our New Yorker daughter to come for a visit--a long overdue one. If you had told me five years ago that I would only see her a few times a year, I'd have thought you were crazy! But here we are.........with her living in Manhattan for almost two years now and only seeing her every two or three months (if we're lucky). Wow! Time flies when you're having fun, and trust me, she's definitely having fun! We are very proud of her and happy, of course, that she is so happy with her life. (We still miss her terribly, though! I'm not sure Jonathon has quite forgiven her YET for packing up and moving to the Big Apple!)

Jonathon is winding down his classes for the semester, getting ready for finals in a couple of weeks. I can hardly believe that he has been back on campus for two years now; it is a blessing that we don't allow ourselves to forget. In the book of Jeremiah, God promised to give him hope and a future, and He has certainly continued to fulfill that promise. Just last week, in fact, Jonathon learned that he has been blessed with the opportunity to serve the Lord through a summer internship at our church, something that we encouraged him to seek and are so grateful that it will become a reality for him. Although he may not have the same physical abilities as the other interns, I am confident that he will give all that he can to this wonderful chance to share his testimony and grow God's Kingdom. My prayer is that those with whom he serves as well as those he serves will be able to look past his DIS-abilities and focus on his CAP-abilities. He has such an amazing love for the Lord and knows full well the grace he has been given. As he wrote in an essay upon returning to UGA in 2007, "Through my disability, I want most of all to let people know that while some of my abilities may have changed, I am basically still the same person I was two years ago. While my vision may have changed, my outlook is still the same."

Thank you, sweet Jesus, for the lessons You continue to gently teach us and the messages we so desperately need to hear.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;" ~ Psalm 37: 4-7

Happy Easter!

Today we celebrated Easter by attending church and praising God for the fulfillment of His promise to us. As our minister said, can you imagine the conversation between the Marys as they approached the tomb to annoint Jesus' body? Don't you know that they were wondering how on earth they were going to move the enormous stone from the entrance? Yet, when they arrived, it was gone! Surprise! Jesus wasn't there! The promise that was made through the birth of our Savior was fulfilled in His resurrection--Hallelujah!

In keeping with our new Easter tradition, David, Jon, Jeff, and I traveled to Grady after brunch to deliver care bags to the families in the ICU waiting areas. This year we had enough bags to visit on three different floors, a blessing beyond our expectations. As we learned from our own experiences there, every family has a story and no matter what that story is, they feel alone and frightened. We just wanted each of them to know that we understand and are praying for them. It's a blessing, too, to see the reactions from the families upon receiving these tokens of our concern. One gentleman in particular asked for two bags and then opened them and began distributing items in the bags to others around him--some who had already received their own bags. He even sought us out on another floor to ask for another bag because more people had come into the waiting area where he was, and he wanted to share more--what a beautiful testiment to God's love! This gentleman clearly had a heart for God. Please join us in praying for each of the families at Grady and elsewhere with critical medical needs.

"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, 'Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?' " ~ Matthew 16: 1-3

Wee (Wii?) Update

I'm on spring break, and starting tomorrow I'm on a cruise to the Bahamas! Woohoo! Before I could leave, however, I had to challenge my Wii once more to see if I was REALLY in no better shape than the little devil tried to tell me a few days ago. Determined to pay close attention to my "skills" tests this time, I am happy to report that I now have a Wii Fit age of 45 (considerably better than the 70 I was previously told!!!) Hmmmmmmm........I think I'll take that! (And NO, I didn't cheat! I just actually paid attention this time!) In fact, today I even got a little praise as in, "You're in pretty good shape for your age!" It's a heck of a lot better than the sympathy I got the other day! :(

In other (much more important) news, Jonathon, Jeff, David, and I participated in a service project yesterday at a center for youth with emotional, mental, and/or psychological problems. According to the staff member who worked with us, the young people at their facility usually end up there as a "last resort"--often at the point of either coming to them or going to jail. Well, let me just say that it was one of the most rewarding things I think any of us had done in a long time. While David and the other team members painted a small building which is to be converted to a recreation/play center, Jon, Jeff, and I worked on planting some new shrubs and flowers. Jeff dug the holes, I prepared them for the new plants, and Jon got each plant ready for me to pop into the ground. Afterwards, I asked Jon to help me spread pinestraw around each one, and although it was a bit challenging for him to work on the slope where we planted, he did a great job helping. (After helping Jon and me, poor Jeff had to help with the painting, too!) Jon and I also potted a crepe myrtle and two large pots with begonias. Some of the young men who are residents at the center also helped us with painting and a couple of them helped with putting some plants into the window boxes on the building. It was so great to get to meet some of these young men, but I have to admit that it was also a little heart-breaking. We were told that most of the young people there are wards of the state, so when they are deemed ready to return to society, they are placed in foster homes--that is, if homes can be found that will take them. One of the young men in particular was clearly starved for attention, as he wanted to help with any and every task we could find for him. He was quite the chatterbox, too! Very intelligent, very helpful, and very sweet--definitely made you wonder how on earth he ended up there. As David said when we left, it made you want to know his "story", because we all know that everyone has a story....

We thank you, Lord, for opportunities that allow us to open our eyes to the needs of others and ask that you guide us in reaching out to them with your grace and wisdom. We pray for happy endings to each of the stories of these young people.

WiiFit? Wii NOT Fit!

Okay, so yesterday I decided to set up my Wii Fit profile--BAD idea! After entering my height, the Wii weighed me and calculated my BMI (oh, and my "Mama" character that I created got noticeably larger--not funny). I then did the "balance" test, shifting my weight from one side to the other. The only problem is that I failed to notice when it was time to shift to the other side, so apparently I have a real problem with balance! The Wii then proceeded to calculate my "real" age based on my height, weight, and balance........and according to the figure it revealed, I should now how grown grandchildren! What a way to start the day! To say that I'm a "Wii" bit stressed is an understatement!

Maybe tomorrow I'll actually try some of the fitness programs! (I'm thinking that's how to get my Mii to shrink?) For now, I'll stick with bowling and baseball!

Wheeeeeeee!

Telling ourselves that it would be great exercise, we broke down and bought a Wii........that's right, WE now own a Wii! What we didn't tell ourselves was how utterly ridiculous we would feel trying to play the darn thing! I mean, I can't even coordinate swinging my arm and releasing a button at the same time, and my sweet hubby isn't much better! Admittedly, the only game he and I have even attempted was bowling but so far, things aren't looking so good! We are definitely challenged in the eye-hand coordination area where the Wii is concerned. Do you think our age could possibly have anything to do with it?

Can't wait 'til we try out the Wii Fit, but the image in my head sure isn't pretty! I want to tackle the Yoga; however, I suspect that the yoga will tackle me! Truthfully, we are hopeful that it will not only be a fun way for us to get some exercise, it will be therapeutic for Jon as well. I truly believe that the movement, coordination, and stimulation he can get will be an overall benefit and won't feel so much like a therapy session. What I think I want most of all is for the family to have fun doing it together!

Weekend Update

Not exactly the SNL version, but here's a little update of last weekend with Jon:

1. We drove to Athens on Saturday afternoon to attend his fraternity's parent's weekend.


2. The three of us (David, Jon, and myself) had a FABULOUS dinner at a local Japanese restaurant--one of Jon's favorites. Coincidentally (I think not!) I sat next to a physical therapist from a neighboring town who was amazed at Jonathon's progress after hearing his story.


3. After dinner, we were THE FIRST arrivals at the band party. (Oh yay!) After chatting with the band members (which included taking promotional pictures of them) AND the bartenders AND the venue security AND the representative from the local police force (who, by the way, also does specialty cakes and photographs special events), the second set of parents arrived with their son followed soon (thankfully) by the rest of the fraternity! Seriously, we waited at least half an hour for the rest of the crowd to show up and get the party started!


4. We had a ball dancing the (rest of the) night away. For those of you who might wonder, let me just say that Jonny-Boy's still got it! He loves to dance, and can truly hold his own on the dance floor, even managing a few dips and twirls! (Perhaps I shouldn't mention the part where I took his cane and used it in my own solo-dance.........nah, I'll skip that part! Haha!)


5. On Sunday, we joined the rest of the fraternity for lunch at the Fiji house. It was a beautiful day with wonderful food and delightful company! Although this will likely be the last time we attend a parent's weekend, it will certainly not be soon forgotten. The young men in his fraternity are a wonderful group of men, and I am proud that Jon has been associated with them.


6. As always, it was difficult to leave. Jon has made so much progress and come so far, I still have a hard time stepping back and letting time march on. Perhaps it's just because I'm finally in a place where I can truly appreciate what "time" really means. Time is such a gift, and the older I get the more I recognize that.

"Yesterday is history; tomorrow's a mystery. Today is a gift; that's why they call it the 'present'."

PS--This one's for you, Kelly! Thanks for reminding me that I need to make the time to record our history.....

David with Jon

Me with Jon

Sort of like being on vacation where you take turns
taking each other's picture!

Wednesday Woes...or Should I say Wows?

Today was a rarity..........rare in that I didn't talk to Jonathon even ONCE all day! To most moms with college-age children, that's probably more "the norm", but for me it's pretty unusual for a day to pass without even a text! Even more amazing is that it didn't really hit me until just a little while ago that I hadn't heard from him--does that make me sad? Maybe a litte........but in a bigger way, it makes me truly happy. Happy because I believe that it means he has had a good day. I worry sometimes (okay a lot) that he is lonely at school, but not hearing from him makes me think that he is just too busy to bother with me! And isn't that how most college students deal with their parents?

Remember when David made a sign for Jon's room that read N-O-R-M-A-L? That was the goal all along.......for some degree of normalcy to return to his life. So now, instead of worrying that I don't hear from him for a day, I'll celebrate NORMAL, knowing that there are plenty of other moms with kids away at school who didn't hear from theirs today (or yesterday for that matter). Yay, for normalcy! (Now, Jonathon, if you're reading this, "CALL YOUR MOTHER!" )

"He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young..." ~ Deuteronomy 32: 10-11

Monday Morning Mumblings

It's now a little after 10:00 in the morning, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I have been out of bed for exactly 39 minutes! That is just crazy to me! Could it be the rain outside, the allergies that are making my throat feel like sandpaper, or the fact that I'm just lazy??? I'd rather go with the rain theory.......somehow labeling oneself as lazy just doesn't have that "feel good" effect--hmmmm. (Or, could it possibly be that I just needed the rest?--Actually, I'd rather go with that idea!) Anyway, it IS the beginning of another work-week for most of the Clarks, another school week for Jonathon, and another week of gratitude for life in general. It is a VERY dreary day outside, but hey, haven't we all learned that you gotta have a little rain before the sun shines through? Thank you, Lord, for sunshine AND rain! (Now, could we have a little more sunshine, please?)

Four Years? FOUR YEARS!

Today marked the fourth year since Jonathon's aneurysm--that's right, FOUR years! I guess to some it might seem a bit macabre to continue to mark each year, but to us, it merely marks another year of gratitude to our faithful and merciful God. To us, it is reason to celebrate all the blessings we have shared as a family. We have witnessed miracles, and we are forever grateful.

As a spring break treat, we took Jonathon to New York City for a few days. We left Atlanta on Saturday morning and returned on Tuesday evening and packed about as much of the "city that never sleeps" in between. We had been pondering the trip for a while and finally decided that he was strong enough to tackle it. Any of the fears or concerns that we had leading up to the trip dissipated pretty quickly upon arrival. As I said, we flew up on Saturday morning, and because the weather was so beautiful, we decided to spend the afternoon in Central Park. We must have walked for at least four or five miles, taking short breaks only when needed, and we only covered the east side of the park! What's so amazing is that Jonathon took every step we did! He was such a trooper; I couldn't have been more proud of him. Yes, he was exhausted at night, but so were we!!

The next two days were more of the same--walking, walking, walking (with even a few rides on New York's infamous subway system) as we visited the Museum of Natural History, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, Radio City Music Hall, Ground Zero, and Battery Park (and everything in between!) When I stop to think of how strong Jonathon has become, I am truly amazed. God has been so faithful to give him a future--He has never forsaken His promise.

The day after we returned from New York, Jonathon visited Pathways, the outpatient facility where he received his therapies. We had lunch with the mother of a current patient there so that Jonathon could offer her encouragement in her son's recovery. He shared with her some of his highs and lows, and at one point she paused and looked at Jonathon to ask, "Are you happy?" Without missing a beat, he said, "Oh yes, ma'am, I really am." To know that my son is happy is worth all that the past four years brought. For him to be able to encourage another walking a similar path to his is such a gift. And THAT, my friends, is why we continue to celebrate! God IS good........ALL the time!

Check out my guys checking out Grand Central!
Aren't they good-looking?

And a trip to New York City wouldn't be complete

without a visit to Radio City Music Hall!

Godspots and Legacies

David and I attended an event a few nights ago entitled, "Leaving a Legacy", expecting to gain useful information in planning for our children and their children--things we had perhaps overlooked on our estate planning "To Do" list. I have to admit that the presentation fell short of our expectations, BUT the knowledge we gained was invaluable! Oh, I don't mean ANY of the information that the speaker shared; I mean the information we gathered from another couple sitting at our table. As we chatted before dinner, one of the couples shared with us that they, too, had a son attending UGA. We talked a little about the campus and about the plans our sons had for next year. I mentioned that limited mobility is an issue for Jonathon, but at no time did I say anything about WHY mobility was an issue. As we talked, another couple at our table (who knew of Jonathon's experiences) asked me how he was doing. Although they didn't say more about his situation, it was almost like a "lightbulb moment" for the other couple. At that time, the husband looked at my nametag and said, "You're Jon Clark's parents: I didn't make the connection!" He then told us that he and his wife had actually been at Sharp Top when Jonathon collapsed. He went on to tell us that he, in fact, had gone to the First Aid station to get the back board to put Jon on. While we are always interested in hearing from individuals who were at the retreat, it was what they told us next that really hit home. When the husband told us that he had retrieved the back board, his wife said, "Remember you wore your tennis shoes that day." (Normally I wouldn't think one thing about that, but she seemed to think it was important to share.) She continued by saying that he typically wouldn't wear his tennis shoes, but that when she questioned him about it, he replied that he just felt like he should wear his tennis shoes that day. WHY he felt compelled to wear tennis shoes wasn't revealed until he became the volunteer who RAN to the First Aid station (which, by the way, was uphill from the dining hall) to get the back board. Do you think that was coincidence? I certainly don't! I think it was another Godspot! I believe with all my heart that God told him to wear THOSE shoes on THAT day because he was going to need to RUN!!!

Earlier in the evening, I spoke with the doctor who had accompanied the group to Sharp Top-- remember, this was the first time a doctor had been on this particular retreat--because I wanted to tell him that he had been the subject of a speech Jonathon gave last week for one of his classes. I wanted him to know that the nature of the speech, called an epideictic extemporaneous, was to praise (or blame) a person or thing. In presenting an epideictic (yeah, I can hardly even say it!) speech, the attitude of the audience should be taken into account, particularly if the topic is of an emotional nature which Jonathon's surely was. Jonathon chose to praise Dr. Don not only for electing to go on the retreat but also for his accurate assessment of the situation on the morning Jonathon collapsed because that assessment and the decision to lifeflight him to Grady was key in saving his life. I also wanted him to know that Jonathon received 9 out of 10 points for his speech, with very favorable comments from his instructor. (Jonathon also told me that the instructor said he rarely gave 10 out of 10 points, so he was pretty pumped about his grade!) As I told the doctor all this he added that one of the things HE found to be so important in the events of that morning was that Bob, the youth director, had my cell phone number programmed into his phone. Well, what Dr. Don didn't know was that it wasn't MY cell phone number that was in Bob's phone--it was Jeff's! When Bob called Jeff, he never expected him to be home for the weekend; he assumed that Jeff would be at school and that he would get my number from him. To add to the awesomeness of God's hand in the experience is that Jeff was standing about three feet away from me when the call came in from Bob. Those few moments saved by not having to make a second call to reach me surely were key. Being able to speak with Dr. Don so quickly and give him Jonathon's medical history were critical in his assessment and in the chain of events that next occurred.

Oh, and one more thing I learned--the "tennis shoes" guy told me that one thing he found pretty cool was that when the EMTs arrived to take Jon to the hospital (although soon making the decision to have him airlifted), he noted that the driver of the ambulance was wearing a NASCAR jacket! How great is that? Maybe in that one moment in his life, that driver envisioned himself in one of the most important races of his life! And to me........he was!

So here we are, almost four years later and I am still in awe of God's total control over the events in our lives. Yes, He is God who sees the big picture, but He is also God who scripts every single detail! He tells us when to wear tennis shoes, when to come home for the weekend, when to keep cell numbers stored, when to chaperone youth group trips, and even when being a NASCAR fan might hold the key to saving another person's life. He holds each piece of the puzzle and in His time, he places each one into its very special place in our lives. Whew! Now THAT's the God I want in control of my life!

Maybe attending that program on leaving a legacy wasn't all that I had expected it to be...but just maybe it was more than I could have ever hoped for! Maybe the more I see God at work in my life and in the lives of those around me, the more equipped I am to share His love, grace, and mercy with others..........and maybe, just maybe, that's what leaving a legacy is all about!

"I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love; did I point to You enough?" ~Nicole Nordeman

"Those who know your name will trust in you,for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." ~ Psalm 9:10

Buckhead Boys

So Jonathon got to experience another "first" this past weekend........he went to Buckhead, which--for those of you who don't know--is a popular night spot for the "older than college, but not read to settle down" crowd in Atlanta. His twin brother, Jeff, was meeting some friends from work and asked Jon if he'd like to join them. It never occurred to me that Jonathon hadn't ever had the opportunity to just go hang out there, although I have no idea when I thought he might have! Although I must admit that I was a nervous wreck knowing he was out (yeah, I know--he's a big boy), I must also admit that I was really happy that he had the chance to just go out and be young for a change! Of course, my happiness was somewhat dimmed by the fact that they didn't get home until almost time for the paper to arrive on Saturday morning!!!! (Yeah, I didn't get much sleep that night; THEY, however, got lots of sleep on Saturday!) All in all, it was a great experience for Jonathon. He got to hang out with people his age and BE YOUNG! He's missed out on so much these past few years that I guess a night of youthful debauchery every once in a while is okay.........I'm just glad they don't do it often--I'd NEVER get any rest! Ha!

Bible Study "Ah-Ha" Moments

I haven't been posting a lot because I "decided" that nobody really cared about what I had to say anyway, so why bother? Tonight, I had one of those "ah-ha"--hit me over the head--moments when I realized that it didn't really matter WHAT anyone else thought! What really mattered is that when I felt compelled to share my thoughts, it didn't matter one iota whether a single person read my posts or not! Sometimes you just gotta talk.......or write! So here goes...........

I realized tonight as I listened to some of my Bible Study friends that I had so much on my heart that I wanted to share, and it didn't really matter to me whether a single soul besides myself read it anyway! I want to continue to remind myself that God has been SO gracious to me.........to us! When I first returned to Bible Study in the fall of 2005 (after Jon's aneurysym), we did Beth Moore's study on John, the Beloved Disciple. In that first week, she addressed the meaning of the name, John, which is "God has been gracious." I remember how profoundly that affected me! GOD HAS BEEN GRACIOUS!!! Jonathon is alive, and he is thriving! How many aneurysm patients can claim that? Especially, how many BRAIN aneurysm patients--especially those with the degree of damage the statistics said Jonathon would have--can claim that? With the prognosis we were initially given for Jonathon, how can I possibly question God's infinite wisdom and plans for my son? I have to remind myself that this is THE God who gave His own Son to pay for my iniquities! One word............WOW!

Jonathon has returned to college; he is living independently on-campus. He is enrolled as a FULL-TIME student; what more could I ask for at this point in his life? Sure........it's a struggle at times, but isn't life a struggle? I have to constantly remind myself that God hasn't brought Jonathon to this point in his life to now abandon him.............He wants Jonathon to enjoy a future and to prosper! Does Jonathon's future look the same as his brother's and his sister's does? NOT REALLY.............but does Jonathon HAVE a future? ABSOLUTELY!!! And who am I to question what his future really holds? Jonathon indeed has a future, and THAT is what I need to continue to remind myself! God promised each of us hope AND a future!

Praise HIM!
"Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance!
I just want to praise him; I just want to praise him!"

We Live

I woke up this morning and couldn't get the lyrics to "We Live" by Superchick out of my head. I kept singing:
"There's a cross on the side of the road
Where a mother lost her son
How could she know that the morning he left
Would be the last time she'd trade with him for a little more time
(so she could say she loved him one last time)"
I then continued to sing the chorus:
"We live, we love, we forgive and never give up
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
And today we remember to live and to love
We live, we love, we forgive and never give up
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
And today we remember to live and to love"

So the first part of the lyrics is pretty depressing, right? Anyway, WHY I couldn't get that song out of my head didn't connect until later today when Jeff and David delivered our old, but still usable, washer and dryer to a needy family in our area. Last weekend, in an effort to clean out our storage unit, we decided to swap our washer and dryer for ones we had in storage from when our daughter, Blair, moved away. We then asked a friend of ours who works in an area of the county that is made up largely of single-parent, low-income families if she knew of a family who might be in need of our old but still functional washer/dryer. To our delight, she said, "Yes, I do!" Hence, the delivery today......

What we had no idea prior to today was the background of the family to which they would be delivering the washer/dryer. David and Jeff met our friend in the parking lot of the school where she works and proceeded to the family's home. They dropped off the appliances and as they walked back to our truck, our friend told David that the mother to whom he had just delivered the washer/dryer lost her 20-year-old daughter between Thanksgiving and Christmas of last year to a brain aneurysm. I didn't accompany David and Jeff for the delivery, but let me tell you that when David told me what had happened, I nearly fell to my knees! How awesome is our God that He would so beautifully orchestrate our lives that we could help another family who was in need and who had experienced a similar tragedy, although without the same results?

Even more affirming of His power was the fact that when I got in my car today (after David told me what happened), the song that was playing on the radio was "We Live" by Superchick! What struck me most upon hearing it was the following line:
"And tragedy's a reminder to take off the blinders
and wake up (to live the life)
We're supposed to take up (moving forward)
With all our heads up
Cuz life is worth living"

Yes, tragedy IS a reminder to "take off the blinders"! I am eternally grateful to our Father who taught me through tragedy to view the world and to see His love differently. Would I change the course of events so that my son never experienced what he did? Of course! Would I want my own life to remain the way that it was prior to this journey? NO WAY! I truly see how God used "all things" to work for the good of those who have been called according to His purpose!