Thursday, June 01, 2006
Sprinkler and Smiley
Batman versus his nemesis...the Sprinkler! Also - he mentioned earlier that he can smile...well, here is the proof!
NATURE'S CHILD - a poem by Megan R.
NATURE'S CHILD
The wanton child tipped back her head
To suck the seeping sun
Golden drops of angels' flesh
Ripped through the chosen one
Drowning shadows on mountainsides
Danced to violent thunder hymns
Tripping down paled rays
Hexed by shrilling lightning screams
A rocky crest led to the shore
Swallowed by the light
Solar with lunar havens met
Spitting out the night
Halos wrapped around her head
Stretched taut with clinging bands
Harnessed winds disbanded ties
Cradling her with unseen hands
A hungry cave cut back its grin
Opening wide for its meal
Fate unwove, though shell of life,
The lone morsel stone could steal
Carefree soul now wanders earth
Bonding spirit with the land
Protected by her ancient caller
Separate now from man
Keeper of eternal growth
Meshed tight with flower sheath and tree
Her harboring body trapped forever
But her soul forever free
-Megan R.
One Day in Chi-Town...a past journal entry
The days are getting shorter. The heavy darkness of the summer nights is blanketing the sun earlier than I would like. The summer is slowly, but almost too quickly, fading away. Where does the time go? How is it that I have so lost myself in the vacuum of time that I can't even directly put my finger on to where it has slipped away? As much as I look forward to what each day and each moment will bring, I am saddened by what time has taken with its passing. But, we can't live in the past, so we must incorporate the delicious parts of it into our future. So - what do we take with us as we move on? How do we decide what is important? I guess it is all tied to feelings. That which is strongest will survive and will move on with us, hopefully growing and ever evolving. Some of the things that I would like to take with me are the fragments of relationships I've encountered - the minute bits and pieces of people who have touched me and filled up the tiny holes in my soul. I would like to take with me what it is to feel loved for exactly who I am - even if the brevity of that feeling is almost incalculable. I would like to take with me that larger than life feeling that has possesed me while in the city continuing on my path of self-exploration and self-realization. I would like to take with me the feeling of the warm sun hitting my face while it reflects off of the river below. I would like to take with me the feeling of the wind tangling itself violently into my hair without even caring what it has done to my appearance during its dance. I want to take with me all of those pure raw feelings that somehow hit me every day as I escape from the mundane pace of the rest of the world. I hope that my words can remind me of all of those intangible wonders that I have clumsily stumbled upon, yet that I have felt with an all-knowing conviction and want.
-Megan
-Megan
Pre-Plunge
This is it. One of the last moments as semi-single people. The day after this we took the plunge and became Mr. and Mrs.
COLORADO
Matt and I LOVE Colorado. He went to college in Ft. Collins, and he stayed in Colorado for quite some time after graduating. I "lived" in Ft. Collins with friends the summer before starting college. I have been visiting Colorado with my family since I was just a little kid. If we could move to once place and live there forever...it would definitely be the mountain state. For right now, though, we will continue to travel there to ski, sight-see, hike, and whatever else we can do!
ps - in case you can't tell, Matt is the skier on the left...and I am the skier on the right!
The Girls
My two best friends are very different people, but both lovely in their own right. Kelly (on the left) and I went to college together. We both hated our sorority together, and spent most of our time at the bar. I must say that it did not affect my GPA in the least...it might have even helped! Kelly is married to Jason, they live in a suburb of Chicago, and they are expecting their first baby (a boy) in August. Canella (on the right) and I used to work together. I actually interviewed and hired her to replace me when I was promoted to a new position at an IT consulting firm. We hit it off from the start, and we are friends after both of us have moved on from that employer. Canella just received her associate's degree and will be continuing her education after she moves. She will be moving from Chicago to North Carolina toward the end of the year.
Please note: during this toast at my rehearsal dinner, I am toasting with a full pot of coffee. Why? Because it was there, and apparently I had misplaced my wine.
My Family
My parents, Bob and Judy, reside in a far west suburb of Chicago. They both were born and raised in northern Illinois. During the Vietnam war, my father was deployed to and stationed in Panama. My mom moved to Panama and worked in a hospital there in order to be with my dad when she could. Outside of that, Illinois has been their home. Both of my parents are retired from the insurance industry. They enjoy spending time playing in the river behind their home (fishing / canoeing / etc.). Their post-retirement routine includes taking as many road trips as possible all over the US. This summer they plan to take the motor home and head to Alaska. Their dog Eenie will be joining them on their adventure.I also have an older sister, Erin. She is married to Doug, and they have two sons. Benjamin is a little over 2 years old, and Paxon was born just this May.
The In-Laws
Jerry and Joanne are my in-laws. They still reside in a small town in Ohio. Jerry is a "retired" business owner who enjoys playing gin at the Elks Club. He is an active person who likes to work out regularly to maintain his health. In addition, he tries to travel to Colorado once a year to get in some time on the slopes. His favorite pastime is hosting tailgate parties at The Ohio State University football games. Joanne is a talented artist (water color) and an avid volunteer in her community. She has won the "volunteer of the year" award so many times that is now named after her and given out to other volunteers. Joanne's favorite pastime is trying to convince Jerry not to host OSU football game tailgate parties. Both are wonderful people to have as family.
In addition, Matt has two older siblings. His brother Scott and his family live in Ohio. Scott has two sons, Jameson and Mitchell. His sister Kim lives in Pennslyvania with her two daughters, Catherine and Maggie. Catherine is just finishing up her first year of college...nice job!...so she only lives at home part of the time.
BATMAN RETURNS
Hello, my name is Batman. I know...everyone says the same thing...I don't look like the real Batman. Please remember, though, that only the Batman costume was black, muscular, and shiny. Bruce Wayne was just a normal little white guy underneath...just like me.
I absolutely love my peeps. They take me for long walks in the park and for fun rides in the Jeep. My favorite games to play are frisbee, "hat", and football. Daddy doesn't let me play football much anymore, though, because I don't like to give the football back. Mean daddy... I also love to take drinks from the hose and to try to attack the sprinkler. Those things are crazy! I have a unique talent, which is that I can "smile" when my parents want me to. I really enjoy tearing all of the stuffing out of my toys and trying to find those cool little squeaky prizes on the inside. Who thought of such wonderful concepts for toys? When I am not out trying to save the world, I also enjoy taking naps (especially with my mommy).
My parents keep trying to tell me that I am a dog, but I still don't buy it. I am just a furry little person who happens to not be able to stand upright. I can't wait for my mommy and daddy to bring me a little brother or sister to play with. I am looking forward to the day that I will be able to clean up any baby food mishaps that find their way to the floor.
If you need any superhero assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to shine the bat symbol in the sky. I will find you...
- Batman
My Husband
I am thankful everyday for having such a wonderful person in my life. My husband, Matt, is my "favorite". He is bold, caring, ambitious, funny, loyal, and an all-around great guy. He was born and raised in a small town about an hour west of Columbus, OH. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1992. He has lived all over the US, and has traveled all over the world. He is a fantastic skier and holds Colorado dear to his heart. He is a huge sports fan, and his two favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys and The Ohio State University Buckeyes. He has (for the most part) his dream job working for the North American headquarters for Porsche (PCNA). Who wouldn't enjoy getting to drive a race car as a perk?
Matt -
Thank you for continually speaking your mind and your heart - it melts me.
Thank you for loving me in a way that I have never experienced before and that I don't think I could ever experience with anyone else.
Thank you for being silly and for being serious.
Thank you for knowing exactly why I smile or giggle, even though I have not said a word.
Thank you for listening to me when I vent.
Thank you for laughing at me and poking fun at me when I pout or complain.
Thank you for having your eyes speak everything that my heart feels.
Thank you for just being in my life and for wanting me in yours.
I love you....
- Megan