I'm very passionate about music. When people ask me what types of music I like best, I tell them that I enjoy music that doesn't have screaming or hard rap. A few of my favorite types of music are Country, Reggae, 1970's through 1980's and Classical music. I tend to have music on no matter where I'm at and no matter what I'm doing. Whether it's cleaning the house, at work, or in my car, I'm usually tuned in to some type of music. The two types of music I listen to the most would probably be Country and Classical. A lot of times my choice in music depends on my mood. I find that listening to Classical music can calm me when my nerves are on edge because it is very calm and soothing. I grew up around Country music. That is what my mom listened to most of the time. My favorite country singers are Tim McGraw #1, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Patsy Cline, and Faith Hill (to name a few). I've been to two of Tim McGraw's concerts over the past ten years. The first concert that I went to of Tim's was in Atlanta, GA in 2003. Kenny Chesney opened for him that evening. While at their concert, I remember having a small flash back to the shows I've seen on television of the girls that went crazy over Elvis Presley. Some of them were crying and screaming. I managed to maintain myself at the concert, but internally, I was crying and screaming when Tim McGraw walked onto the stage! I remember thinking, if only I were a little closer I could touch his boot, his pants, or shake his hand! I would have loved to get Tim's autograph. I was so excited that concert, that I totally forgot my camera at home. That was crazy!
The second concert of Tim's that I went to, I attended ALONE! Tim and Faith were in concert in Huntsville, Alabama on May 26, 2006. I was unable to get anyone to go with me, so I decided that I would go alone. I jumped in my Honda Civic and started on my way. The closer I got to Huntsville, the more excited I was. Part of me couldn't believe I was on the road so far from home alone, the other part of me was too excited to care about the distance. I got held up in Atlanta's rush hour traffic. This upset me because I thought I'd miss the concert or part of it. Eventually I made it through and arrived in Huntsville. I found a place to park and hurried to the auditorium. When the music started, chills covered my body and I wanted to cry! I was closer to Tim and Faith at this concert than I was at the first concert with Tim. I was able to walk up to the stage. There was a guard rail in the way, but hello!! I was CLOSE!! I memorized the way he went around the cross shaped stage. The next time he came around to my side of the stage, I ran up and stepped on the first bar on the guard rail. This was risking being thrown out too! I came a hands length distance from high fiving Tim McGraw. If it weren't for some lady in her fifty's with the leopard skin shirt, I would have actually touched Tim's hand. Some say this is obsession, but I say it's more star struck. Faith was close to me as well, and I felt the same way about her. They are gorgeous people, with an awesome talent for singing.
I've been a fan of theirs for well over ten years now. I'd suggest Tim and Faith's music to everyone. They tell real life stories in their songs and they do it through their soul. They are very passionate about what they do. Tim and Faith are also passionate about their fans. They seem to have a bond like no other couple in the spotlight that I've seen. Over the years, I've seen them on Oprah and other shows of the like. They truly seem to have a solid foundation for family values. Even with busy schedules as country music entertainers, their first priority is their three daughters. I haven't met them personally, but a few people that I know have. My friends that have met them claim that they are very genuine. I hope that one day I'll be able to meet them both.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Cathy
I can't remember the year that my brother Darrin married my late sister in law, Cathy...but I certainly remember the date that she went to be with the Lord. I will never forget the day... October 3, 2003. (Coincidentally, that's the birthdate of my late grandmother that I never met). Cathy and Darrin were married for over ten years. Over this time span she and I grew pretty close. She was always very kind to me and seemed to have my back when my brother would pick on me, or simply say the wrong thing at the wrong time. I can't say that I've ever met anyone like her. She seemed so strong, and I know that was because of the difficult life that she had in the beginning. A young mother of three and two of the three being twins. I can't remember a time that she didn't have a smile or something sweet to share.
Cathy worked as an Obstetrician and she enjoyed what she did, except for the long hours she would have to pull if one of her employees were out. One day when she was at work, she doubled over in pain, which she had to go to the emergency room for. After a series of tests, the doctors found masses in her stomach. She went through several more tests and the doctors diagnosed her with cancer. That was one of the most difficult things to hear. The "C" word... to us, this wasn't real at first, but it quickly became our reality. The doctors had a problem determining what type of cancer that she had. I remember at first the doctors said it was Lymphoma. I hurried home and began searching the facts online about Lymphoma. After I thought that I knew most everything that I could about what she had and may experience, the doctors changed their diagnosis not once, but twice. At this very moment, I can't remember which type of cancer that it was. It started with the letter M and it wasn't Melanoma.
Soon Cathy's smiles turned because of the pains she endured. She had to undergo cancer treatments with Chemo and Radiation. My mother was by her side when my brother couldn't be. At times, I'd go sit with her while mom and Darrin were busy. Needless to say, Cathy had to take strong pain medications that would make her sleep for hours. During the few hours that she was awake, she would have a little food and drink, then she would write in her journal, the journal that I wouldn't have a chance to read until she passed away. This went on for around nine months. Everytime I visited, I could tell that her life was slowly coming to an end, this broke my heart but there was nothing that I could do. She would always say not to worry about age and enjoy every year that we get because you never know when it's your time to go. She was able to celebrate her fourty eighth birthday in February. At her party she said that would be her last birthday and she said it with a smile. We were torn...but she was ready to be free from the pain.
The day came when the family had to have Hospice come to her home and care for her. We did all that we could (mainly Darrin and mom) to make her feel comfortable and made sure that she knew we loved her. She became very quiet and stopped writing in her journal. She wasn't able to do this any longer due to the pain and having to sleep. On October 3rd, at 4:30 pm when my aunt knocked on my door. I ran to the door and heard the news that would change me in a way that is hard to describe. I felt a part of me died with her. I believe this changed me... I've learned not to take any of my days for granted and spend as much time as I can with family and friends. Never pass the opportunity up to tell someone that you love them. I also believe what Cathy repeated several times before her passing. Age is just a number...but you should make every age count. She'll forever be with me. I could go on but this class is about to end. I'm actually the last one in class and about to have to go to the next.
Cathy worked as an Obstetrician and she enjoyed what she did, except for the long hours she would have to pull if one of her employees were out. One day when she was at work, she doubled over in pain, which she had to go to the emergency room for. After a series of tests, the doctors found masses in her stomach. She went through several more tests and the doctors diagnosed her with cancer. That was one of the most difficult things to hear. The "C" word... to us, this wasn't real at first, but it quickly became our reality. The doctors had a problem determining what type of cancer that she had. I remember at first the doctors said it was Lymphoma. I hurried home and began searching the facts online about Lymphoma. After I thought that I knew most everything that I could about what she had and may experience, the doctors changed their diagnosis not once, but twice. At this very moment, I can't remember which type of cancer that it was. It started with the letter M and it wasn't Melanoma.
Soon Cathy's smiles turned because of the pains she endured. She had to undergo cancer treatments with Chemo and Radiation. My mother was by her side when my brother couldn't be. At times, I'd go sit with her while mom and Darrin were busy. Needless to say, Cathy had to take strong pain medications that would make her sleep for hours. During the few hours that she was awake, she would have a little food and drink, then she would write in her journal, the journal that I wouldn't have a chance to read until she passed away. This went on for around nine months. Everytime I visited, I could tell that her life was slowly coming to an end, this broke my heart but there was nothing that I could do. She would always say not to worry about age and enjoy every year that we get because you never know when it's your time to go. She was able to celebrate her fourty eighth birthday in February. At her party she said that would be her last birthday and she said it with a smile. We were torn...but she was ready to be free from the pain.
The day came when the family had to have Hospice come to her home and care for her. We did all that we could (mainly Darrin and mom) to make her feel comfortable and made sure that she knew we loved her. She became very quiet and stopped writing in her journal. She wasn't able to do this any longer due to the pain and having to sleep. On October 3rd, at 4:30 pm when my aunt knocked on my door. I ran to the door and heard the news that would change me in a way that is hard to describe. I felt a part of me died with her. I believe this changed me... I've learned not to take any of my days for granted and spend as much time as I can with family and friends. Never pass the opportunity up to tell someone that you love them. I also believe what Cathy repeated several times before her passing. Age is just a number...but you should make every age count. She'll forever be with me. I could go on but this class is about to end. I'm actually the last one in class and about to have to go to the next.
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