Today is sort of the end of an era. Jim's last day at Overbrook City Hall. A basic home away from home for him for the last 20 years. Who was he before he started there? I can't really remember. Overbrook City Clerk sort of became his identity. What has he been able to accomplish there? So much. The city has gotten their streets repaved, gotten new water lines, is in the midst of a big sewer project, has kept the current infrastructure up, kept people with good, clean water, has helped keep the parks and recs programs running, kept the city lake up and stocked with fish, helped with keeping low income senior housing in town, been active on bringing new businesses to town, helped find grants for all sorts of projects from park benches, to water treatment facilities, to park equipment, and countless other things. He has also carved a place into many people's hearts. The elderly - absolutely love him - he helps them with anything they need. The people who some in society would shun? Jim gave them a voice, listened to their problems, helped them when he could, and treated them like they should be treated. He was kind to people, even when he should have throat punched them, took care of their needs even when it wasn't his job, let them vent their frustrations, even when it wasn't a city issue, and stayed kind and compassionate. I could never have done what he has done, could never have stayed kind, and certainly could not have spent the kind of time that he has spent doing all of these things. I have to laugh sometimes about the things I have been told - one old lady told me in the post office once that Jim is a doll and if he wasn't married already, she would snatch him up. One man (who frequently comes in to the liquor store - if you catch my drift) told me that he wasn't gay, but that if I ever ditched Jim, he would marry him, because he was one of the best men he had ever met. I laugh about these things, but in all honesty, I agree with them. Jim is a good dude. I will miss having him up the street. I will miss grabbing impromptu lunches at the bar, and him stopping in my office to say hi once in a while. I will miss having an "in" on knowing what is going on around town. I will not miss the time that he had to spend away from our family, or the stress that he tends to take on himself, even when things were out of his control. He is not old enough to actually retire, but I am happy that he is able to get his KPERS, and if you know Jim's family history, you know that this is a win - getting money from them for the rest of his life is a little piece of retribution. (Yes, he earned it, but still). He will be going back to work, but in a different job, which hopefully will come with less time commitment and less stress. Whatever he does, I know he will do it well, because that is just who he is. I am proud of him, happy for him to do something new, and looking forward to all of it.
More phots from the fishing expedition - these came from Colin.
Jim is still talking excitedly about how many fish they caught and how much fun they had. I love that they had this experience.
And since we are being random, I think my dog is broken! This is honesty how she always sleeps. It cracks me up - I don't see how it could possibly be comfortable, but it apparently doesn't bother her. She is so funny. She has been doing a lot of chewing. When she chews on us, I put her in "time out" in her kennel. She then whines and looks like she is the saddest dog alive. It is pathetic. I have a hard time staying mad at her, she is so stinking cute and sweet. However, this morning when she trampled my green beans, I briefly thought about selling her to the gypsies.
My mom had hip replacement surgery yesterday. She is waiting to see if her blood pressure comes back up so she can go home today. She is in some pain, and having discomfort, but they do have her up walking and doing exercises on it. It is weird to me how they want you to have your hip socket broken, replaced, and then just jump up out of bed and move on like nothing happened. I don't know if it actually makes healing better, of if it is a result of the insurance industry not paying for hospitalizations. Either way, I am happy she got the surgery done, and hope that she recovers quickly.
Summer break is rough! :)
Spencer sent me a link to their engagement phots. I love these so much. They are amazing pictures! There were a lot! I saved my favorites here! I will always love pictures, but my favorites are always the ones where people look like they are genuinely happy. The ones where the smiles are the ones you recognize from when someone tells you a funny story, or are being ornery, the smiles that are their "true" smile.
Which is why I picked these as the ones I absolutely love. I can see the love and happiness in my son's face. I love this woman that he is marrying. She is absolutely amazing, and we just could not be happier to welcome her into our family officially. I love how she is patient and kind to our son, how she is able to get her point across to him without being mean or rude. I love how she thinks before she speaks, and then makes her point. She is truly a sweet, kind, smart, hard working, amazing girl. I cannot wait to watch them build a life and a family together, and we are so blessed to be a part of it!
Also, I love the photo with the dogs. Volt - to me always looks like he is plotting something -revenge or retribution. Cash is just happy and sweet...always looks like he wants to play and is the most photogenic dog ever. I love their tuxedos! So funny!
I am happy it is Friday! Happy weekend!
No comments:
Post a Comment