News from the Back Deck 7-1-09

Hello My Friends~

The town of Sayville was abuzz this past week in preparation for the Senior Prom and graduation. Our lovely Devon, a Junior in H.S., was a guest at the Senior Prom. Months ago, she created a vision in her mind of the look she wanted to achieve--a wholesome/sexy mermaid. She and my sister-in-law Eileen hit the shops in search of the 'perfect' gown. I knew when the cell phone started beeping in pictures that I was sunk...they had found the PERFECT dress but it was light years away from our price range. After reviewing the pictures, and talking to the 'adult' in this shopping duo, I had to admit, it was THE dress. The event took on a life of its own with all of the preparations, and brought back so many fond memories of my own prom some 29 years ago. Back in THOSE days we wore Gunne Sax dresses and looked like Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Praire...half the girls at this prom looked like they had on a belly dancer's costume! Oh, I am getting old...

The big day presented itself...with SUN after a full month of rain. Devon did the rounds of beautification (nails, make-up, hair) and found the perfect flower to place in her hair. And I have to admit, our wholesome/sexy mermaid was absolutely stunning. One of her friend's parents had procured the transportation for Devon and her crew--a double decker limousine. I have never seen anything like it...and can't even begin to imagine what the cost would have been had this parent not been so generous. Sayville has a wonderful tradition where all of the kids participating in the prom meet at our version of the 'village green'. It is a lovely small 'village' that contains some restored older buildings. Eric and I took our pictures there on our wedding day (until we got thrown out for the lack of a permit...little did they know that one day Eric would be running the whole Town of Islip!) There were refreshments for everyone, and a gazebo and horse and buggy for the couples to take their pictures. It was for all intents and purposes perfect. We gave our little angel a hug good bye and took off.

Several hours later I received a call from Devon. The rains had left a muddy mass of grassland at the village center...and the behomoth bus of a limo was stuck in the mud. They were waiting for a tow truck to arrive that was big enough to get it out of the mud. One of the girls had already passed out due to a tight dress and no food all day and was departing in an ambulance. All those plans, all of that striving for perfection, and the bus was stuck in the mud. Such an analogy for the way so many things go in this life. Being the concerned parent, I offered to drive up there right away and hand a car off to the kids so they could get to the prom. But Devon said, "Why would we do that???? We're having a blast! If we don't get moving soon, we're going to order pizzas." And I chuckled to myself, as we can most assuredly make lemonade out of the rottenest of lemons if we just put our minds to it! The limo eventually made it to the prom, but I think the riders may have enjoyed the mud part even better than the event.

Devon and I are leaving on Monday for a few days of mother/daughter bonding in Bermuda. We are staying at a place I have had on my 'vision board' for a while now...9 Beaches. They have cabanas that are built right over the water! I chuckle to read people's views of it on Tripadvisor.com...do you know there are folks whose underwear is so tight that they complain the sound of the water is too loud and they can't sleep? If I weren't in the midst of my own health crisis, we probably never would have treated ourselves to an adventure of this nature...and you know, that is wrong. Life is too short...grab someone you love and go out and make memories now while you can!

Our dear friends Marshall & Sandi are up in Buffalo at a hospital with their son, Brendan. Brendan has suffered a severe brain trauma and I ask you all to keep him in your prayers. We are hoping his youth and vitality will help this young man rise out of the ashes like a soaring Phoenix. Marshall & Sandi had just purchased their 'retirement boat' and were planning to (finally) have a peaceful summer, now that the kids were 'grown' and out of the house. And within seconds, those plans have been irrevocably changed for the summer and beyond. I hope the good Lord keeps all of those you love within his clutches this summer and forever more. And when your bus gets stuck in the mud, I hope He brings you enough strength and a sense of humor to make the best of it.

"Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy." ~Sai Baba

I love you all, be well~
Colleen