Born Too Late

Ok, so have you ever thought...hmmm...I was born in the wrong time period? Well...I have. Anytime I watch an old Hollywood flick, or hear a song like, "Don't sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me"...I think...dang...my Grandma is one lucky lady! I believe my Grandma lived during the best years ever, in world history. You see, I believe that the 1930-1960's America...were the best times ever. Sure, The Great Depression had to be endured for part of that time, but, according to my Grandma, who lived in rural NC, they didn't even realize it was going on. They were dirt poor, but happy. How can this be you ask? Well...life was so much simpler...no computers, no t-ball and soccer schedules, just fun, friends and family. No TV's for part of that time - how I would have LOVED to have been able to sit and listen in front of the big ole TV-sized radio (with my family) to President Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats"! Also, movies were just coming out...and some of the best ones, the most heartfelt ones, the most remembered ones came out during this era. Not many movies today have the moving plots and the fashion that this time period held. What can I say...the styles...the music...the movies...the things going on in America...all of these things were fabulous! God was still prevalent, morality was still prevalent...patriotism was still prevalent. Men were men, women were women. Don't get me wrong...I like to work outside of the home (part-time)...but...I just see and hear the happy picture that my Grandma paints...and I can't say enough about the music/movies...etc. Like James Stewart's movie, "What a Wonderful Life"! What a wonderful life indeed.

Ahh...at least nowadays, I can sit and watch the movies and listen to the music...and dream...I think Frank Sinatra and I would have been an item for sure... :)

xoxo -

Kasey

Here's to New Endings!

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." ~ Maria Robinson

What a wonderful viewpoint! I read this today and just had to "muse" about it. Such simple words, yet they can totally alter your way of thinking on certain things. And when your way of thinking on things is altered for the better...how wonderful!

xoxo -

Kasey

My Sister and Me

Today I spent some time with my sister, Erin and her family, it was really nice and we had such a good time. My sis and I are at a wonderful place in our relationship, which makes me very happy. You see, when we were younger...things were not always so good. It must have been some sort of invisible rivalry or competition of sorts for us...or...it could be that we are just about polar opposites. Ha!

I remember one day long ago...Erin was about 5 and I was like 7 or 8, and she came up to me and said, "I want to run away"! And I said, "REEEEAALLY? Well - let me help you pack"! And that is just what I did. I remember going to get her little navy suitcase, with large purple and green flowers on it and packed a few days worth of clothing, oh, I threw in a few bananas and crackers for good measure too. Then, I bundled her up in her navy pea coat (it was a bit chilly out) and walked her down the driveway gave her a little push and said, "Love ya! See ya! Bye!" She walked a little ways down the street and then came back, and I was like, "Why are you back"?

"Didn't have nowhere to go"...she replied.

Is that crazy or what? Hilarious even!

Then there was the time we shared a room and we kept fighting about whose side was whose (we had twin beds on opposite sides of the room) and we ended up putting a line of masking tape all the way down the middle of our room on the hard wood floors. Later, I realized the closet with all of our clothes in it was on her side of the room...which leads me to my point. Erin has always, always, always had the brains of us 2 girls. (smile) She was always an honor student, tests and schoolwork just came naturally to her...especially in math and science which were my worst subjects. Erin is a girl who, at 8 mos. pregnant graduated from law school with honors - top 10 in her class!! She also took the bar exam and passed it on the first try a month and a half after her baby was born! I mean...come on...who can measure up to that...certainly not me...ha ha! Now, I'm not saying I'm a dummy or anything...and Erin wasn't as strongly suited in writing as I was, I won a few contests in grade school. I thought that was my passion and that I wanted to be a communications major...but...I realized that I just enjoy writing for myself...like this blog for instance. Erin and I are very opposite.

Nevertheless...at this stage in our life...we have been able to put aside our vast differences and embrace each other...like sisters should. I love our relationship and hope that as the years go by, we only grow closer. I love to talk on the phone with her...sure wish she lived closer. I am so thankful that the Lord stepped in and brought us together...don't know what I'd do without her!

I love you, Erin!

xoxo -

Kasey

In Loving Memory of Amy Christine Stephens Pardue

Dear Friends,

This has been one of the saddest weeks I've ever lived in my 34 years...probably THE saddest. However, amidst the sorrow and devastation, I can feel God's Peace that surpasses understanding. Heather W, chose to celebrate Amy's life in her words yesterday, and I choose to do the same here today.

I went to High School with Amy, she graduated in my class of 1993. We also went to the same grade school, and I am going to find out where my k-3 class photos are to see if we were in any of the same classes...I am feeling that we were.

At the funeral and visitation yesterday, the outpouring of family and loved ones to show their love and support for Amy and her family was nothing short of awing. God's comforting presence was there...you could feel it, you could also feel Amy's love and sweetness there among us. As Heather said, "Amy was smiling yesterday to see all her friends that came to honor her life". I agree completely. You know, human words fail us at such times as these; however family, friends and the feelings that God gives us such as Love, Compassion and Peace are what get us through these difficult times.

Yesterday, I learned just what a ray of sunshine Amy was. Strong, bold, funny, compassionate, loving...one could go on and on with the positive attributes of Amy. She was a daughter, grand-daughter, sister, wife, best friend and a mother. In her death, she gave 4 other people life by being an organ donor - what a blessing she was here on earth and even so in death! It reminds me of the verse from I Corinthians 15:55, "Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting"? Praise the Lord for His precious child, Amy!

Amy, you have forever imprinted love and kindness on my heart. God bless you and your beautiful baby boys and the family that loves you so much that are left here with us. We will see you and rejoice together one day. Godspeed, dear one.

xoxo -

Kasey

p.s. I learned yesterday, that Amy had a white unicorn that she carried around for 27 years (he'd lost his horn from being so loved...) his name was "Puny", not sure if I spelled that correctly...Puny was with her as she passed away on Sunday...the photo attached to this post is in honor of she and him. I think he is a wonderful representation of Amy herself; unicorns are unique creatures, fierce yet good, selfless and always mysteriously beautiful...

Miley Cyrus - "The Climb"

Miley Cyrus - "The Climb": "Hannah Montana The Movie"