Sister Iris Sabree

My teenage thinking led me to a sure-fire college strategy. I applied to all the colleges that did not require a written essay or an application fee.  My dad's only rule was I had to stay in the state.  So I applied to a few schools and was accepted by 3;  Western Illinois University, Illinois State, and Northern Illinois.  Without ever visiting any of these schools, I chose Western based on it's "party school" reputation and my desire to study Law Enforcement and become a cop one day.  So, My mom and I loaded up the mini van one weekend to attend Western's incoming freshman orientation.

The very first people I met when I arrived at that orientation were Khalisha and her mom, Mrs. Sabree.  Khalisha with her Whitney Young proper talk, Gucci bag and Evergreen Plaza Regis salon hair style and me with my valley girl talk, Jeri curl and bobbi socks with gym shoes.  We instantly connected (Khalisha is one of my best buds and Gabby's Godmother) and her mom immediately took me under her wing. 

Mrs. Sabree was a big woman, in my mind she was at least 2 feet taller than me.  Even without her height, she commanded respect with her deep voice, but gentle nature.  All of my memories of Mrs. Sabree are of her smiling, chatting and taking care of people. 

Mrs. Sabree handed me an extra plane ticket one year to travel with the family to Florida and the Bahamas for spring break, she hung out with my mom during parent's weekend at Western, when all we really wanted to do was go to parties and not hang out with our parents, she very sternly, yet gently gave Khalisha and I a stack of articles on "the dangers of tattoos" when we set off to find a tattoo place that would give us our first tattoos while we were under-age and she sat proudly at my wedding, helping out where needed but making sure to have a good time.

Khalisha and I were just having dinner together last Friday and reminiscing about our parents, so I was completely unprepared for her phone call early Monday morning.  Mrs. Sabree had died at home after a dinner with her family on Sunday night. 

Today I attended a simple, but magnificent tribute to Mrs. Sabree's life.  She was the rock and support for many, dedicated to her family and fiercely vibrant, independent and strong.  I was privileged to have known her and have her welcome me into her home and her family. She will truly be missed.

Yahoo!

My beautiful, 4lb. 11oz, first born daughter, that was born 16 years ago, got her drivers license today! 

Yahoo! 

I have been waiting for this moment just as much as she has.  It seems that, the closer she got to getting her license, the more stuff I had to drive her to! 

It is very bitter sweet.  It will be lonely in the car without my student driver chauffeuring me around everywhere in the attempt to fulfill her 50 hour driving requirement.  She is a lot more independent now and needing me for a little less.  Of course, this is what I have wanted all along...to have an independent daughter that can maneuver herself around town and negotiate the daily tasks of teenage-hood without me.  Right?  As I waited for her to return from her driving test, I was sweating from nervousness and about to wet myself from giddiness.  All I needed to see was the huge smile on her face as she emerged from the car with the driving instructor to know that Eric and I had done our best to put her one the right path.  The journey (with driver's licence) is hers for the seizing!

Today's trip to the Secretary of State was a top secret mission, we hadn't even told Sinobia we were going.  Much to our surprise, Gabby's friend Carly (shout-out to Carly. You made the blog!) was there this morning too.  Carly's mom (Shout-out to Meg!) and I have been good buds since high school, so it was a treat to have someone to chat with, sweat with and yell "yea" with this morning.  Congratulations Girls!  

Carly and Gabby's proud moment...cheese!!!

Eric

Eric and I have been together for almost 20 years (married for 17).  During our 20 years together, we have had many conversations about spirituality, living Christian lives and church.  Neither one of us were raised going to church.  My grandfather was a baptist preacher, so my dad grew up in the church.  Once he moved away from home, he stopped attending church (or at least while we were children).  My dad would send me to Reverend Love's church for Sunday school when I was grounded or in trouble, this did not leave a good impression on me about church.  Eric's mom attended church, but mostly took his sisters, so he had very little experience in the church growing up.

Eric and I have always been sure that we would one day take the journey to find a church home for ourselves and our children.  We both have strong beliefs about being humble, kind, loving, compassionate, generous, and connected to our community.  We believe that we are blessed to have each other, our children and our glorious lives.  We have weathered some difficult times and it was our belief that these trials were messages to us, letting us know how fortunate we were to have survived our difficulties and remain intact.  We have instilled these same beliefs in our children.

Several months ago, Eric started talking about his spirituality, church and Christianity often.  He kept telling me that he felt as if he was receiving signs from god that he was truly blessed.  Eric was feeling the need to be close to god, pray, and honor him for his plentiful gifts in our lives.  At first I was a little stunned at Eric's strong urge to be closer to God.  I had always assumed that we would approach this time in our lives together, but I was not at this path yet.

As Eric's feeling became stronger, he made the decision to being to attend bible study once a week.  Each week, I would wait for him to come home, so we could discuss what he had learned and talked about  with others at bible study.  I want to know what he is feeling as he enters into this new phase of his life.  Although I am not there, I want to support him and allow him to continue on his journey towards god.  Eric is not rushing me to come along with him, but he is informing me and sharing his new knowledge and thinking with me along the way.

Two weeks ago, Eric was Baptised.  I was not there for his Baptism, as we decided I was to attend a college information night with Gabby.  Sinobia and Eric's entire family attended (even uncle Brian was there!) his proud moment.

What I love about Eric is that I don't feel left behind because of his new journey in his life.  I believe that he was meant to go first, to help usher me in the right direction.  He understands how strongly I believe that this needs to be my journey when I am truly ready.  I do not want to make this huge step in my life because I feel pressured, or the need to do what others are doing.  I am not one to follow the crowd or be swayed easily.  I make up my own mind in my own time...when it is my time, the right time.  Eric will be with me, holding my hand every step of the way.

So now he's off to church on Sunday mornings, when we are usually sleeping in, drinking coffee together,  or watching TV.  I'll miss him in the AM of Sundays, but know he'll come back a stronger, wiser and better man.