Chasing Leaves

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Debi Walter

We’ve been away for 10 days following the changing leaves and they haven’t disappointed.

I heard Jim Gaffigan do a set on Fall Foliage that is hilarious. I may always hear his voice in my head as I take yet another photo or video of falling leaves. But I don’t mind.

God made the seasons because He knows change is good. Think of it, if the leaves never fell there would be no room for new growth.

I wish I could think of changes in my own life as beautiful, but I’m more like Jim Gaffigan’s interpretation of how they’re feeling—I’m dying! I don’t like change because I love summer.

But I would never appreciate a warm summer day if I never had the chill of winter.

Contrasts are what make life beautiful.

But seasons of the heart are unpredictable. They can last only days or for many years. God determines the length of our current season , and since I trust Him I can rest knowing change will come.

Like the leaves all I must do is bend with the wind and let go when it’s time to do so.

A bare tree standing alone isn’t as beautiful as a the bare trees in a forest.

So it is in life. We need connection with good friends, honest friends and faithful friends who will sit with us in our barrenness and whisper to us the hope of Spring; friends who have faced similar seasons aren’t quick to judge or push us forward too soon. They sit, listen and pray.

God is the author of my seasons and each one has a purpose. All I must do is show up each day and embrace the moment.

Chasing leaves this year has shown me it is futile to hang on to what was or what I hoped would be. I must reach in faith for tomorrow as I follow the Lord.

A Letter to my Grandson on his 3rd Birthday

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Debi Walter

Dear Elias,

It has been 3 years since I first met you. What a journey you’ve traveled thus far. Through the NICU stay in Tulsa for 116 days, to your Cancer battle in the PICU and the Cancer floors of Advent Health, You have found a way into the hearts of all who know you.

You are still non-verbal, non-mobile and can’t sit on your own. The only food you enjoy comes through your gtube, something your body tolerates very well; You now weigh about 33 lbs. making it difficult for your Mom to lift you for long. I miss our close snuggles on the couch as you would slowly fall asleep in my arms. You have grown so much that you hang off on both sides of my lap and my arm goes to sleep before you do. You much prefer to snuggle with your weighted animals in your own big boy bed. Actually, you still prefer Mom and Dad’s big king-size bed, but they are working to get you to stay in your own bed now.

Your favorite movies are Sing 2, Toy Story 2 (Buzz Lightyear is the best!) and Encanto. Your favorite Children’s programs are Miss Rachel, Blues Clues and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You love listening to your Mom or Papa Tom play drums on any solid surface. When you laugh your whole body follows along lifting both legs up to your belly. Your laughter is contagious.

You are a coffee lover. Every morning you stare at Mom’s coffee hoping she’ll give you a taste or two or three on a spoon. I tried giving you some Cold Brew Coffee Ice Cream and I thought you would never stop smiling. You didn’t know something so good existed.

This week you will begin pre-school two days a week. Mom is a little nervous about leaving you for several hours, but she is ready for some time to herself. It has been a long time since she’s done much of anything without you right by her side, and she has loved every minute. Yet she is tired. We all need rest and this will be her time to do so.

Elias, your birthday yesterday was so much fun. You loved all the attention, the balloons, the karaoke singing, the candles, the opening of presents and most of all–life itself. You embrace every moment as if it is a gift, as we embrace you as our gift and inspiration. Keep pushing forward one small accomplishment at a time. We believe you will do great things.

I love you Elias Angel. Happy Birthday!

Nana

Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Debi Walter

Our final day on this amazing road trip of a lifetime.

We arrived on Sunday to our beautiful townhouse in Estes Park. The view from the balcony was just a snippet of what we were to see the next day.

We had secured our timed entry pass at 9 a.m. and surprisingly we were nearly on time.

We took the Trailhead Loop which nearly encircles the whole park. We climbed to 12,200 feet, which is above the tree line. The weather was cold and extremely windy. The views? Amazing!

The trail ended at Grand Lake, Colorado, where we had a picnic in the town park. Afterward, we had to turn around and drive back the way we came. All in all it was about a 5 hour drive. Beautiful coming or going.

The aspen trees were in peak color providing such breathtaking beauty. Every turn we saw more of God’s glorious creation!

The pictures speak for themselves…

Last night God provided this stunning rainbow

Thank you, God for allowing us to have this time away as a family. We laughed, we ate, we teased each other (S.U.B.) 😂 We took lots of pictures and ate lots of good food and ice cream. We visited 4 states—Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska in 7 days. We drove 1300 miles and took hundreds of photos! Nebraska was a bonus state for us, where we drove to Chadron one day for lunch, just so we could say we’d been there. And the Mexican Restaurant was one of our favorite meals—well worth the hour drive South.

Crazy Horse Memorial and a Touchstone

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Debi Walter

On Day 4 we drove to Custer, South Dakota, for lunch on our way to the Crazy Horse Memorial. We enjoyed out lunch so much at Custer Wolf Cafe. The service and food were delicious, and the cooler weather made everything better about this day.

When we were driving North to the Memorial we had no expectations. Other than my sister had heard that the entire Mt. Rushmore monument would fit in Crazy Horse’s monument with room to spare. Impressive. But what’s more impressive is that this project that began in the 1940’s has been built without any government assistance. I like that the Lakota Nation wanted to do this themselves and with the willing donations of others.

There is no known picture or impression of Crazy Horse, so the sculptor interviewed those native Americans who knew him. They described his appearance which led him to create his likeness on the statue.

At this point they’ve only finished his stoic face and his outstretched arm over the mane of his horse. This is the miniature created so you can see what the finished sculpture will look like…

This is the poem written by Korczak Zholkowski…

While there we sat in on the demonstration of a Native American playing the songs of many different tribes. Imagine my delight when he began talking of the Creek Indians and their requirement to follow the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma.

The book I wrote about my Grandmother, Through The Eyes of Grace, is steeped in this rich history. My grandfather and Great-Grandfather were both listed in the Dawes Rolls. This allowed them to receive the full benefit of 160 acres of land each, granted to all known members of the Five Civilized Tribes—Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians.

When he spoke of this horrific part of our history, he mentioned how many of the tribes had become Christian. As a result the song that united them on this trail was Amazing Grace. This just so happened to be my Grandmother’s favorite song. Such a touchstone that nearly made me cry as he played it on the Creek Nation’s native instrument. Listen in…

Crazy Horse died at the young age of 35, lying on the bare floor in Ft. Robinson.

This Memorial is due to be finished by 2035. I may never see it, but this visit inspired me to be grateful for the stories that shaped my ancestral history.

Do you know the stories that have inspired your history? I encourage you to seek and discover your hidden stories. They matter more than you know.

South Dakota Wildlife

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Debi Walter

Anyone who knows my sister knows she loves all animals. That’s why I had to devote a post to the animals she adored on this trip.

I’ve mentioned the prairie dogs already, but I didn’t share the benefit they provide to the prairie. If they lived in our yards we would call them pests. But here the way they burrow in the ground turning up the roots of the rich grasses, helps the larger wildlife eat the rich nutrients with ease.

I love that.

We also saw for the first time antelopes in the wild. This one was among the bison and the prairie dogs minding her own business. Of course my sister and I started singing, “Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play.” 😂

These were all taken in Custer State Park, the largest state park in the country. It covers 71,000 acres filled with all sorts of wildlife.

When we got to the Bison Center we were surprised to see wild burros, as they called them, in the parking lot. My sister couldn’t wait to get up close to pet them. And they were just as happy to greet her.