j simon

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving Day 2009. Today ended a long running tradition for me. I typically spend a couple hours on Thanksgiving morning calling people for whom I am exceptionally grateful. This is also the first thanksgiving since Keli and I have been divorced. Mix into this stew that I am a wimp that cries at a beautiful sunset. I know that if I pick up the phone and start to call the people for whom I am most thankful that I won’t be able to talk. I will start crying… be unable to speak… and let’s face it … having someone call you and blubber in your ear isn’t exactly a thanksgiving gift. :)

So I hope next year to resume an old thanksgiving tradition with my phone. Today I can’t.

I have spent the past 40 days on a Thanksgiving Mission. I have spent some time everyday being intentionally and specifically grateful.

My 40 day gratitude mission has included me writing down some people who have along my journey made a special difference in me for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Here are a few to whom I would like to say thank you. Wayne & Joyce McGraw, Ben Bozon, Peyton and Brandon Cole, Stan and Pat Brooke, George & Anna Mason, Loren and Cindy Durham, Richard Tosh, Gino Moreno, Keith Day, Keith Woodward, Amber Smith, Sheila Woodward, Tommy Farris, Gary Janes, Brandon and Laura Martin, Chuck Swindoll, Steven Covey, John Maxwell, John Fielder, Rob Kluz, Daniel & Misty Ketchum, JR and Pat Ketchum, Scott & Carol Ketchum, Duane and Mitzi Sourjohn, Steve Caldwell, Coach Dumas Butler, Coach Lowendorf, Kaye O’Donnell, Brian & Sandy Alcorn, Tim & Helena Jetton, Coda & Tracy Griffay, Dennis Beal, Al Ptomey, Joe & Nicky Adams, Thomas and April Fontana, Don and Betty Phillips, Nate Brown, Natalie Ivie, Mark Carter, Brandon & Misty Geary, my grandpa “Poppy”.

A group that deserves a category all their own for being my friends for life when many times it would have been much easier to walk away from me… Dan Bates, Brent Anderson, Bill Ramsey, Dan Hooper, Rick Hooper, Duane Brigman, Bo & Karen Bozon, Jim Smith and Brandon Geary. Thank you so much for your grace and persistence in our friendship!

There are some people this year that have walked beside me, and at times carried me. Dan Bates, Brent Anderson, Don King, Janie Spina, Dan & Anna Hooper, Kim Caldwell, Jim & Robin Smith, Duane & Joanna Brigman, John Ramsey. For you guys I am extra grateful!

I am extraordinarily grateful this year for my sister Joy, and my Mom and Dad!! They have embraced me, loved me, supported me and been oxygen when I couldn’t breathe.

I am unbelievably grateful my two precious daughters Kandice and Tiffani, my son in laws Ross and Josh. I would not have made it through this year without you!!!!!!!! I walk around pointing at you four people and being proud!!! Tiffani, thank you especially for taking good care of mom! You are some kind of unique and grace filled human!!

For my two grandkids that bring life and love beyond description…. Canton, Simone… your Papa loves you more than words can say!!!

I know this will strike some as odd… but I am an odd creature…. I’m getting ok with that. Keli, I am truly grateful for you!!! We have shared so many good times!! I know I had to be a pain to live with. I didn’t make life easy for you. This Thanksgiving Day and going forward my focus will be gratitude for all the good times we shared. As we come to the end of this season I don’t want to bury the good times underneath a pile of memories we would rather forget. You did much good for me!! I am truly grateful! I will honor the good and forgive the bad. We had a great season. I wish joy and peace for you. I pray that our God will pour out his blessings on you…. as He does... I will rejoice for and with you.

There are many others for whom I am grateful but time and space would not permit a complete list here. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!   

 

Pictures Not Words

Janie Spina texted me and demanded I blog. :) I have been so consumed with taking and developing pictures the past 2 weeks.... I don't have any words, just images. Here are a couple. 

Kyle Anderson before the big TCU game last week. Kyle is growing from a kid I once knew into a dang fine human. Doesn't surprise me. His father is one of my favorite people in the world.

 

This is Stephanie Amaya. She is a beautiful young lady inside and out. She is a great sport and willing to let us take everything from classic old school shots to dragging her up an a train car for some edgy pictures. She is a kindergarten teacher (so you know I like her) and is marrying Michael who is a cool dude, loves his family, a sports fan, professional poker player and first class human (now you know why I like them both.....these are my kinda people). They will remain my friends long after their wedding has come and gone.

 

That's it Janie! Good enough? I'll resume talking when I have words. :)

A Lot Like Life

I was out this evening as the sun went down and snapping a few pictures for my personal pleasure only. I passed a tree earlier today that caught my eye. I like trees in all seasons but especially during the fall. So, I came back with my camera as the sun went down to snap off a few frames.

This isn't the picture I went to take. It is the picture I stopped and took AFTER I had loaded up my gear, got back in the car and was driving home. The good light was gone. The good photo wasn't there. But, the scene caught my eye. I stopped my car, unloaded my tripod and camera, stood in the middle of the road, in the dark, to take what I knew would be a poor photograph. I took some good photos today. This isn't one of them. Poor light, high noise, not sharp, mediocre composure, taken without the remote shutter release which is required for a quality photo after dark.

Why did I take it and why would I post it on my blog? It was simply the powerful convergence of elements that made me stop and click the shutter. It looked like a picture of life. My life. Maybe your life too. 

Here is what I see...

1. A tree that is lopsided, losing its leaves. It's not dying. Its just going through one of the seasons of it's life. Spring will come and it will be big, bold, green and beautiful again. As a matter of fact, I think some its flaws make it beautiful even now. 

2. A road that takes an unexpected turn.

3. A place that's still "under construction".

4. A retaining wall.

5. A light.

Reminds me of life.

blessings, joy and peace
jess