So often in the course of living our lives we lose sight of what's really important. Yesterday, I experienced one of those reality checks. First let me fill in the blanks of the goings on in my life. I was hired at another company a couple of weeks ago. When I put my notice in at the current job, they decided to let me go effective immediately. About the same time a very good friend called me and asked if she could spend some time with our family. Hell, I wasn't working anymore so it was as good a time as any to have house guests. Shannon showed up on my doorstep on Halloween. We were just getting the kids ready for trick or treating. Drew didn't have a store bought costume, so we made one for him out of the past 10 years of costumes I have in storage. Shannon did his makeup, hair and gave him accessories. I swear she was more excited about his costume than he was. Shannon fit right in to our family. Football practice, movie nights, babysitting, hiking in Red Rock, dinner with my mom. She stayed till November 11. By that time, we were making plans for her to move to Las Vegas permanently. She planned to come back to us just after Thanksgiving. The boys were so excited. Just this past Sunday night, as we were working on one of Donovan's projects, he asked when she was coming back. Monday morning I was watching Charmed, thinking of Shannon, wondering if she was up yet. My phone rang at 9:03am. It was a number I didn't recognize so I let it go to voicemail. When I checked it, I heard Barbara...Shan's mom asking me to call her. I groaned outloud. Barbara and Shan didn't have the best of relationships. I didn't want to get in the middle of whatever argument they were having. I called her back. As soon as she picked up the phone, I knew that something was up. Barbara was quiet. Too quiet. Too subdued. Too sad. She asked if I was sitting down. I already knew where this was going. I had had to make this phone call January 2007. I remember having to hold it together when what you really want to do is scream. From this point on my memory is cloudy. I've got the facts though. Shannon was sleeping on Sunday all day. Barbara checked on her Sunday night before she went to bed. Wayne got up early to go to work. Checked in on Shannon in her room and the next thing Barbara heard was Wayne yelling for her. By the time Barbara called me, the Coroner was already there. My dearest friend and soul sister died in her sleep at 37 years old. She leaves behind her parents, grandparents, a multitude of friends and an aching hole in my soul. I will miss her more than I can say. Before she left, she wanted a picture of the two of us together. I had no makeup on, so everyone that knows me knows that I wasn't about to document the ugliness that is the au naturel me. Shannon insisted. So we took a pic before she packed up her car to leave. I'm so glad that she was stubborn that day. It was one of the last pictures ever taken of her. We can't be so busy in living our lives that we forget to LIVE.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Milestones
In true Vegas Rabers form, today has been one of multiple milestones. Drake is really taking to the whole "potty" idea. Yaaaaay! Hopefully I won't have to buy diapers anymore :) He loves going potty and he's been promised a Powerwheel from his Mama Paz when he masters the skill. We went online and browsed the many different vehicles. Of course he's got his eye set on the Cadillac Escalade Custom Edition (comes complete with boom box speakers and a real working radio) and MP3 input. We've posted the picture of said SUV on the fridge to remind him of his goal. So that brings me to the next milestone. Donovan passed his Driver's Permit test today and is now the proud holder of an instructional permit. Yes boys and girls it's official. We are getting old. It wasn't enough to simply drive us crazy, soon all of our kids will be driving not just our cars but also our insurance rates right thru the roof. On the bright side, now he can go find a J O B.
This summer we went to our first Nascar Truck race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We underestimated the fan base of Nascar and got to the track just before it started. That's when we rea
lized that we would have to park very very far. Needless to say, 30 minutes and a country mile later we found our seats. The race had already begun. Each of us picked out the car that we wanted to win and cheered them on. Drake had a blast watching all the NasTrucks. He wanted the silver truck to win... and it did! All the boys have asked if we could watch the Nascar race in February 2009. If they start asking for Wranglers and a shiny belt buckle for Christmas, someone please send us some Tupac and Ice Cube!!!!
Where are you now?
Family and Friends,
