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Far Away


Keep breathing.
It's kind of a mantra among those of us unlucky enough to be in the know.
So we do.

Zach playing basketball. He made the A team, which is a great accomplishment, but he feels his game performance has been lacking compared to his practices, so throw up a prayer for him, would you? He's frustrated, and I'm at a loss. Dave would know what to say to help, but I have no clue.





December 3 was Duke's first birthday. He's been a wonderful addition to our family. We all love him beyond reason. We had a cake. With candles. Duke got one tiny bite. He's such a polite dog!



And we made our annual trek to Klickers to get the tree. You can see this year it didn't dwarf our vehicle. I wonder if it's because we got a smaller tree or a bigger car??






Kenny's been into pottery lately. He's made some beautiful things and is really enjoying it.



Comments

  1. Hey, first of all, I'd like to say good job Kenny on that bowl. Hopefully I'll be able to make something as good in my pottery class.

    Zach, I think that the difference is that practice is controlled, you know everyone. Then when you get to the game, it's a bit more confusing, harder to be sure, and lots of things can happen that wouldn't in practice. I'd say just try to go all out and just have fun instead of worrying. I've been trying that lately, and it works pretty well, I'm not nearly as clumsy anymore at least.

    Well that's all I have to say for now.

    WARRIOR!!! (huh!)

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  2. P.S.

    not to say that you worry

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  3. Meyers you are doing just great and you continue to amaze me. . .
    Kenny - What wonderful pots you are making!
    Zach it will all come together and listen closely while your out there and your guardian angel will tell you what needs to be done. He is with you on that court. Congrats on making the "A" team.
    Shell it will be ok -- all will be ok. You will make it through it all.
    Happy Birthday DUKE!

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  4. Wow Kenny that's some talent you have there. I liked making pottery but my stuff always came out unrecognizable. That seahawks piece is awesome, even though I am sure you are as frustrated as me with their performance lately. Still have my fingers crossed for the playoffs!!
    Give Duke an extra hug from us, he is such a sweet dog. Caleb had his big 4th birthday a couple weeks ago and Stacy turned 37 today. Time is flying so fast.
    Zach, I'd echo some of Canute's comments. You are a serious competitor with high expectations of yourself (all good things). Sometimes that can lead you to trying too hard to make things happen in games. I'll send you a bit of wisdom that I heard your Dad give a young and promising Jared Jones, "let the game come to you." Don't press, it seems like you oughta throttle it up more when the pressure is on, but the opposite is true. If you want to come through in the crunch, throttle back a bit. That doesn't mean don't try as hard or play as hard, it means don't press, let it come to you. Great pitchers in baseball don't often try to throw it by a good hitter when the pressure is on, they often take a little bit off, trying to take advantage of the pressure the hitter feels. Does this make sense? I hope it helps.
    Ms Kate we are still hoping to see the dance postings your mom has made, but alas my dial up internet is fighting me...I think for CHristmas Santa might bring high speed finally!!
    Shell we love you all so much. We have collected more than 200 large ink cartridges from my office for Kenny this year (sent them direct to Al). Everytime I bring one home I think of you. I am reminded everywhere and it seems like more and more frequently of Dave. In a song on the radio that I think sounds like his style (Home to Me by Little Big Town for example), seeing a concert last week where the warm up band reminded me of the Currents in a lot ways, sharing stories of teaching and coaching days with my colleagues here always brings him to my mind. Thought of calling, but often still feel like it might be imposing. Gotta break that though. Will call you soon, promise!!
    All our love,
    The Mouat Crew

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  5. I've been reading your blog and CB site for a while, but never commented, I don't think. But I just had to today. 1 - Kenny - WOW WOW WOW - what gorgeous pieces! You can make some money with that talent, if you can bear to part with your work. 2 - Zach - the other comments are right on. It's a vicious cycle, and if you start clenching in the clutch, it self-perpetuates. So, the TRICK (and it is a trick you have to play on yourself) is to try to take a bit off your game. Hope that makes sense. Sports psychologists make big bucks helping atletes do just that.

    You are an inspiring family. Thanks for sharing yourselves!

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  6. Hi Chelle ...

    Amazing isn't it ... how difficult just the art of breathing can be? In one of my journal entires shortly after Fred passed I commented on how I was learning to do everything again ... everything including breathing. In several entries since I comment on how angry I am that even breathing has become a chore ...

    I get it ... I really do.

    Love to you all ...

    Cheri

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  7. You know, I was gonna get sick or I was gonna get injured or something. The only choice I had, the only thing I could control, was when and how and where that was going to happen.

    So, I made a rope. And I went up to the summit to hang myself.
    But, I had to test it, you know. Course. You know me. And the weight of the log snapped the limb of the tree, and I couldn't even kill myself the way I wanted to.

    I had power. Over. Nothing.

    And that's when this feeling came over me like a warm blanket. I knew, somehow, that I had to stay alive. Somehow...

    I had to keep breathing, even though I had no reason to hope, and all my logic said that I would never see this place again.

    So, that's what I did. I stayed alive. I kept breathing.

    And then, one day that logic was proven all wrong because the tide came in, gave me a sail.

    And now here I am. I'm back. In Memphis, talking to you. I have ice in my glass.

    And I've lost her all over again. I'm so sad that I don't have Kelly. But I'm so grateful that she was with me on that island.

    And I know what I have to do now. I keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?

    -- Tom Hanks in Castaway


    The pottery is stunning. You have such a wonderful family, but you know that.

    Merry Christmas, sending love.

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  8. Michelle and Kids
    May your Christmas be blessed and filled with good memories. . . .

    ReplyDelete
  9. Meyer family. Thinking of you in Michigan. Hoping that this holiday will hold a few smiles. We're still working on getting Dave's link on Mike's site. We love your new site...but still visit the old. God bless you all.

    The Messinger Family

    ReplyDelete

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