Saturday, August 30, 2008

Heading Back...What??!

I can't believe it's time to head back to Australia again. Yeah...I know I've been in the states for almost a month now. But I'm starting to get really settled back here. Hopping in the car, driving who know's where just to drive around, going to stores just to look...okay, buy some books, too, having lunches and dinners with my best friends, hearing sweet Grace call us her "Aunt San-sung and Uncle Phil, too", playing putt-putt (yes I'm originally a Midwest girl and that's what we call miniature golf.), being with Sox, Chick-Fil-A, Rita's Water Ice, the list goes on. Sigh. And nothing says "Welcome Back to Australia" like going through almost 30 hours of plane rides and lay-overs to get there. Oh, happy Sunday. Just can't wait...
I usually don't post much when I'm back home mostly because I'm having too much fun being with old friends to sit at the computer, but also because there's something in me that says I can't post here if my blog title says "The Lankfords Down Under". How can I post if I'm not down under? I know and I agree...that's kind of weird. But, that's me. And speaking of me...here's a meme about me. (That's a lot of "me" in a few sentences.)
My friend, Wendy, ages ago did one on her blog about her Phil and then tagged me next. Well...knowing my Phil, he would not want stuff about him on my blog so...for a compromise I lifted one from some other blog I read. (And here's where I admit how addicted I am to reading people's blogs. Even people I don't know. Why do I feel compelled to check these blogs on a daily basis to see if they've been updated? Or to read their views/comments on who knows what? Does that mean I'm a bit of a stalker? But at times, I begin to feel like I really know them. I admit...I'm a bit creeped out right now.) Anyways...here we go.
Do you like blue cheese? Eww...gross
Have you ever smoked heroin? No!
Do you own a gun? Yes, two.
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Never been to a Sonic
Do you get nervous before doctor's appointments? Depends on the doctor
What do you think of hot dogs? Yumm...especially dollar dog night at Citizen's Bank Park
Favorite Christmas movie? Tie between It's a Wonderful Life and Holiday Inn
What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Preference? Diet Coke. But will drink OJ if I have it
Can you do push ups? You mean more than one at a time?
What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I feel compelled to say my wedding rings but I also really
like this cool necklace I bought at the open market in the Rocks down in Australia
Favorite hobby? Reading
Do you have ADD? No
What's one trait you dislike about yourself? I'm shy
Middle Name? Lynn (because I was born in the seventies and if it wasn't Ann, then it was Lynn)
Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Do I really want people to know all this about me?
Who came up with the word meme? Did the Phillies win last night? (Wait...maybe I do
have ADD.)
Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Dramamine, deoderant and bathroom cleaner
Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Diet Coke, OJ, and water
What did you sleep with as a child? Stuffed Snoopy...and yes, I still have it but it's now in my
cedar chest
Current hate right now? I have to get on a plane on Sunday
Favorite place to be? Home
How did you ring in the New Year? With friends playing games and watching the ball drop
Do you own slippers? Yes
What shirt are you wearing right now? Black tee shirt
Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have
Can you whistle? Yes, but it's a bit raspy sounding.
Favorite color? Blue
Would you like to be a pirate? No, I really don't like to travel. (Did I mention that I'm getting
on a plane on Sunday?)
What songs do you sing in the shower? Nothing since the theme song to Scooby Doo as a kid
What's in your pocket right now? Probably some lint
Last concert you went to? Jeremy Camp in NJ and then Jeremy Camp a few months before in
Times Square. Does this really make me a stalker?
Last thing that made you laugh? Most phrases that Rob said last night at the Eppinger house
Best bed sheets as a child? Charlie Brown, naturally
Worst injury you've ever had? Tie between the concussion, twice fractured skull, and 2 broken
collarbones...wee bit clumsy as a kid...okay, still am
How many tvs do you have in your house? Australia-one Philly-four
Who is your loudest friend? Joan, hands down!
How many dogs do you have? One
Ever belong to a secret society? Do the DAGS count?
What is your favorite candybar? Snickers
What is your favorite book? Cannot possibly name just one
What were you doing at 12:00 am last night? Sleeping
Favorite sports team? Philadelphia Phillies
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Did I really just have a dream about hiding from the Nazis with Bob Crane of Hogan's Heroes fame? (must be all the episodes I've watched down in Australia.)
I tag whoever would like to do it in their blog. Wendy? Claire? And now...I'm off to enjoy another lunch (yes, at Chick-Fil-A) with another dear friend, Kristi and her boys, Josh and Ethan. (Look Kristi...your name is in the blog! See? I told you I would get it in there!)

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Remembering Grandpop...

Yesterday we said a final goodbye at the funeral for Phil's grandpop who passed away last Sunday morning. Just some thoughts to remember him...

I was his grand-daughter-in-law, but never once did he make me feel like that. When I married Phil I automatically joined Sandy, Chris, Dianne, Debbie, Beth, Rachel, and Corinne and became just as much his grandaughter as if he'd known me since I was born.

He loved God with all of his heart. His faith was such a major part of who he was as a person. When he entered heaven on Sunday morning, I know he didn't need to re-introduce himself to Christ. He had been in constant communication with Him through prayer and reading his Bible, probably on a daily basis, ever since he became a believer as a young man.

He had an amazing gift to take a piece of wood and make something beautiful from it. Whether it was an animal carving, a flower with delicate petals and leaves, or a painted birdhouse, Grandpop could do it. Right up until the end. I'm looking at the last birdhouse he painted for us that now sits on one of my bookshelves. Finished sometime since we last saw him on our trip home in June. I'm okay until I turn it upside down to see his shaky, cursive handwriting that said, " Sandra, June 2008, with much love, Grandpop."

He loved playing his instruments. I've never known another man in his 80's that could play the drums like Grandpop! And the saxaphone. And the bongos. And the keyboard. And the xylaphone (which he actually made). The only instrument I know he didn't like was the bagpipes. If he ever heard them, anyone listening would get an earful about how the bagpipes weren't truly worthy of being called an actual instrument. :) To this day, whenever I hear bagpipes I smile and think of Grandpop.

I miss him. His deep, loud voice. (As the hearing went a bit, I'm sure he didn't realize how loud he talked sometimes.) His quick laughter. His always asking how my family was doing in Ohio. 11 years since Phil and I married, and he would still tell me how impressed he was that the pastor I grew up with and his wife would drive all the way out to Philly to do part of our wedding. He would tell me often that he still remembered Pastor Peters when he prayed.

I miss his prayers. I know he prayed for us often. For all of his children. For all of his grandchildren. For all of his great-grandchildren.

"I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering. A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically and leave that kind of legacy." -Nichole Nordemann

So, Grandpop...you did leave a legacy. As mentioned at your funeral service, every one of your children, grandchildren, and great-children that are of age have professed faith in Jesus Christ. We remember you with so many good memories. You chose to love so much. Your life pointed always to your Heavenly Father. You were a blessing to Him. You were unapologetic in your faith. And you will be truly missed by all of us.