Will You Be there?

We are all deeply moved and affected by music. Look at the number of IPods and songs downloaded or purchased every year. We are musical beings. With today's memorial for Michael Jackson, regardless of your thoughts or feelings for the man, the portrayal of his passion for and love of music, was beyond excellence. This is not a review of the tributes but I was touched to my depths by Jennifer Hudson's presentation of "Will You Be There?", especially considering her own mother and nephew were murdered in the last year. It was INCREDIBLE! It would be so worth your time to check it out on YouTube or MSN or CNN.


At the end of the song, she stops singing and there is a moving voiceover by Michael Jackson of words that I believe he wrote along with the song. The words he spoke started out "In our darkest hour, in my deepest despair, will you still care? Will you be there?" The words in their entirety are at the end of this blog. I have played it over and over and cried and cried. It was the depth of the words and the emotion of their meaning, along with Jennifer's powerful inner strength and presence that enabled her to get through the song, much less deliver maybe the best performance of her life. It had to be the grace and peace of God on her, and God bless her for it.


I went to Google the "In our darkness" lyrics to see who wrote it or where it came from, and suddenly I found myself writing. Today's memorial gave me a different glimpse of his family in this darkest hour, with his litttle children watching, and probably not fully understanding what was happening. I saw a family rally together and literally cling to the person with the greatest need at that moment. I heard loving and loyal friends speak of him just as we would pay tribute to our friends. When his 11 year old Paris spoke, unscripted, and then turned in tears to her Aunt Janet, who took her firmly and strongly under her mothering wings, the other aunts and uncles circled and hugged each other tightly. It was heart breaking but inspiring at the same time.

Bella's Visit--oh what fun

Okay, so you haven't heard from me in a while. I had surgery on my right hand so that limited my activities greatly for a while, but it is doing better. I'm still in a splint but making plans for the upcoming school year. We are re-modeling my camera room with a new tile floor that is wonderful and will make beautiful portraits. As soon as we get in in, I'll photograph on it and post it so you can see it.

In the meantime, we've had Bella, Emily, Mike and Allison here two weeks ago for their 10th class reunion. It was so fun and we so enjoyed Bella. She is such a good baby and just happy all the time. She LOVES her granddad and her daddy. I just had to get out my camera and learn to hold it in my left hand so I could take Bella's picture. I know I have photos on Facebook and my blog, and Emily has a blog, but here a few more. She is a gift and we are so blessed by our family.

Bathtime was so fun and Mike got this great shot of Bella all wrapped up in her mommy's arms. The photo of Bella in the little blue jacket is a significant one to me. The little jacket was my mother's made by my grandmother, and the white jumper (which didn't jump like Bella's jumper) was used by me and my sisters and brother. It meant a lot to mother to have Bella wear the jacket and the little blue slip in that jumper. Tradition carries on......

EVERY LITTLE GIRL.....FATHER'S DAY

Every little girls needs a daddy like you. I know.....because I'm a girl, I have daughters and now a granddaughter. And boys need daddys like ours. Mine and Ron's parents grew up in the same community and actually his mother and my dad were in the same class. My dad used to pull her pigtails while they were in class. Ron and I did not know each other though until we were out of college and teaching school .
Ron's dad was a sailor in WWII and met Bobbie, Ron's mother, in Slaton when the train with soldiers and sailors stopped to eat. While there, Bobbie and 2 of her 3 sisters met their future husbands. One of them wrote his address on the inside of a matchbook and threw it out the window to her as the train pulled away.
Bobbie and Sam married in January of 1946 and my parents married in November of the same year. They will celebrate their 63rd anniversary this year. That's a long time to be married. Sam worked for the Santa Fe Railroad until he retired. My dad, Zack, was a cotton farmer south of Lubbock and was given an agricultural deferment during the war in order to provide needed goods.
Our dads loved us, played with us and taught us how to work hard, and to be people of honesty and integrity. They literally started with nothing but love and that was their foundation. The day I was born, my dad wasn't allowed to stay in the room with my mother for the night and he slept in the car parked beneath her window, knowing that the love of his life and his new baby girl were up there. That was as close as he could get to them that night. When I look at those photos of this very young man with this tiny baby named Patricia, I can see how in love he was with this new life. I saw that same love in my husband when our girls were born, and then on my son-in-law's face when Bella arrived. (Okay, pass the Kleenex please.) You can't explain what happens to your heart when you hold the child you help bring into the world.

Zack & Barbara Payton

Sam & Bobbie Hogue

Ron and I waited a long time to find each other. It makes a great story and those who've heard it a hundred times sigh again. Neither one of us dated in high school or college. I made a list while I was in high school of the qualities I wanted in a husband. I just didn't see anyone of interest until I was already teaching high school English at the little school where I grew up. He was the librarian and I was the English teacher. When word got out that we were dating, we got lots of teasing from the students and teachers. He was my first date to homecoming and we were teachers! But it was worth waiting for God's BEST. I had made a decision to not marry just anyone and that meant lots of lonely Saturday nights at home with my parents watching "Gun Smoke". It meant being alone in a world of couples. I just wanted to be so special to someone. Ron's grandmother says that she knew something was up when he started coming in from school humming and smiling and being in that same mood when he got up in the morning. We've been married 31 years and he's filled every one of those things on the "list" and more.

My life Bible verse was and is " Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." He did. Ron and I were able to have a love from the Lord and build a home that He blessed. God is good. We are so blessed, to be together, to have our girls and son-in-law and grand baby, our friends, family and so much more.

A lot of you reading this have had Mr. Hogue for 4th grade at Yarbro and you know how wonderful he is as a teacher. He brought science, math and reading to life. Any Senior that I photograph who had him for a teacher, knows exactly which Christopher Columbus ship they were on, and about the Nature Center, and about the "polar bear in the Frigidaire". It was a blessing for our girls to have him as a teacher. At dinner each night, they'd talk about "Mr. Hogue said this " or "Mr. Hogue said that...." :) He was the teacher as well as their daddy.

Now as he teaches at Quest, he brings challenges and knowledge to his students. They all love him--all of them. He's the BEST!!!!

Our girls on the first day of 4th grade with "Mr. Hogue"

Now we are privileged to watch our family grow and watch our children become parents. They are loving every moment of it. What a joy to watch them, and of course to love on precious Miss B. Yes, every little girls needs a daddy....like you.

Grad photos are in

Most of you who placed an order for graduation photos have gotten a call that the photos are in. I've had hand surgery so I'm not actually open, but if you come by in the late afternoon (4:00-5:30) , my husband or I can probably get your photos for you. One finger typing is slow so....that's all for this time!

Miller-Waldrop Award

Congratulations to my friends--Kent & Beckey Waldrop.

Congrats to my friends--Kent & Beckey Waldrop-- on being named 2009 National Retailer of the Year. They are such great business people, but more than that, they are people of integrity and faith. I photographed their engagement and wedding images. The highlight of the wedding was when rather shy Kent swooped Beckey back in a "Dancing With the Stars" move and kissed her. Everyone cheered and applauded as we all laughed.

Look for this billboard on Joe Harvey Blvd, just east of Fowler. It was fun helping them design it. They've worked hard to build a great business where you know you are getting the highest quality and service. Kudos to you two!!!!

More Graduation photos

Here's a few more photos from LHS Graduation 2009.

Thanks to our excellent School Board who put in a lot of long hours and serious consideration to the challenges facing our school, especially in this economy. They rate 150% in excellence regarding guiding our school district. So, thank you to Supt. O'Quinn, Ronnie Reeder, Lynda McGinnis, Roni Kidd, Slick Duncan and Jr. Contreras. You all do a great job!

Seniors have the DIPLOMA in hand!

It's official--Graduation 2009 is history. Months of plannning, order announcements, planning graduation parties, filling out scholarship applications, working toward state championships, studying for a 4.0, or maybe just a 2.5--it's all done. A big Shoutout to the LHS boys' track team for winning state by one point!!! They got back at noon today and rushed to cleanup and get to the Event Center by 2:00. They were sunburned and sporting new hair styles--with a hint of green coloring. :) Girls' softball played valiantly in four games in 2 days in the heat of Las Cruces. They made us proud. Tennis and golf performed at their prime and turned in great results.

Graduation 2009

I'm off to Graduation ceremonies. I will photograph EVERY Senior as they receive their diploma. You may view and order these online tonight after about 9:00 p.m.

HERE'S THE 411. Please get your order to me by Monday May 18 as early as possible. If I happen not to be here, there are order forms on my door. You may fill them out and leave the form and your payment in my mailbox. I need to get these ordered by Monday night. You'll be called in 3 weeks when your order comes in .

You may order later if you can't get your order to me by Monday. Re-order prices are slightly higher, but I will have your photo on my computer. (Orders are not placed without full payment). Okay enough business.......

I'll see you when you are on stage. How exciting! Congrats again!

It's really here--Cap and gown portraits

Janessa

It's actually here-Cap & gown portraits are done, and now it's time for Graduation. Reality has begun to set in for some. Some of you are elated, and others are a little nostalgic and teary. Eric and Sylvia have a plan for their careers and I have no doubt they will reach their goals. Congrats to Sylvia, Beth, Chantz, Perla and CJ on achieving Honor Grad status. Nathan Molinar brought his cousins for a picture for their grandmother and I know she will cry. what a fun group and Jose and Lucio made me laugh. Congrats to the parents of these Seniors also. Good job!
Going to first grade is as big a deal as going to college is for the high school Seniors. These sweet, innocent faces are full of expressions and personality. These are the faces of the Class of 2021.


Congratulations to all of you (Seniors and parents!) who worked hard to get to this day. Enjoy it!

Ashley

Class of 2021

Cade

Eric and Sylvia

Ryan Class of 2021

Taylor

Class of 2021

Daniela

Colt

Diana