Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I Can Do This

I remember having a semantics argument with my Dad during one of our bike rides to the park. I was arguing that I couldn't dive into a pool because I had had surgery on my right ear drum and the doctors advised that I not dive.

He, however, was trying to address the "I can't" statement verses "I can."

What he was probably trying to get me to say was "I CHOOSE not to dive because of these reasons...." Instead of just a blatant, "I can't."

Of course, there was also a large investment in me affirming that I could not dive.... I was scared to!! And at the time I was probably afraid that if I agreed with him that I COULD dive, then I'd actually HAVE to do it! :)

At any rate.... my Dad taught me a lot about confidence through the years. He always told me,
"You can do anything you put your mind to."

So.... I've been working on a confidence project since the first of August, and I finally got this small part of it finished.... This in itself, has been a lesson in confidence! Enjoy....



Here's to learning, growing, and practicing self-confidence every day!

-Becky

Saturday, September 06, 2008

In Memory of My Dad

My Dad passed away August 26, 2008 after an extended illness. Please help me celebrate his life by watching this video. His Soul Music is playing in the background. I wrote this for him the night before he died - turned out to be my 'good-bye' to him, as he passed on before I arrived the next day.

Many thanks to the producers of the video, Memories by Design (Spokanne, WA) and to Music Funeral Home (Waycross, GA) for providing this video for us. The beginning and ending slides (and the music, of course) were my additions.



More about my Dad...

In my growing up years, we shared a lot of music together, bike rides, and long talks... When I was practicing piano sometimes, he'd come in with his guitar and his harmonica and we'd play favorite hymns together. I remember bike rides down to the pier or to a neighborhood park. When we went to the park we'd always stop at the quick stop and get an icee. All these events always included long philosophical talks about life, the universe, and everything....

After I left for college the talks seemed to end. I was never home really long enough to engage in "quality time". Funny though, with his passing, I feel closer to him now than ever before. Going through all the pictures to pick out "just the right ones" for this video had a lot go do with that - as well as writing the music.

Here's some of the things he taught me:

  • You can do anything you put your mind to.
  • Be honest no matter what.
  • If you make a mistake, admit it and apologize immediately.
  • Allow people to be who they are, especially family.
  • Don't give up.
  • Lighten up!
  • Enjoy life.
  • Follow your passion.
  • Love deeply with all your heart.

Please feel free to add a comment and share memories of your Dad. My Dad's passing and the closeness I feel to him just makes me realize more that yes, we ARE all connected and that we are never really separated from those we love.

Here's to continuing the Journey... sharing memories... celebrating life...

-Becky