This blog is dedicated to my mom, Nancy Nakayama, to celebrate her life and help us to remember how amazing she really was. I also use this blog, like many bloggers do, to speak my mind and voice my thoughts.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Let it out
Well we are leaving WA soon! It's going to be so exciting to be back home with family and friends. It will have been a little over a year since Devin has been back to Texas. I would say the same for me, but I went in May for Janna's graduation. I am craving a chorizo and potato taco, whataburger, chik fil a, and chili's LOL Washington is definitely missing out on some good eats!
We found out Devin has to do reserves for a little over 4 years to fulfill his contract to the Army. It's not the worse thing, but they didn't have his job available so he has to re class. That also is not the worse thing ever, it's just irritating. We will get through it though. I have my usual day, if not just a few hours, to grunt and groan and holler and curse, but after that I face it head on and roll with it. I mean honestly what else can I do? If I remain negative about it the whole time, then I'm not getting anywhere and I'm not helping Devin any. I know he is just as frustrated because it conflicts with his schooling and what he wants to do too. I need to be here to support him. I joke sometimes and say that I should write a book about our "adventures" in the military. I think I should really take that into consideration. No one has the same story and I personally think each story is interesting. TLC , Bravo, or Discovery should really consider making a reality show about military wives. Not just Army all the branches. I think it would give good insight.
Tomorrow is Halloween. I have to work unfortunately. I was looking forward to passing out candy with Devin, but oh well I guess. Hopefully, it's not too crazy. This weekend is a pet expo in puyallup. Since Devin and I have been dating, we would go to the Live Oak Civic Center and attend the pet shows. Devin got his first bird there.Anyways, we are animal lovers and like to go to them so that is our plan for this weekend. Also, there is a sonic in Puyallup so I think a cherry limeade and tater tots are calling my name! :)
My mom's birthday is coming up. On Monday, she would have been 57. I know she is having a good celebration with her dad in heaven. I just wish she was here so we could have a margarita together. It's crazy that in a few weeks it will be a year since she has passed. It's a bit surreal.
There is this show on TLC called Long Island Medium. I started watching it and have really gotten into it. Janna and my dad don't know this, but I went to Theresa Caputo's website and asked to be put on her waiting list. I was watching it last night and the whole time Devin was making fun of it. I know he thinks its fake, but I really believe in it. If I can meet Theresa and she can do a reading for me great. If not, that's okay too. I'm really just curious.
This semester is flying by. I will be taking my final sometime in the beginning of December. I'm surprised. I can't wait for this class to be done though and onto my last three classes so I can graduate in May! Woohooo
Friday, September 28, 2012
Too early
I dreamed that mom was still alive and we called her and the first thing she said was ,"I'm so glad I get to spend more time with Devin." I said ,"What do you mean?" and she said, "I didn't know his grandpa passed away in 1976." I said, " He didn't. He pass away in 2010." She just smiled. Then I woke up.
I went to bed thinking about my mom. I miss her terribly. We did the 5th annual brain cancer awareness walk on Saturday in Seattle. It was a rewarding experience. I saw some people there who have brain cancer. It obviously struck a nerve and I cried for a little. Luckily, I wasn't the only one their crying. :) Anyways, a lot of people were walking with walkers or in wheelchairs. Some were walking without the help of any cane, etc they were just walking with their friends and family. It inspired Devin and I to start our own walk in San Antonio. I know the Race for the Cure is huge in San Antonio. I am in the process of figuring out how I can go about starting San Antonio's brain cancer awareness walk.
I was watching Sixteen Candles and in the beginning Molly Ringwald is on the school bus and there is a girl sitting across from her wearing a back brace. My mom use to wear just like that. She would tell Janna and I about how she got teased all the time in school. She even won an award one time and this one girl came up to my mom and told her that she only got the award because of her back brace. My mom didn't want it if that was the true reason so she gave it to the little girl. Her teacher found out and gave it back to her and told her she earned the award. It had nothing to do with her having a back brace.
On the Ellen show, she talks about how we need to stop bullying. When my mom was a counselor, she always dealt with bullying and helped the bullies and those who were getting bullied. I sat in bed last night in amazement as to how much of an impact my mom still had on people.
I don't know if I mentioned this in an earlier post but if I did oh well. When Janna and I were little, my mom would take us to this daycare right by her work. The lady who owned it, Ms. Cherri, had a daughter named Ashley. She was about our same age. She went to my mom's school. I found her on facebook and she told me how sorry she was for my loss and told me how much of an impact my mom had on her life. She then posted on her facebook status about my mom passing and one of Ashley's friend commented and said how he remembered my mom and how nice of a lady she was. She helped Ashley deal with bullying and was always an advocate to end bullying. I would always laugh, but it really is a serious subject. I know I got bullied in middle school and my mom was the first person to help me.
I don't know if I am making any sense. Now the whole me not going back to bed is catching up with me. My eyesight is getting blurry. Well anyways, thanks for listening to me babble and get some things off of my chest.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Begins with a Single Step
Devin and I are going to walk with my Aunt and Uncle. ( My mom's sister) They are flying from Oklahoma on Thursday. I printed a picture of mom from our wedding that captures her personality and who she was perfectly. I am going to bring it to the walk and place it in the Tent of Honor. She definitely deserves to be honored. :)
Here is the link for our website that I created. It has walk information and links for you to sign up, as a virtual walker if you are not able to attend in person, and a link to make donations.
http://community.swedish.org/walkingforacause
I tried to post the picture of her that I am bringing to the walk but it was too large and since I am not all that computer literate I couldn't resize it. I decided I would attempt to put it on here so you too can understand what I am talking about.
Oh goody! ( As Mom would say!) It worked! You see what I mean? This is the perfect picture of her.
I didn't have a whole lot to write about today,but I have one last thing for you to read. As you start your day, remember this poem:
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard…
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
That can still be rearranged
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile…
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
by Linda Ellis
My dad read this and knew it was about my mom. At her funeral, this song was played. It really makes you think, am I truly living?
Take a moment to re evaluate your life and the choices you have made.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
A journey of a thousand miles....
I didn't realize how expensive nursing school is going to be. Once that is completed it is definitely something I will tell my kids about! I am praying I will submit my application July 2013 to where I can attend January 2014. Prayers greatly appreciated.
Janna has officially moved into Texas A&M. She is super excited. I think she will enjoy learning about being on her own and making her own schedule. Afterall, it is a part of growing up.
I finally got in touch with my wedding photographer and I am trying, little by little, to get all of the pictures picked out for our album, prints, and portrait. It's hard because I want every single picture with my mom. Fortunately, I do have the discs which the pictures are on and I am sure Wal-mart would love my business, but my pocket book would not. :)
Dad is doing good. He had a horrible episode with his gout to where he developed an aorta abdominal anersym. Luckily, it's small enough to where nothing needs to be done. Things like that make me wish we were coming home sooner so we could help me out.
Devin is doing good. He has always been that rock for me to turn to when I am need. I hope I am doing the same for him. It's a very stressful process getting out of the Army, but the only way you can achieve your goals is to move forward. He is planning on finishing his Associates in Collision Repair while also completing courses for a Business degree. He is wanting to eventually transfer to Texas A&M San Antonio and attend their School of Business. I know he will do great with that. He is wanting to also attend MMI, a motorcycle mechanic school, to where one day he could possibly own his own motorcycle business something similar to the American Choppers guys. Who knows maybe one day we will see him on TV :)
We went to church this past Sunday and that was definitely what I needed. Sometimes I do feel defeated and mixed up on what decision is the best. The only way to know is going down one road and seeing the results. I feel it helps seeking advice from others in order to help make your decision. At these times, I need my mom. She may have driven me crazy when it came to stuff like this, at times, but she always had a way of making the situation better and easier to handle. The message at church was to grow and become a follower of God rather than a fan. The pastor had us fill in blanks to complete messages. At the end we were asked questions to see what stage we were at. One of the questions was, "Could I put the grudges and bitterness towards other aside?" My mom came to my mind. No matter what my mom was always able to put the grudges to the side. She greeted every person she came into contact with with a smile and maybe even a hug. She always praised people even if they didn't praise her. I never understood why until this Sunday. She was becoming a follower of God. She wouldn't be able to do that if she continued to hang on to those grudges and bitterness.
The people who are left behind here on Earth who were graced with knowing my mom, whether they had a tight relationship or not, are truly blessed and touched by her kind soul.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Milestones and Memories
I'd like to start off by saying that I first created this blog as a way to express my feelings about my mom passing. I was first inspired to do so by a friend who experienced a loss. I saw the strength she had and how she was okay afterwards that I felt I too would be okay after I expressed my feelings. Now I feel my blog has turned into a place for me to just simply express myself. Whether that be feelings or just being a type of therapy ;) I don't think it will be soley focused on my mom now. I will explain a little later on... keep reading.
A lot has taken place since my last posting. Sorry I haven't kept you in the loop. :) I will try and start off from where I left, but forgive me if I am out of order and if I forget some things.
We moved back to America! Yay! For some reason I was sad to leave Korea. It had been home for 2 years and even though I couldn't stand not being able to go to a craft store or walk into the mall and find my size in shoes or clothes or simply understand someone talking to me, I was sad to go. I am glad to be in the U.S. though. Walmart and Michael's make America... my opinion lol
We found a nice house in a beautiful neighborhood. It's kinda far but who wouldn't love driving for a little to see trees and Mt. Rainier on clear days rather than bumper to bumper traffic?! We don't really have a backyard and the drive way is really steep but those are minor.
I only have a few more classes and then I can graduate from SAC with an Associates! I am so excited! I wish I could do school in my sleep that way I could apply for Nursing School faster!
Devin bought a motorcycle... that's his therapy :) It's very very pretty! I am looking for a job and trying to register for the Fall semester. We are still waiting on our stuff from Korea to arrive, but it is coming tomorrow! Woohoo!
I just got back from visiting Janna and my Dad. Janna graduated high school on Friday. She is all grown up now! :( Dad , Janna and I were definitely missing mom. Neither one of us wanted to make the other cry so we didn't really saying anything. It's just one of those things. This lady at the graduation read a poem before the students started walking the stage thanking the mom's and pretty much telling the mom's remember when. Janna said she cried. I admit I did tear up and tried my hardest not to lose it in the bleachers. Those are the moments I wish Devin was by my side. Mile stone moments with mom not being there and a huge crowd of people being around who don't understand is even more awkward. Like Janna said though, " It was God saying Mom is here"." I pictured Mom sitting in the aisle Janna was on down on the floor and tearing up because her baby was graduating. I know there will be many more milestone moments that I will wish my mom would be there for and that Janna will wish mom would have been there for, but God had a purpose for making her an angel. People are brought into our lives and taken out of our lives for a reason. It's hard to understand at that very moment, but with time we come to figure it out.
I have come to understand that my mom would us all to be happy. At first I thought she would be upset that we weren't crying and showing our grief. The more I thought about I could hear the counselor in her saying, " You just can't put yourself through that". I don't think people in general can move on until you truly know how the loved one you lost would want/expect you to feel. After almost 7 months, I grasped that. Don't get me wrong I still have my moments. I will see a picture sometimes or something she wrote and cry. I am still human.
I think I was in funk. ( for lack of a better word) I was a little depressed. I felt a lot of guilt. I felt guilty because my mom was here to experience things with me that she wasn't going to experience with Janna. I felt depressed because my mom wasn't going to be here see certain things and give me advice on certain things. With time, I have come to realize she is still here. She may not physically be here to where I can see her, feel her, hear her, but she can see me, hear me, feel me. I know it is probably killing her that she can't talk to us( since she was big talker). You may think this is silly, but I believe my dogs can see her. When Lulu and Major just look in mid air and don't bark or anything but act if someone is there, I say " love you Mama". I know she can hear me. It makes me feel as if I am still talking to her.
My blog is in memory of my mom. It started about her and helped me to cope but now its something to help me vent. Maybe I am frustrated or sad or happy! Whatever it may be it's going here.
Sorry for being all over the place with this post. I went from happy to sad to happy to sad. Sorry emotions are emotions.Devin if you are reading this I know you are probably shaking head lol
Anyways I am going to end each post by saying what I am most thankful for. It might be a person, place or thing. But I am going to do. A dedication may be. :)
I am most thankful for my little sister. Janna we may butt heads sometimes, but I am proud of you for having morals and sticking to them. I am proud of you for graduating and now going to do great things with life. Don't worry if you don't know for sure what you want to do with Philosophy it will come to you. If you don't stick with Philosophy and you switch to something on the total opposite end of the spectrum like Business so be it! Do what you want and what makes you happy! Make cupcakes and cookies! :)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
When in Doubt... Believe
The only way I know is by believing.
To me, your faith and your beliefs are what make you as a person. Without those, you are nothing. You are just a person who stands for nothing.
One of the things my mom taught me is that "if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything." Oh true she was.
Sometimes,if I don't watch it, I can run my mouth off without thinking. I think we all have these moments honestly.
Anyways, I know my mom is here because I can feel her presence. I have memories in my heart and mind of her which keep her alive. Sometimes I can hear her leading me in the right direction. She really is here even if I can't see her with my own eyes.
I believe that my mom needing to go before my dad and sister and I because she needed to get heaven situated for us. Kind of like getting a home ready to bring a baby home. She is getting our home in heaven ready. God chose her to leave us on Earth first because she was the best "pick" you could say.
Don't get my wrong. My dad helped build our family too. He was a stable unit in keeping us a strong family. The roles as mom and dad play are just different. My mom was always the one who could calm us down when we got all riled up. If one of us got into an argument with the other, she would try and make us see the other's side. I hated when she did that. It drove me absolutely crazy. I think she knew that but she didn't care because she knew I couldn't just fly off the handle.
It's funny because even though I couldn't stand it I find myself doing it too. My mom would always say I was just like my dad. I do think I am more like my dad than my mom, but now that my mom isn't here it's more apparent to me.
I use to say to myself and to Devin how upset I was that my mom wasn't going to be able to witness all kinds of events in mine and Janna's lives as we get older. Now I retract that statement. She will be able to see what happens in our lives for instance, Janna graduating from high school, both of us graduating from college and both of us having kids. She may not be able to give us motherly advice in person, but she raised us, with my dad, to be strong wise women.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Love and Support = Good Medicine
I believe, actually I KNOW, even though my Mom isn't physically here she is still able to comfort me in my times of need. I also know that before she left Earth and went to Heaven, she made sure there were people here that would be able to comfort and take of Janna, my dad, and I. She was always the one who knew exactly what to say to keep everyone calm. She was definitely the peacekeeper!
I love her for that. I have realized though, the hard way, that Devin, my Dad, Janna, Devin's family, and friends, whom my mom met and was able to get to know on a personal level, are the people my mom knew could handle my crazy self. Whenever I start getting those "What if" moments in my mind and let them control my thinking to where I turn into a worry wart, I have my Dad to bring back to reality to say , " Luci come on! It's going to be okay." And then he gives me the research and all of that fancy shmancy stuff. :) When I start flying off the handle and need to be brought back to reality, I have Devin to say " Hello, Earth to Luci!" Well he doesn't say those exact words but close enough!
Anyways, I think you see my point. My mom knew she couldn't leave until she was fully assured that there people here who could handle every aspect of my craziness! :) Yes I just pointed out all of the flaw or at least the majority of them but oh well! You love me for them!
Along with my sister, Dad and Devin another person who was amazing and continues to be throughout this whole grieving process was my mother in law. She never once judged me, my dad, or my sister. We all dealt with mom's passing and pre-passing, you could say, a little differently. That's just us being human. She was a very strong support system for us all. I remember when I had a moment at the nursing home. I had to step outside and she followed me out and I just sobbed. Devin wasn't here yet. He was still in Korea and I didn't know how to deal. I just kept repeating out loud " I need Devin." My mother in law told me " He will be here soon". At the time Devin wasn't scheduled to come out just yet, but its like God told her don't worry he will be there before things get really bad.
I told Devin months leading up to the worst day that I couldn't handle seeing my mom in such a state. I knew myself and I couldn't handle that. He would agree and say okay whatever you want. He told me one day though that I should go and be with her because I don't want to have any regrets. He was so right.
Even though it was very difficult for me to see my mom gradually decline in such a short period of time I am very glad and blessed that I was able to do so. I can say I have no regrets.
I did have doubt along the way. I'm not gunna lie, but I think what helped me the most was this poem/prayer that my mother in law told me during my 'moment'. It's more than words of encouragement. It's more than inspirational. I honestly cannot find the correct words for it, but the only thing that matters is that it put me back on the right path when I had doubt and felt so very vulnerable and weak. I needed my rock, Devin, and I was so lost. Yes my dad and sister and friends were there for me, but the person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with just has a special bond with that is undescribable.
To end my entry for the week, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you to my sister, dad, mother in law, Devin, Devin's family, and my friends. Here is the prayer my mother in law said to me. I hope it can help you one day too.
See you next week!
FOOTPRINTS
By Margaret Fishback Powers
One night a man had a dream. He
dreamed he was walking along the beach
with the Lord. Across the sky
flashed scenes from his life. For each
scene, he noticed two sets of footprints
in the sand; one belonging to him, and
the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed
before him, he looked back at the
many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints. He
also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the Lord about it. “Lord
you said that once I decided to follow
you, you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times of my life, there is
only one set of footprints. I don’t
understand why, when I needed you
most, you would leave me.”
The Lord replied, “My precious,
precious child, I love you and I would
never leave you. During your times of
trial and suffering, when you saw only
one set of footprints, it was then that I
carried you.”
