Archive for category Family
What’s a Car Gypsy?
Posted by Ron in Family, Neighborhood, Unbelievable on November 22nd, 2011
Last week my wife said, “You’re a Car Gypsy.” “What? What’s a ‘Car Gypsy’?” She explained it to me. She was right.
It all started when I was a little kid. You see, my dad’s hobby was buying/fixing-up homes and moving our family constantly. By the time I graduated from high school I had lived in more than 20 homes [I know what you're thinking...no, my dad wasn't in the military]. He simply liked to fix up homes. Once he ran out of things he could do to the home and yard, the For Sale sign would go up, and we would move….again.
As a child I didn’t really consider this transient life abnormal; it was all I knew. What I did realize at a young age though, was that friends and classmates weren’t important because they weren’t permanent. Only family was permanent.
Andrea’s Car Gypsy comment surprised me and triggered a several-day period of reflection that culminated in a surprising conclusion: I had become my father.
Early in my adult life I started down the “House Gypsy” road my father had taught me. In a matter of 10 years I had lived in 7 apartments/homes/condos. I was on track to rival my father’s impressive number of moves. In 2000 it occurred to me that this may not be the right thing for my then 6-year old daughter who had already lived in 4 homes. It was then that I decided I wouldn’t move to another home until my kids were grown. Easier said than done.
Every few months I get an itch that I can’t scratch. I’d start looking at homes for sale and even taking Andrea to see them. In a matter of a couple of days I would remember my desire to give my children a stable environment in which to grow. But the itch would not easily go away.
Outgoing Car? Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor
In retrospect, I now realize that I found the anti-itch cream through automobiles. Cars became my father’s homes. In the last 10 years I have switched my cars out 11 times. 11 cars in 10 years! That’s crazy…but it keeps me in the same home, and has done so for nearly 12 years now. That is a Wilson family record! Not one of my brothers or my sister have yet to surpass my record…yes, it seems they inherited the Gypsy gene, too.
So, I AM a “Car Gypsy” and proud of this fact. It means that my kids can build healthy friendships and experience the security of permanency. It also means that I get to drive some pretty awesome cars, like a sweet Mercedes-Benz and now this titan silver Bavarian specimen below. I wonder how long she will last? I’d tell my lovely wife that I’m keeping this one for a long time (like I did the Mercedes), but I already know that’s not true. It’s a pretty awesome car, though, so maybe I WILL keep this one for a long time. ;)
Incoming Car? BMW 330i (it's awesome)
What do you think of this plate for the BMW?
Goodbye Ruby Lee McGee
Tonight I was looking at the Google Analytics data for my blog (you know, the numbers of visitors, search words to find my blog, referring sites, etc.) and was surprised that I got a hundred or so visitors for the search string “ray t mcgee.” Ray is Riley’s grandfather who lived in Oklahoma until he died in February of this year. So out of curiosity I Googled “ray t mcgee” to see the other results. To my surprise the first result was for “RUBY MCGEE >>Obituaries >> AdaEveningNews.com.” I clicked the link and learned the following:
ADA — Graveside services for Ruby Lee McGee, 89, Ada, are 12 noon Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, at Memorial Park Cemetery, the Rev. Earl Hood officiating.
Mrs. McGee died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, at Ada. She was born April 20, 1921, at Selby, S.D., to LeRoy and Della Chamberlain Easterling.
She attended school at Jennings and was a homemaker.She married Ray T. McGee II on May 2, 1941. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Jarman and her husband Lonnie, Oklahoma City; a son, Frank Nichols and his wife Leota, Ada; three granddaughters, Danita Nichols and Gavin, Frisco, Texas, Robin and Andy Hallford, Arlington, Texas, and Leslee and Gary Sanner, Moore; three great-granddaughters; and five great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Ray T. McGee III; a sister, Marie Shellenberger; a brother, Joe Sloss; and a granddaughter, Kimlee [Kemley] Wilson.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
Ruby Lee McGee is the mother of Ray T. McGee, who is the father of Kemley McGee Wilson, who is the mother of Riley Wilson, my daughter. Yes, Riley’s great-grandmother died two weeks ago and was buried soon after in Ada, Oklahoma. Ray and Kemley loved her very much. I’ve been to her home in Ada many times over a 10-year period and had learned to love her as a grandmother. Riley knew her from infancy through 4-years of age.
It would have been nice to go to her funeral. It would have been nice to be invited. It would have been nice to be told she had died. It would have been nice….to be thought of.
Sadly, this is just another example of a family that has been divided by death, distance, and so many other instances of peculiar behavior that it’s not surprising. But, it is disappointing.
We now have absolutely no contact from the McGee family, Riley’s family. No calls on holidays. No birthday gifts/calls/cards. No calls to Riley to just see how she is. No contact.
Maybe one of them will stumble across this post when they Google “ray t mcgee,” and just maybe they’ll remember that there is another “McGee,” one who doesn’t live in Oklahoma, one that might still like to feel that she is part of the family.
Overcoming Fears: A Child’s Lesson
Thursday night was race time at Rad Canyon BMX.
Rewind a year….our little 5-almost-6 year old guy had made it to the main event (the finals in BMX) for the first time. His qualifying race was nerve-racking for his mother and I because of his aggression and lack of control; but he made it. He was very excited for his chance to win it all. He got up to the starting gate, put on his game-face, and waited for the starting signal. He launched himself from the gate’s drop with all the force he could muster and ripped down the ramp racing into the first set of jumps. To my surprise he launched himself off the first one higher and farther than ever before. I saw him hit the base of the jump and struggle to land it. He didn’t.
With a shudder of fear I saw him hit face-first into the compacted soil and slide about 10-feet. He wasn’t moving. I, and others, ran to him. By the time I got there he was moving and whimpering. He had lost consciousness but was coming back. The impact was absorbed by his full-face motorcycle helmet, but still cut up his chin. Once he was aware of his surroundings again he started to cry. He wouldn’t finish the race. He wouldn’t finish the season. He was scared. No, he was terrified.
Post Crash
For the next year we repeatedly encouraged our little guy to try again. So did his hero and BMX mentor, Kolin. He refused, adamantly. He wanted us to sell his bike. He wanted, no demanded, that we sell everything relating to BMX. He was defeated. As parents we wanted to see him overcome his fears, but as parents we didn’t have the power to do that. This could only be done by him. We didn’t sell any of his gear, we just put it away hoping and praying that he would face his fears.
Flash back to May of this year. Out of nowhere our little guy announces he wants to go watch Kolin practice at the Rad Canyon track. For various reasons we couldn’t make it work immediately. A week later he told Andrea that he wanted to go practice. She took him to the next practice which was June 2nd (sadly I was working late that night and couldn’t make it). Andrea sent me a text that night from the track “He’s doing it! Cautiously, but doing it, starting gates and all.” I was overcome with emotion. He was facing his fears. He was doing it!
So back to last night…
Our little BMXer raced well considering he hadn’t raced in a year and he was nervous. He took 2nd in his first heat just out of 1st place. He rode cautiously, too cautiously. But he made it to the next heat. By the beginning of the qualifying heat he was starting to get his fire back telling me “I’ll win by a long ways this time.” He came in second again behind the boy who took 3rd in their previous heat.
Enjoying the Moment
While waiting for the main event, our little guy was calm and jovial. He was having fun. He was a BMX rider again.
When the main event was announced we put his helmet on while he put on his gloves. He was excited and feeling confident. He didn’t need me to go up to the staging area. He could “handle it” by himself. When the starting gate dropped he ripped down the ramp, up and over the jumps, pumped through the rhythm sections and took the big arching corners proficiently, even gaining on first place at each turn. He crossed the finish line right behind the winner. He was exuberant. He placed 2nd overall. His first main event finish.
Main Event - 2nd Place Overall
After celebrating and admiring his trophy, in a moment of reflection our little guy said “Dad, it feels good to face your fears.” Yes son, it certainly does.
Mineral Basin
Skiing at Snowbird was a great experience, however one I probably should have not done sick. Here is a view from the summit down into Mineral Basin in American Fork Canyon.
Brighton Birthday
Posted by Ron in Family, Fun Videos on January 8th, 2010
To celebrate Andrea’s birthday we took the whole Wilson clan to Brighton for skiing. This was Nicole, Jared, and Ellie’s first time to ski…they loved it. We put them in lessons for a couple of hours; by the end of the day they were doing really well, especially Jared, who was cruising down the slopes with Andrea in hot pursuit. Riley hadn’t gone since she was 6-years old; she did really well, too.
Here are a few photos and videos memorializing the day:
Anticipation for a day of New Adventures
Jared can't Wait!
Jared & Ellie in their Ski Lesson at Brighton
New Year’s Day Sledding
Posted by Ron in Family, Fun Videos on January 1st, 2010
A good chunk of the Wilson clan went sledding for a few hours on New Year’s; then to Uncle Matt & Aunt Shirlene’s house for lunch. It was a fun day. A highlight was when Nana was convinced to riding a sled with her grandson, Brady. Mom has never been too adventurous, so this really surprised me. Way to go Nana!
Happy Birthday Ellie
On December 29th our youngest child, Ellie, celebrated her 4th birthday. It’s hard to believe that Ellie is 4 already and that she is growing so quickly.
Ellie is such a joyful child, full of imagination and creativity. Her very favorite activities are playing dress-up, dancing, playing mommy, and playing with her “princesses.” Ellie’s favorite food remains chocolate milk (I wonder if that will ever change? And secretly wish it never will.) We love Ellie so much and can’t imagine our family without her!
Today at Ellie’s well-child checkup our pediatrician told Andrea that Ellie is very healthy and is ahead of the curve developmentally. He estimated that her adult height will be approximately 5′8″. From what he said, Ellie won’t be as tall as Nicole who is estimated to be 5″10″. Riley still complains that she will be the short one in the family at 5″6″…sorry for those Phelps’ genes, Riley.
Sit on my Lap Little Girl
Today we took the kids to see Santa at the South Towne Mall. We got there 20 minutes before Santa returned from a break. After standing in line a total of 45 minutes the kids finally got to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wished him to bring them on Christmas.
This was Ellie’s first year to actually enjoy the visit. But how can you blame her? In past years her loving parents picked her up and set her on the lap of some bearded man whom she did not know. We would then step back only to tell her it’s okay and to “smile.” It’s a wonder that children ever come to love Santa. Ellie was pretty stoic, but at least she didn’t cry this time…and actually did speak to Santa.
Peaceful Sunday Morning Snow Storm
Posted by Ron in Family, Fun Videos, Neighborhood on December 13th, 2009
It’s been snowing like crazy today. I have already shoveled the driveway twice (and a neighbor’s once). To me there is nothing more pleasant than watching a heavy snowfall. I enjoy how the falling white blanket quiets everything and makes the world look white and pure.
The Joy of Childhood
Posted by Ron in Family, Fun Videos, Neighborhood on December 12th, 2009
Jared, enjoying the neighborhood sledding hill.