Andy Bear And His New Blog

Every now and then, someone comes along in your life and they find a way into your heart.

And you know it’s forever.

My friends Lisa & Andrew – college friends – are like that. So, too, are their kids – Andy and Cami.

Andy is a wealth of knowledge about sports – especially anything Spurs. He’s funny and smart and loves his family and friends – and he is the most gentle soul I know.

Cami is just a bundle of energy, who never met a camera she didn’t like – a budding actress with a big, bright smile and a generous, kind spirit.

I describe The Ramon Family (briefly) because they have quite a story to tell – especially Andy Bear (his nickname since forever) – who just started his own blog,   from his hospital room at Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital.

I know I will be reading it regularly – I hope you join me.

Andy’s journey likely has lessons for us all.

I Love U 2 Pieces *

Gertie Lou & Winston & Bernice

You stand there… you sit there… you love me… and I am grateful.

Sitting resplendent in your yellow dress, you are magnificent, every ounce the Queen, though you never knew it.

Standing guard in your white uniform, you twist your hands, playing with the nails on your thumbs, ready for anything

(you were always ready for anything).

And perched on my beloved red tricycle – red and orange tassles hanging from the handlebars like streamers ready to fly off at a moment’s notice -

I ride on, bracing for whatever comes my way.

I remember many nights laying my head on your chests, nuzzled in your soft, cozy arms, delighted by your smiles, your chatter,

your instant approval.

(But make no mistake, there were scoldings, too.)

I was safe, snuggled in the warmth of you, your hand-made afghans and cozy nightgowns.

But I always had the same wish when I threw a penny in the fountain at NorthPark: that I would go first so I wouldn’t

ever, ever, ever have to find my way without you.

Even as I tried to force my cats and dogs to love each other

(figuring that if I loved them so much, they should love each other, too),

you watched patiently, amused.

You patched up my scrapes, scratches and stubbed toes when

I tangled with the wrong tree.

Now, so many years later, I know my life without your lessons of love would be bland at best.

(A dose of reality here: I was spoiled by your treats – the cream puffs, chocolate eclairs and Angel Food Cakes – thanks to you, sweets hold no allure for me as a grown woman.)

Oh, my.

You stood… you watched… you loved… and you taught.

You helped bring me to me, and for that, Gertie Lou and Winston,

I Love U 2 Pieces*.

* ” I Love U 2 Pieces” is the way Gertie Lou (seated in the yellow dress) would end her letters to my great-grandmother Bernice Ryan Mills when they wrote to one another. I just love that. *

** I wrote this essay from my heart, but it also was written as part of a writing experiment initiated by my friend Dawn, who’s taking a writing class and thought it would be fun to share the experience and the homework.

This essay is my homework.

Here was the assignment.

I think everyone should try, too

(and post your essay in the comments section).

Girl Scouts in Action: Books for Abby

Girl Power has come to St. Gregory’s Catholic School!

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Girl Scout Troop 2583 has organized a school-wide book drive to help stock the shelves of Abby’s Book Corner-San Antonio!
One of the scouts – Alisa Rodriguez – helped out with our labeling party in late-February and decided she wanted to do more.

So, along with her parents Daniel & Melinda and her sister and brother Leandra and Aaron,

Alisa and her troop got to work.

The result is astounding: every student went home with a flyer in their bookbags, explaining the program.

There are signs all over the school, describing the mission of Abby’s Book Corner.

There are boxes for kids, parents, parishioners and friends to put their donations into –

all of which will be donated March 15th to Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas.

The book drive continues through Friday, March 12th – donations can be dropped off at St. Gregory the Great Catholic School,

located at 700 Dewhurst.

I am so grateful for friends like The Rodriguez Family –

who have embraced our family and supported our efforts every step of the way.

And, I am thrilled to have Girl Scout Girl Power working so hard to make

Abby’s Book Corner-San Antonio a success!

Thanks, ladies!

The Adventure (Club) Continues

Looking for something to do on Thursday night?

How about checking out Adventure Club of San Antonio ???
They’re hosting a Meet & Greet at Mamacita’s Restaurant & Cantina on I-10 between Medical & Callaghan.

The event runs Thursday, February 18th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

The event is open to the public, and is a chance for people who may be interested in finding out what Adventure Club is all about. Members will be there – the monthly meet & greet is their most widely-attended event – so you can ask all the questions you like to find out if it’s something you might be interested in joining.

I’m also delighted that they’ll be taking book donations for Abby’s Book Corner-San Antonio – and have asked me to say a few words about the project.

* A special thank-you to friends Dirk Davidek and his lovely bride Beverly

for giving me a chance to keep spreading the love about this cause *

Here’s more on the event – hope to see you there!

~ Bernice

My New Year’s Love Letter

Happy New Year!

Before we slide into 2010 full-throttle, there is so much to give thanks for in 2009.

So, if you’ll indulge me, I have a few thank-yous to pass out …

My family

I love them madly, dearly, passionately.

I would not be the woman I am without them.

The Happiness Family Christmas: 2007

They make me crazy (in a good way) and keep me sane. That’s the best gift EVER!

The Happiness Family: The Early Years

My nieces: (they get a special entry)

Lola B: Cool as Ever!

Lola B, Abby-Google, Victoria – they have taught me a special kind of love.

Abby is all smiles!

I am just head-over-heels for my Uber-Cool Nieces!

Victoria & Auntie B

My friends

They keep me young & fun!

St. Mary’s Crew: A Lifetime of Friendship!

They teach me how to give selflessly, and how to give thanks abundantly.

The Ladies

I am in love with the family I’ve made for myself.

Disturbia Does Halloween 2008

My pets

I am not complete without little 4-legged creatures scampering around me

(and, truth be told, those 4 legs aren’t a deal-breaker… I love my sweet, furry, licking, rambunctious friends no matter how many legs/paws/whiskers/tails/ whatever they have).

Zoila the Wonder Dog

Right now, I’m down to just one scampering puppy named Zoila – but that will soon change; I must add a kitty to the household soon!

My Paul

Who could have imagined someone would love me so much that it feels like a miracle each and every single day?

Paul & Bernice: Summer 2009

I am beyond blessed and happy and ecstatic (and right this very second – I am not afraid to admit it – I am a little puddled-up).

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am a very, very, VERY lucky girl.

Muah!

Adios, Friend.

It’s a beautiful day in San Antonio – with mild temperatures, blue skies and a bright, shining sun.

But, I find myself with a little bit of the blues today.

It’s my friend and colleague’s last day on the job here.

The 3 F’s: Fried. Fair. Food.

I love the State Fair of Texas.

It is happiness on a stick, especially if that stick holds a Fletcher’s Corny Dog.

Lots of mustard. Relish if possible. Hold the ketchup.

But – and I can’t believe I’m admitting this – there is such a thing as “too much of a good thing.” 

Urban Adventure

Before I get really deep into this, I know.. I know.

I’m a Texas Princess.

I love my car.

I love my car a lot.

But, I also have a sense of adventure – even if that adventure is just a light rail ride to Fair Park.

Puppy Tails

I’ve batted around the idea of starting a blog – but it always comes back around to the same question: what would I blog about? What could I possibly have to write about – what could I say – that would be of interest to anyone? Would ANYONE care? Is it just an exercise in self-absorption? Or one of those stream-of-consciousness things that’s little more than nonsense?

Grrr.

Grumble.

Pi-shaw.

And then… along came Puppy.

Yep. Puppy. For now, that’s what we’re going with.

And just like that, I have something to say.