DGP: March 7, 1947 - January 31, 2015

An amazing life cut much too short.

My mind is beginning to come out of the fog. I say beginning because I’m still struggling to find the words I want to convey. Maybe there truly are no words. I know it’s not ours to reason or ask why, but I can’t help but scratch my head and wonder why he had to leave us so soon when he clearly had so much more to give. I know God’s timing is perfect and I believe G would be the first to remind me of that so I’m trying to rest in that truth.

Oh the things that come to mind when someone we love passes...my thoughts were: did I ever tell him how much he truly meant to me...I can’t remember if I told him...I hope I did, or I hope somehow he knew. I think I always wanted to tell him but wasn't quite sure how, he was such a humble man and I would have gushed, maybe even teared up and probably embarrassed him.

I've been living on Facebook the last couple of days, grieving with others who love him...some of those people I don’t even know, but a strange sort of bond is there. We all keep repeating the same things. I knew he meant a lot to a lot of people, but I never truly realized how much of a small pebble I am in the vast ocean of people whose lives he touched and influenced. He always made me feel like I was the most important. I’m sure he did that to everyone he came in contact with...how did he do that? How did he make us all feel so special??

I met G my first day on campus at Western Bible College in the fall of 1978. I had been to registration and was given his name and told to report to him as my guidance counselor. I knocked on his office door (which was almost always open) and was told to come in and he greeted me with a smile which was cradled between two dimples. I told him that I was told he was my guidance counselor and handed him the papers from the office. He took one look and said, “I see you’re a piano major”, I nodded and he smiled almost an evil smile and said “you’re going to be spending a lot of time with me”. Part of the requirements for a music major was to be in the college chorale, so he sent me across the hall to audition for the choir director. I thought, no problem, I've been in choirs all my life. I was devastated when he told me to try the next year because he didn't need any more altos. I went back to G’s (Mr. P’s) office and told him what happened. Without a word and with great purpose, he sauntered out of the office, coat tail swinging. All was quiet until I heard the choir director say in a rather annoyed and loud tone “well, I sure wish they’d inform me first as to who my majors are”. Mr. P came back down the hall and told me everything was straightened out. 

Spend a lot of time with him indeed! Private lessons, theory class, accompanying his voice students, an excellent class on the Philosophy of Church Music, choir rehearsals and a 2 week choir tour, not to mention random times just talking. He always had a fun joke, comment or quip to keep us laughing and having fun, yet it was always tempered in good taste and only when appropriate. We used to pester him trying to find out what the “K” (his middle initial) stood for and he refused to tell us. He’d smile and say “Kutie”. Whenever I would tease, pester or make a silly comment he’d say, “don’t give me grief, girl” which was always followed by that dimpled smile and a wink. That's what he's saying to me as I took this picture of him on the beach, by the way. Joy just seemed to bubble over and out him. All he had to do was walk in the room and I felt instantly better. To G, life was meant to be fun.

I have so many special memories of him…

The first thing G did upon arriving at a church on choir tour was find the piano and take it for a test run. I remember one time...I don’t even remember where we were, but I was walking into the church suitcase in hand, trying to find the room we were to use to get ready and I saw G nearly sprinting down the corridor. When he spotted me his eyes grew large and a big smile spread over his face. He said excitedly and half out of breath, “Julie, Julie, come here, I have to show you something!” I curiously followed him into the very large sanctuary of the church and down the aisle to the platform where sat the largest grand piano I had ever seen. He gestured to it, “nine feet, it’s a nine foot concert grand piano!” “Play it, play it, sit down and play it.” I hesitated. His face grew more serious and he said, “Julie you have to play it, you’ll probably never again have the chance to say you've played a nine foot concert grand piano!” He handed me a hymn book and gestured for me to play. I sat down and took in the length of it as it stretched out in front of me. The top was in it’s fully open position and all the strings lay before me...beckoning. I slowly played one note at a time, then a few more. I played a hymn. I can’t remember what I played, only that I did and he smiled and his eyes sparkled. The touch, the feel of it, the sound of it was something I had never before experienced. We talked a bit about how it felt...how it sounded, the richness of the tone and then he sent me back to prepare for the concert. I took my time walking back up the aisle, I walked backwards because he had taken my place on the bench and I didn’t want to stop listening to the music that was then filling the room. He was right! That was the one and only time in my entire life that I have ever seen a nine foot concert grand piano, much less got to play one!! I’ll never forget the experience and I’m so glad we shared it together.

Malted milk balls! His wife used to send Bridge Mix with him to work...he loved his Bridge Mix, but he didn't care for the malted milk balls. He told me this one day as he was picking them out of the bowl and I told him I loved malted milk balls. From that day on, he saved his malted milk balls for me. One day I came in for my lesson and he had them all lined up on the music rack on the piano. He’d have me work on a section of my music, then he’d say, “good job, have a malted milk ball”. We’d go back to work and after a while he’d say, “you've earned another malted milk ball”. To this day I never eat a malted milk ball that I don’t think of G!!

Oh the hours I spent in his office either for a lesson, or to get extra help with my theory or just because I needed help sorting out problems. He always had a wise, Godly answer for me. G was always there for me whenever I had a question or a problem, I was never turned away, he was never too busy. I loved music but I was never the best student and it didn't come easy for me. I couldn't have asked for a more kind, caring, patient teacher, even when I was perpetually late for theory class. It didn't help that it was at 7:00 in the morning! He never gave up on me and always encouraged me, I truly believe he honestly believed in me. I still regret not being able to continue my studies with him after I married, I had so much yet to learn...still do, and I would love to go back and not be so timid to pick his brain more. If I have one regret in life it’s that I did not have more time to study under GP. I am so blessed beyond measure to have had his guidance and influence in my life! My music is decorated with his handwritten comments, tips and encouragements...continual reminders of our time together at the piano.

Even my mother knew what a treasure he was! He made a record album, playing his own piano arrangements as a promotional tool for the college. You should have seen her face the Christmas I gave her that album! How she loved to listen to him play. He would play dinner music all evening at the college banquets and I would bring her just to watch her as she listened to him. Priceless! He would even come to my home to tune my piano and then spend time just playing it much to our abundant enjoyment! I would never tire of listening to him play!

Oh, and guess who played both the piano and the organ at my wedding?? YUP! I love this photo! I don't remember what he said to Hubby's dad and my mom on his way to give me a hug in the receiving line, but it was something typically "G".

We lost touch for a while, but started exchanging Christmas letters and soon others followed once in a while. Later it was emails. It’s difficult to find closure from so far away, especially when our communication was now limited to the internet. I would share things to my Facebook page that I knew he’d appreciate or enjoy just to watch for him to “like” or comment. Today when I saw something he would enjoy I went to post it only to remember he wasn't there to see it. I've been told how unusual it is to stay in touch with a former teacher for so many years...yes, I suppose it is. 

I couldn't believe it when I found out he’d been diagnosed with cancer. I remember Hubby saying “there are just some people the curse shouldn't be allowed to touch. I shared his story with my students, who indirectly, are his students too and we prepared a care package for him. Upon it’s arrival he wrote a letter and in it he expressed thanks to each student and specifically mentioned them by name...not to mention some very special comments he had for me. We talked about after he was well again he’d come up here and give a master class for my students and go on a tour of local pipe organs. He said “now that would be fun”.

Of course, not only was he an amazing  pianist, talented composer, choir/ensemble director, lyric tenor, voice teacher, piano tuner, figure skater and skating coach, he was also an organist. I emailed him when I began learning the organ and he seemed pleased. I remember he asked me once if I wanted to learn the organ and I turned him down. WHY?? I have no idea! I guess it wasn't time or I just wasn't ready for whatever reason. Looking back now I think, no, I’m pretty sure he must have known I was more suited to the organ than the piano. When I was preparing for the organ recital last August, he was quietly involved...encouraging. I am now the proud owner of an organ suite he wrote and sent to me. I will be playing one of the pieces from it this Sunday (2-7) for my offertory and since I cannot be in Texas to pay my respects on Monday, I will spend the afternoon practicing only his music. I hope it will be a fitting tribute. I’m hoping to play his arrangement of “O For A Thousand Tongues” during the Easter season and it needs quite a bit of work yet. Maybe I’ll lay in a supply of malted milk balls. ;).

G was always busy. There was always new music to compose, something to learn, a piano to tune, a choir to direct...a song that needed to be sung. God's song. G dedicated his life to singing, playing and teaching God's song...God's word in music form. He taught me that worship music is to be God centered, that learning music takes hard work and dedication but that it's supposed to be fun. He taught me to practice, practice and practice some more and that if I practiced enough it would eventually click. He reminds me that life is to be celebrated and that a life given to God for His service is a life of pure joy.

Thank you G for your kindness, patience, encouragement, support and love. I am eternally grateful to you and our Heavenly Father for allowing you to be part of my life.  With the time I have left on this earth, I hope to make you proud. Like I said on Facebook, please save me a spot on the bench G, we'll share music again someday!

Teeny Friend

I've been a member of a ladies online group for several years now. It's a Christian group, we share our day to day lives with each other and we pray for each other. I'm one of the older ones, there are two of us - the others are still raising their families. Sometimes I wonder why I stay, I don't feel part of the conversation much of the time. One thing we do to keep conversation going is take turns asking the "question of the day". Today's question was did you have a favorite "lovey" when growing up and do you still have it? 


Well, I have kept many of my favorite things from my childhood but the one that would best fit the description of a "lovey" would be my baby doll, Teeny. I do not remember why I named her that, except I suppose, because she is so small. She's only 12" long, she has a cloth body and rooted hair which is slightly balding in one spot. 

I have always loved this picture of me holding Teeny, I must be about three years old and the dress I am wearing was red velvet. This was the early 60's when Thumbelina dolls were so popular. My mother said she couldn't afford one, so she found this doll instead. I remember when my baby brother was born - I was five years old at the time - my mother called from the hospital just after his birth and I asked her what he looked like and how big he was. She told me to go find Teeny and then she waited on the line for me to return. When I picked up the receiver, she told me that he was about the same size as Teeny and I would be able to hold him when they got home. I remember looking at her in my arms and being amazed that a real human being could be so small. 

I was always told she was a Thumbelina "knock-off", but in doing a little research for this QOTD, I found this: Vogue's Baby Dear Doll. 

18"  Vogue  Baby Dear - Early 60s 
Item Code:  D3-V-BD18    $235.00 
The larger early 60s version of Vogue's popular Baby Dear designed by Eloise Wilkin (popular children's book illustrator for many classic
Little Golden Books).
A loved doll, wears authentic Baby Dear p.j.s but these were actually for the later 60s redesigned doll.  Fit perfectly.

I loved Eloise Wilkin's stories when I was growing up (I've kept several of those as well), but I never made the connection between the cherubic faces in her artwork and my doll. Now that I know it was created to go with a story, I see the resemblance! When I found all this online this morning, I thought for sure I had found my Teeny, only now as I look more closely, Teeny has none of the markings they show here - so, I guess she really is a knock-off. :( Oh well, I don't love her any less. 

I took this picture of her today and she is spending

the day with me in the studio. One of my many projects this winter is to take pictures of all my "treasures", those items that have special meaning for one reason or another and add a description of where they came from and why I've saved them. Then I'll place them all on a flashdrive and save the file for when the day comes that my children have to sort through my belongings. They'll have some idea of what's valuable, either monetary or sentimental, and will better be equipped to make decisions about what to do with it all. Since I took her picture today, Teeny will be the first in the file. 

Now, don't you think she looks like the "Vogue Baby Dear"? 

Friends Near and Far

In my last post I shared my Artist Trading Cards for this month and today was our trade - I was hostess. I spent the morning touching up the house and preparing snacks. The trade was at 1:00 but they were still straggling in at 1:30. We always have a good time when we're together, there is lots of laughing and great stories. It was fun having them in my home for the first time. Every month as I struggle to get my cards done in time, I consider quitting and then we have our trade and I know I would miss getting together with them so I soldier on. 

Today I shared with them my desire to be a Magnabilities consultant and I showed them the product and they were very encouraging. They all said they would come to a party and one of them said she would host a party for me. I'm still not getting anywhere with the company, even though I prefer to email (I like having things printed out for future reference), I think I'll call them next week.

My heart is heavy today as I received this email update this morning from Gordon's wife: 

Well friends, here I am again asking for prayer! We went to clinic at lunchtime today because Gordon was having such an awful time breathing. His oxygen level was very low and the oncologist had him admitted to the hospital. He was in his own room by 1:45 or so! Thank you Lord! 

She also had bad news -- the biopsy on the fluid taken from around the sacks around lungs (last weekend) had cancer cells in them. The miracle drug (pill) isn't working for Gord! 
She said she has a chemo cocktail for him to go on...Hopefully very soon!

We are all tired of all of this, but especially Gordon! He has lost a lot of weight and finds it difficult to walk. Please keep praying for strength and healing and God's mercy and grace. Our spirits are low, but we rely on Our mighty creator God!! Thank you sooooo much!! We couldn't make it without your prayers!! Bless you! 
Please continue to keep him in your prayers. 

I also connected with my mentor, David today through email. I found out his procedure is supposed to be outpatient. It's scheduled for Thursday and he hopes to be home by Saturday if all goes according to plan. He encouraged me to email him if he fails to send me an update and that was nice to see.

Pastor Tony emailed with challenges regarding the music tomorrow morning - I will need to get there early to prepare and stay focused. 

I'll be busy making cards next week. A college friend saw my cards on Facebook and ordered 20! 

Well I think it's time to throw another log on the fire - I mustn't let it die out as Hubby will want to warm up when he gets home from the rink. 

Out Of Sorts

That's the only way I can think to describe the way I've been feeling lately. I was doing so well getting back into the "swing of things" after the holidays. I spent the week between Christmas and New Years cleaning the Turquoise House from one end to the other not missing nary a cranny. I was quite pleased with my work and quite pleased with my plans for the winter. I had begun my exercise program again - I started slow this time because I had gotten so far out of shape and I felt good about what I was doing, that was until this week. Monday I woke up with pain in my shoulder right blade...this is not new, it is a chronic problem that I've had for years, but now it seems to have escalated and decided to share the pain with my entire upper back. It hurts to turn my head, it hurts to put my head down and while working at the computer or practicing, I get an awful burning sensation. I wasn't too concerned, I'm still not too concerned, I've dealt with it before, it's just worse this time. Now lets talk hips. Again, I've had hip pain in the past and have been successful treating them with chiropractic, massage therapy, exercises and stretches. Yesterday I woke up with pain in my hips that I had never experienced before. The only way I can describe it is, I felt as though my body was not my own from the waist down. I called my chiropractor and was able to get in same day. Surprisingly, I did not need an adjustment but she said my hip flexors were very tight and so she did some soft tissue work and I was able to walk out of there without the limp that I walked in with. I felt pretty good when I woke up this morning and went about my chores and errands, by lunch time though I was starting to hurt again and so tonight I sit in pain. I'm hoping my stretches will help ease things so I can sleep. I'm discouraged. It's so hard to get back to an exercise routine when I'm in so much pain. I've been head-achy and tired and I just want to curl up by the fire and forget I have responsibilities. I think the pain is just getting to me. 

It's difficult to keep track of my students these days. Some are quitting, some want to quit but the parents won't let them, some want to increase their lessons, some take every other week, there has been illness, bad weather and deaths in families. I struggle to keep a consistent lesson plan going with any of them. 

Our recently graduated daughter has still not found a job and her car needs a complete engine rebuild. We are going to help her with that, but it will clean out our savings. Trusting God to provide for our needs. 

Nothing new yet regarding Magnabilities. I was hoping to have it all up and running before the 15th as that's the last day for half off the price of the kit. I'm just not sure why it is taking so long to get help.

Do you remember Gordon? He's still fighting his cancer...he's had a tough go of it lately, just getting out of the hospital again after having fluid drained from his lungs. He's been in a lot of pain and began slipping into depression, but praise God, he's home now and is more like his old self again. Please continue to keep him in your prayers for complete healing. 

I've also mentioned my mentor, David from time to time. He'll be having surgery on the 22nd. He has a bone in his neck that is poking into his spinal cord; it's been causing numbness in his hands and feet and we're praying that this surgery will restore that feeling. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for the surgeon - anything having to do with the spinal cord is scary business. I made him a card:

and while I was at it, I made some Valentines to sell: 

It's also ATC time again! This month the theme is "Ethnic Background". I wasn't sure how to interpret that, but one of my friends said she was going to just use some of her photos from her heritage album, so I decided to do the same. The meeting will be at my house this month so tomorrow I'll be making refreshments and getting things prepared. 

Until next time dear friends, 

Magnabilities

Magnabilities

So I'm considering a new business venture. Do me a favor and click on the link above and tell me your opinion. I first learned about Magnabilites when I saw them in a local store. When the store stopped selling them I got online to see if I could find them. I ordered several and what really got fun was when I found out I could upload my own photos and make custom magnetic charms. I have made a few of these as well and they have become my favorites. 

I have made contact but I'm getting promises of being contacted and getting little back. I've been studying the website/frequently asked questions/how to get started, etc. and I sent another email with questions, I'll see how long it takes to get them answered this time. I have found another link-the one above, and I may try this one if I don't hear anything in the next couple of days. I think I've contacted just the "wrong" consultant, this new link looks more like the original. 

Anyway, I've talked to Hubby about it and he seems to think it would be a good idea. I'm a bit concerned about driving to homes to do the parties and to deliver the merchandise, especially in the winter. I'm also concerned about the time factor. The starter kits are half price between now and January 15 so I could upgrade to a larger kit if I decide soon. Hubby is being very supportive and says he thinks I should give it a try - even if I don't make any money at all, he'd like to see me try it. 

So that's what's been on my mind. I'd really love to see comments with lots of opinions...be real. And please, ask questions.

Thanks,