Remembering Grandpa

One year ago today, June 18, 2010, Grandpa Glende went to his heavenly home. That night I sent the following email. I am posting it here in his memory. I miss him still, but look forward to seeing him again one day.

Family and Friends,

Today at 2:00 pm I went to visit Grandpa Glende for the last time. It was a hard thing. But God gave me the strength to say “Good bye.”

About an hour after I got home I got a call from Jon. The nursing home asked them to come. His time was near.

I went upstairs and told Jeff, and just after that I saw a butterfly outside our window. I ran and got my camera. My first few attempts to take its picture failed because of low batteries, so I rushed inside, replaced them, and ran back to the window. He was still there waiting for me on the window sill.

I prayed that his wings would open one more time.

God answered.

The butterfly opened his wings, I quick snapped this shot, and then he flew away.

The name of this butterfly is “Mourning Cloak.”

We will surely mourn for Grandpa. He was the kindest, most loving person I will ever know. It’s so sad to think his life on this earth has ended.

But just like a butterfly, he will spring from the tomb and fly to the heavens to be with his Lord forever.

The last sentence Grandpa said to me was, “God still loves me.”

So true.

And He loves you too.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Grandpa passed away at about 7:00 pm tonight.

He was 98.

Thank you, Lord, for letting him be such a wonderful blessing to us all.

He will be deeply missed.

Movie Masters Game

Last night Zack and I stayed up until 12:30 watching a movie that first came out in 1984. It starred Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. Still not sure which movie I’m referring to? Perhaps this description from IMDb.com (The Internet Movie Database) will help: A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial art than fighting.

You don’t have to be a Movie Master to know it was...

The Karate Kid

This all reminds me of a game I made up a few years back. I’d read the one sentence movie summery from the TV viewing guide and see who could guess the movie first. I still think it would make a great board game. I'd call it, Movie Masters.

But for now, I’ve made a simple blog-version, for your enjoyment. Just scroll down and play along. See if you are a Movie Master.

Can you guess what this movie is?

1. A reluctant dwarf must play a critical role in protecting a special baby from an evil queen.

Need a hint? Here’s clue number one: It came out in 1988, and was directed by none other than Ron Howard.

Still not sure? Here’s your final clue: It starred Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley, and Val Kilmer as Madmartigan.

Answer: Willow

If you guessed that without any clues, give yourself 5 points. If you needed one clue, give yourself 3 points. If you needed both clues, you only get 2 points. If you never got the answer, you get a big Goose-egg, but maybe you’ll do better on round number two.

Can you guess what this movie is?

2. Ticket collecting romantic pretends to be engaged to an unconscious man but can't fool his brother.

Here’s clue number one: It came out in 1995.

Here’s clue number two: It starred Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman.

Answer: While You Were Sleeping

Again, take 5 points if you guessed it right away, 3 if you needed a clue, and 2 if you needed both clues. On to round three.

3. A boy who communicates with spirits that don't know they're dead, seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist.

Clue number one: This was the first big hit for writer/director M. Night Shyamalan.

Clue Number two: It starred Bruce Willis and the brilliant child actor Haley Joel Osment, whose devastating performance as the haunted Cole Sear brought him an Oscar nomination at age 11. (He also played Forest Gump's son five years earlier in 1994.)

Answer: The Sixth Sense

How are you doing? Have you got 15 points? Don’t get too confident. These next ones are a bit harder.

4. A group of kids embark on a wild adventure after finding a pirate treasure map.

Clue number one: This one was written by Steve Spielberg, and came out in 1985.

Clue number two: It starred Corey Feldman as Mouth, Jeff Cohen as Chunk, and Sean Astin as Mikey. Astin was only 14 at the time. He was 30 when the first Lord of the Rings movie came out...playing the part of Sam Gamgee, of course.

Answer: The Goonies

Didn’t think that one was too tough? We'll see how you do on round number 5:

5. A disgraced American boxer retires to Ireland, where he finds love.

Clue number one: This movie, directed by John Ford, first debuted back in 1952, but you can watch it on most classic movie channels each year around St. Patrick’s Day.

Clue number two: It starred John Wayne and the feisty Maureen O’Hara. Their kissing scene was also featured in the hit film ET.

Answer: The Quiet Man

Now they’re really getting tough. Or are they? See if you can guess number 6 without any clues.

6. Musical about two youngsters from rival NYC gangs who fall in love.

Clue number one: It came out in 1961 and starred Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. (Though neither one of them did their own singing in the film.)

Clue number two: This film is the award winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliette. It features music by Leonard Bernstein including “America,” “I Feel Pretty, “and “Somewhere.” (In my opinion one of the saddest songs ever written.)

Answer: West Side Story

Okay. I’ll admit that one was pretty easy. See how you do in round 7.

7. Hijackers seize the plane carrying the President of the United States and his family, but he (an ex-soldier) works from hiding to defeat them.

Clue number one: It came out in 1997.

Clue number two: It starred Harrison Ford.

Answer: Air Force One

So did you get that one? How many clues did you need? Remember, you get 5 points if you can guess it without any help, 3 points if you need a clue, and 2 if you need both clues. A perfect score up to this point would be 35 points. If you’ve got less than 10, you need to zip over to your local movie rental store immediately. But wait! There’s still 3 rounds to go. You might just redeem yourself.

8. When wealthy industrialist Tony Stark is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident, he ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil.

Clue number one: This hit came out in 2008. It's sequel came out last summer. Another sequel is planned for 2013.

Clue number two: It stars the oh-so-handsome Robert Downy Jr. with Gwyneth Paltrow playing the roll of Mr. Stark’s faithful assistant, Pepper Potts.

Answer: Iron Man

Did you get that one? If you’re under the age of 20 you probably did. Here’s one for the older generation.

9. A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.

Clue number one: This wonderfully entertaining movie came out way back in 1952...and it's another musical.

Clue number two: It starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. I'm happy to report, they all did their own singing and dancing. Reynolds was only 18 at the time!

Answer: Singin’ In the Rain

Ready for our final round? I saved the best for last.

10. An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

Clue number one: This one is from 1946, and features a host of unforgettable characters including Mr. Gower, Sam Wainwright, Violet Bick, as well as Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver.

Clue Number two: Of all the movies Jimmy Stewart starred in, this one was his favorite. Mine too.

Answer: It’s a Wonderful Life

So. How'd you do?

40 - 50 You ARE a Movie Master.

30 - 39 Not bad. You know your movies pretty well.

20 - 29 Oh, boy. I think you've been reading too many books.

< 19 Time to find the nearest Red Box and enjoy some cinema!

Actually, I hope all of you will take a little time this summer to enjoy some great movies. You can start with the 10 movies from this game! They are some of my favorites. Here's that list once again. If there's any on the list you haven't seen, I strongly encourage you to do so. They're fantastic!

Happy movie watching!

1. Willow

2. While You Were Sleeping

3. The Sixth Sense

4. The Goonies

5. The Quiet Man

6. West Side Story

7. Air Force One

8. Iron Man

9. Singin' In the Rain

10. It's a Wonderful Life

And The Karate Kid is pretty good too.

Emily

I made a decision a few days ago. I decided to finish my novel. Emily

I thought I had decided not to. I was talking to a friend of mine a few months ago. He’s a very gifted artist. He’s had a project in mind for years. He was telling me about it. It’s a painting of the communion chalice, with scenes from the life of Christ within the reflection on the cup. Pure genius. I asked him how far along he is in the project. He has the canvas, the paints, and the plan in mind. All he has to do now is start.

As we were discussing the matter I told him I have a big project in mind too, but if I never get it done, it really doesn’t matter. It’s just a silly love story. The world will go on spinning whether I finish it or not.

But I’ve changed my mind since then. Why, you ask? I’ll tell you.

Reason number one.

This past week I read no less than four little Christian Romance novels. To varying degrees, I found each of them to be quite enjoyable. The last one I read was a first time novel by a woman named Tracey Victoria Bateman. I must say, I enjoyed her story most of all. “Darling Cassidy” had all the elements of a good love story, with just enough humor, conflict and surprises to keep my interest from beginning to end. In short, it was a delight.

Emily could be a delight too. I certainly enjoy rereading it. I’m sure others would as well. But only if I finish it. Still, writing a novel is hard work. It takes time, and effort. A nice laptop wouldn’t hurt either.

Reason number two.

A week ago today, my oldest daughter informed me that she had recently purchased a new laptop. She then asked me if I wanted her old “MacBook Pro.” Did I ever! The next day I traveled to Mankato to pick it up. I now have a laptop of my very own. One that can go online and store files to a flash drive. It’s what I’ve dreamt of for years.

I’m sure you’re wondering… “If you wanted one that badly, why didn’t you just buy yourself one?” Well, I thought about it. But I figured if God wanted me to have one, he’d make it so, one way or another…and he did! Amazing.

So now I have a room in which to work, a computer to work on, lots of half used notebooks to jot ideas down on (thanks to Danica and Zack), and best of all, time. My part time job and a little housework now and again don’t even come close to filling my days. Consequently, I have many hours each day to devote to my writing, and no excuses not to.

The only thing holding me back was this one question, “Is spending hours and hours writing a silly romance novel God-pleasing stewardship of my time and talents?” This past Thursday afternoon, I still didn’t know the answer to that question. Then I went to church in Sleepy Eye.

Reason number three.

This past Thursday was Ascension. I’ve always loved the Ascension Services, but since our church decided not to hold one this year, I ended up going to church in Sleepy Eye with Danica. The service was filled with all sorts of beautiful music including several selections by the choir, a few sung by the children, as well as some congregational hymns.

At the end of the service the pastor thanked the musicians for their contribution to our worship. He said the gem of the gospel is indeed lovely on its own, but when we present that gospel in a beautiful setting, such as in music, God is pleased.

It made me wonder…could another beautiful setting for the gospel be a work of fiction? If one took the truths of scripture, and wove them into the story in an honest and meaningful way… would that too be pleasing to God? I decided it could. Certainly it could.

And so I started writing, and writing, and writing some more. This entire weekend I’ve done little else. And I’m pleased to report, it’s coming along nicely, God be praised.

As I’ve said before, I know my little story won’t win any Pulitzer Prizes, but it might do what Tracey Victoria Bateman’s book did for me a few days ago. Her story took me to another time, and another place, where I could lose myself in the lives of a few cleverly crafted fictional characters as they learned lessons about love, both earthly and heavenly. It was a pure delight. I hope that’s what Emily can be one day as well.

Enough writing about writing. Time to post this long overdue blog and get back to my novel!

Happy summer, everyone! May yours be filled with at least a few completed projects, and many delightful moments.