It's been a long, long time...

I tried to get this posted when it was still Monday, June 2nd...which is technically is in Montana time, but it's now Tuesday, June 3rd in Missouri time. How about those time zones? Well, I've been thinking about this passage...

Nothing but a Wisp of Fog

And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."

James 4:13-15

The local high school's held their graduations this past weekend. Ten years ago, in 1998, I graduated this same time of year. It's been ten years. Wow! Now, having said that, the Montana trip is going well so far. We've checked out a lot of stuff...spent today in the Mountains and in Red Lodge, MT. Got a chance to see some wildlife. Sarala loves animals. I love it.

It's been great to talk and to see old friends and family. Saturday night I visited with two old family friends. The first is like an aunt to me, even though we're not related. Her husband was a good friend of my dad's...so it was like seeing family. It was crazy to catch up and find out that she's retired, living back on the rez, and has adopted her two grandsons. Sarala was smitten with them...one is 10 and the other 5. A lot has changed.

The second was a person who was a father figure for me from the age of 13 on until I graduated college. He was present at my high school graduation...I've got a picture of us together. He was healthy. Now, he has a degenerative disease that has him in a wheelchair. He can barely talk. I've been away too long.

I completely disconnected with everyone except for a few good friends and my older brother after college. The situation with my mother and brother was a big reason for the disconnect. Now, I feel like I should've come back more often, made more of an effort. I don't know. It makes me sad. It that span since I've been here...my older brother committed suicide, the disease has hit Myron, and life has changed drastically for many others.

My time away was great for me though...God really stretched and grew me during that time. I feel like a foreigner now that I'm back. It's a good thing though, I've grown up and God loves me.

I guess all of this is why I'm trying so hard to be around for Sarala...quitting basketball and trying to be home. I want her to grow up with great experiences. I want her to know the Montana and Wyoming side of her family, the good stuff I've experienced...the pow wow's, mountains, skiing, camping, friends, nature, family...so on. I guess this is also why I'm carrying my camera everywhere now.

I again leave you with this...

Nothing but a Wisp of Fog

And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."

James 4:13-15