A Visit from Nora (& Karin?!?)

Then, almost immediately after the Falkner's left, my friend Nora Langenbacher arrived! Nora is a good friend who was one of my very first students at Spartanburg High School. An exchange student from Germany at the time, Nora and I bonded over Transcendentalism. And even with all of our ideological differences, we're still bonded just as strongly today! I wanted to take her somewhere really special, so it was off to The Grove Park Inn to eat at my very favorite restaurant: The Sunset Terrace. And what a beautiful day for it!

At one point during the meal, when Nora had excused herself for a moment to use the restroom, I was happy to just sit there and stare at all of the mountainous beauty all around me, . . . when the Inn started playing the exact same piano piece that was repeating over and over at Karin's wake. I recognized it immediately, and felt it strange that this was the next place I would hear that piece. THEN I saw a white dove swoop down, right by my table, and then up and over the western wing of the hotel. Now I was starting to wonder whether I was having a spiritual experience here, . . . when I saw an amazing Fleur-de-lis in the clouds! (The Fleur-de-lis is the flower symbol I chose to put on the second-to-last page of Karin's memory book because of Karin's profound connection to France.) Anyway, I was marveling at all of this when I finally remembered to take a picture when the clouds, of course, had dissipated a bit already . . .

But still, I truly felt as though my one friend left for a moment, and then Karin simply stopped by the table to say "hello" in her usual happy way. It was a really special feeling.

And, of course, in the spirit of the NC mountains, we had to take Nora hiking, waterfall watching, and river swimming as well. : )

This is the very first time both girls made it on the 1 1/2 mile hike to High Falls! We saw it from above, and then took the path to get right up close!

And after we visited "High" Falls, Leia Rose deemed this spot "Little" Falls. Ha!

I was especially amazed by the root systems that made up the "steps" for us to approach High Falls.

And I was also particularly amazed at this small pool of water that was shaped like a perfect heart.

And let's not forget swimming at Hooker Falls.

And what is becoming the girls' favorite pastime at our favorite white-water river spot? Throwing rocks in the water! ; )

Another exciting thing about Nora's visit was that it was the very first time that we used our fire pit! (And the first time for smores at the new house, too!)

And who could resist collecting all the fireflies!?! : )

A Visit from Kevin & Steve

This weekend we were SO happy to host Kevin & Steve Faulkner! It was just incredible to share the beauty of the mountains with them: drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, wade in the rivers, ride on the rock slides, view the vast waterfalls, take in the breathtaking views. (Although it really made me laugh that afterwards Steve said he was definitely a "beach" person. Ha!) And, of course, through it all Karin came up fondly many times. In regards to Kevin, I have a very special bond with him not only as Leia's mom but also as a very special friend who he saw in the hospital with his Mom. Ever since that time, I have waited for a call when Kevin visits in order to give him his special hug (as I've spoken about in previous posts). Actually, Kevin and Steve were here a while before the call came, and it was right after (or before?) I snapped the picture above. I opened my arms and said the familiar, "Kevin, I have a very special hug for you. Can you guess who it's from?" Kevin smiled really big and said, "My mom! It's from my MOM!" We hugged for a long time, and then I said, "You know, your Mom is a very special angel and she's watching you right now. Right at this very moment up here in the mountains." Kevin smiled and looked around, "You know, he said, I really think she's hiding behind one of these trees! I wonder if I could see her?!?" I told him that he may not be able to "see" her, but he can certainly know that she is there. : ) Dear Kevin. I have such hope for him! The only time Kevin got really upset while he was here was when Steve purposely showed him the swans that Karin used to have in her bathroom, at which point Kevin started screaming, "Those are OUR swans!!! Why did they take my Mom's swans!?!" as he broke down into hysterical crying. I managed to deflect things by saying, "Wasn't it a nice PRESENT for Karin to give me to remember her by?" Whew! ; ) Quick thinking! ; )

Another thing that absolutely captivated the girls' attention this weekend was Kevin's I-Phone. My girls don't really have anything like this, something that would allow them to choose the music, games, even stories they want to participate in at all times. The only new issue that added to my thoughts about kids and technology this weekend was that, because I-Phones have actual speakers, it suddenly allowed the child to control what everyone else was listening to, . . . which may have been fine if he hadn't have chosen the music from Enchanted that reminds me most of Karin's death.

And another thing Leia Rose got into doing with Kevin this weekend was making "fairies" out of pieces of nature: flower petals, leaves, pine needles. All held together with tape. ; ) Leia Rose: my little project princess!

Summer Fun at HOME?!?

It's true that we've only had a few days at home this summer so far, but while we were home we found a wonderful new pool with a sloped entry, a three-foot area, a deepend, and a separate baby pool! And with the price of $2 a day, the price is right!!! : )

And I just couldn't resist taking a picture of Leia's "Tea Train"! : )

Spartanburg High School Class of 1999 10-Year Reunion

Thanks to my good friend, Brooke Bell, who sponsored me, I was blessed to attend the ten-year reunion of one of my very first graduating classes! : ) It was so special to give Brooke a hug and meet her wonderful boyfriend, David. I hadn't seen Brooke since my wedding and reception eleven years ago TODAY, . . . fitting as well that this was Brian and I's anniversary. (He was very understanding.) Such special times we had experiencing Literature together back in the day! : ) Another one of my most memorable students was Katie Roberts. I was SO glad she attended! It was really amazing to see some of the administration and teachers who were also sponsored to come. Ah, if the DJ just wasn't so loud, I would have been able to hear everyone talk a little bit better. ; ) One of the funniest moments of the night for me was when the two banes of my existence ten years ago (Cory Ezell and Mitchell Herbert) walked in together AGAIN. Ha! What a night! It's so nice for a teacher to feel loved! : )