Let's Catch Up... (Now with Earthquake Update!)

We interrupt this meme to let you know that the LUE household did indeed feel the recent 5.4 earthquake located in Chino Hills, California (approximately 20 miles away). The LUE house did some rockin' and a rollin' but sustained no damage. A good time was had by Marley-LUE and her friend. Mary-LUE retained her composure very well considering her strong fear of those danged things. We hope that there is no serious damage or injuries. We now return you to our regularly scheduled meme:

Alpha DogMa tagged me for a meme. Here's the deal...

Think back on the last 15 years of your life. What would you tell someone that you hadn’t seen or talked to for 15 years? How would you sum up your life? You get 10 bullet points. A list of 10 things to summarize about you. At the end of your list, tag 5 more people and send on the love…

I've been thinking on this for a few days now and finally, tonight, here is my list. I kind of had a friend in mind when I wrote this. Back in my Dallas days, I knew a woman named Linda. She is a comedian and a film maker. We kept in touch a little after I moved to California but haven't spoken in years. Whenever I think about her, I smile. She was funny, warm, creative, kind. Like no one else.

I googled her yesterday. I can't remember what made me think about her... anyway... I came across a couple of clips that I think you should go check out when you are finished. (I'll link the clips at the end of this post.) I think you will laugh and see a little bit of the woman I knew.

And so, Linda, it has been a long time. Here's a little of what I've been up to in the last 15 years:

1. Added a second kid to the family. The kids are eight years apart—rather, 7 years and 49 weeks, to the day. Colin is 16 and Marley 8. They would crack you up.

2. Celebrated 20 years of marriage—mind-boggling, not because I’m surprised by it, but just because I cannot believe that much time has gone by.

3. Started grad school—blah, blah, blah, Reading Education Master's, blah, blah, blah, focus on postsecondary developmental reading, blah, blah, blah. (Anyone reading this blog is probably sick of hearing about it, but for the person who I haven’t spoken to in forever, this is news.)

4. Went to the Van Gogh exhibit at the LACMA of art twice. To die for.

5. Sadly, experienced the death of one brother, one grandmother, one aunt, one uncle, and one father.

6. Was part of a church planting team and part of the leadership of that church for close to 10 years—still attend but just are not as involved in leadership.

7. Started blogging!!!!! Even though I am a sad sack blogger at best these days, this was a big deal in writing for me, opening a new community to me, etc.

8. (For Alpha DogMa), attended one Star Trek convention and am working on some day attending ComicCon—Joss Whedon rocks!

9. Didn’t go to New York City (yet), didn’t go to Ireland (yet), didn’t go to England (yet), didn’t go to Greece (yet), and finally, didn’t go to Italy (yet).

10. Became more myself, yet completely changed. I think people who knew me then would say I am much the same: talkative, outgoing, a good friend, etc. But I am also free of some emotional burdens and saddled with others. I am forever changed by the experience of being a parent—those kids will get to you every time. I am 20 years into marriage and would not give up the things I’ve learned in that time to be 20 years old again. I have seen people at their best and people at their not so best. I have developed relationships that I think I will treasure forever and let go of relationships that were unhealthy. I may not have “done” that may things in the last 15 years, but I have spent time doing what I love best, being with people.

So, it is my turn to tag. (Wow, I haven't done this in a looooong time.) Okay. I tag Michelle, TerriB (I know you are on a break, but this can wait until you are back in the 'verse.), Maddy, Riley, and Meredith.

And here are the clips for you to watch:

Adopted and Ten Year Old Dog
(The second video may work best in Explorer.)