Looking in the mirror

​After a recent visit by my grandkids, I noticed this on the mirror behind the door in my bedroom. To some this may look like an inconvenience because you have to clean it. Trust me, this mirror needed cleaned anyway, so I see it as a work of art. Those handprints mean my beautiful granddaughter came to visit, she found grandpa’s candy stash, and she looked at herself in this mirror. I can only hope that she will always see the beauty that I see in her when she sees herself in any mirror. 

As we grow older, we tend to see the flaws, the wrinkles, the age spots, the fat, etc. etc. when we look ourselves in the mirror, but I hope that she always sees how beautiful she really is. I have been blessed with some of the best grandkids but I believe that is because first I was blessed with the three best kids.

This past year, our family was knocked down with a diagnosis of my daughter’s stage four colon cancer. Although in many ways this has been one of the worst years of my life. It’s also been one of the years that I am most proud of my family. We have stood by one another and we’re all in this fight with her and will continue to be until she can say she is cancer free. 

As I look at the mirror daily, when I’m getting ready for work, or to go somewhere, I see the age in my face, and I know that all of ours time on this earth is limited, not just those of us that have been diagnosed with anything. I believe that when you look in the mirror you have to except your flaws you have to worry less about what other people think and more about what the good Lord knows. You’ve gotta learn to love yourself along with your flaws.

As we begin another year, I hope those around me know I care deeply even though I’m not always the best at showing it; I think of you often even if I don’t express it like I should; and I appreciate you all more than I could ever say.

I hope my kids realize that I know I’m not perfect I never was, but I’ve always cared so deeply for all of you. 

I pray that 2023 brings great memories, great advances in medicine, lots of healing for our health and our souls, and I hope 2023 brings more families together. 

I hope everyone embraces the autographs left by the little ones on their mirrors or glass doors. I hope everyone embraces the flaws in others knowing that they probably aren’t trying to irritate you, and I hope that 2023 and beyond this little girl can always look in any mirror and see the beauty that I see.

John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Honoring a Legend

 

This is an older picture.  It was taken back in 2014.  It is a picture I treasure because it is with a guy that I have been honored to have as an important part of my life.  This was when my 25th year at Bahrns Equipment was celebrated.  Boy, it doesn't seem like I have been here almost 33 years now.  You know what they say when you love what you do you don't work a day in your life.  I do love my job, and the main reason is because of the guy in this picture.  We lost Stan September 22 of last year and we still feel the void.  This guy was like a father figure or a favorite uncle.  He had wisdom that still amazes me, he could build anything and was kind, honest and hard working.  He started the company many years ago and set the atmosphere of customer service and taking pride in your work as well as being fair. 

Back in 2013 Stan had been diagnosed with liver disease and his health was deteriorating.  He still showed up for work pretty much every day.  He was weak, but his spirit didn't waiver at all.  He was here to support everyone, and he was still witty and caring.  My family had planned a surprise party for my 50th birthday.  Stan was so weak and still needing a new liver.  I was shocked about the party, but was especially shocked to see my Dad there and then I saw Stan and his wife Alyene there as well.  I couldn't believe he took the time to come to the party.   When it came time to blow out the candles Stan asked what I wished for.  I told him my wish.... it was for him to get a liver.  I was so happy to hear the next morning that he was in surgery because they had gotten a call in the middle of the night that a liver had been located for him.  

Stan built a business and he and Alyene raised three awesome kids and he prepared them to carry on the business that he built with blood, sweat and tears.  I am proud to work for the Bahrns Family, and as we carry on, I won't lie, I still look into his office wishing he was sitting at the desk.  Not because the company has changed, it is still customer oriented and family owned, but because I miss his wit, his wisdom and him in general.  Because of all the employees that knew and loved him and because his family, the business will carry on and even grow, but life will never be the same without the Legend.  Those whose lives he touched are better because of him and a part of him lives on in each of us.  Continue to fly high Stan, I believe every day is a good flying day in Heaven and with God as your Co-Pilot the view has to be amazing.  

While we are busy and go through life, I recommend you search for and find a "Stan" in your life, even better, be a "Stan" to others.  Be that person that at the end of your life people will remember you with a smile, with great memories and feeling that their life is better because you were a part of it.  I try to live this, I know I am not anywhere near Stan Bahrns at it but I do try to be better today than I was yesterday.  

MVP Happy Holler

 This is a picture taken at an establishment that I truly believe if you haven't been there you need to visit.  Beginning in 2008 Todd's Zerrusen cousins began a tradition that they went to the MVP Happy Holler on the 4th of July every year.  We started joining them a couple years later and enjoyed celebrating our anniversary there, Todd and I were married on the 4th of July 35 years ago.  Each year we plan our annual tradition and the owners have always treated us great and a good time is always had by all.  We have had bands, DJ's and/or Karaoke, cold beverages and dogs, pigs, and other animals to entertain the kids (of all ages).  Some years we are joined by a large group and other years it is small but it is always fun.  This establishment is located on the Embarras River out in the middle of nowhere, but worth the trip to get there.

As I look at this picture I see all three of my kids, their spouses and all my grandkids, also known as My World.  I also see my ex-husband and his wife who are great friends that celebrated their 26th anniversary the next day.  I see my brother and sister-in-law that mean the absolute world to me.  They are two people that I have always been able to count on and they are incredible people.  I see some near and dear friends to me that make my world complete and we missed a few that couldn't make it this year because of other things going on and or they wanted to skip a year.  I know I have been blessed with the best circle of people around me and our family.  

Making memories with your family is important.  If you have the opportunity to get together with those that make up your world, TAKE IT!  As a mom, watching your child fight a life threatening disease and getting the opportunity to see them make memories with their friends, our family and see them smile and have fun is PRICELESS.  None of us know what the Good Lord has in store for us, so we need to live every day like it is our last.  The phrase, LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE means more to me now than it ever did.  Hug hard, love hard and LIVE FULLY!  My daughter has amazing prayer warriors which is why I believe the treatment that we found out yesterday originally had a 20% chance of shrinking the lesions the cancer that had spread from her colon has helped.  We continue to pray to someday hear the phrase Cancer Free.  Until that happens we are enjoying every memory, and praising God for the caregivers that are helping her fight.  I know some don't understand why we put ourselves out there and air all our personal stuff - but if you have ever met us you know we are an open book, we don't hide our crazy - we put it on the front porch and hand it a beverage.  But the main reason is I feel every prayer that bends God's ear helps.  

Love your family, and remember family doesn't have to be a relative, your family is those you have around you that love you and have your back.  If it is a relative, great, and if not they are still family. 

  

Siblings for Life

This is a picture I took of two of my grandsons a few summers ago.  They are feeding the fish and just hanging together.  My oldest daughter has blessed me with four wonderful  grandsons and my middle daughter's family has blessed me with two amazing granddaughters and an incredible grandson.  

The grandkids are all so different, yet all the same in so many ways.  They all have such distinct personalities and each one has traits that I admire.  I have from a quiet bashful to the future comedian.  Even our youngest is beginning to show her independent personality (much like her mother) at 18 months.  I have the athletic to the creative, they have their own abilities and their own dreams.  I only hope that the siblings always have one another's backs and the cousins always have a relationship like my kids have with many of their cousins.  

Every child deserves to be themselves, every child deserves to have parents that love, care for and discipline them.  I feel my grandkids are going to grow into incredible adults and I look forward to what the future holds for each of them.  I pray they always know just how much Grandma Tara loves them and enjoys watching them grow into who they are and who they will be.