Saved by Grace

Cleaning Out

2010-10-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Ahh, this blog looks much better after a little cleaning out of some old dumb blogs. I left some of the ones I liked but who really wants to read about every weekend I've had for the past couple of years? I don't. So goodbye to the old and in with the new.

What else is new? Hmmm let me see. Our apartment is coming along nicely. The bedroom is completed and the kitchen is halfway there! The wedding is about a year away and I've pretty much done all I can do at this point. Except meet with a florist and go shopping for Bridesmaids dresses. That oughta be fun :) Tonight, we have dinner planned at Cutillos (a possible venue for our rehearsal dinner). My mom, step-dad, dad, step-mom, future in-laws, Kevin, and I (and hopefully my sister) will all be going. I know we all get along but still I'm white-knuckling it. That's a lot of parents in one room! Haha!

The next few months are filled to the brim with exciting happenings. Not only is Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching us at full steam but we also have about several other exciting things happening! November/December are going to be two whirlwind months so hold on to your hats people... here we go!

I'M ENGAGED!!!

2009-08-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right! I'm engaged! I will never get tired of saying that! For a few months now we've been seriously talking about marriage and what not. We even went to look at rings together. Not to long after finding the perfect ring, Kevin decided that he would pop the question and he spoke to my parents. Of course, I had no idea!
Kevin told me a few days ago that he was planning on taking me out to a nice dinner and perhaps a little star-gazing. He was being mysterious as to why so I tried to find out but just settled at the fact that maybe he was just treating me to a nice night out and left it at that. Little did I know that it was much MUCH more!
The first suprise of the day was when Kevin took me to the same restaurant that we had our first date. The meal and the atmosphere was perfect! Kevin made little hints throughout the evening but I didn't really pick up on it.
After dinner we went to a nearby park, spread out a blanket, and looked at the stars. Kevin said he wanted to dance with me and set up his iPod to play some nice romantic music. I thought, "Kevin... wants to dance? hmmm"
He said that each song had a meaning. The first song he played was Michael W. Smith's "Love of My Life" (I love you). The second song was Taylor Swift's "Love Story" (the lyrics say "just say yes"). The third and final song was John Berry's "Will You Marry Me?" Of course I started crying.... but Kevin didn't even pop the question yet! So a million things were running across my mind- is he asking me? should I say something? So I blurted out the only logical thing I could think of "YES!" Kevin smiled, "Well honey, I can't ask you yet." I shrugged in total embarrassment and said "I understand."
He couldn't ask me yet because he wanted to wait until the end of the song, that stinker!! He got down on one knee and asked, "Melissa Joelle Derrick, will you marry me?" Through my tears of happiness I said yes!

We plan on setting a date soon and also making a wedding website. This is truly the happiest day of my life so far!!!

To My Pen Pal

2009-04-16T15:35:00.001-07:00

Dear Doris Graham,

I wish you could read this letter that I'm writing to you today. I think the last time you and I talked was last year on my birthday. Every year, you'd call me up on the phone and sing happy birthday. Usually, I hate hearing that song... but you give it such a sweet and gentle melody that it always brings tears to my eyes.
Ever since you and I met at my grandfather's church The Carpenter's House... we were friends. It doesn't matter that you and I were decades apart in age. I admired you for your beautiful voice, your graceful demeanor, and your endless compassion towards everyone.
Our ways parted and we started attending different churches. I graduated and went to college and my life was just beginning. But no matter how many years had passed, we continued to keep in touch through letters and pictures. I absolutely loved getting letters from you. They brightened my day so much!

Today, I was told that you passed away.

I never knew how much of impact you made on my life.. how much you could take someone for granted... and how much you can miss someone you love after they've gone. I feel like I could have written you more, called you first, or at least visited once. I know I can't change that now but I will never forget the memories I have of you.
As you look down from Heaven, please know that you are the reason why I am doing the job that I am doing right now. You are the reason why I respect and admire every single story that my clients tell me. You are the reason that I show such tenderness and compassion to my clients, whether they are in a good mood or not. Because sometimes all they need is for someone to show them that they care.

I will always keep you in a special place in my heart, Doris. I love you like family because in my heart... you are. Rest in peace, Doris. I will miss you.

The Little Boy and the Old Man

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."
Said the old man, "I do that, too."
The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."
"I do that too," laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, "I often cry."
The old man nodded, "So do I."
"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems
Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
"I know what you mean," said the little old man.
--
Shel Silverstein

Dedicated to Doris Graham.... from one caring heart to another.

Let me tell you a story...

2008-12-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

Too Fun

2008-10-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

I love this site! As you can see I spend far too much time on it...

Scrapblog

2008-10-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by my cousin Heather to make this scrapbook. She's got some amazing talents :) Anyhoo, check this out and tell me what you think!

To My Dad

2008-09-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Today is my dad's birthday. Usually, my sister and I bake him cookies and give him a card. But this year, I decided to think back on some very fond memories that we've made.
I remember how much I loved it when he had fruitie pebbles or frosted flakes because we didn't get cereal like that at mom's house. I remember getting the special treat of a tiny bowl of ice cream and watching movies in the living room before we went to bed.
I remember riding our bikes around his development. I remember the honeysuckle bushes. I remember playing with his G.I. Joe (even though I cringe at the thought of him letting me do that NOW that I know what that "doll" is worth!!)
I remember cutting up the pictures of the women he dated who my sister and "failed" as applicants to be our step-mother. I remember how much we liked Diane (and how much we love her still!)
I remember sheba/blacky... the stray black cat that we took in for a while. I remember snow-bug... RIP. I remember summer days in the pool listening to classic rock and floating on a Reese's cup raft. I remember how much Amanda's shark raft scared me! Best thing in the world- night-time Whirl-pools. Worst thing in the world- getting stung by a bee for the first time right in the middle of the bottom of your foot!
I remember going up-state and going for "adventures" in the woods around Babcie and Dzatchu's house. I remember boating and our special cove. All of our trips to amusement parks.. to Disney. That train ride.
Thanks to dad, my sister and I are able to sing all the words to Yellow Snow by Zappa and I would do anything for love by Meatloaf. I remember thinking that my dad really looked like Eric Clapton.
I remember watching him work in his shop and wondering, "if the ceiling wasn't there... would the car lift go all the way up to the sky?" I remember sitting out the attic window, singing like Rapunzel (and my parents having a near heart attack!)
I have alot of great memories with my dad. But the one thing that always stuck with me. The one thing that I loved the most.. is when my dad would come into our bedroom, kiss us both, say our prayers, and tuck us in. I remember him, just before closing the door, he'd hesitate in the doorway one last moment... just to say He loves us one more time.

I love you more than all the telephone poles in the world Daddy!

Happy Birthday from your youngest!

So there's this boy....

2008-09-06T04:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. If you haven't noticed or had the pleasure of meeting him already, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce someone new in my life. His name is Kevin. We met three months ago on eHarmony. At first, eHarmony was an "iffy" thing for me. I've heard so many stories about how people find their husbands/wives through this because they do a terrific job of matching on so many levels. (Listen to me, I sound like an advertisement now!) But anyway, I wasn't sure about it... that is until I was matched with Kevin.
He was the first to initiate communication and after that, we just clicked. After one week, we went on our first date to a nice Italian restaurant (which he picked out. Great choice, Kevin!) Two weeks (and two dates later) we made it official. It has only been three months now, but I believe we both feel that we have found something special in each other.
He is smart, sweet, and compassionate. He has a great sense of humor and always has me laughing. But most importantly, he is strong in his Christian faith. We've both made it a point to keep Christ in the center and the focus of our relationship. We pray together, do devotionals together, and we sing praise together. I know that God has blessed us so far and I'm looking forward to all the He has in store for us whatever that may be.
I don't know if any of you have gone to it, but or next trip is going to be to the NJ Renaissance Fair. I've never been to it so I'm guessing it will be an experience. Knights, jousting, and turkey legs as big as your head... here we come!

Two Years!!

2008-06-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a wonderful day for me. It was the day I got a job working for a wonderful company... two years ago. And I am thankful for each and every experience this job has given me. When I first heard about Home Instead Senior Care through my mom, I was a little skeptical. What does being a companion entail? Would I be able to do this? The only employment experience I've had previously had been at kennels and a pet store. Needless to say I felt a little unequipped for this job. But... there I was in the office filling out an application. The company at the time had only been operating for two years at the Trooper location so it was a small office with only a few desks and a table where the interview was later held. I, again, was skeptical. Then on June 6th, I was hired!
My first client, which wasn't one of my best experiences, was wheelchair bound, incontinent, and majorly depressed. All I could do was talk to her and hold her hand. I have had many experiences like this one. Widows wanting a shoulder to cry on, elderly parents missing their children, and loners pushing everyone away. But I have also had the best experiences of my life through this job. My clients have taught me so much. A woman on hospice (who passed while I was assigned to her) taught me that compassion is the best medicine. Another client with COPD passed away with her husband and I by her side. They taught me to cherish every moment with my family as if it were my last. A very cranky client I had taught me that being lonely is harder when you are older and that it can be cured with this kindest word or a smile. Just by having someone there who will stick with him enough to break through the walls to his heart. I've had clients who never believed they were "old" or "weak". That being old is physical, but being young at heart will last forever!
I've had noble prize winners, artists, and engineers. I've had parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. I've celebrated their birthdays, shared their holidays, felt their pain, and laughed in their joys. I will never forget the faces of my clients because in the time I've spent with them (whether as short as a day or as long as a year) they have become my friends and my family.
I was skeptical at first about becoming a companion, but I believe now that this is where God wants me to be! So, here's to another 2... 4...or even 10 years with Home Instead!

Unconditional Love

2008-06-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while we all get stressed. We all get stuck in our everyday schedules. We forget who's in control and we end up losing control. We fight, we argue, we cry, and then we go to sleep at night without saying we're sorry and try again tomorrow (only to do it all over again). We all have things go wrong; not go the way we had hoped they would. And we all end up having heartache. Sometimes, what it takes is for us to fall flat on our backs in order for us to look up. To look up and realize Who's really leading us. The God of love. Love isn't always easy. I never said it would be. Love will come and go; be alive then dead. But with God? He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. He will always love you. No matter what. Unconditionally.

"For great is Your love, higher than the Heavens; Your faithfullness reaches to the skies."
Psalm 108:4