...30 Days of Grace We're approaching the anniversary of the loss of our grand daughter, Sydney Grace. November 30 six years ago she was born still and a dream for our son and daughter-in-law died with her. Over these six years we've all found many ways to honor and remember her. I still think of her in the present tense. This year Alyssa began a "30 Days of Grace" on November 1, finding ways to do random acts of kindness and generosity to honor Sydney. My wife and I have participated and haven't said much about it until today. Today, as we drove along Hwy 80 in Wills Point, we saw five young people conducting a car wash in front of a local business. We pulled in and inquired if this was a club or something. It wasn’t. Seems that the two holding signs and the three doing the car washing are friends of a young man whose sister was killed in an accident last week. None of them knew the girl who was killed. These five wanted to help the family with funeral expenses. No charge for the car wash, just donate what you can. Was my car squeaky clean after the car wash? No. It had streaks and water spots, but I drove away with an empty wallet thinking it was the best wash I ever had. Five kids doing a kindness for the memory of a friend's sister--someone they never met. Sydney's Grace. Blessings, Ken Tuesday, November 19, 2013
November
...30 Days of Grace We're approaching the anniversary of the loss of our grand daughter, Sydney Grace. November 30 six years ago she was born still and a dream for our son and daughter-in-law died with her. Over these six years we've all found many ways to honor and remember her. I still think of her in the present tense. This year Alyssa began a "30 Days of Grace" on November 1, finding ways to do random acts of kindness and generosity to honor Sydney. My wife and I have participated and haven't said much about it until today. Today, as we drove along Hwy 80 in Wills Point, we saw five young people conducting a car wash in front of a local business. We pulled in and inquired if this was a club or something. It wasn’t. Seems that the two holding signs and the three doing the car washing are friends of a young man whose sister was killed in an accident last week. None of them knew the girl who was killed. These five wanted to help the family with funeral expenses. No charge for the car wash, just donate what you can. Was my car squeaky clean after the car wash? No. It had streaks and water spots, but I drove away with an empty wallet thinking it was the best wash I ever had. Five kids doing a kindness for the memory of a friend's sister--someone they never met. Sydney's Grace. Blessings, Ken 
Friday, May 10, 2013
Mother's Day
...remembering me and mom in the kitchen
My mother has been gone for 15 years now but even so, I think about her every day. I remember the fun that she was at any family gathering, and I remember all the things she taught me. Since this is mother's day weekend, I want to re-post here an article I wrote about her that was published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram a few years ago.
Mom and Me In The Kitchen
Even though I didn’t think it great at the time, my mom taught me to cook—and clean, and iron, and wash clothes (neatly separated by colors, of course)—and handle all the other chores one needs to know to run a household. As far as the ironing goes, I managed to keep that a secret from my bride, at least until mom came for her first visit and spilled the news. The fact that I could operate a sewing machine, mend pants and sew on buttons remained hidden until the wife and I had been married a few years. She still distrusts me over that issue.
Learning to cook was fun because mom made it so. Even Sunday dinners after church took on a festive atmosphere for me and my two sisters, and that was only due to our mother’s efforts to turn mundane ingredients into a feast. Then we’d sit around the table, stuffing our faces as we offered critique on the preacher’s sermon that day and laugh about how he seemed to dredge up the same illustrations several times a year. One of those stories involved a little girl in an orphanage surrounded by an iron fence. Having few friends and no one to play with, she would write notes and slip them through the iron bars or hang them from a tree limb bordering the property. Most of those notes went unnoticed, or just blew away, but one day a passing gentleman picked up the note while out on a walk and was touched by the sentiment he read, written by a lonely child just reaching out to someone--anyone. It said, “Whoever reads this, I love you”. That touching, yet amusing story came to be a running joke in our family, and we’d occasionally put those six words at the bottom of letters, grocery lists, post cards, etc.
The years came and went; I headed off to college as did my sisters. While in college, I realized the value of what mom had taught us about handling household chores. Her lessons served me well, and even later on I realized that I could use my culinary skills to impress the ladies. Yes, indeed, mom knew what she was doing! To this day, my wife still loves it when I cook for her; it’s one of those little things that say “I love you” without having to utter a word.
As our children grew up, we made sure they learned those same lessons and as our sons got to high school age, the four of us took delight in cooking for my parents, sometimes even going to the extremes of packing up food and utensils, making the hour drive to their home and preparing a meal for them. It was on one of those trips that I left my favorite apron behind, and this wasn’t just any apron. It was custom made to my specifications by my sweet wife and was even stenciled with my name on it. Great apron, too. Has two pockets, adjustable neck strap, multiple loops for holding towels, and is, in short, the perfect apron. No worries, though, as I knew I’d retrieve it on our next trip to East Texas to see mom and dad.
Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out that way, as in mid March of 1998 while being treated for pneumonia, mom went into cardiac arrest. After being in a coma for two days, she passed peacefully out of this life and into eternity. Some weeks after the funeral, as I was helping dad go through things so he could reorganize his house—and his life—I came across my apron. It had been washed and was neatly folded so I put it into the stack of things my wife and I would take home. Helping dad do this task was a sad duty, but he truly needed help as he was not accustomed to surviving without his love and best friend of 53 years.
A couple of weeks later, I was preparing to spend a Saturday afternoon cooking up some Cajun dishes for dinner. Our whole family (including mom and dad) always enjoyed my fare from southern Looseeanna and we’re all fans of the late humorist and Cajun Chef Justin Wilson. As I began the slicing and dicing, my dear wife reminded me that I needed my favorite apron and she went to retrieve it from its normal place, hanging on a hook in the pantry. Slipping it over my head and tying the sash, I felt totally prepared to feed the masses, or at least our family of four. Stepping towards the sink, and reaching my hand into one of the apron pockets, I pulled out a folded piece of paper. Upon straightening out the note-sized page, I recognized my mother’s handwriting on one of her monogrammed notes. Through increasingly blurry eyes, I read the words, “Whoever reads this, I love you”.
It’s been eight years since I found that note and it remains in the left pocket of that apron. Sure, I look at it occasionally, but now instead of making me teary eyed, it puts a smile on my face as I realize the favor mom did me not only by making me learn to cook but in taking those kitchen opportunities to enrich our family memories. That little slip of paper now has various food stains on it and has started to yellow but that’s okay. I’ll pass it, and the apron, on to my two sons. Maybe I’ll write my own note to go with it.
I miss you, mom.
Blessings,
Ken
My mother has been gone for 15 years now but even so, I think about her every day. I remember the fun that she was at any family gathering, and I remember all the things she taught me. Since this is mother's day weekend, I want to re-post here an article I wrote about her that was published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram a few years ago.
Mom and Me In The Kitchen
Even though I didn’t think it great at the time, my mom taught me to cook—and clean, and iron, and wash clothes (neatly separated by colors, of course)—and handle all the other chores one needs to know to run a household. As far as the ironing goes, I managed to keep that a secret from my bride, at least until mom came for her first visit and spilled the news. The fact that I could operate a sewing machine, mend pants and sew on buttons remained hidden until the wife and I had been married a few years. She still distrusts me over that issue.
Learning to cook was fun because mom made it so. Even Sunday dinners after church took on a festive atmosphere for me and my two sisters, and that was only due to our mother’s efforts to turn mundane ingredients into a feast. Then we’d sit around the table, stuffing our faces as we offered critique on the preacher’s sermon that day and laugh about how he seemed to dredge up the same illustrations several times a year. One of those stories involved a little girl in an orphanage surrounded by an iron fence. Having few friends and no one to play with, she would write notes and slip them through the iron bars or hang them from a tree limb bordering the property. Most of those notes went unnoticed, or just blew away, but one day a passing gentleman picked up the note while out on a walk and was touched by the sentiment he read, written by a lonely child just reaching out to someone--anyone. It said, “Whoever reads this, I love you”. That touching, yet amusing story came to be a running joke in our family, and we’d occasionally put those six words at the bottom of letters, grocery lists, post cards, etc.
The years came and went; I headed off to college as did my sisters. While in college, I realized the value of what mom had taught us about handling household chores. Her lessons served me well, and even later on I realized that I could use my culinary skills to impress the ladies. Yes, indeed, mom knew what she was doing! To this day, my wife still loves it when I cook for her; it’s one of those little things that say “I love you” without having to utter a word.
As our children grew up, we made sure they learned those same lessons and as our sons got to high school age, the four of us took delight in cooking for my parents, sometimes even going to the extremes of packing up food and utensils, making the hour drive to their home and preparing a meal for them. It was on one of those trips that I left my favorite apron behind, and this wasn’t just any apron. It was custom made to my specifications by my sweet wife and was even stenciled with my name on it. Great apron, too. Has two pockets, adjustable neck strap, multiple loops for holding towels, and is, in short, the perfect apron. No worries, though, as I knew I’d retrieve it on our next trip to East Texas to see mom and dad.
Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out that way, as in mid March of 1998 while being treated for pneumonia, mom went into cardiac arrest. After being in a coma for two days, she passed peacefully out of this life and into eternity. Some weeks after the funeral, as I was helping dad go through things so he could reorganize his house—and his life—I came across my apron. It had been washed and was neatly folded so I put it into the stack of things my wife and I would take home. Helping dad do this task was a sad duty, but he truly needed help as he was not accustomed to surviving without his love and best friend of 53 years.
A couple of weeks later, I was preparing to spend a Saturday afternoon cooking up some Cajun dishes for dinner. Our whole family (including mom and dad) always enjoyed my fare from southern Looseeanna and we’re all fans of the late humorist and Cajun Chef Justin Wilson. As I began the slicing and dicing, my dear wife reminded me that I needed my favorite apron and she went to retrieve it from its normal place, hanging on a hook in the pantry. Slipping it over my head and tying the sash, I felt totally prepared to feed the masses, or at least our family of four. Stepping towards the sink, and reaching my hand into one of the apron pockets, I pulled out a folded piece of paper. Upon straightening out the note-sized page, I recognized my mother’s handwriting on one of her monogrammed notes. Through increasingly blurry eyes, I read the words, “Whoever reads this, I love you”. It’s been eight years since I found that note and it remains in the left pocket of that apron. Sure, I look at it occasionally, but now instead of making me teary eyed, it puts a smile on my face as I realize the favor mom did me not only by making me learn to cook but in taking those kitchen opportunities to enrich our family memories. That little slip of paper now has various food stains on it and has started to yellow but that’s okay. I’ll pass it, and the apron, on to my two sons. Maybe I’ll write my own note to go with it.
I miss you, mom.
Blessings,
Ken
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Dallas World Aquarium
...as a wedding venue??
Absolutely. The last few years I've had a number of wedding ceremonies at the Dallas World Aquarium on Griffin Street in downtown Dallas. Sea creatures and rainforest creatures are everywhere in this three story facility. One of the more stunning areas is the glass tunnel you walk through and discover that there are ocean creatures (including sharks) swimming on three sides of you.
For special events, you can arrange some up close and personal time with Leno, the three toed sloth. He is very sociable and likes being held, as Pei and Beth found out after their wedding ceremony last weekend. Some of the creatures, such as the snakes and crocodiles, you don't want to get personal with .
Check out the DWA website at http://www.dwazoo.com/ If you go, be prepared to spend a few hours. This isn't something you can see in a 30 minute walk through.
Blessings
Ken
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Vi and Joseph
...at the Meyerson
Last November Vi and Joseph had their dream wedding at the Meyerson Symphony Center with about 300 guests looking on. Meredith Commender (www.significanteventsoftexas.com) was the planner extraordinaire. You should see the detail work that Meredith and her team put into an event. The picture was among the spectacular work by Ivy Weddings (www.ivy-weddings.com)
Last November Vi and Joseph had their dream wedding at the Meyerson Symphony Center with about 300 guests looking on. Meredith Commender (www.significanteventsoftexas.com) was the planner extraordinaire. You should see the detail work that Meredith and her team put into an event. The picture was among the spectacular work by Ivy Weddings (www.ivy-weddings.com)
Recently, they sent me a highlights video from the ceremony and reception (held at the Fashion Industry Gallery). Take a look:
Great day all around. Congratulations Vi and Joseph.
After the ceremony I found out that Meredith carries jumper cables in her car. Don't ask why I needed to know that, except that she saved my day!
Blessings,
Ken
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Knot Pick
...best of weddings for 2013
Love Notes is honored and humbled that we have again received the 2013 Pick, Best of Weddings from the Knot. What a great thing, to get an award for doing something we love.
Blessings,
Love Notes is honored and humbled that we have again received the 2013 Pick, Best of Weddings from the Knot. What a great thing, to get an award for doing something we love.
Blessings,
Ken
Friday, November 30, 2012
Five Years...
since that phone call
It's been five years since I got that phone call telling me that our granddaughter, Sydney Grace, would be born still. The years since have let me bear the pain, but haven't lessened the intensity. If it's that intense for me, I can't imagine how it is for Ian and Alyssa.
Today, I celebrate Sydney's "heaven day". Listen to this song about her and celebrate with me.
Blessings,
Ken
It's been five years since I got that phone call telling me that our granddaughter, Sydney Grace, would be born still. The years since have let me bear the pain, but haven't lessened the intensity. If it's that intense for me, I can't imagine how it is for Ian and Alyssa.
Today, I celebrate Sydney's "heaven day". Listen to this song about her and celebrate with me.
Blessings,
Ken
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
A Rainy Wedding
...in July??
Who would have thought that an outdoor wedding in McKinney, Texas could possibly have had a rain problem? Despite the forecast, Kristin and Roby went forward with the plans for an outside ceremony at The Cotton Mill in McKinney on July 7. Mother Nature had other plans.
So at the last minute, we moved everything indoors, re-set the chairs, decorations, sound system etc. The bride and groom were not rattled at all by the change. They still had the fun, romantic wedding of their dreams. They made a memory. As long as they live, everytime they hear rain drops hit the roof, they'll think of their wedding day. A happy memory.
Special thanks to Elizabeth Humphrey Allen of Copper Penny Films (visit them on the web) for taking the rain and turning it into a happy motif for the wedding video. I haven't seen the final edit yet, but HERE is a highlight she sent me. Can't wait to see the finished version. Elizabeth, thanks for making this old guy look and sound decent! Congratulations to Kristin and Roby for not letting a little rain dampen your wedding ceremony.
BTW, the happy little song playing through most of the video is called "Darling" written and performed by husband and wife team, Handsome and Gretyl. Learn more about them HERE and listen to their music HERE
Blessings,
Ken
Who would have thought that an outdoor wedding in McKinney, Texas could possibly have had a rain problem? Despite the forecast, Kristin and Roby went forward with the plans for an outside ceremony at The Cotton Mill in McKinney on July 7. Mother Nature had other plans.
So at the last minute, we moved everything indoors, re-set the chairs, decorations, sound system etc. The bride and groom were not rattled at all by the change. They still had the fun, romantic wedding of their dreams. They made a memory. As long as they live, everytime they hear rain drops hit the roof, they'll think of their wedding day. A happy memory.
Special thanks to Elizabeth Humphrey Allen of Copper Penny Films (visit them on the web) for taking the rain and turning it into a happy motif for the wedding video. I haven't seen the final edit yet, but HERE is a highlight she sent me. Can't wait to see the finished version. Elizabeth, thanks for making this old guy look and sound decent! Congratulations to Kristin and Roby for not letting a little rain dampen your wedding ceremony.
BTW, the happy little song playing through most of the video is called "Darling" written and performed by husband and wife team, Handsome and Gretyl. Learn more about them HERE and listen to their music HERE
Blessings,
Ken
Monday, October 1, 2012
A Blog Worth Following
...oursydneygrace
My daughter-in-law, Alyssa, is a very talented and prolific blogger and I look forward to her regular start-the-week series called "Grace Laced Mondays". Today's entry is no exception as she talks about the similarities between living in a "fixer-upper" house, while we all carry around "fixer-upper" hearts that God is still dealing with.
The previous blog entry is just as inciteful. She used a song written and performed by a mutual friend that explains the 23rd Psalm in a way I hadn't thought of before. Read the post and then listen to the song HERE
Lyssa's blog is named in memory of their daughter, Sydney. Go by her blog, enjoy, follow it. Click HERE to get started.
Blessings,
Ken
The previous blog entry is just as inciteful. She used a song written and performed by a mutual friend that explains the 23rd Psalm in a way I hadn't thought of before. Read the post and then listen to the song HERE
Lyssa's blog is named in memory of their daughter, Sydney. Go by her blog, enjoy, follow it. Click HERE to get started.
Blessings,
Ken
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