saintlewis

With Thanksgiving on the Horizon: CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE

“With Thanksgiving on the Horizon” will be a mini-blog series extending from Nov. 17th through 27th reviewing my many adventures leading up to Turkey-day as I simply write from my heart.  Hope you’ll come along with me for the journey…

Earlier last month I marked another year. We call these said markings “birthdays”.

In years past I have had some… how should I put it… let’s say I’ve had some HIGH “expectations” on my birthday!  You can fill in the blanks assuming that this little lady fell into some“ holes” of unmet expectations in years past.

This year the revelation hit me: this is my day! My day to thank God for my life. After all He created me – I am His masterpiece. The realization that I am responsible for my life choices therefore happiness and love are a choice. It all hit me like a ton of bricks.

As this truth seeped into my thinker as brine fabricates a turkey (had to throw in some seasonal lingo) I awoke with a plan. I WILL NOT HAVE A BIRTHDAY! After all  how can anyone expect your close friends and family to all commemorate your worth in one day?? It’s ridiculous. Thus an idea was birthed: BIRTHDAY WEEK! One simply constructs an “ agenda” for the week with something special each day. It’s a win- win for all parties; the siblings aunts uncles and college roommates who miss “ the special day have grace since it is Birthday week and there are plenty of opportunities to jump right in and celebrate!

My week started with a date to Bonefish with my hubby followed homemade cake by mom.  The next night was sushi with the girls.  Next   pumpkin carving Ice-cream Sundays & Icees from Target.

…and The GRAND FINALE: one of my favorite past times of life in good ‘ole GLYNN COUNTY. The annual rival game Brunswick High versus Glynn Academy. I’m not really a football person nor are we a football family but what I am is a People person popcorn eater music lover (halftime show rocked) and a screamer! We took the two little fellas who had never seen such festivities. Kenimer channeled the energy of the crowd to the point of eruption – the energizer bunny comes to mind!

To conclude let me encourage each and every person to begin this must-have tradition!  Celebrate your life and while you’re at it MAKE A WEEK OF IT!

Who/What /Where:  
A song written by Don Oja Dunaway singer-songwriter who is an institution at The Milltop Tavern in St. Augustine Florida .

Why:  Visiting The Milltop to hear Don became a family tradition years ago – a tradition continued by my husband and I whenever we are near St. Augustine. 

 

 

For as far back as I can remember my extended family has rented a beach house every year. Since we were already privileged to reside coastally we made our appearance a day trip. Whether coming or going we always managed to squeeze in a trip to The Milltop. 

 I will never forget Daddy holding my hand while walking up the weathered stairs. I remember drinking cold coke out of a beer mug and listening to stories sung as naturally as the breeze blowing across the open deck. My dad grinned and made musician talk with Don. He always liked the raw rootsy unique tunes that Don sang.  

I usually requested a song called “Strawberry Rhubarb Pie” and “Halloween in Marblehead (1949)” . Don’s epic stories were regularly heard playing throughout the old green station wagon on our way back to Brunswick. Daddy would always pick up a tape to listen to on the way home. I remember the signature guitar slaps and precise finger-style playing as I drifted in and out of sleep only disturbed by fresh sunburn.

Years later while talking music with my boyfriend (who is now my husband) I told him about Don… of the fond memories… and that daddy had many tapes of his music but no C.D’s. Shannon in his thoughtfulness called Don out-of-the-blue and requested a c.d. so Don burned all of his songs onto three discs and sent them to Shannon.  Shannon in-turn gave them to me for my birthday that year.  A little over a year later in July 2005 we celebrated our one year anniversary at a Bed-and-Breakfast in St. Augustine during which Shannon played a set opening for Don at the Milltop! This was a special one year anniversary as I was seven months pregnant.

 

So recently on a roadtrip when I stumbled across his song “Halloween in Marbelhead (1949)” memories flooded in.  I realized what a gift (both a gift to have and a gift to give) it is to tell stories through song.

In light of the recent passing of October 31st I am sharing one of my personal favorites with a cherished memory of my daddy and I walking up creaking old steps faint with smells of spilt beer and the nearby ocean’s salty breeze: a special time filled with the magic of a little girl spending special time with her daddy listening to beautiful songs of life-lived mistakes made and with a back-drop of God’s hand holding it all together.

Ladies and gents… If you are ever in Historic Saint Augustine make a trip to the Milltop to hear Don!  

Who:  Alyson Tucker (My Mom) – the featured artist

Where:  outpatient center of the Southeast Georgia Regional Hospital

What: A video collage to commemorate the artist and interview an admirer

How: Click the video & watch it till the end to see the paintings scroll through.

Need to know: Art is healing art brings therapeutic benefits to those who engage and admire.

Next: Create something today dance sing and express yourself for the healing of your soul and the enrichment of those around you!

 

Alyson Tucker Art Show from Shannon Lewis on Vimeo.

 

I saw Mom’s display a half-dozen times for less than ideal reasons. I was running to and from the pediatrician’s office on the 4^th floor (occasionally to the E.R.) to the Pharmacy on ground rinse and repeat – all the while walking the long corridor where all 17 paintings were displayed.  There I was a tired mommy briskly walking to acquire yet another prescription laid eyes on these familiar paintings and often felt the onset of tears. I was so moved by the beauty that lay on those canvases. Each scene seemed to jump out and dance before me. It was as though every brushstroke whispered “Everything is gonna be all right” and “this too shall pass.”  I was paralyzed with this truth: art brings healing.

 

I decided to remain as incognito as possible by sitting on a bench facing the paintings and surrounded by large shrubs. I sat and watched – what I saw was priceless. I saw cancer patients elderly ladies with oxygen tanks and moms with sick babies in strollers. I saw eyes light up as they pointed out their favorite pieces. I saw smiles I saw looks of nostalgia. I saw hope and life returning to people’s faces.

 

I love how artists can create from their pain trials and victories and simultaneously encourages others in their journeys and I’m proud to be able to say that my mother is one of them.  So create something today dance sing and express yourself for the healing of your soul and the enrichment of those around you!

Worship and the ER

 

These two words were interwoven into an exciting scary week for us…

I read this verse earlier in the week:  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Wednesday night we (with our full band Saint Lewis) led worship at St. Simons Community Church’s INSIDE OUT youth group to build excitement for Friday’s concert there.

WE had a plan.

The plan: 1) eight songs on the list 2) rehearse and do six of them and 3) pick the four best ones for Friday night (C.D. Release Party for our friend Kyle Jones).

The night began as planned: we plowed through the walk-in song and then – following a game and announcements – the next 2 high-energy worship songs then Heather Blankenship led “You Won’t Relent”…

…There was a strong sense that God wanted to do something different…we ALL felt it even though the band had stopped as planned.  Shannon sensed it.  Heather sensed it too. I walked off the stage hearing these words “I have a plan that is different from yours – follow my plan“ echoing Jeremiah 29:1 and Proverbs 16:9.  I responded in my heart “God these songs are basically the run-through for Friday night!”  Still God said “My ways are higher.”

I remembered Kenimer’s Tiny-Town scripture memory verse “God’s way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). Jon took the stage The plan was to start a video-teaching but he cut the video off as it was starting then challenged the kids. He challenged me.  He challenged himself.  He took the step off the edge that we all felt was necessary.  My husband in fact was face-down on the floor beside me – he didn’t even feel as though he should sit-up at that time.

Next far earlier than we had originally planned the team came back up and we sang “You won’t Relent” AGAIN plus 3 or 4 other songs entirely off the cuff completely unplanned and unrehearsed. Kids came up and spoke sharing words of what God was doing in their lives and challenging their peers. Some were praising hands to the sky and others were face-to-the-floor crying praising and praying.  God was moving.

I was so grateful that we were following his lead!

“Let me hear Your plans over my own” became my heart’s prayer’…

…then the text came from Mom: “Took your dad to the ER – babysitter is with the kids” and “Tucker is running a fever”.  Tucker is our youngest – not yet 2.  I immediately remembered the verse again:  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”.

Dad had been bitten by a spider thought to be poisonous though thankfully it turned out harmless. However we went to pick up the kids and found Tucker with a very high fever (over-the-counter medicines wouldn’t touch it) labored-breathing and a scary bark-sounding cough. We immediately called Doc and were instructed to go to ER.

Here I was sitting in the ER wondering how the night progressed from rehearsal to exciting worship to praying fervently for my dad and then sitting in the ER waiting room with my youngest? I continued praying and repeating the verse.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”.

Then again I heard the voice in my heart “If you’re going to take ground on my battlefield you have to expect the enemy’s darts of destruction.”

This was all making sense… the ER visit proved somewhat productive as we went home after shots breathing treatments and etc. There was the temptation to get angry as the next day was filled with medical stuff and overwhelming exhaustion was setting in. Our personal plans were shot.

But I remembered “God’s ways are perfect.” Ok God – if this is your way I will trust that is perfect.  The event brought to mind how many times in my life that important ministry opportunities were preceded by catastrophe conflict and hardship.  And yet every time God was still in control – directing drawing boundaries telling even the Evil one “Only this far – and no more”.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”.

So we choose to worship Him even when we don’t see the big picture and the immediate picture is that of an Emergency Room holding my precious little boy and deciding that I will indeed trust the one who’s ways are higher than mine.

An eventful week to say the least.

Four years ago on this day I became a mom. I have experienced so much in – all things considered – so little time. Words can’t describe the transformation of becoming a mom and all that it entails. This journey has been eventful and so full of life. This little guy opened my womb and started my mommy-hood!

 

September 14 2009 – Four years ago this little man came to visit.

 

 

Four years later we celebrate! And did we EVER celebrate!

 

Birthdays are not taken lightly in the Lewis household: “Birthday Weekend” we call it. Many conversations led up to the “Birthday Weekend”. On Birthday’s Eve we had a complete birthday party with the extended local fam: grandparents aunts and uncles. We had balloons hats balloons blowers and did I mention balloons? 

 

 

He wanted a Lightning McQueen cake (from Pixar’s CARS – which he pronounces “White-neen Mukeen Birfbay). His dad even managed to make a racetrack on the cake complete with a Piston cup and all. We opened presents ate a wonderful meal (Baked Crusted Tilapia with Ginger-Lime sauce!) had cake and even lit fireworks in the backyard thanks to “Grandpa Mack” – I mean “Pi-Pie” as Kenimer calls him.

 

I don’t know who was more blessed: Kenimer or we his parents. It is so fulfilling to give gifts to our children. We love to bless him. He giggles and is so appreciative and thankful. He repeatedly said “I wike my birfbay par-ee mama”.

 

On the grand ole day we had a special Birthday breakfast of dad’s morning specialty bacon and eggs. I showed Kenimer his baby pics and told the story of his birth. He kept saying “I not a baby anymore mama!” excitedly.

 

Later he went to preschool and came home with a birthday crown then in the afternoon we measured him on the “growth door” and got some handprints! Then later than evening we went to Tokyo Joe’s for Kenimer’s first experience with a Japanese steakhouse. This was so exciting. He laughed and laughed. He ate and laughed some more. That was a Win Win because we all love eating there but even more-so because we got to see the joy on his face of being treated special on his special day.

The wonderful birthday night ended with Kenimer dozing off balloon in one hand his night-light “Wally” in the other.

Kenimer – we love you and look forward to so many more birthdays! You bring us so much joy! Thank you for brightening each and every day! You are such a gift!