Eulogy for Mom

I’d like to thank you all for being here today, it really meant a lot to my mother how much you all cared about her. I’m sure most of you know who I am, but in case you don’t I’m Katie. And while my brothers may have been teasing about offering this task to me, after having time to think about it, I think our mother Betty would be ok with me trying to express even a portion of what made her so special to all of us.

She was born in 1960, and while to some of us it seems a short time to be here, She did a lot in her time. She played music, she went on adventures, she laughed, she cried, she beat cancer, and she made the world a better place. And in honesty, I only know portions of what she got to do while she was here. Her life was so full it could have burst at the seams.

To sum up Betty’s life in a tidy bite size piece, is an impossible task. Any of you here understand that. She lived life to the fullest. She taught us to not only share what we have, but to use our talents to improve the world around us. But most importantly Betty taught us how to Love.

Mom made sure that Love wasn’t a word that meant only one thing. While we may not have understood the various types in their divided levels she gave us wonderful examples through the way she lived.

Philia. Betty made many friends in her life. Through the loyalty and camaraderie she displayed in them, she emphasised how important affection and love for our friends is. I don’t think I can remember a time when my Godmother Laura wasn’t in our lives. The two of them were always able to find something to laugh about, whether it was nonsense that the kids were getting up to, or just reminiscing about things. But you could always feel the love in the space when they were together. But this is only ONE of many examples Betty gave us for how friendships can look. No matter what they look like, all friendships are important and help build the community we exist in. Mom made sure everyone knew how important our friends are. Many of her friends were more than just friends, they became family.

Storge. We have so many family connections. Family we are born into, family we marry into, family we turn into.  The stories and adventures she’d tell us about our family made it easy to know how deep those bonds went for her. She also made sure we knew how important it is to know where you come from. Growing up we spent many holidays, birthdays, and just random days with our family members. We’d learn family history and jokes through those interactions. Giving us insight into how  important loving our family members can be. They’re often the rocks you can cling to when the world seems to collapse around you. They may not always understand what you’re going through, but she taught us that family is there. And never to forget the ones we’ve lost because they’ve helped to get us to where we are.

Ludus. The joy she gave when sharing her musical talents and other skills. She would tease people good naturedly, and it wasn’t to be mean. She taught us it wasn’t a bad thing to share things that you think may bring joy to others. Buckskin and Calico was a huge part of her life, in fact I’ve NEVER known a part of my life when it wasn’t part of hers. Last year they celebrated 50 years of her being at the Little Valley riders club with the band. For most of us it’s hard to imagine going anywhere that long. But the friends she made there became family over the years. And I KNOW they have plenty of stories to tell about things she did out there over the years. And she really loved being out there.

Pragma and Eros, Enduring Love, patient love, romantic Love. Mom and Dad are amazing examples of this. Even when things may have been difficult, they were always together. Even while she was in the hospital she was looking at guitars and picked one out for Joe’s birthday present. They delivered it to her right at the hospital. Betty showed us how important it can be to think of things that can bring someone you love joy for a long time, enduring well beyond the present. Their Love isn’t just fleeting, it endures.

Bringing me to the last type of love that I am going to mention, Agape. Unconditional love to her fellow man. Betty was always willing to help her fellow man if there was a way to. I remember going on some of the shut-in visits with her and Uncle Herbie. The two of them would engage in conversation and you could literally feel the happiness in the room. The shut-ins may not have all been people we knew well, but they enjoyed the company. It was a blessing to get to experience that with them.

All those different words, Philia, Storge, Ludus, Pragma, Eros, Agape, all mean love. Betty loved. If there’s anything she did while she was here it was that. She loved life. And made sure we all had a good example of love to learn from.

When we were kids, we would come to Windom for xmas eve service. We’d be here with so many of our family members and friends, and I remember there was a song we’d all sing after they’d turn off the lights. We’d pass a spark of light through the congregation while singing One Little Candle. Betty was a candle, sharing her love light with each of us. She’s left the world a brighter place than when she came. If we each continue to share these lights with even a few other people, we’ll be able to keep the memories of Love alive for everyone.

Losing Media : Disney Movie Club

 I am posting this, more as a thought on the current trend I have been witnessing. Where online streaming is replacing hard copy media. People seem to be enjoying the convenience of online movie rentals, as well as audio streaming. But what does that mean for people in the long term?

What happens now with the movie club closing? How do people locate copies of hard to find Disney movies? Are they going to frown on people downloading titles that are not included in the Disney+ line up? What is the actual purpose of closing the movie club? Because in all honesty I don't feel it was really offering the films at a discount. What it did do though was make it a little easier to get copies of hard to find things.

This is where I finally got an official copy of Mr. Boogedy, and The Bride of Boogedy. Previously I had only been able to get a copy that someone transferred from a TV tape of the original airing of the films on the Disney Night Movies. The quality of the official DVD is much better (even though the slight clipping of commercials takes me back to the copy my parents had for us that we watched foreverrrrrr)

I know that right now the Disney company seems to be trying to cut the fat. The movie club really can't compete with Amazon at this point, especially with the Disney+ service being offered. Disney+ makes it much easier to watch the majority of their content.  But not everything is available there.

Anyway, I just wanted to save a screenshot of their goodbye page, as well as the 3 panel image they sent in their goodbye email. Mostly because I am sorry to see it go, even if I only used it minimally. Some things will still be remembered while they are gone. 

My worry now though, is what do we do when physical copies are being made obsolete? They're not making DVDs as readily available at stores anymore, so how are we going to get copies of the movies we love and want to collect for places and times there are no streaming services available? It's definitely something to keep in mind.

I'm trying. I hope You are Too.

It's still hard to find something to write about. I'm not good. But I really have a feeling  that currently, no one really is all that good. A large number of us are scared, frustrated, trapped, and highly frustrated. We have every right to feel whatever emotions we are feeling. But we do need to remember not to take those feelings out on the people around us.

Yes, we are angry. There are a lot of factors in the worldwide situation that none of us can control. Yes, we are afraid. Who wouldn't be afraid of something that makes us question our mortality. We're afraid of the unknown. And while some folks are trying to play the whole situation down like it is nothing more than an inconvenience to them... There are others who are dealing with the cold frightening reality of living day to day wondering about who may or may not be infected around them.

And this won't be going away quickly. The projection is that there is still over a month of time before we'll know the full extent of how this illness is going to effect us long term. The idea is terrifying. A number of us aren't leaving our homes. Our jobs are... non existent? We don't actually know what is going to happen. There are hundreds of questions and worries, and no answers. At least, not enough answers to make things seem less worrisome.

So yes, some of us are turning to video games to try and cope. We are turning to the arts in just about all forms; movies, music, and digital tours. Anything that might be able to help distract our minds from the unknown and the fears that are filling our minds. A number of companies are offering their services at discounts, or even free to try and help people fill their time. The boon is one that I doubt many will forget when things are over. It's helping people fill time, and break up boredom.

The arts are often overlooked, and even more so of late. At least, prior to this situation. People are so quick to dismiss the arts as worthless. But they are the ones coming to our aid now. Attempting to at least salve the wound that loneliness is cutting in so deep. We're not meant to be alone. Even those of us who say we're fine alone, need some amount of human interaction to function properly.

I'm trying. I'm genuinely trying to make it past this ok. It doesn't mean it is easy. I doubt it is truly easy for anyone. But we need to make the attempt. This can't last forever. It may take time for things to change, but it won't last forever. Normal won't be the same again though. We're all going to need to learn new skills. We're going to have to have empathy. And we are most definitely going to need to start to work together.

Guess Who's Back?

I know I haven't been posting very regularly in the... most recent past. But there is usually a rhyme and reason to all of that. One reason being it is harder to write a post using my phone than it is on my laptop. Another reason being, that in all honesty for a while there I didn't have anything positive to say.

To be truly fair, right now, as the world goes at least, there is not a lot of positive things happening. But for now I can be content knowing that for the near future, I have the opportunity and chance to pick this up again, and it was definitely something that I enjoy doing. So I look forward to writing and curating information or art for you here again.

Will it be a bit bumpy at first?

Of course.

But anything worth doing, is worth doing no matter how dull it may seem compared to expectations.

Right now though, I am lucky because I do not really have any expectations for the near future. Other than finding something to use as a creative outlet so I have something to do besides work.

In any case, thank you for sticking around.

Let me know if there is something you want my take on, or maybe you want some recommendations? Where should I pick up again?

Not As Under The Weather

But still not entirely great.

It has been a while since I wrote. I apologize for that, but there isn't really any way for me to reliably be on currently. Not that I think very many people are reading this of late... But I can hope, right?

So what have I been up to? I had a DNC and an ablation in the hopes of stopping the heavy bleeding that has been putting me out for the past 2 and a half years. I went to the emergency room twice, because I ended up extremely dehydrated. Currently, it has almost been a month since the procedures. I am feeling less bloated, and a lot more... alive? I don't feel as exhausted all the time.

I also have been working a lot, but if you've been around for a while or know me fairly well, you would know that I really enjoy working the seasonal job at Spirit. It may not be fancy or anything, but it leets me feel creative, and help people create their costume looks.

I have 2 new young family members. My one sister n law had a boy in September. While the other had a baby girl in October. Babies are ok I guess. But I like them better when they are able to verbalize and actually explain what is going wrong. Plus they can go to the bathroom on their own. Not a fan of diapers.

Now I am switching over to day shift at my normal job for a few weeks. It is going to take some getting used to, but it isn't awful. The worst part is lunch when the kids are super duper loud. Other than that everything is pretty much run of the mill. Nothing exotic or awe inspiring.

I do get to DM this weekend at a convention. So that is kind of fun. I enjoy it because it lets me play with new players, as well as hopefully inspire new players to want to continue to play.

Oh! And our Adventure League Group is getting to run an epic! This is fabulous because we are doing it as a toy drive, meaning that anyone can play, and there is all sorts of fun interesting things that could happen.

Other than that, my life is fairly boring. But that is ok. I would rather have a boring life than a miserable one.