Well, the trip to Dallas went very well. Zach’s family welcomed me for Thanksgiving and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. The wisdom teeth extaction went very quickly, taking only about ten minutes, and Dr. Watson did such a fine job that the next morning I was feeling pretty active. My face is still swollen, of course, and it’s a little difficult to eat things, but I’m recovering quickly. Should be 100% in a week or two!

One advantage to being on the pain killers is that I’ve gotten alot of sleep, and I’m actually able to fall asleep before midnight. Today I woke up at 7:45am and had a complete and productive day–lately that has been a rarity.

Well, I’m feeling farely good, and I hope ya’ll are, too!

A sample from a conversation earlier tonight…

Trust me, I understand; that’s what life has been for me… But in the end, if I walked along the strident path and tried as hard as I could at no matter what I did, I will be happy. And I hope that I die with no more of a thought than that I wish I could regret more…

Stated by my good friend, Scott C.

My pledge brother, Zach, invited me to join his family for Thanksgiving this year up in Celina, TX, just north of Dallas. We’ll be driving out in the morning and staying till Sunday… and his dad is going to be taking out my wisdom teeth on Friday. I’m gonna make sure that I stuff myself before I can’t eat anything at all! Anyways, I’m really looking forward to spending time with his family and whatnot; should be a good time. I’ll be sure and upload a picture of my fat face after the surgery… haha.

This echos the sentiments of another day… Ashton McDuff, so precious, so pure…

The words of this world are never quite enough
When speaking the aches of the heart.
But although they may be a frail expression,
These words form our greatest memorial
When we share the life of one so beloved.

Each memory that Ashton left behind
Is like a rose peddle which fell from her soul.
And though she walked upon this earth but a moment,
Her unmistakable touch ripples beyond the bounds of time.

Through the countless tears
Of pain, and loss, and grief,
We can grasp onto the hope the Creator has given
And know that we can say goodbye with hope
Because we know our goodbye is not the end.

For there’s a place on the other side of the sky
Free of this world’s uncertainty and doubt
Where we will walk together someday
And see her face again.

Click on the image to see the full-size picture. Ashton, you are loved so deeply!

I just found this link to the Houston Chronicle’s online guestbook for Ashton. Please visit it to see the love that others have for her.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine was having trouble in her life, and I sent her this note. Perhaps it still rings true, or maybe its words have lost their meaning. It seems that my question simply proves the point I’m making…

That’s the beauty of who we are… not understanding… Mystery. Perseverance. Character. Sometimes I wish it was all explained, “all worked out”… but, without the blemishes of parts, the whole isn’t as beautiful; that doesn’t make the hard parts any less difficult or cut any less deeply… but they give value to the things that are lovely.

Thanks, Adrien.