I’m not the type to use password protected posts typically, but “I’m baaaaaack”  includes several photos of family, which I’m never comfortable sharing.  Although I’ve posted a few pics of my kids, it’s not a habit I’m very comfortable with.

The password is my son’s full first name, which those of you who are friends and regular correspondents will know.  If you do not know it (as some of my most beloved commenters may not) please send me an e-mail at “kanniduba@aol.com” and I will gladly pass it along to you.

~KD

Eight years ago our community lost five children within two weeks. Two were my students. One boy was killed in a bike/car accident. Less than two weeks later, my other student and her three siblings were killed in a house fire two days before Thanksgiving. I have never been to a sadder funeral, and our community reeled from the losses for a long time. That school year was marked with a constant mourning, our emotions rattled raw, healing coming slowly.

Yesterday, as I walked into my Mother’s house loaded with food for her Retirement Party, I learned of the roadblock and the raging house fire, and the news that five children were unaccounted for. Old losses came to the surface, scabs ripped off, and new wounds were added to the old. I took a choking breath, wrapped it up and tucked it away in the recesses of my heart, knowing that yesterday could not be the day to process this news. I could not, would not think of it.

Today, the news, even more devastating….six children died in the fire, aged 1 to 12. As we await confirmation of names and ages, I tuck it away in the recesses of my heart because still, today, I cannot, will not think of it.

Update:
The fire appears to have been caused by a faulty electrical outlet. It also has been reported that there was only one working smoke detector in the home, and that one was in the basement. Six out of seven siblings died in the fire, the seventh was sleeping over at a friend’s house. I’d like to think God has saved her for some special purpose, but how does a soul go on here on earth after losing all of their siblings? Dad and Mom survived with severe burns, and Mom remains in critical condition. I don’t know whether to pray for her healing or to pray for God to take her home, so I simply say, “Help her.”

Firefighters are urging everyone to install smoke detectors in every bedroom, and at least one more on each floor. If you haven’t already, please do.

It

is

so

cool.

And

I

am

feeling

so

spoiled.

🙂

So, I had an appointment tonight to meet with a trainer at the local YMCA in order to be trained on the use of their exercise machines.  When I made my appointment, I was added onto Chris’ schedule.  I liked the fact that Chris was female and about my age, so in theory, I wouldn’t feel quite so ashamed of  my mushy, weak, and recently incapacitated body.

So I come to the desk, see Chris and say, “Hello, I have a 7:00 appointment for FitLinxx training.”   And Chris says, “Oh, hello.  Yes…I will get David for you.”  And I’m thinking….”David??  Who is David…I was supposed to meet with you, Chris.”  But I wait patiently, thinking maybe I misheard.  Apparently my hearing is just fine, because along comes David with a very charming smile on his face.  David is about 20 years old, does not fit into his t-shirt because of his bulging muscles, and at that moment I am certain he doesn’t know the first thing about 4o -year-old mushy Mommy bodies.   Right then and there I want to crawl into a hole and die.  The first sentence out of my mouth is a plea for mercy, and…Wait. D id I mention that I wanted to crawl into a hole and die?

*sigh*

But truly, there is a very anticlimactic end to this story…turns out David was quite disarming and easy to be around, and made  me feel like maybe, just maybe, crawling into a hole wasn’t necessary after all.  In fact, he was a good match for me, having recovered from a slipped disk himself.  And I only embarrassed myself once, stepping where  I shouldn’t have stepped, and my legs went…….well, never mind.  I won’t tell you exactly where my legs went.  Suffice it to say, it could’ve been ugly.  But thank goodness I was able to get my body back under control and therefore  saved myself from a truly undignified pose (barely.)   He tried very hard to be a gentleman and not laugh, but I don’t think that even the Pope could’ve helped himself.

When all was said and done, I had pushed a total of 940 pounds, and left with my dignity intact which I consider a rare and unexpected bonus.

The Burning Sky over our house has been doused! 

I’m thinking we were all just plain ol’ tired and cranky because we all woke up feeling like new people this morning.  We all had great productive days and the girls came home with smiles on their faces.

*whew*

I may not have to run away after all.  😉