The Book of Life

As each day passes....
...A new page turns.

It seems like the past two weeks have been chocked full of change, but it is only a peak into what is to come.  Maybe the special moments that will forever be dear to my heart are the reason the past couple of weeks have made Brooke's upcoming graduation from high school seem so real.  Now, Graduation has been in the back of our minds all year, but it is quickly racing to the forefront.  I'm not so sure I am ready. 

The special moments in time have taken place this year...the last buzzer of the last basketball game, the last step across the finish line of the last track meet, but a simple question which led into a day of spending time together might be one of my most cherished moments.  (I did say one, there are so many).

I was headed home from work and Brooke asks if I would check on the new nail salon in Granbury.  She wanted to get a mani/pedi before senior pictures.  Totally unexpected, she melted my heart with her next question, "Do you want to go with me?"  For those of you with teenage daughters who are very busy with school, work, and friends, a simple request like this one means the world to you - I know it did me.  So Brooke and I spent all day Saturday together getting our nails and toes done. Our fun didn't end there, we headed to Lone Star Hair Studio next, and filled the rest of our afternoon with some fun beauty shop gossiping with the one and only Mandy O'Hearn. 

Senior pictures was next on our to do list that Saturday.  Lisa Blevins Photography was an amazing choice.  We met Lisa in Stephenville and headed down to the city park.  The cloudy sky threatened us with rain throughout the entire photo shoot.  The wind gusts were almost non-stop, but that didn't stop Lisa.  She shot picture after picture, and then took us down to the Stephenville Museum.  A trunk full of clothes and around two hours later we said our "Thank-you's" and waited patiently for the email saying proofs are up.  Which by the way they were ready super fast, and some of the best I have ever seen.  I'm a little partial, yes, but Lisa has a gift for photography.  The emotion and colors in her photographs are amazing.

Brooke Senior 2012

Back to the moments that I will cherish forever.  Simple moments.  This past weekend was prom.  Brooke was very busy getting everything ready, finding the perfect jewelry, getting her spray tan, and then another trip to Lone Star Hair Studio.  Before she headed out to the hair studio she needed to wash her hair.  Well, you can't take a shower if you have gotten a spray tan or you'll end up with streaks.  So here she comes shampoo in hand and asks if I'll wash her hair in the kitchen sink.  Again, that might be a simple moment, and might seem silly to some, but it was big to me.  Little moments are the ones that make the best memories. 

So, as we keep turning the pages of the book of life, a chapter in each of our lives is nearing its end.  It is definitely not the end of the book, there are many more chapters that have yet to be written.  I hope Brooke reads the chapters that talk about how I am so thankful she is my daughter over and over again.  (That's going to be in all of the chapter by the way)

Until next time...

...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

An Amazing Journey

This season has been an exciting one...
...And it ended with a lot of emotion.

I really can't limit it to "This Season".  The past six years have been exciting.  Four high school basketball seasons and two junior high seasons.  But, the 2011-2012 Season has been one of the best. 

It's hard to believe that last night Brooke played her last High School basketball game.  I have been very lucky to be a part of her cheering section.  Even though it is from the sidelines I have shared her accomplishments, the joy, the tears, and can't begin to explain the amount of pride I have when I look at the person Brooke has become.

Junior Year

The Lady Hornets set records and kicked butt this year.  They finished the season in a tough, close Regional Quarterfinal game against a very athletic team from Santa Anna.  But when you are that far into the playoffs - all of the teams are good.  That's why they're there.  The Lady Hornets claimed the titles of Area and District Champions.  Had a 25-5 season, with a 22 game win streak, and two players were selected to take part in the All Star East vs. West game this summer.  Brooke is one of them!!  

This group of seniors played each game with heart and soul.  They shared their desire to win and their competitive spirit with each of their teammates, and that combination made for an amazing Basketball Family ~ The 2011-2012 Lady Hornets!



And although it was hard to see it come to an end...
...It has definitely been an amazing journey.  Good Luck next year Ladies. 

See you in Lubbock!

Until next time...
We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style!

My Dad

My Dad
By: Melissa Townley

You've stood there with a peaceful smile,

Calm and collective because that's your style.

In the shadows and behind the scenes,

Your hurting heart and tears were never seen.

An hour drive for a quick hello;

I love you through the car window.

Through difficult times and obstacles;

Even while facing unwinnable battles.

Your peace didn't budge, your spirit never wavered,

The love and compassion you possess never altered.

Though I might not have realized it years ago,

But now,  it's your footsteps I hope to follow.

To be more like you would be such an honor

Because all of my life, you have been the best father.

Love you Dad

Peace Interrupted

On Tuesday, January 3, 2012, My Aunt and Uncle watched as volunteer firemen worked all night, putting out the flames that destroyed their home. 

Peace Interrupted

Dedicated to Dan & Kelly Olson

There was no warning, No sign that said beware.

The flames they were not picky, The fire, it did not care

That the home it was destroying

Was filled with thirty years of living

A life we built together, you, me,

The children - Our Family.

The walls, they crumbled. The roof, it fell,

Turning our home into a vision of Hell.

Now here we stand sifting through ashes

Soot on our hands and tears on our faces,

With hopes of finding something - anything

Left untouched by the flames that went raging

Through our home, and in every room.

The fire tried it's best to consume

Everything that stood in its path.

Each room of our home suffered its wrath.

But no matter how hot, no matter how strong

The flames could not take everything that belonged.

Our lives are only momentarily disrupted

By a beast that raged and peace interrupted.

We have each other and we have love,

We have hearts full of memories and help from above.

Those things, the fire could not steal,

And together, our pain will begin to heal.

We will rebuild, we will overcome

Our lives will not be left undone.

Live, Laugh & Love

So here is Part II...
...to the Dr. Pepper IV STAT

Like I mentioned before, Melissa and I weren't very serious about the doctor visit the other day.  We laughed and joked the entire time she was getting the iron infusion.  You know the delightfully, tacky ladies who talk too much, laugh too loud, but you just can't help but keep listening to them and you try not to laugh because they are being obnoxious, but you just can't help yourself.  Yep, that's us.  But all laughing aside, I did take in the seriousness of those around me that day, and reflect on how we should be thankful for our gift of life.

The majority of the individuals in the infusion room were there for the same reason, chemotherapy.  A treatment for a disease we have all been personally affected by whether it is family, friends, or yourself.  While medicine has advanced and cancer is being treated and even cured, the disease continues to take the lives of the ones we love.

I watched and listened to those around me that day, and thought about how much of a person's life cancer steals.  It isn't just a couple of days trying to get over a cold.  Cancer consumes your life. 

One of the patients was there for chemo., and it apparently affected him worse than others there that day.  He sat there with his two companions he knew too well, the IV pole and a little blue bag for vomit.  Although, he continued to get sick in a room filled with strangers and acquaintances, he seemed to be in good spirits, and continued to tell the nurse, "Now that I got rid of that, I'll take that shot of whiskey."

Another man was there for what he thought would be a final follow-up visit with the doctor, he had taken his last chemotherapy treatment the week before.  He angrily accepted the truth, when he was told another round of treatment was needed the cancer was still there.

Sitting next to us, a elderly woman was waiting to visit with the doctor.  She was going to come back in for another round of chemo.  She was a spunky little lady, and was definately not allowing the disease take her spirit away.  They called her name, and she walked down the hall to hear her fate.  When she returned, I immediately noticed the tears.  As she wiped them away, she said, "I can't make my eyes stop."  And in the next second, through laughter, she told everyone around her news.  The cancer had not spread, her scans were good, her labs were good, and the cancer was responding to the treatment.  Her beautiful smile lit up the room as she told every nurse and every patient around her.  She laughed through the tears.  I found myself caught up with her news, and could feel the tears trying to show in my eyes.  I was laughing and wanting to cry with this complete stranger like I knew her for years.

Others walked in, appearing very healthy.  Some entered the infusion room for their first time, and their face - an expression of fear.  Another arrived in a wheelchair, it was obvious cancer had taken its toll on her.  Bald heads, spikey wigs, those just happy to be alive, and others longing for the end, many different types of people entered that room while were there, and it really got me thinking...

Life is precious, live it to the fullest, laugh often, and love those around you. 

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

Dr. Pepper IV STAT

I'll take a Dr. Pepper IV STAT please...
...Or perhaps a little bit of iron will do the trick.

Part I:  So quite sometime ago, a friend and I went in to the Carter mobile unit to donate blood.  She didn't make it through the screening section - yep, that's right, she was a Carter Reject.  The told her she was anemic.  You know the drill, Dr visit here, draw blood, Dr visit there, draw blood, run this test, run that test.  It took a little while to figure out that what she needed was an iron infusion.

I made the journey with her, in case she needed a driver (which she did), and since neither one of us can take to many things serious we made a joke of the entire morning.  The IV bag looked like it was filled with Dr. Pepper.  Which is a great photo op.  So, after having the nurse position the IV pole just right to avoid glare from the window, she snapped a picture.  Then the BIG question..."Will this make me look like an oompa loompa?"  I'm not so sure the nurse knew quite what to think. 

Three and half hours later, the bag was finished, and it was time for us to head back to the office.  Out the door we went, everything appeared fine.  I jump in the passenger seat and Melissa to the driver's seat.  (Not thinking a thing about the bag of iron, bag of steroids, and benedryl injection she received)  It didn't even take a block for us to realize, I really should be doing the driving.  I don't know if it was the giggles, the don't give a crap feeling, the long gaze at the medical supply boutique, or the discussion of whether or not Melissa really stopped at the stop sign that made us realize she was in NO condition to drive. 

Of course, we switched seats and with me in the driver's seat, we made it safely back to the Ville. 

Until next time...

...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

Wings to Take You Home

I went to visit you the other day

Even though it is just a grave.

I talked to you until the sun went away,

And the skies of blue began turning gray.

My thoughts, my words traveled above

Carried to Heaven on the wings of a dove.

Even though your home is in another place,

Every corner, every road I see your face.

It’s been a little while, but still seems untrue

I often wonder what am I to do?

In my mind you were never going to leave,

But you did, and I still don’t want to believe.

That the strongest woman I have ever known,

Was given wings to fly on home.