"Upsetting the "normal" while creating the beautiful." Annette Kruschek |
That is what went through my mind when I saw my son for the first time... "he is such a little gentleman" The polo shirt so neatly tucked in, collar perfectly flattened and all three buttons buttoned up to his neck.
I sent Dan this picture while I was in China... the picture that made my heart skip a beat, the moment he smiled at me for the very first time. Funny how this picture gave Dan the same feeling... "a little gentleman". Well, I am happy to say that our "Gentleman" has an official name! We are pleased to announce Lewis Grant Kruschek to all of you. The meaning behind this name truly makes me smile with delight and smirk at how God had this name picked in advance and was waiting for just the right moment to turn on the lightbulb in our heads. Dan chose Lewis from the moment he saw his face. He couldn't stop saying the name. I love it because it reminds me of our wedding song, "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. Even though the spelling is different the meaning behind the name is perfect. The middle name is where my Dad comes into play. Even though it has been 3.5 years since my Dad passed, he still seems to get the last word. This past weekend I had the chance to be with my dear friends from high school. This allowed me to revisit some old childhood favorite spots before coming back to Madison. One of my most favorite memories was with my Dad. Just him and I, completely alone, during the school week... just us, (yes, playing hooky). My Dad would back the blue Buick into a a parking stall and point the car towards the shores of Lake Michigan. He would explain how the waves would push in loads of rocks onto the shore. These rocks would get tossed, pushed, and battered. Some rocks would go back out to sea while others would lay upon the sand. Those were the rocks he called, "worry rocks". The waves had pushed them around so much that overtime they had become as smooth as silk. "The smoother the better!" he would say. With my Dad's help we would find the perfect rock and he would promise me that if I rubbed it long enough it would take all my worries away. Each trip to the shores of Lake Michigan I would take only a few hand selected stones. I am proud to say that I have the original stone in my top dresser drawer from our very first trip when I was 10 years old. As I grew older, got married and started a family my Dad would tell me that we should start a business selling these stones. To know my Dad you would know that he was an entrepreneur at heart so this would be a win-win for him! Make some money, get to brag how it was his idea and leave a really neat story behind when he was no longer here. Well Dad, I am not starting a business selling worry stones and I am not letting my kids skip school to drive to Lake Michigan for the perfect worry rock BUT last weekend while walking along the exact spot that you and I did a number of times I could feel your presence. I felt young again, I could picture the blue Buick parked feet away. I instantly knew his middle name... Grant. Where your legacy lives, Grant Park. That is the park that led us to our favorite spot on the shores of Lake Michigan. That is where I feel your presence every time I walk along that section of shore. That is where I go to remember you. That is the middle name of my son. Every time I say his full name, Lewis Grant Kruschek I will think of you and I will smile because you will forever live on. This is why it is so important to remind yourself that great memories don't always entail extravagant detail but rather who you spend those moments with. My most treasured memory with my Dad was free. A handful of smooth rocks. Don't miss out friends on the simplest moments in life with your children because one day they may become a memory that could possibly become priceless.
1 Comment
Vicki
10/27/2016 06:38:17 am
This is fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
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AuthorI am a proud Mother to eight children and a wife to my very best friend. I work hard, play hard and love until it hurts. Archives
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