It's been a while

It's been a while since I've written in the blog; I haven't been as faithful about updating as often as I thought originally. Oh, well. No big deal.

Speaking of blogs, my friend Brian told me today that he's set up a couple of blogs for his trip to India, which will be coming up in about a month. He told me that he set up a personal blog for himself and then one for the entire group. Brian also said that he's amazed at how easy Blogger is to use and that it's free. I'm inclined to agree.

The past couple of weeks have been pretty busy for me, so that's part of the reason why I haven't updated this blog lately. You could also say that I've been kind of lazy, too. As much as I enjoy writing and telling stories, sometimes writing is one of the last things I want to do when I get home from doing it all day at the office. My blog shouldn't feel too, bad, though - I haven't been paying very much attention to my memoir, either. ;-)

Working at the "Brookings Register" isn't the only thing that's kept me busy over the past few weeks, of course. I've also been spending a lot of time with my dad (which is good), working out (walking, lifting weights), and spending time with friends. All of those things and people have helped keep my mind and hands busy, and I think that it's helped me move through the grieving process resulting from my mom's death a couple of weeks ago.

Something else that's really helped me out a lot, too, I believe, has been spending more time in meditation and prayer. I guess that I've done those things sporadically throughout my life, but I have to admit that I haven't put as much effort into those activities as I have in the past several days. I can't point to any specific outcomes of the time I've spent praying and meditating, but I can say that in a lot of ways, I feel more emotionally stable and peaceful than than I have in years. That in an of itself is a good enough reason to take five or 10 minutes each day, either early in the morning, late at night, or both, to just sit and talk to the Creator.

For whatever reason, though, I'm happy to say that I honestly feel more like an adult and stronger than I have in years. Part of it could be the influence of my prayers and the prayers that others have offered up on my behalf, and part of it could be choices that I've made recently to not worry so much and to be more confident. I think that, for perhaps the first time in my life, I'm starting to understand some important basics about life. I'm believing now more than ever that I really do have a purpose in this life after all, and that everything will unfold as it should. Everything happens for a reason. There's always a chance that I'll lapse back into my old anxieties about how much of what happens in this life is up to us and how much is preordained, but I can say now that I have a renewed sense that everything works itself out in the end.

Honoring our parents

We buried my mother this morning. I never imagined that I'd write such words during my young adulthood, but the chill of the snow and today's fall breezes has quickened my senses to such a reality.

As I sit here at my keyboard wrapping up the day's business, my thoughts keep returning to something that a dear friend of mine - an older gentleman who has been a mentor and big brother to me in the nearly eight years that I've known him - shared with me on Saturday. Before we prayed together, he shared his thoughts on how we can best honor our parents.

Speaking as a parent himself, he told me that he feels that the best way that we can honor our parents is by living and walking in harmony with the values and lessons that they have passed on to us. In so doing, we not only honor our parents; we also keep their memories alive.

In my case, then, honoring my mother will mean adhering to principles that she taught me over the years. Most of those teachings came to me through observation - by watching her actions as she went about the business of daily life.

Mom was a deeply-committed woman in many respects. She was married to my dad for 41 years, from 1964 until her passing this week. Though my parents' marriage surely faced many trials over that span of time, Mom stuck by Dad through thick and thin. Mom was no less committed to me, regardless of how many times we may have butted heads over the years. She supported me in the endeavors of my youth and young adulthood, and was a tireless supporter and advocate for me during my struggle with leukemia six years ago.

Her commitment didn't end when she left the confines of the homes that our family shared. She worked for a local rural electric cooperative for 37 years. Mom began working for the organization in 1966, and remained loyal to it until her retirement at the end of January of last year. She was also heavily involved with local bowling leagues and was a staunch supporter of South Dakota State University athletics for many years. As the Rev. Bob Jones said during her funeral service this morning, my mother loved people. Being around and serving others was the spark that seemed to ignite the flame of passion within her. And in that way, if no other, Mom provided examples of ways through which a person can live a good, rich and full life.

Though my mother no longer walks the earth in flesh and blood as I do, I take comfort in knowing that she lives on in spirit. Such a realization doesn't change the fact that I miss her and always will, but I am content knowing that she will live on in me and in others whose lives she touched.

Rest in peace

Barbara Ann (Moreland) Whitehead
Sept. 25, 1938 - Nov. 30, 2005

We love you, Mom. Always have and always will...

We all miss you, but we're happy to know that you're at peace now and aren't suffering. Your journey on this path has come to an end, and now you're beginning a new journey. May it be a good one, and know that there are people here on this side and where you are now who love you very much. Take care of yourself, and see you again someday...