Now and then, when the mood, moment, or memory flashes before me,

I shall do A Slice of Life. Some you may find interesting,

some you may not. Depends on the moment I guess.

This may also mean reposting a few other things

I have written pertaining to life in or

around myself and family.

**********

It never dawned on me until tonight that the anniversary of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) was assassinated (November 23, 1963) in Dallas, Texas. I waqs all of about 15 when that took place. But this isn't about his death.

Thinking back on that, my mind wandered further back to October 1, 1960. Funny how some things you never seem to forget.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and thousands of people awaited JFK's arrival. I believe the entire city was made up from Demorcats. The day was somewhat cool, and I, like my mother and many others, dressed as warmly as we could. My father took a few Kodak videos of us standing next to each other before he left to find a better spot to video JFK.

Two hours or more we waited. before someone shouted they could see the motocade arriving. When the third car was in sight, even for as cold a day as it was, there sat JFK on the top portion of a back seat waving to the crowd. My mom was super excited, but that was when she went nearr insane with excitement.

Just as his car was about to pass us, she reached out with her hand, and JFK took but a second, but he leaned over to her, grabbed and shook her hand and gave her his best Catholic Irish smile. I thought my mother was going to faint.

Once it was all over, and we were back at our apartment. aqnd JFK shaking her hand was all she could talk about. It was a crazy time for all of us I would now believe, but here is the kicker to this story.

It took five weeks, but finally my father had the video that was transferred from camera to a 16mm reel and we were able at long last to see once more what we had seen in person.

The very first thing we saw was the two of us standing side by side and I blurted out, "Look, mom! I'm taller than you!"

Yes, we watched the reel, also saw things my father captured we couldn't see, but at that moment my first thought is that I was taller than my mother.

Go figure.

And before you ask, I was four inches taller. She stood at 5'1". Yeah, in my own mind, I was a giant!! Grinning.

**********

** My mother, Violet, and our first ever dog, King.

Hey.

I have allowed myself to grow innactive lately, and I would like to apologize for that, to anyone who noticed.

If I'm being completely honest, I can have trouble motivating myself for things I love to do, such as coming on Prose. The longer I stay away, the harder it is to come back, and I can't promise that something liek this won't happen again. Though, if you do enjoy to read what I write, or see my likes/reposts/comments on your posts, then I'll try to be active more often.

That's all I really have to say here. Just remember, you all are awesome.

-Evelyn

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

11/22/2021

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- Seeing my uncle tonight.

- Thanksgiving with my inlaws.

- Beginning to celebrate the Christmas season.

11/23/2021

"What are you grateful for today?"

My family and I sharing a meal last night with my aunt and uncles at Twin Peaks restaurant on their very cool patio.

11/24/2021

"What made you smile or laugh this week?"

- An old Facebook video memory where I interviewed my son when he was a baby.

- One of my students doing a really good impersonation of one of the character voices I do when I read to them.

- My oldest son's unique perspective on the world, which he showed me at Kroger.

11/25/2021

"How did someone help you this week?"

- My Father-In-Law hosting Thanksgiving today.

- The Crossroads journaling community for helping me to continue to grow my faith.

- Grocery store and service workers that put a lot of work in for all of us - thank you!

11/26/2021

Affirmation: "God had me in mind before I was born."

Thank You God for great food and company with family yesterday for Thanksgiving, and thank You for giving me the chance to play a new RPG game too.

11/27/2021

My wife is special because we not only bond over raising children, but we have common interests in gaming and anime that are so much fun to enjoy together.

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

12/27/2021

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- Celebrating Christmas with my parents on the weekend.

- Having an extra day off today.

- New games from Christmas to enjoy.

12/28/2021

"What are you grateful for today?"

A shorter work week for not just this week, but next week too.

12/29/2021

"What made you smile or laugh this week?"

- Sharing laughs with my wife on the way home from work.

- Over the top jokes in a game I was playing.

- My dog's joy from a McDonald's cheeseburger.

12/30/2021

"How did someone help you this week?"

In order to air on the side of caution, Christmas with my parents this weekend is getting delayed until we can get together under better circumstances. My daughter helped me cheer up a bit by making home movie plans with me last night.

12/31/2021

Affirmation: "I trust God."

"Is there anything you would like to thank God for this week?"

Thank You God for being with me through this crazy year that was 2021. Thank You for not giving up on me, especially this later half of the year where I have contended with burn out and exhaustion. Please help me to get back on track in the new year, and please help me to improve in patience, creativity, and kindness. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

- Thank you to anyone that has read any of my work this past year. I wish all of you a safe, prosperous, fun, and very Happy New Year!

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

1/3/2022

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- Having Monday off for a shorter work week.

- Working on goals for the new year.

- Watching Naruto with my wife.

- Writing some new content.

1/4/2022

"What are you grateful for today?"

- The relief when you wake up from a dream that wasn't so great.

- Coffee

- The alarm clock snooze button

1/5/2022

"What made you smile or laugh this week?"

- Finding new devotionals at a local church.

- Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! with my sons.

- Making my daughter laugh with an old voice impression.

1/7/2022

Affirmation: "I am loved by God."

"Is there anything you would like to thank God for this week?"

Thank You Lord for a decent work week, for attainable goals this year, and my day off I am currently enjoying.

1/8/2022

"Think of your partner. My partner is special because...."

My wife and I have shared an exciting journey in our lives, and I enjoyed reminiscing about some of the things we've overcome together in a rare quiet moment in our house this morning.

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

12/13/2021

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- This being the last "normal" week before Christmas week.

- Catching up on holiday traditions I enjoy each year.

- Seeing the new Spider-Man movie on Friday.

12/14/2021

"What are you grateful for today?"

I am thankful that I got a chance to catch up on some Advent devotionals, Advent chocolates, and a writing collaboration. I am also thankful that I got to take my son to the Post Office as part of a project for his schoolwork.

12/16/2021

"How did someone help you this week?"

A student and his family gave me a very generous, and thoughtful Christmas gift.

12/17/2021

Affirmation: "God had me in mind before I was born."

I would like to thank God for helping me through a wild work week in my Pre-K classroom, which is always intense the week before Christmas. I am thankful for the generous gifts I have received from some of my students, the opportunity to see the new Spider-Man movie with my family later this afternoon, for helping me to get my chapter for a collaborative project written, and a little bit of downtime before work next week.

12/18/2021

I am grateful to have been able to see the new Spider-Man movie in theaters with my wife and kids yesterday, and I am thankful for all the other cool Spider-Man experiences we have shared as a family, especially meeting various Spider-Man voice actors (including Josh Keaton, who gave my favorite Spider-Man performances of all time).

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

10/25/2021

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- One more really busy weekend at my seasonal job.

- Seeing the new My Hero Academia movie with my family this weeekend.

- Halloween with my family.

10/26/2021

"What are you grateful for today?"

- Having my co-teacher helping me for one more week before she moves on to a new opportunity.

- My wife shuffling me and the kids to work, school, and extracurricular activities.

- Hobbies

10/27/2021

"What made you smile or laugh this week?"

- Talking to my daughter during the car ride to her volleyball practice.

- Reading funny stories to my class.

- Comic relief in the Bleach manga.

10/28/2021

"How did someone help you this week?"

My co-teacher's last day is today, and I am thankful for her help with getting things organized in the classroom, assisting with class responsibilities, and just being fun to work with. I wish her well in the future!

10/30/2021

It has almost been a year since my wife and I (and possibly kids) had Covid-19. I am thankful to God for healing and helping us get through it.

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

11/29/2021

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- Celebrating Advent through various devotional readings, old and new.

- Watching more holiday specials with my kids (I watched an old Garfield Christmas special from my childhood with them last night).

- Picking up our 2 new kittens on Wednesday.

12/1/2021

"What made you smile or laugh this week?"

- Reading a Christmas themed Elmo book with my class in character.

- Humor from some of my favorite voice actors in their work.

- Nostalgia from the annual Christmas music mixes I listen to each holiday season.

12/2/2021

"How did someone help you this week?"

Our new kittens Hinata and Yachi are warming our hearts and keeping us on our toes.

12/3/2021

Affirmation: "God will never leave me or abandon me."

Thank You God for always being ready to welcome me back, even when I mess up, am not at my best, and fail to give You the attention You deserve. Please help me to do better with making time for You, starting with this prayer and this Advent season.

12/4/2021

As I look forward to seeing the new Spider-Man movie with my family soon, I reflect on how inspiring and fun it has been meeting several voice actors that have played Spider-Man at conventions, including Josh Keaton, Yuri Lowenthal, Robbie Daymond and Quinton Flynn.

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

1/10/2022

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- Time with my brother and sister-in-law.

- One more shorter work week.

- New reading material to dive into.

1/11/2022

"What are you grateful for today?"

Sleep last night, coffee in one of my many teacher mugs, and the fun confusion of today actually being my "Thursday" this week.

1/13/2022

"How did someone help you this week?"

My employer giving me time off on Thursday for a much needed (and appreciated) longer weekend.

1/14/2022

Affirmation: "God has great plans for my life."

Thank You God for safe and smooth travels, and for some time off with my family.

1/15/2022

We were able to celebrate a milestone birthday with a wonderful family friend, and she didn't know we were coming up to surprise her at the party. We had a great time enjoying fellowship with friends that are family.

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

12/6/2021

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- A Christmas themed acting opportunity this weekend.

- Writing ideas that I'm excited to implement.

- Advent/Christmas traditions to enjoy with my family.

12/7/2021

"What are you grateful for today?"

- To witness the end of a great story in a game my wife was playing last night.

- Our new kittens and their goofiness.

- My family to come home to tonight after work.

12/9/2021

"How did someone help you this week?"

- My co-teacher not only being a great help in the classroom, but also keeping an upbeat, positive attitude all day despite the stress.

- My daughter's Girl Scout Troop leader treating her to a meal last night.

12/11/2021

Life has been really hard lately, with what feels like so much to do and limited time to get it done before Christmas, and not being able to just relax and take in the season has been making me feel stressed and sad. However, time with my family, encouraging moments with friends (in person and online), my seasonal job promoting Christmas fun this weekend, and God always being present even when I feel distant - these are all things helping me process my stress and emotions.