Once again I am looking for something I have put in a safe place. I left a diamond earring with my brother George to have repaired at our jeweler in Kansas City a year ago. It has been a while, but I think he returned it to me when he came for Christmas. I remember him giving it to me, and I remember bringing it home. That is where the trail goes cold. As you have guessed, I can't find it.

Sunday morning I went to the armoire to get a necklace to wear to church. My eye caught the gleam of the other earring laying by itself. Since it is the only pair of diamond earrings I own, I spent several minutes looking for the mate. Panic immediately seized my heart. I didn't have time for an all out search, so when I returned from church I began looking. I don't know why I put myself through this. The last time I couldn't find a necklace it took me eight months to find it.

It wouldn't matter about the cost, as I hide things from myself on a regular basis. Whether it is a piece of paper, a bill, the TV remote, I get tired of searching for things. I know it is just my age. And I know it will get worse. Perish the thought. I guess I will have to keep yet another list of where I put things so when they go missing I can find them quicker.

Hopefully I am not the only one who goes through this. What is the last thing you put in a safe place then couldn't find?

Until next time,
Becky
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Today is my mom's 75th birthday. It isn't every woman who can say that her mother is also her best friend, so of course I am spending my day with her. Since Rocky so recently passed away, it didn't seem right to have a big milestone birthday celebration like we did for her 70th, so she will just have to hang around for her 80th.

God bless you on your special day mom, and as your only daughter, I appreciate the years of love, care, and prayer you have given me. You are the matriarch of our family now, and there isn't anyone better who could fill that role. The faith, goodness, and love that you give to others makes us feel loved and special. On this your special day, may you feel honored and loved by all who are fortunate to call you mom, grandma, great grandma, and friend.

I hope that you are bombarded with phone calls, cards, and emails from all over the world. May you have and enjoy many more birthdays, and may you always receive back ten fold the love you give to others.

I love you,
Becky
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For many years I have marveled at the old homeplaces along the countryside. Once full of love and families they now sit abandoned and neglected. Weeds have grown up around the houses and outbuildings, the roofs sag, and the windows are broken. It always makes me sad. When I began flower gardening years ago I began watching for the spots of blooming color that adorn the morning and evening commute. This can take up to two hours depending on where we are working for the day, so the flowers and flowering bushes are always a joy.

I have tried to grow many old garden variety flowers and bushes. After several years of pampering, tending and struggle many just give up and die. It is odd that so many abandoned homeplaces around the area are still adorned with flowers planted lovingly years ago. They grow among weeds without tending, bloom in spite of drought, heat, and wind, yet are still beautiful. It is a good life lesson. We have all heard the saying ''Bloom where you're planted.'' When I spot one of the old floral borders, mock oranges, lilac bushes, peonies, climbing roses and iris blooming bravely among the weeds it always thrills me. It is a good lesson in blooming where you're planted in spite of struggle and hardship. Beauty is always more visible among the thorns and weeds than in a well tended garden among other beautiful blooms.

I often think I am not making a difference in the world, and that the efforts I put forth to minister to others go unnoticed. Then I think of the abandoned homestead along the side of the road where small spots of color bloom against all odds. That gives me hope and a strong lesson in persistence and joy. The blooms reach toward the sky, dance in the wind, and bless all who happen to notice. A very good thing.

Today, be a spot of color among the weeds. What a joy you will be to all who pass by.

Until next time,
Becky
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There is a saying, ''If you aim at nothing, you're going to hit it.'' Since Rocky died I have added quite a bit to my already full plate. Success will depend on good planning. We have the annual memorial powermeet to plan as well as a scholarship fund to set up. In themselves, those two things aren't such a lot to plan, and once the initial planning is over it will just be a matter of keeping things in place each year. But...Mom and I have been asked to go to the powermeets that Rocky's team attends to speak about his annual meet. That means choosing the Rockstar trophy and getting it here to take with us. We thought that we would have months to do that, instead of just two weeks. So, I have to get in contact with Rocky's coach to see how many awards he thinks we will have to plan on, as well as what the events are. It will be a crash course in powerlifting.

Since mom really doesn't want to speak, it will most likely fall to Rocky's daughter Holly and me. We will see how things play out. In the mean time, life goes on. Today I will be traveling to Jefferson City to begin the next phase of fraudulent document training. This one will be easier to manage, as it won't be two solid months of travel and teaching each week. Because of summer vacations, the teaching schedule will be spread out over five months.

Since this is kick butt Monday, I had better get started. I have to be on the road in an hour.

Until next time,
Becky
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Many of us have wondered if anyone would attend our funeral or service when we die. One of our pastors years ago said at the funeral of one of our church members, "A dead man has already preached his own funeral." As I have traveled through this life, I have found this to be true. Rocky was an unassuming, humble, tender hearted man. He enjoyed people, and had a way of drawing them into conversation and making them feel important. When people slighted him he never made an issue of it. He loved teasing people, and he usually had good advice when asked, but didn't offer it otherwise.

The response we have had to Rocky's death has been awesome. People from all walks of life have expressed what his life had meant to them and the love they felt for him. From the people he transported to medical appointments to the doctors who treated and cared for him, the folks at the gym and his powerlifting teammates, friends and family....he made an impact on people. Rocky didn't have fancy degrees or titles, just a big heart. He lived his life with integrity and cared about others. He was a big man with a bigger heart, often crying over losing a critter or awed by the splendor and miracle of nature. He loved his family and friends. He cared about people.

The best way to honor the life of a man like Rocky is to live life...to the fullest. Laugh. Love. Strive to do your best, whatever the circumstance and in spite of how you feel. Reach for the stars and take the time to enjoy their beauty in the canopy of the night sky. Rocky set the bar. Champion of the common man yes, yet he was no ordinary man. You could count of him. He was solid.

The memorial shirts we put together for Rocky's service bear the tag line for his memorial meet and the Rock Star trophy to be awarded each year: ROCK STAR, ROCK SOLID.

Get out there and live life!
Until next time,
Becky
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After two weeks of planning, long distance phone calls to coordinate efforts, and hours of brainstorming to implement everyones' wishes, friends and family gathered at The Firm Saturday afternoon for Rocky's memorial service. It was amazing. From the time my brother John, his wife Barbara and I entered the gym three hours before the service I could feel the change. The owner, Craig Harrison, and the members of the powerlifting team were dismantling the massive pieces of weight lifting equipment so we could set up the chairs. Rocky's daughters and I set up the platform after the team loaded the deadlift bar with Rocky's world record weight of 285 pounds for the Master class in the 70-74 year old category. They used hydraulic lifts to elevate the bar, which was loaded with the special bright yellow weights that are reserved for meets. We placed a black drape over the bar and covered the column where Rocky's urn would rest behind the bar in black. On the left of the stage was two milk cans, representing Rocky's start in weight lifting over fifty years ago. To the right was his bag, which he had packed and ready for his next powerlifting meet, the blocks he used to rest his feet on when he bench pressed, (Rocky made the wooden blocks himself because his legs were too short to reach the floor, giving him much needed leverage.), his shoes, and Titan unitard. The gym, usually a lively place full of people with music blaring was hushed and still. People worked to set up the memory table with all of Rocky's favorite things, the seating area, all of the audio and visual equipment, and testing that out to make sure everything would run smoothly.

My son Jonathan had an idea for memorial T-shirts to give to the immediate family members and the powerlifting team for the service. This was a secret between my son, Rocky's daughter Holly and myself. Holly and I collaborated on the design and she made them. We presented them to everyone Friday night after dinner. I think mom was pleased, as were all who received them. My brother John will most likely post pictures on his blog. We all wore them to the service in Rocky's honor.

It was a beautiful service, lovingly delivered by all who had a part. We were especially proud of John, the powerteam, and David Ball who represented our church and sang. We laughed, cried, and celebrated Rocky's life. It was indeed a fitting farewell to the champion of the common man, Rocky "Rockstar" Rockenbach. He would have been surprised to hear the loving tributes from all who attended....but then I think he did, after all he had the best seat in the house.........

Until next time,
Becky
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Saturday is fast approaching. So many plans are still in the works for Rocky's memorial service, and time is ticking. Today I will be taking off at noon to finish some of the last minute details. Tomorrow I will be free to clean and handle any unforeseen problems and loose ends.

Mom has been sorting and cleaning, and basically getting ready for the dozens of people who will be traveling to Smalltown tomorrow. We have small homes, so it will be a matter of the walls expanding to hold all the love. I live in my grandma and grandpa's old home, and it is just fine for me. All of the years I visited them here, there was a cross stitched sampler grandma had made hanging by the front door. I have always remembered the words... "Dear house you are so very small, just big enough for love, that's all." So, as folks begin arriving it may be standing room only, but our homes will be full of love.

It may be a few days before I can post again, but I wanted to thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, cards, calls, and emails. You never know how much you are loved and cared for until times such as this. Heartache is lessened when others share your pain. I know that we will have much to report once everyone has gone home. God bless all of you.

Until next time,
Becky
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Three days last week I was in Jefferson City, which seemed to pass slowly. The weekend, on the other hand passed too quickly. This morning a blanket of darkness holds dawn at bay, but Napoleon has been awake for hours. He calls plaintively into the night, whether for a mate or for daylight I am not sure. Napoleon is highly independent, but loves company. Without a mate to share his life, he waits in the tree each morning until it is light enough to fly to the ground. When I let my Chicky out of the garage and mom opens the garage door for her three outdoor cats he is happy. As the cats make their rounds Napoleon can be seen following them, in his aloof and regal manner.

As friends and family visited during Rocky's illness Napoleon has been a hit. He fanned his tail and posed for pictures, which was a joy for all. Seeing pictures or reading about him is one thing but it doesn't prepare you for the reality.

This week mom and I are preparing for family who will be arriving on Friday for Rocky's memorial service on Saturday. There is a lot to do, but having all of our loved ones and friends here to remember Rocky and celebrate his life will be a joy. John is still working on the DVD he is making for the service, so remember to pray for him. It has been a monumental task to complete in so short a time, but I know it will do Rocky proud.

I hope that you have a good Monday and the week goes well for you. Night has given way to thick fog hovering in the trees of the big woods, so it is time for a cup of coffee while I wait for Napoelon to fly down from his lofty perch. Oh yes, then there is that get ready for work thing.

Until next time,
Becky
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