And the stockings were hung by the Chimney with care

Garner Family Christmas Prose 2015

Lea is 11, in 6^th grade, and a Musical Magnifique.

She plays the clarinet. Her voice is stunningly unique.

She spends her time writing songs and performing them out loud.

She is Amaryllis in The Music Man, which she’ll perform in front of a big crowd.

Giles is 13, and had an amazing shot during deer season.

He’s back into yoyos. Who really knows the reason?

He practices and practices, then shows everyone his skills.

He plays Call of Duty online, and brags about his zombie kills

Maya’s a sophomore, and for school she hates to be late.

She hangs out with her friends, and this year had her first date.

She said it was the best day ever, I reminded her, the best day “yet”.

Singing with an impeccable voice, a sweet daughter, she’s the best we could get.

True is a senior, and can’t wait to leave the nest.

Every day after school is another hunting quest.

He hunts ducks, geese, and elk, but his favorite is deer.

With the 1^st Black ½ Charolais, he won Grand Champion 4-H Steer.

Cyrus spent the fall as a junior at the U of O.

Loving Moby Dick and despising Beowolf.

The day his Bob Dylan boxset came was his favorite.

With his beautiful girlfriend, McKayla, his future’s looking bright.

As a rancher, Harlen’s busy keeping everything running smooth

And if you have been around here, you know it is the truth.

He finds time to fit in some hunting in between all the kids’ games.

Then he helps them raise their steers, and enjoys watching their acclaim.

As a mom I love it, and I am not usually one to brag.

But if they gave out an award for the best kids, I’d have it in the bag.

In the summer, Cyrus and I went to a concert, Mumford & Sons.

I am back into politics. I know everything about everyone who runs.

Our family would like to wish yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The reason for this season isn’t a puzzle, but perfectly clear.

It isn’t the gifts that you receive, but the ones that you can give.

It isn’t the life that you have had, so far, but the one that you can live.

There isn’t a day that goes by that Loughlin and Rhiannon aren’t in our minds.

And we are so grateful for the love and memories that will forever bind.

Lucky

This is my dog Lucky. He has been my best buddy during the day since just months after Loughlin died. He greets me every morning, every time I come home and he was always the best security system money could buy. He was so sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly. The day we left for my Aunt's funeral some horrible Asshat neighbors shot him dead. They didn't even call. They lied about him chasing their non existing chickens. Their female dog came over to our house in heat and Lucky followed her home. They shot him dead. What kind of people do this? What kind of laws let someone do this. I miss him every moment here. Everyone loved lucky, from the post lady, to the Fed Ex and UPS delivery guy. In fact everyone that came to our house. I am heartbroken. He was 3 legged and the sweetest lab on the planet. Who is there now to cheer me up when I can't do it anymore? I have so much anger and hate in my heart right now. It is hard for me to stay smart. So sad. :(

The Poem I wrote for my Aunt Mary's funeral. I wrote it for her. It isn't what I beleive

When a life is lost

There is a physical cost,

A longing, a yearning a complete heartache.

Yet, Hope is on the horizon, like the sun at daybreak.

The future holds a promise from heaven above.

Offered from our Savior, out of pure, unadulterated love.

He knelt at the Garden of Gethsemane while his friends slept.

He took upon himself all our sins and pain, while the angels wept.

Christ gave his own life so we could forever live,

In God’s presence a gift, He could only give.

So our families will dwell in the eternities together.

Because love never ends but goes on and on forever.

If only we would live our lives in service of one another.

Giving all we have and sharing it with our brothers.

Mary was a Saint who helped anyone in need.

She never followed, but always took the lead,

Her family was her greatest joy, it extended very wide.

Her sons took the greatest part, always by her side.

The daughters she later called her own

The bond was firmly sown.

Her grandchildren she loved each one for who they are..

Her Sisters and her Brothers, in her mind, were never far.

She happily took care of Harvey after her mom passed away.

Losing Susie and her mom were certainly the saddest days.

Her reach didn’t end there but touched the hearts of many friends.

Her influence as an Aunt will never, ever end.

You see Mary was exactly what He meant when He said, “Come follow me”,

And what we all strive to be when we are on bended knee.

Her presence will be forever missed.

We will always remember that last hug and that last kiss.

My Aunt Mary

Last night, after a long hard battle, I lost one of the most important people in my life. She had been fighting congestive heart failure for 20 years. She made it 14 years longer than they gave her, but for me it could never be enough. My Aunt Mary was always there for me. She wasn't afraid to tell me when I was screwing up my life , yet she was always there when it seemed my life was falling apart. She was one of the very few people I got to share Rhiannon with. She babysat for me during my high school graduation, and even though I moved away she never left my side or my heart. I loved her so much, and she always let me know, she loved me. The picture is of her and her 3 incredible sons that always treated her like the star she was. I am gong to miss her more than I could ever explain. On the sweetness scale she scored a high 10. She solved most her problems with kindness and her family never had to wonder if they were loved. Look at her smile and you  will know how she lived her life. The tears won't stop. She said my name as she was passing and I wish I would have been there. 

I will love you forever Mary.

I can see where it happened

From my kitchen window I can see where Loughlin died. So time and time again while I eat or work on the computer or do homework with the kids or just relax with a hot cup of coffee, I see that spot. I feel the guilt building like bile in my stomach. I relive the accident minute by minute, second by second. I picture the graphic scene, my children hurt, maimed, dead. I hear the screams of my children for their dad. I hear my screams telling the world what I have done. This is PTSD. Funny I can't remember what time Maya's Dr.'s appointment is, but I can tell you every little element of that moment when our lives were changed forever. Your mind is a funny organ. I wish i had the power to just move those memories, like in Inside Out, into the memory dump, but it isn't that easy.

Life is cruel even when it's great. Cyrus is doing great at school....A's in his upper division classes. True is doing great too plus football is over forever (yeah) and it is goose hunting season. Maya is always having fun in life and she is so beautiful and talented in everthing she tries. Giles is adapting to school in Nyssa great. He is getting great grades and making new friends while keeping his old ones. Lea is blooming. Her voice is like listening to an angel. She has so many friends you can't keep track, but............... The guilt comes in, the I got ripped, or the nicer way I wish I could watch Rhiannon and Loughlin do some of these things. People will have the nerve to tell me I should be happy for what I have left. Sure that is like saying you lost both your legs but you still have your arms. Be happy. No it isn't like that because your legs weren't part of your heart and your soul and your dreams. All of that is gone.

Do I love my kids and all of their achievements? Of course but you don't have to be an intellect to know I can feel both.

My World

My World

My life is spinning out into space.

I think it shows in the lines on my face.

People are pulling and pushing.

If I fall there’s no cushion

Without the pins in it

No matter if you spin it.

There’s no oxygen in this room.

No place for my potential to bloom.

People are scratching and clawing.

My soul’s guilt it keeps gnawing.

If there’s peace I can’t find it.

My mind you can’t wind it

I want to let go

Where no one will know

Me and my dreams,

Frantic it seems.

I’m sending out my SOS.

How did I get to be such a mess?

I heard God is the answer.

I feel He's a cancer,

That only promises gifts,

If you just stay away from the cliff.

But if he is there he is pushing you closer

He is cheating And using a Dozer.

True lost his Baseball Coach early yesterday morning. Sadness all around

Nyssa's beloved Baseball Coach Passes away

Article in Argus Observer on Coach Rick Clark

He touched True's life like no other coach before him. WE will miss him more than words can say.

We love you #BigDawg

And the Beat goes on

Yesterday the kids and I spent 5 hrs at yet another NeuroPsychologist requested by the attorneys. 5 hrs of testing and evaluation. 7 years after the accident they are going to somehow decipher if my kids were affected mentally or socially by the accident. Well I know that I am affected mentally and socially by 7 years of this bullshit. It feels as if you take an ice pick and shove it into my heart and twist it for good measure every time I am asked to put my kids through this. I really hate the process and I have started to hate everyone involved.
This morning I am having a hard time finding my feet. Walking is a chore. Thinking isn't possible. I am spent. I am weary. I am tired. I am BEAT. I give. I don't want to live this life anymore. I would sell myself to get the money my kids need to get through their ailments, just to have this end. Court starts on December 18th for Maya. 7 days before Christmas, 7 years after I killed my son and ruined my kids' lives. 7 seems to be a reoccurring theme. Giles said "I didn't answer the questions right. I am not telling a complete stranger how angry I get" I just do it around my family. It isn't his business. You know what he is RIGHT!

And for all you do gooders out in the small community I live in. Quit talking, Quit judging, Quit bugging, just QUIT!

7 years and 7 favorite things

# 1 Loughlin's very favorite book. Every other one of my children have read it but Lea and I am sure it is just a matter of time until she finds it too.Maya's favorite too. 7 years on the 27th since he has been gone. I thought it would be fun to remember 7
 of his favorite things.

#2 Loughlin's favorite NFL team was the SanDiego Chargers and his favorite player of all time was LaDainian Tomlinson. He wore his jersey all of the time. Days when I miss him most I put it on. I wish I could still smell him but after 7 years it's just memories. ♡

#3 Loughlin had a lot of different favorite foods. He loved Pigs 'n' a blanket for breakfast(Link sausages wrapped in biscuits covered with white sausage gravy). He loved a great Bacon Cheeseburger, but his favorite meal always included Crab & Lobster. He loved to eat at Red Lobster every year for his birthday, and we still try to keep that tradition. When he was baptized they do a spotlight on the kids. He was asked his favorite food....All the other kids said Mac 'n Cheese or PB and J. Loughlin proudly said his was Lobster and Crab. It was pretty funny for an 8 year old who hadn't ate it very often. I miss this smart kid everyday.

#4 Loughlin loved the outdoors. He loved to hunt. The beautiful buck in the picture was his first and only. frown emoticon He loved to pheasant hunt and would even go alone when he couldn't find a partner. He loved to fish. He got that love from his Grandpa and his dad. He didn't only like to catch the fish but he loved to eat them. He would eat a good trout for breakfast when they were camping. True takes after his big brother and his Uncle Stacey. All these men would have had so much fun together. This is one 'favorite' that is so heartbreaking to remember and write about. heart emoticon Loughlin, Grandpa and Stacey are all so missed.

#5 Loughlin loved scouting. He and Cyrus were lucky and got to spend most of their time together because of their ages being so close. This video was of scout camp 2008. They had so much fun there. 

Funny story, one outing the troop went up above Keeney pass for a short hike. They were running back down the mountain and Loughlin gave Cyrus a lil' shove and Cyrus went tumbling. He had cactus quills everywhere. It was all in fun but Lough was scared to come home because he knew how mad I would be that Cyrus got hurt. I was always and overprotective momma bear. I miss you Loughlin and I miss your laugh so much.

#6 Loughlin was an incredible artist. He loved to make anything beautiful. These are 4 pieces we had framed. (The pictures of the art take away from the beauty, they are framed, and hanging down in the boys' room) The first is a Charcoal of an Avalanche. Cyrus loved these pick-ups and Loughlin drew it for him. The other three are scratchboards, T-Rex, Skeleton and the last is a Rino.(my favorite but when we found it it was in bad shape. He was talented in so many ways. My dad was an artist and Loughlin loved the fact that he was like his papa in that aspect.

 

#7 Loughlin loved his family. His two best friends lived right in the same room as him, Cyrus and True. He spent 98% of his time home or on the farm with his family. He was so caring. Even with the little ones he had so much patience. He called Lea his little monkey and she loved to be with him. Loughlin and Cyrus did everything together and True tagged along side. Mayaand Giles were always looking up to their big brother. He was a gentle soul that would have helped anyone in need. Today it has been 7 years since he died. 7 years of missing, 7 years of heartbreak, 7 years of longing., 7 years of remembering, 7 years of tears, 7 years of questions, 7 years of guilt, 7 years of one empty chair at the table, but 7 years of survival.

Just Sad

Sometimes I wake up and I am just sad. The responsibility of my family feels unbearable for my shoulders to handle. My legs grow weary and my back begins to bend with the weight. The guilt lingers in my mind. Lea went with friends for the weekend and with her being gone and Cyrus at school it felt empty, lonely. I am exhausted and I don't ever sleep well anymore. I need a change of scenery, because the Fall is no longer my favorite season. I hate it. My only recluse is football. I watch every game I can get my eyes fixated on. It is a nice distraction, high school, college, NFL.

The Dreams Continue and Sleep Deprivation

I really don't know why the dreams are continuing. I had another dream of True dying in a car accident. I woke up and couldn't or didn't want to go to sleep. The next night I dreamed of Maya dying of cancer. On the wall above her hospital bed was a chalkboard of all the procedures they performed to save her. It was so real that I woke up in a pool of sweat. The next night I dreamed that Lea was kidnapped and for 7 years we searched for her until the sheriff's department found her discarded body. So after 5 nights of no sleep I took a nap today only to wake up in a delusional state because Cyrus had been stabbed by a homeless man when he was giving him some dinner in Eugene. I don't know if a sleeping pill would get me through these long nights, but I am scared to close my eyes. My subconscious is playing evil tricks on my mind. I do't know how to get rid of it. Tonight might be Giles for he is the only one that has escaped my torment. SOS

Bad Dream

I had a dream last night. I received a call from the hospital that Loughlin had been in a roll over, but that he was going to make it. We sped down to the hospital only to find that he had walked out of his room only to collapse on the sidewalk and die, but it wasn't Loughlin after all , but True. He had been in a jeep that had over corrected and flipped. Well I woke up sobbing, uncontrollably sobbing. Of course True is fine and it was only a dream, but dreams can be so real sometimes and losing any one else in my family would be the end of me.

Yesterday I had counseling and I spoke of my guilt, my horrible guilt about the accident. It is still so strong. Every time something happens that is hooked to the accident, the guilt makes a return. It weighs so heavy on my conscience. It makes my anxiety show it's ugly head. It brings the depression back. It happens because Maya can't play volleyball or because Cyrus has a hard time walking to all of his classes at college. I think," I did this, I did this all." If not for me, life would still be normal, happy for everyone. If not for me not seeing that farm truck our life would be an eternal bliss. I am not naive. I know this isn't the case but my guilt ridden soul doesn't know this. My soul who sees that God punishes the evil and rewards the good. (Just kidding hahahahahahah) I don't really think God gives a shit about what happens on this earth. Smite me oh mighty Smiter. I am not afraid of a non-existent entity that way to many people blame as they judge harshly and throw away the "sinners" of this earth.  I wish my life was different. I wish at the movies we had 9+1 (Kevin ) sitting on the row eating popcorn and laughing out loud, but it is what it is, and I am slowly learning to adapt to my new surroundings. I will never love this new existence, but I will live on to tell my tale.

Just another Lump in the Road

For the last week I have been fighting thoughts of my demise, but they were premature to say the least. I had a mammogram last Wednesday and they found a large mass on my breast. I told a few people including Harlen about it. It seemed the longest week and I didn't have very many positive thoughts on the outcome. My life has been more than challenging, I was prepared for another one.

But the lump was a benign cyst and I live to torment my readers on the blogosphere for years to come. I was surprised how much fun I could have with my family through the midst of the unknown. We traveled to Eugene and watched the University of Utah (my favorite college team since I was 6) play the Ducks of Oregon. The first quarter was a great game, but then Utah trounced the Ducks. It wasn't even enjoyable at that score. But being with my family was so unforgettable. Harlen's best friends from school were there too. Cyrus is going to school at the U of O now in Eugene

 
 

Another thought.............

I can’t breathe any air.

Have I ever been so scared?

Sure I have faced so many trials.

Walked alone for countless miles.

Felt loss of ones that are close.

Abuse, I felt more than a dose.

I never thought that this would be me.

A large mass the doctor would see.

How can I think about leaving?

God is not worth believing.

My kids need me, at least that’s what I thought.

No hope is the reflective state I have caught.

I don’t have a great record of luck.

In fact you could say it really quite sucks.

So how do I stay on a positive track?

When any kind of expectation I lack.

And the cards in the deck feel stacked,

Against the crux of my back,

The amount of luggage I pack,

Would make others slack.

I am nauseated and sick.

My feelings seem jumbled and thick.

Tomorrow is the day I will know.

I hear the whisper as the wind blows.

Maya's last stand

Last week Maya's Neuropsychologist decided because of the chance of Maya furthering her head injury, she could no longer play sports. She had been hit in the head with the ball and experienced dizziness, nausea, headache and blurred vision.

She is half way through her volleyball season and doing so well. She made the JV team as a Sophomore.

















Her serve was unstoppable. So last night she played her last game. After she was crying, the team was crying, I was crying and even Harlen had tears in his eyes. She can still travel with them but how hard?

My heart is aching. For a mom who wants to protect her kids from everything, I sure am doing a completely abhorrent job.

Loughlin's Birthday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci5D5r6ZjXA

Green Day, "Wake me up when September Ends"

Loughlin's favorite group when he passed away

I am feeling like I have a hangover this morning. And wishing that it was a real one, at least I would have had some reprieve from the anguish I am feeling this week. I have been sleeping like hell lately, again. I have a hard time going to sleep and when I wake up in the night I can't go back to sleep because the guilt and grief hit me like a ton of hay. It's that time of year again. It will last 2 months then I will go back to, the life moves on even without you stage. 

Loughlin would be 22 yrs old today. I could put up some pictures of him but I have used most of what I have. It would just feel like a re-run. I hate re-runs. It's depressing to run out of pictures of your son, although I ran out of pictures of Rhiannon after 3 pictures. I did get some pictures from Loughlin's 7th & 8th grade math teacher. It was very kind of him to go back through his pictures to find them. I could use one of them. What a birthday present. (sarcasm) I am down, lower than low. I hope I recover faster than in the past. Cyrus left for the U of O yesterday and it just feels like purgatory here. I need to get my house painted before it turns cold but I barely have enough energy to wash clothes. My dishes are piled up and the house is a mess. I am a mess, but I make it to pick up the kids everyday at school, volleyball games, and True's senior year of football. My priorities are still in the right place. 

I guess I should wish Lough a Happy Birthday, but he isn't here and I don't pretend well.

Fall is on the Rise

I am in a funk. I spend time that I don't have the liberty to waste thinking about what is and what could have or should have been. I watch my kids grow, change, evolve, move, and I feel robbed, raped, tortured. I am sure most parents watch with glee the accomplishments of their children, not me. I am happy for them but it is always tinged with a guilt and emptiness because I missed so much in Loughlin's and Rhiannon's life. I went to Math night with Giles and on the wall was the teacher's previous classes pictures. There was Loughlin in 2006-7 year and 2007-8 year. He was so happy, having such a great time, like he was most of his life. It cut a slice out of my soul and left it in my gut to digest, but that wasn't enough there was Cyrus too, so happy, joking, being the class clown. I lost that son on October 27,2008 also. He will never be that carefree kid again. He is here and I love him so much but he is ME. He is serious and cynical. He trusts nothing. His innocence was stolen from him. His heart was pillaged. His childhood perished in a crushed jumble of metal. Then he was judged, torn apart and thrown in a heep of yesterdays.

The seasons are changing again. Fall means harvest and hunting. Leaves are changing colors and it seems my mood changes with it from green to yellow to blood red. School started. True is a Senior, Maya a Sophomore, Giles is in the last grade Loughlin finished, 8th and my baby Lea started 6th grade. The triggers are going off like an AK-47.

Oh I miss him

3 blogs in one day but I just want to say I MISS YOU LOUGHLIN

One Person's Miracle is another's miserable truth.

I feel guilty. I hate feeling guilty. I believe guilt is a tool of religion to keep people in line with how other's believe they should live. Yet I am feeling it because of my own feelings. Are these feelings selfish? I guess other's would be shocked to hear my feelings. They would die to feel my feelings. Feelings are feelings. I don't believe I have much control over my feelings. Sure someone else was in a terrible accident near my home. I drove by it with my girl. The car was mangled. The son was life-flighted to Boise. He is hurt but he is going to make it. Seems fair? Seems right? If you could feel the rock in the pit of my stomach. The nausea rising up in my throat. I should just puke. My legs like jello, wobbly. My head is swimming in a cesspool of mumbled squalor. Nothing is explainable, in fact this life is nonsensical. God am I that bad? God, what God? Rhiannon she didn't make it. Dead. Cold. Gone. That wasn't quite enough though. My son next. That was a car accident too right? But oh that God of yours he must LOVE me so very much. Hate. Dead. Cold. Gone. Should I be angry that Loughlin was taken and not him? No probably not, but I am. I am pissed.I know it sounds like I wish he had died but if you believe that you haven't ever listened. I don't want him dead. I want my kids ALIVE. It's not one or the other? or is it?
 I could use something to numb this existence. My mind grows weary. My heart has lost far too much blood to keep up with the beating. My soul is tattered like that of the beggars shoes. My hands shake for I know not what to do with them. My eyes blurred from the tears. My ears have deafened for I tire of your lies. Let me be. Let me cry. Let me feel sorry for myself. I think I can do that once in a while. I don't deserve but I don't give a shit.

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons Walla Walla Washington August 2015

This last Friday Cyrus , McKayla and I got to travel to Walla Walla Washington to listen to my favorite new group perform in an open field. There were around 25,000 people there. We were packed into this venue like sardines. I don't do crowds well. I don't like strangers touching, talking to me. I was miserable for about an hour waiting for the group to set up but then Mark Munford started playing, then the band followed. I felt chills run down my spine. I was completely mesmerized. I felt like a teenage girl listening to John Lennon for the first time, except I wasn't screaming like a banshee and tearing my hair out. His voice touched my soul. I did tear up. This music, this music that was being played right in front of me had got me through so many dark days, so many sleepless nights, so many "I can't make it another minute without my son"  . I felt silly but I couldn't hold back my emotions. I wanted to really thank him for writing such heartfelt songs. I wanted to thank him for playing a part in getting me through my life. It was the best 3 1/2 hours I have spent in years. WOW I wish everyone could have heard them. I am going to add some of their songs to my playlist on the blog for you to enjoy.

Random Act of Kindness

Fair was this week for our family. It is a long week. Usually nothing spectacular happens but this year True won Grand Champion 4-H Steer and Reserve Champion overall.

Another incredible thing happened, The steer sale was a little slow and Lea's steer was up for sale. No one was bidding on it and I was in a jam (I hadn't got enough sponsors to cover all 4 of our kids' steers) I felt horrible. My baby girl was out there in front of the world with only one bid. A man that I have had hard feelings about for a while stepped up and bought Lea's steer. Every time I think about it, it brings tears to my eyes. It was certainly a very large random act of kindness. I am very touched.

Thank you! 

My baby Lea turned 11 this week.

My baby girl turned 11 this week.

Talk about a live wire....
She could wear down the best of them.












She is a great softball pitcher.

She is dramatic in the literal sense. She has a beautiful voice.

She is always happy.

She is fun and funny.


She is brave and friendly to everyone she knows. I love her so very much. She really was my miracle.

She keeps me going when I want to give up, with a "Mom, it will be alright, " or "Mom I love you so much". She really is a keeper.