We cannot change the cards we are dealt in life....just how we play the hand!

Four years ago (on May 30) I received a phone call no one wants to get and within moments me, mom and dad were on our way to Memphis, Tennessee and not to visit the home of Elvis Presley, but to say goodbye to a sweet, lifelong friend (of 16 years) friend.

Just one month before this detrimental phone call, he was announced ‘Cancer Free.’ I’ll never forget the text that said, “The doctors just told me I’m in remission!!” and I will never forget the fear and utter sadness I felt on the way to the hospital. As we were rushing to get there in time, people were constantly calling to tell us to “hurry, please. Tyler is asking to see Kenze and we don’t know how much longer he will live.” You see, the plan was all along for me to go visit him at home, in Louisiana, and celebrate him being cancer free that weekend, not to say goodbye forever…or until I get to heaven.

As I ran through St. Jude’s Hospital my heart began to get heavier with every step I took. Every sweet child’s face glowed with happiness. Suddenly I thought, How ungrateful am I of everyday life? Just the fact that I am healthy and not sitting in a hospital day in and day out praying for treatments to work, this should suffice my daily life. A moment of sheer disgust in myself, Charlie Brown style: good grief Kenze Brooks!

Finally, as I enter the room I hear his mom say, “Tyler, Kenze is here to see you.” In his dark room filled with so many machines, wires, and tubes; I could instantly see him light up and smile. And in that moment of fear, happiness, sadness, hurt, pain, and so much more filled me.  How do you say hello and goodbye all at the same time?  One thing friends always talk about whether it be to say hello for now or goodbye until we meet again is old times.  Ms. Barbara, Tyler’s mom, used to babysit me, that’s when Tyler and I became the best of friends.  When I had the chickenpox (yes, mom took me to the babysitter even with the pox- another story for another blog), he sat inside on the couch with me all day; which he hated to be inside.  Never did he complain though.  We played together, we napped together and he would always try to keep me safe from his big brother, Barrett haha.  I always called him my Ty Ty cutie pie.

So as I neared his hospital bed and smiling face I said, “hey Ty Ty, I’ve missed you.” He just smiled, but could say nothing.  Me being terrible with words in these types of situations says, “you look good with no hair!”  I got a little chuckle from him.  I chatted about old times for a few minutes, and then suddenly I was at a loss of words.  I just stood over him, knowing he’d soon be completely healed and with Jesus, but the hurt struck my heart for his family.  Death happens, I know this.  Hebrews 9:27 says it is appointed for every man once to die.  But God, why Tyler?  Why now?  All of these thoughts rushed through my mind, all I say is, “I love you.” And as I grabbed his hand, knowing it’d be the last time to be with him on earth, I could see his mouth form the words and with a strained, quiet voice say “I love you too.”  As I leaned down to kiss his cheek I told him, “you’ll always be my Ty Ty cutie pie.”  That was it, hello and goodbye all at once, a whole new meaning of the adage, life isn’t fair became all too clear. 

A couple years later, I read Randy Paush’s book, The Last Lecture, and his final line in his novel was “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” And I immediately thought of Tyler, he was a fighter, never a quitter.  He never let ‘Patrick’ (yes, that is what he named his cancer) get the best of him.  He lived his life to the fullest.  No, he could not change the fact he got cancer, but he did choose to accept it face on.

Four years ago today, I lost one of my best friends.  I am thankful, so thankful for this sweet dear friend that is in my life, if only for a short time.  He set a great example in which I strive to follow.  As I dedicate this post to him, he deserves so much more.  Even if you do not know his family, please pray for them today on this difficult day. To my Ty Ty cutie pie, I love you.

Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture


Kenze 

Wait..a girl who can talk sports?

Hello everyone!

Before we kick off this shindig lets get one thing straight..I am obsessed with sports. Yes, I will be the first one to admit it. And although some people may find it strange and annoying I think my love for sports is what makes me who I am. 

Now that we got passed that lets discuss this whole reading thing. I love these 3 girls to death and their love for books astounds me every day because honestly, I do not read books very often. Luckily they have that covered! The only books you'll catch me reading are biographies of famous athletes (shocker I know). No need to worry..If I happen to read a good sports book this summer I will blog about it. For instance, Hope Solo's book comes out this summer and that is a MUST read for me. 

Here are a few more things about me: I am currently attending Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Tx. I am an Elementary Education major. Kids are one of my other passions. I cannot wait to be a teacher one day. I was born and raised in Arlington, Texas (home of your Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys). I also lived in Sydney Australia for 4 years where I grew to love Rugby and Soccer. I grew up with a family who was very involved with sports and you could say we are pretty competitive (cough, cough). My teams are the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys. I love going to the games and watching them on tv. You could probably ask me anything about the team and I would probably be able to answer it. I enjoy learning knew things about the teams and watching the players live out their dreams on and off the field. Over the past year I have found a love for Soccer especially during the Women's World Cup. I enjoyed watching The US Women's National Team make it to the final and even though they lost their popularity grew tremendously here in the States. Be on the look out for many posts about this team because the Olympics are coming up and I'll be cheering them on to hopefully when the Gold! 

In closing I would like to leave you with one of my favorite sports quotes of all time:

 "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." 

-Vince Lombardi

That sweet southern twang that follows me...

Reader here!

 and yes, I'm one of those Team Edward, Peeta and Katniss, love story gurus and I am not ashamed.  With that being said, I am an English major with a minor in secondary education at SFASU.  I just finished my internship at a nearby high school and after a semester with some great sixteen year olds and a wonderful mentor teacher, I am itching to have a classroom of my own.  Let's just say, teaching is my passion.  If I can be half the English teacher my mom was, I will count myself blessed.  As a future teacher, my hope is to instill the appreciation of literature to my students as my English teacher did for me (mom).  However, a quote that I will cling to in my classroom is, “People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  A quote by John C. Maxwell that I will forever hold true to and make an effort to show my students how much I care for them.  Anywho, enough about school; life really seems to throw me curveballs (no pun intended for our sports fanatic), but I have a God who is mighty, faithful, and amazing-a love that I am so undeserving of, yet so grateful for all at the same time.  No matter what life throws at me, I am prepared. 

A little more about me: I love to have fun, these other three girls are my besties, southeast Texas is my home and my southern twang follows me wherever I go, I don’t mind being a Southern Belle;)

I hope this blog brings many laughs, smiles, hope, encouragement and maybe a little thought that runs through your mind, “man, I wish my life were as cool as these girls.”  There’s a good chance that last thought will not be crossing your mind; it’ll be more like “geez those girls are crazy,” whatever it may be I hope it’s as enjoyable as all three books of the Hunger Games-May the odds ever be in our favor! From one reader to you, whatever your love may be, a little Shakespeare to keep you going, “goodnight, goodnight, parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow."

In His grip,

Kenze 

O The Places You Will Go

Hey everyone! I am so excited that we are doing this. All four of us are on different paths in our lives at the moment as the summer takes us to different places. I’m happy that we not only get to share what is going on in our lives with each other but also with anyone who wants to read our blogs.

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m the crazy one who doesn’t always think before she opens her mouth. I have no idea what I want to do with my life, but I am excited to see where God takes me. I am obsessed with fashion, love hanging out with friends and likes to try new things. If you couldn’t tell from the title of our blog, I love to get my hands on a good mystery books. So if you ever have any good recommendations let me know. Clumsy doesn’t even describe me and trouble seems to find me without even looking for it. I cannot stand drama, come on people we are out of high school!  I don’t like to take myself too seriously because I believe life is too short.

I have no idea what I am going to write about on these blogs (this is the first time I have ever written one) but I am excited to take you on the adventures of four best friends! I hope you enjoy :) 

See you soon,

Kaitlin

And So It Begins

Today, I may have created something great, or a literary monster. Who knows?

I have not only created a blog for my eccentric mind, but for four!
Yes, yes indeed. The four minds of four women living in a four bedroom apartment together. Something tells me not all these blog posts will be flowers and giggles...guess we'll see how this turns out.

What lies ahead, you may ask? Mystery! Drama! Art! Sports! Literary genius!
Yeeep. I just set our bar that high.

I, Katherine, am the first of three fellow bloggers who will be tenaciously typing the humor and observations I make through my life. I am the artist of the bunch. I spend my days covered in oil paints, never bathing, and protesting animal rights.
Naaaah just kidding. I'm a fairly normal painter just doing my thing. I'm in the art program at SFASU in good 'ol Nacogdoches, TX. After I graduate I plan on continuing my education while trying to get a masters in art therapy. I am also one of the readers referred to in the title. I can spend hours and hours immersed in a world not my own which I believe is quite magical.

Hopefully you will be hearing for my other bloggers quite soon!

ta ta for now!

Katherine