Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Morning companion
This wee little video is an experimental companion piece to the photos I shot of the winter sun this morning. It made me happy inside and I hope it does the same for you.
Morning companion
This wee little video is an experimental companion piece to the photos I shot of the winter sun this morning. It made me happy inside and I hope it does the same for you.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Today we got some bad news (tags:2011,news,dad,cancer))
Today we got some bad news
We received the word that my dad's tumors have doubled in size in 6 weeks. I thought he was doing well. So now I grapple with mortality in a whole new way. It's hard not to be discouraged. "2 more pills of chemo each day and lets see what happens." It's easy to say stuff like that when you're a doctor. Throughout this whole 2 year ordeal with dad's health I've been unexplainably full of optimism. My hope was more than enough for everyone. I've been ODing on faith. I'm sure it has annoyed my brothers and sisters.
That train was derailed by a simple text with the latest news regarding treatment. All it took was 1 text... Just one. sad.
How am I feeling...?
Surprised. Upset. Generally low. That doesn't make for good lunch company. (Sorry Mike.) or dinner company either (Sorry Bob and Brenda)
There's a part of me that has been holding back sharing about how I'm dealing with dad's illness. There's not been a lot to say other than vague updates. I just don't like to talk about it but not for the reasons you might think.
I've been reluctant mainly been out of courtesy for others. I don't like opening up someone's blog or notes on facebook to be bombarded by sadness. It's like there should be some sort of rating or warning icon so that I can at least prepare myself for what I'm going to encounter. I also don't like making people feel bad about what I'm dealing with. Folks have enough on their plates with the difficulties of day-to-day life without me piling on personal struggles. So why am I finally writing about this? Because I don't know what else to do. I just started typing and haven't stopped. I'm not even sure this will make it onto my blog. One of my goals this year was to write from my heart without over-thinking and constraining my text with the worries of "what ifs" Problem solved!
Ironically, I've recently been working on pulling together my letters, emails plans and resources for my Shave To Save fundraising efforts. (For those that don't know what I'm talking about click the link at the end of this post.) But today, that mission has taken on a whole new urgency. I can't do anything for dad and his fight other than support him. I'm not a doctor or any sort of medical expert. I'm a superhero that's armed only with self-effacing humor, more good friends than should be allowed and prayer. Other than those things, I've got nothing. But you know what? Those things are enough. In fact, they're more than many people have. I can't imagine facing an illness like cancer alone.
Truth is, I'm blessed and this isn't so hard. I'm surrounded by love and I serve a God that has seen this before and knows what's best. I'm going to follow the advice I gave a good friend this morning:
Joshua 1:8-9
8"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day andnight, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will makeyour way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous ! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Psalm 31:24
I appreciate your encouragement and prayers.
If you want to support me as a part of the American Cancer Society's Shave To Save event you can sponsor me in honor of my dad here
To learn more about why I'm doing this you can read my previous blog post about it here
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Dreaming of a naked noggin?
I hope that title got past your spam filter!
People warned me that everything would go downhill when I turned 40. Turns out I'm losing all of my hair! Seriously!
Although I should tell you that it's by choice. Last year, my friend Marilyn Humphrey shaved her head to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Shave to Save fundraiser.
I was inspired by her bravery and decided at that moment to forgo my scheduled haircut and start my path towards the event for 2011.
Here's my hair progress so far:
I was also surprised that in a room full of goodness only corporations were represented and "the church" was not a major player in the discussion. This got me thinking. How cool would it be to volunteer to be a shavee on behalf of the church at large? These are the good things I believe God would be about. This choice is also personal: As many of you know my dad, Riley Brown, has been battling cancer for the past 2 years. We are blessed to have a strong network of family and to live near treatment facilities. However, many are not as fortunate. Shave To Save benefits the Kansas City Hope Lodge, which is a great facility that provides practical support to patients and their caregivers as they battle cancer together. This video gives a small glimpse into the impact they're having:
Many corporations donate $5,000 or more on behalf of their employees. I am trying to raise money without this type of support. I hope to raise $10,000 by reaching out to my circle of relationships for a small contribution from those of you who are able. It's a big goal but my hope is to make a big difference. Please consider using the easy donation process on my web page to support this worthy project. If I raise $5,000 I get to be a part of the big luncheon event and invite 10 of my friends to share in the celebration.
You can help! Here are some ideas:
- Please visit my web page and donate: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/bilbrown (I'll create art of you as a superhero as a thank you for any donation over $100. All donations of $25 or more by check or credit card to the American Cancer Society will get a mailed tax-deduction receipt.)
- Come to the Wine Tasting and Auction on April 14. Admission is $40 and goes directly toward my fundraising efforts (I'll be there along with lots of your friends and other brave Shavees!)
- Buy a ticket to the Shave To Save Luncheon at the Midland Theater on May 12. Admission is $100. (I need a crowd of friends and family there to make A LOT of noise when my gleaming noggin is revealed! And all ticket sales go toward my total!)
- Donate an item to the Wine Tasting and Auction. (The item's selling price will go towards my total, and you will get a tax deduction!) Need an idea? How about:
- Donating sports memorabilia, one-of-a-kind or autographed items
- Tickets to a concert of sporting event
- Handmade crafts, quilts or other items
- Jewelry, antiques or musical instruments
- Musician? Have a band? How about donating a private concert for auction?
- Hey Artists! Why not donate an original painting, sculpture, pottery or piece of your artwork?
- Are you a doctor or dentist? Donate consultations, lasik surgery, orthodontic care, or dental care!
- Are you a photographer? How about donating a photography package from your business?
- Designers: You could donate logo (re)design, letterhead development, a company marketing campaign or development of corporate materials!
- Web designers/developers: give the gift of a website or hosting.
- Video gurus: You donate a video package, product or digitization of old videos?
- Contact me to discuss other ideas: bil@desperationchurch.org
Be a superhero for someone in need!
Thanks for your consideration!
Labels: donations, fundrasing, plea, Shave to Save, superhero
I know it's a little late, but...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMY!
Labels: birthday, fun, iSupr8, jeremy walla, video
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
No Years Resolution
Let's talk about my tendency to dream big and then not get it done. Or... rather than waste time on that well-documented subject, let's just cut to the chase. I'm not big on new years resolutions. Many years of my life are full of unfinished resolutions and frankly, I need permission to let that stuff go. Yet the items keep piling up on to do lists and the unbearable weight of knowing I'll never finish that stuff is crushing me. Seriously, I still have to do lists from a year ago and some nights the unchecked items from to do lists of years past (all the way back to college!) come to mind and start to depress me. I won't even talk about the bucket list that I pretend I don't have. It's wrong and creatively crippling me.
So moving forward...
Living Epically in 2011 for me is the year of finishing things. I'm going to start stuff (by making something new EVERY day) but I'm also going to wrap up as many of the important lingering tidbits that have been floating around in my heart, on my mind and throughout my various storage areas. This includes sketchbooks, computers, desk drawers and endless tubs in the garage and elsewhere.
As a person who earns their living by making things, I always seem to find myself working on something FOR SOMETHING or SOMEONE. I rarely create solely to express myself any more. That must change in 2011. I am happiest when I take joy in making things. I like being happy so I need to create more things without the agenda or end result attached. I am compelled to open my lid and let everything pour out. That is where worship will be found. I've been afraid to let my honest thoughts and feeling spill out and yet I am finding that when it comes straight from my heart without the agenda or filters, God shows up in it. Besides, He wants all of that stuff (and knows it all already) so I'm going to let Him have it.
Feel free to stop by this personal, sacred space for the ride. This will likely get messy. Consider this your final warning.
Labels: 365, creativity, new years, plan, resolution, resolve
Super Awesome Trading Cards - Full Box - Archie McPhee & Co.
via mcphee.com
I'm sure this isn't a complete set of awesomeness but I imagine if I had a set of trading cards it would be similar to this.
Labels: awesome, fun, gift, toys, trading cards, web, wishlist
