Beck's Life Adventures

Do you have those moments in your life that you see something, hear something or smell something and it takes you back to a moment in your life? For instance, when I smell fresh asphalt, I always think of Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO because that is what I smelled the first time we ever went there. A few months ago, right after I left for work, I got behind a man in an old pick-up truck. And by all means, he was not going slow - he was putting the foot to the pedal! But once we got to the stop light, and as we waited for the light to turn green, I noticed him. He was probably well into his 80's, baseball cap on, overalls, big leak of who knows what underneath the car, and it brought me back to a moment - my pappaw. My mammaw and pappaw were very special to me. They were the best grandparents anyone could ever ask for. And you know what? They didn't have much...but they had love. And that's the best thing anyone can ever have. So, as I drove the hour to work that mornin...

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?   Closed 2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels?   Not usually 3. Are you afraid to fly?   Not at all…actually love it! 4. Have you ever stolen a street sign before?   No…why would I do that? 5. Do you like to use post-it notes?   All the time! 6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?   Ditto – all the time! 7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?   A big bear – I think death would be more instant with a bear rather than bees 8. Do you have freckles?   A few 9. Do you always smile for pictures?   I try to, unless someone sneaks a picture of me without me knowing 10. What is your biggest pet peeve?   People clipping their nails in public (church is the worst!) 11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?   No...that's what my tracker is for 12. Have you ever pe...

Shortly after my dad passed away, my mom was made aware of a Grief Share class that was about to begin and she enrolled in it, encouraging me to do the same. We both started this class less than 3 months after my dad passed, and while I thought it was a bit too soon, I'm glad we did it. The class was full of some amazing people who had walked the steps that I had been through. The leader was someone I knew from church, although I didn't really know her as a person (and she would later become a friend). This class wasn't just meant for a family member that had passed away, but for divorcees who had lost their marriages, for people who were shunned by their families and didn't have anyone else to turn to and people who had lost loved ones, whether it had been recent or a long time ago. What I learned from this class is everyone grieves differently. Some people choose to make themselves busy. Some people choose to make shrines. Some people choose to get a tattoo. Some peop...

I've been thinking lately about how content I am in my life right now.  I have a wonderful job, my friends and family are more supportive than they've ever been and even though I have some bad days, I am generally happy.  It reminded me of a cartoon I watched with my oldest nephew about 10 years ago. When he was younger, he was the early riser of the family (not so much anymore, especially since he's become a teenager).  Anyway, he was one of those that as soon as he saw the sun, he thought it was time to get up.  As I've gotten older, I am not able to sleep in as long as I used to, so that particular morning I got up early and joined him on the couch as he watched a Saturday morning cartoon. During this cartoon, a sister was complaining to her friends that her brother's room was bigger than hers. She complained to everyone that would listen, including her friends, family, strangers, and even the waiter at the local restaurant. Her goal through the entire episod...

I was blessed to be able to go to a Christian school growing up.  In fact, I attended the same school from kindergarten to 12th grade.  Now, I didn't think I was blessed during that time.  In fact, I hoped and prayed that my parents would put me in public school, but now that I look back, I'm so glad they didn't.  I feel like I got a much better education, although I don't think it really prepared me for the real world once I got to college.  But, that's an adventure story for another day... We had storms in our state the other night, like we do quite often here in Oklahoma, and I remembered a particular thunderstorm that happened when I was in the 3rd grade. It was a Sunday morning and my dad was a co-director of a Sunday School (SS) class.  My mom was an employee at the church and they televised sermons weekly, so she was often taking phone calls while my dad set up for SS every week.  Sometimes my sister and I would hang with my mom and other ti...

I thought I would write a little bit about me today, so you can know the voice behind the writings/posts here.  My name is Becky, but my family and friends call me Beck.  I am currently 41 years old and single.  And no, I'm not upset that I'm still single.  Did I think I would be married with kids at this point?  Yes.  But, l really am content with the way things have turned out so far. I was born and raised in Oklahoma - the bible belt of the US.  I am a Christian and my faith is very important to me.  I grew up Southern Baptist, and while I still believe a lot of the things Southern Baptists live by, I am more in tune with a Non-Denominational church setting.  I go to church regularly and have always been involved with church activities, although that has tapered off as I've gotten older. I am a daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  A daughter to parents that were married for over 43 years until my dad passed away.  A sister to ...

Hello and welcome to my new website!  A year ago, I created this website because I was about to go on a trip of a lifetime - to Europe to celebrate my 40th birthday that was earlier that year - and had every intention of writing about it here.  But unfortunately, when my mom and I returned from that trip, my dad became ill and passed away shortly after.  And while I was originally going to write about my grand life adventures through traveling, I have found that life adventures extend outside of traveling.  For instance, I've had to learn how to grieve this year.  I've been faced with various trials and uncertainties.  I've lost friends, but I've also gained new ones.  I've dealt with some serious health issues.  I've had days where I didn't think I could go on. But life is just that - adventures.  The ups, downs, pretty, ugly, happy and sad.  I hope you will follow along as I tell you about my life adventures - both the good and the b...