Weekend Recap: An Ode to Chuck

This past weekend was packed! And exhausting!

Taken from my cousin. The beautiful lake at the park!

Friday evening consisted of me, my cousins, and the BF shopping for and prepping all the games/prizes for the next day's picnic. Our parents are in a local Filipino association, and we were put in charge of kids games. We found a pin the tail on the donkey set and a sack race set for pretty cheap. We also had tons of water balloons that were bought from the dollar store, and so were all the prizes!

Saturday morning I had an early morning dentist appointment. I don't necessarily dread visiting the dentist, but it's not a pleasant experience, either. Does anyone else hate small talk in the dentist's chair? Like, what more can I say other than mumbled one-word answers? Also, does anyone else get incredibly paranoid about swallowing your saliva after the fluoride treatment? Like, at what point is it safe? No? Just me? Alright ignore me.

Right after my appointment, I headed home to pick up my mom and auntie so we can head straight to the picnic. Overall, the picnic was successful! I wish I took more pictures. The weather was nice and sunny but not too hot. The kids loved the games, and everyone won!

Us with the birthday boy.

After the picnic, I headed up to Sacramento with the BF to celebrate our good friend's birthday. It's always good to hang out and chill with some great company. Not to mention great food! We also got a tour of his house and I almost fainted when I heard how much he was paying for his own room - less than half of what I paid to share a room in San Francisco when I was still in college. *sigh* Sacramento real estate, man.

Sunday the BF and I had our usual side-hustle practice first thing in the morning. Afterwards, we picked up my brother from our house and headed to Petaluma to celebrate the one year death anniversary of someone very special to me.

His name is Chuck. Most of us knew him as Mr. Ross. I can go on and on about what he has done for me personally. But I will just say that he is one of the greatest men I will ever know. He was a teacher at our high school and his last year teaching was my senior year. He was actually really sick that year, so he didn't get to see us a lot. But he did work closely with our school's liturgy team, which I was a core member of. He was one of the most funniest people I knew, and also the most selfless. When times got stressful in high school, and even afterwards, he would always reassure me of what I am capable of and he would tell me to quit being so hard on myself.

Chuck's nightstand.

I remember visiting him one day (after I had graduated) and I asked him about a picture of me and my fellow ministry friends that we had gifted to him when we graduated. He said he had that picture on his nightstand, right next to him. It's such a testament to how near and dear his students were to him. He died last year unexpectedly after an ongoing battle with his health.

This past Sunday, at the one year remembrance, his wife brought me into his room and showed it to me. A flood of memories came rushing back, but most of all, I felt gratitude. To have a teacher/mentor like Chuck in my life is a blessing that I had taken for granted. Not only did he have a huge impact on ministry in the area, but he also had an incredible influence on the person I am today.

Even up until now, whenever I am overwhelmed and doubting myself, I can still hear him jokingly and lovingly say to me, "Don't be stupid. You know what you can do. So just do it." He still continues to guide me, and I'm sure he has done so for his hundreds of other students.

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This weekend was full of celebrations. And I am pooped! I hope you all had a great weekend!

AMDG,
Lisa