I found a great deal of drama in the next section of my reading of Mistaken Identity, by Mark Tabb. In chapter ten, Tabb describes more steps in Laura's recovery from the automobile accident. She made many breakthrough advances in her recover. For example, she began to gain more movement in her body. However, the recovery stage included short comings and struggles along the way. She had issues at time if the doctor pushed her too hard in the recovery stage. Every step in the recovery had to be carefully monitored. Despite the struggles, Laura seemed to be on a clear path to a full recovery from her accident.
In chapter eleven, Tabb details the Cerak's funeral procession for Whitney. They describe the ceremony as surprisingly positive. They reflect on all of the good God worked with in Whitney's life. They detail being assured that Whitney is in the best possible place, in heaven with God. The Cereks seem to show an unshakable faith and confidence in Whitney's life accomplishments. They truly seem to be moving past the sorrow of Whitney's death. The Cereks knew Whitney's life on earth was over, but her life in heaven was just beginning.
In chapter twelve, Tabb describes more of the conclusion of Laura's treatment. She finally is able to speak. She repeats the word, "Hi," often in her final stage of recovery. She is able to speak to her family. The Van Ryns are ecstatic that Laura is into the clear with her recovery. She seems to be able to be a completely normal person now after the accident. The long road to recovery appears to be ending soon. The family details at the end of the chapter how happy they are that Laura returning to her home.
In chapter thirteen, the author describes some final closure for the Cerak family. They visit Taylor and talk to a minister about Whitney's life. The minister seems to agree with the family on many aspects of Whitney's life. Overall, the Cerak's feel even more at ease after visiting Taylor. They finally feel that they have complete closure on Whitney's death. They know in their hearts that they can move on and know that Whitney is indeed with the Lord.
After reading this section of Tabb's book, I felt great pity for both families. The reason I felt sorry for the families is because I know the rest of the story as it was revealed in the introduction. The two girls had their identities swapped. Therefore, all of the emotions seem to be false emotions coming from the two families. They truly believe that the doctors are correct in the identities. As a result, I feel sorrow for them because they will be thrown for an emotional loop when they find out the true identities of the girls. I always do not like being fooled, especially if the joke pulls on my emotional strings. Any false situation that tugs on my emotions would probably be my least favorite situations. I look forward to finding more relate able situations in the next sections of this book.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
My Poems for the Anthology
The theme I have selected is the overall Idea of God and the varying viewpoints on God
My poem list thus far:
1. "What is God," by Jay Wright
2. "Prayer," by Francisco X. Alarcon
3. "Philosophies," by Dorothea Lasky
4. "Macular Hole," by Catherine Wagner
5. "His Sovereignty," by Kalonymos Ben Moses of Lucca
6. "God on the Treadmill," by Benjamin S. Grossberg
My Video Poem:
"For We Are Thy People," by Anonymous
My poem list thus far:
1. "What is God," by Jay Wright
2. "Prayer," by Francisco X. Alarcon
3. "Philosophies," by Dorothea Lasky
4. "Macular Hole," by Catherine Wagner
5. "His Sovereignty," by Kalonymos Ben Moses of Lucca
6. "God on the Treadmill," by Benjamin S. Grossberg
My Video Poem:
"For We Are Thy People," by Anonymous
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
A New Focus
Now that my track season has officially ended, I have decided to focus on other areas of my life. I want to work harder in school than I have been working lately. I have not dedicated myself as I need to be dedicated to get the grades I want in school. In addition, I want to refocus on building up my physical strength. I am going to go to the YMCA several days a week to lift weights. In addition, I can also play basketball for fun at the YMCA. I will also be searching for a job. Overall, I look forward to the new opportunities I will have now that track season is over. I am disappointed the season was as short as it was, but I know I can make the most of my new free time. I will pray to God to help me use my time wisely. I truly want to be as productive as possible.
Reading: Mistaken Identity, by Mark Tabb (pgs. 73-100)
In the next section of Mistaken Identity, by Mark Tabbs, I learned about more interesting facts and ways of dealing with crisis. In chapter seven, the Van Ryn family is described once again. Laura's mother, begins to post about Laura on a blog of her own. She thoroughly describes Laura's road to recover from her coma. She details Laura's first steps in recovery. In addition, friends and family comment on the blog and offer their support to the family. Many people show their love for Laura and the family though their encouraging words.
In chapter eight, an important step with Laura's recovery is described. Laura is finally stable enough to handle extensive surgery. She needs the surgery to be able to gain back control of her limbs from the car crash. Fortunately, the surgery goes well and Laura indeed seems to be on her road to a full recovery from the accident.
In chapter nine, Whitney's birthday after her death is described. Whitney's family uses the day as a milestone of her death. They mourn as expected. However, they also remember the positives from Whitney's death. These positives mostly revolve around Whitney being at peace in heaven. Whitney did not die in vain. She was a tremendous person as her family describes. She touched countless people as evident by the support the family received after Whitney's death. The family is saddenned by the reality of Whitney's death, but they look forward to the day in heaven when they will reunite with their daughter.
After reading this section of Tabb's book, I understand the both family's reliance on God through their adversity. I have learned that I am always closest to God in my struggles. When I hit rock bottom in my emotions, I seem to have to rely on God more for comfort. In many ways, I enjoy this reliance on God. I hate having bad days and bad weeks, but if I draw closer to God, I always feel fulfilled. Overall, I want to be the best Christian I can be. When I rely on God more, I am helping myself achieve this goal. I look forward to reading more stories of turmoil in the future in Tabb's book.
In chapter eight, an important step with Laura's recovery is described. Laura is finally stable enough to handle extensive surgery. She needs the surgery to be able to gain back control of her limbs from the car crash. Fortunately, the surgery goes well and Laura indeed seems to be on her road to a full recovery from the accident.
In chapter nine, Whitney's birthday after her death is described. Whitney's family uses the day as a milestone of her death. They mourn as expected. However, they also remember the positives from Whitney's death. These positives mostly revolve around Whitney being at peace in heaven. Whitney did not die in vain. She was a tremendous person as her family describes. She touched countless people as evident by the support the family received after Whitney's death. The family is saddenned by the reality of Whitney's death, but they look forward to the day in heaven when they will reunite with their daughter.
After reading this section of Tabb's book, I understand the both family's reliance on God through their adversity. I have learned that I am always closest to God in my struggles. When I hit rock bottom in my emotions, I seem to have to rely on God more for comfort. In many ways, I enjoy this reliance on God. I hate having bad days and bad weeks, but if I draw closer to God, I always feel fulfilled. Overall, I want to be the best Christian I can be. When I rely on God more, I am helping myself achieve this goal. I look forward to reading more stories of turmoil in the future in Tabb's book.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Reading: Mistaken Identity, by Mark Tabb (pgs. 35-72)
In the next section of Mistaken Identity, by Mark Tabbs, I learned about the true paranoia of finding out about a dead loved one. In chapter four, the Cerak family is described as they receive word that Whitney, has died in a car crash. The family is in complete disbelief at first. Slowly, the family begins to accept the painful reality. Unfortunately, the family has to prepare mentally in accepting her death. They make plans for a funeral service as well. All in all, the death seems unreal to the family. However, they trust God's plan.
In chapter five, Tabbs details the very long wait the Van Ryn family experienced as they awaited their daughter's exit from her coma. They spent much of the time in prayer for their daughter. They also had constant questions over their daughter's chance of survival. They also questioned if their daughter could still live out a normal life after the crash. In some ways, not all of their questions were answered. However, they continued to trust God's will in all of the matter.
In chapter six, Tabbs describes comfort in the midst of pain for the Cerak family. They received their comfort from outside sources. People who knew their daughter Whitney called in to offer their support in the family's time of need. There were many people that informed the Ceraks of their daughter's impact on their lives. These stories helped the Ceraks during a turbulent time for the family. They still were sorrowful due to their daughter's death, but they received comfort in God's will and also his message of peace through the outside influences.
After reading this section of Tabb's book, I find truths when Tabbs describes the importance of outside support. Although family is most important when getting over the loss of a loved one, the outside sources of friends help significantly. Friends can really attach themselves to each other like a true family. As a result, if one of their friends dies, they will mourn for them as one of their own. I find it amazing when I see how supportive people can be in a time of sorrow. When a person dies, their family is supported more than ever. In many ways, death can unveil true compliments towards a family. I have enjoyed this book thus far and will look forward to the rest of the story as it unfolds.
In chapter five, Tabbs details the very long wait the Van Ryn family experienced as they awaited their daughter's exit from her coma. They spent much of the time in prayer for their daughter. They also had constant questions over their daughter's chance of survival. They also questioned if their daughter could still live out a normal life after the crash. In some ways, not all of their questions were answered. However, they continued to trust God's will in all of the matter.
In chapter six, Tabbs describes comfort in the midst of pain for the Cerak family. They received their comfort from outside sources. People who knew their daughter Whitney called in to offer their support in the family's time of need. There were many people that informed the Ceraks of their daughter's impact on their lives. These stories helped the Ceraks during a turbulent time for the family. They still were sorrowful due to their daughter's death, but they received comfort in God's will and also his message of peace through the outside influences.
After reading this section of Tabb's book, I find truths when Tabbs describes the importance of outside support. Although family is most important when getting over the loss of a loved one, the outside sources of friends help significantly. Friends can really attach themselves to each other like a true family. As a result, if one of their friends dies, they will mourn for them as one of their own. I find it amazing when I see how supportive people can be in a time of sorrow. When a person dies, their family is supported more than ever. In many ways, death can unveil true compliments towards a family. I have enjoyed this book thus far and will look forward to the rest of the story as it unfolds.
Reading: Mistaken Identity, by Mark Tabb (pgs. 1-34)
I have now started reading a new book called Mistaken Identity, by Mark Tabb. This book features two girls and their families. The two girls were involved in a fatal car crash in which both were severely hurt. Two of the girls have their identities switched. One of them, Laura Van Ryn, is believed to be in a coma, while the other girl, Whitney Cerak, is declared dead. The story is about how their mistaken identities affect their families and test the faith of all to people involved with the identity crisis. In chapter one, Tabb details the time in which the coroner of Taylor University, the school the two girls attended, called Cerak's home to inform them of the mistaken identity. Whitney's mother, as expected, could not believe her ears. The entire Cerak family was in complete disbelief. At the end of the chapter, the family finds that Whitney is indeed alive.
In chapter two, the story shifts over to the Van Ryn family. Tabb describes their reaction to first hearing about Laura being severely injured in the automobile accident. However, her identity was mistake at the time. Tabb describes the reaction at Taylor University when the students learned about the horrible accident. Both families were in obvious despair. However, both families clung to God as their comfort and hope. Both families prayed over their children. Whitney was believed to be dead, but she was prayed for along with Laura, who was believed to be alive.
In chapter three, the Van Ryn family is featured once again. Tabb describes the Van Ryn family's reaction when they arrive at the hospital to find their daughter in a coma. They prayed tirelessly over their daughter's survival. The biggest key to their strength was their unity in the hospital room with Laura. They had a strong bond with each other which increased the strength of their prayers. At the end of the chapter, the family learns that their daughter is going to live, but she needs extensive care and rehab to return back to a more normal state.
After reading this section of Tabb's book, I cannot imagine the pain and shock either family would go through learning about a fatal car crash involving their family member. I always feel more sorrow for the young kids around college age whom die from unexpected reasons such as car crashes. People at this age have their entire hopes and dreams in front of them. Seeing people die whom are going to enter their prime age soon is one of the most difficult pills to swallow in life. These girls had strong relations with countless people. I hope their families learned to truly lean on God throughout the struggle. This book looks promising thus far, and I look forward to reading more sections in the future.
In chapter two, the story shifts over to the Van Ryn family. Tabb describes their reaction to first hearing about Laura being severely injured in the automobile accident. However, her identity was mistake at the time. Tabb describes the reaction at Taylor University when the students learned about the horrible accident. Both families were in obvious despair. However, both families clung to God as their comfort and hope. Both families prayed over their children. Whitney was believed to be dead, but she was prayed for along with Laura, who was believed to be alive.
In chapter three, the Van Ryn family is featured once again. Tabb describes the Van Ryn family's reaction when they arrive at the hospital to find their daughter in a coma. They prayed tirelessly over their daughter's survival. The biggest key to their strength was their unity in the hospital room with Laura. They had a strong bond with each other which increased the strength of their prayers. At the end of the chapter, the family learns that their daughter is going to live, but she needs extensive care and rehab to return back to a more normal state.
After reading this section of Tabb's book, I cannot imagine the pain and shock either family would go through learning about a fatal car crash involving their family member. I always feel more sorrow for the young kids around college age whom die from unexpected reasons such as car crashes. People at this age have their entire hopes and dreams in front of them. Seeing people die whom are going to enter their prime age soon is one of the most difficult pills to swallow in life. These girls had strong relations with countless people. I hope their families learned to truly lean on God throughout the struggle. This book looks promising thus far, and I look forward to reading more sections in the future.
Motown, My Favorite Type of Music
I do not believe I have always been a huge fan of music. However, I have really expanded my interest in music over the past couple of years. I enjoy nearly all genres of music. I like to listen to a wide variety of music. Specifically, I enjoy hit songs of different decades the most out of all other songs. If I had to pick my favorite type of music though, I would choose all of the songs from Motown. I love the soul the artists put into these songs. These songs give me a serene feeling that I simply do not receive from other types of music. Although Motown is rather old, I believe it will always be my favorite brand of music as long as I live.
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