Henryk Gorecki- Symphony No. 3- Lento Y Largo- Tranquillissimo

On September 25, 1944, a young girl of 18 years old named Helena Wanda Błażusiakówna, was incarcerated.
Her jail cell was located in the town of Zakopane, which lies at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland-a Nazi prison.
Her prison cell was shared with many.
In this particular prison, there were later found several inscriptions on the wall.
"The whole wall was covered with inscriptions screaming out loud: 'I'm innocent', 'Murderers', 'Executioners', 'Free me', 'You have to save me'."
Young Helena left an inscription, too.
However, a seemingly different tone was felt in hers.
It was almost an apology for having been captured.
It said, "Oh Mamma do not cry—Immaculate Queen of Heaven support me always."
When composer Henryk Gorecki, also from southern Poland, learned of this he stated, "She does not despair, does not cry, does not scream for revenge. She does not think about herself; whether she deserves her fate or not. Instead, she only thinks about her mother: because it is her mother who will experience true despair. This inscription was something extraordinary. And it really fascinated me."
I'm not sure how I would respond in the face of such terror, but the story definitely inspires me, as does the music, featured here, that came from it.

Cedarmont Kids- Deep and Wide

If you've been reading this blog, you know that Wifey and I recently celebrated 13 awesome years of marriage.
To celebrate, we took a cheap Spirit Air flight to Myrtle Beach.
We got a great deal on a waterfront room and stayed 3 nights.
The first two days were pretty chilly, but days 3 and 4 were very nice.
We enjoyed the time away, the peace and quiet, and just enjoying each other's company.
Oh...did I mention the good food?
The word "calabash" is now part of my vocabulary.
The last time that I had been to Myrtle Beach was just before my Pop (grandfather) died.
We spent many a summer camping at Lakewood Family Campground with my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins.
Pop passed when I was a junior in high school so we're talking about 25 years since I had been there.
It was neat going to the newly renovated Boardwalk and going in the arcade that I stayed and played in so many summers ago.
One afternoon while we were there, I asked Wifey if she cared if we drove by the old campground.
She didn't care so we headed that way.
We got there and they said that we could drive through.
Wow...so many memories.
The pool with the waterfall, the smelly bathhouses, and the pavilion.
Lakewood was a Christian-run organization and in the summertime, they had church services on Sunday and many times weekly Bible school for the kids.
I walked through the room, which was empty at this time of year, and gazed around.
Suddenly, emotions got the best of me, and tears sprang up in my eyes...
For it was here, in this very room, that I gave my life to the Lord at the age of 7.
I looked out one of the windows at the surf coming in and whispered a simple "thank you".
I regained my composure (I don't think Wifey even noticed I had lost it), and made my way to the door.
One of the songs that we sang back then was "You are the vine and we are the branches, His banner over me is love."
Another is this one, "Deep and Wide".

Matchbox 20-Unwell/ Brett Dennen-Blessed

Our Story-Year Thirteen
at
http://sixgreggs.blogspot.com

Trying to help someone that 1)Doesn't want your help and B)Doesn't recognize there is a problem, is a difficult place to be in.
Especially when that person is someone very close to you.
Thankfully, sometimes a double portion of grace is given and things get better...even if it may be temporary.
"Stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me."



No matter what life brings--
The ups, the downs.
The heartaches and the joys.
What a blessing to have a God that "SO LOVES" you,
four wonderful, fun-loving, beautiful kids,
a career that brings satisfaction,
and a wife that will do anything to support your crazy dreams.
I love you, Mrs. Gregg.
May we have many more.

"This is the most magnificent life has ever been."

Nickelback-If Today Was Your Last Day

Our Story Year 12
at
http://sixgreggs.blogspot.com

Are you frustrated?
Bored?
Depressed?
If so, you are probably robbing the joy from other people's lives.
Other people?
Yes.
If you aren't doing what you alone were designed to do, then other people aren't benefiting from your gifts or talents.
Are you wasting your days?
You don't have to.
Figure out what you were created to do and do it.
You will find contentment and a sense of self-worth like never before.
We were designed to contribute to others' life experience.
Do it today as if it were your last chance.

"Each day's a gift not a given right."

Nickelback - If Today Was Your Last Day from Nickelback on Vimeo.

Natasha Bedingfield- Pocketful Of Sunshine

Our Story- Year Eleven
at
http://sixgreggs.blogspot.com


Life has it's ups and downs.
I think that's true for everyone, regardless of social, financial, educational, etc. status.
The key is that when you are down, keep moving.
Failure isn't the ride down.
Failure is quitting.
Failure is getting off the ride.
Failure is giving up.
Keep moving.
Never give up.
Never quit.
Hide yourself in the Rock, the Secret Place.
But keep moving.

"The sun (Son) is on my side and takes me for a ride
I smile up to the sky, I know I'll be alright."

Alicia Keys- No One/ The B-52's- Rock Lobster

Our Story-Year Ten
at
http://sixgreggs.blogspot.com/

Ten years is a milestone.
In order to have 50 years, you have to start with 10.
(Or one).
One of the best trips that I have been on has been our Florida Keys anniversary trip.

"You can be sure
That it will only get better."





For about 10 years, I took myself too seriously.
It's important to get done what you're supposed to do.
But, it's also OK to have fun.
One day on our trip to Bahia Honda State Park, we encountered the "Bahia Honda Thong Man".
The trip was great except for that.

"Let's rock!
...Boys in bikinis!"

Hannah Montana/Sheryl Crow- Need A Little Love

I'm not sure I should admit this.
But I was actually a little impressed with Miley Cyrus last year when she was a judge on American Idol.
I'm not super crazy about her music as either alter ego.
But either she's got some talent or she's been around show biz long enough to fake it.
I guess either one could be true.
At any rate, she conducted herself very professionally.
But...I hear tickets to her concerts are like $50-$250.
Did you just read that?
I mean, dang.
I was about to write that there's no way.
But, do you remember the commercial from a few years back with the dad driving his daughter and her friends to a concert.
I'm sure in a few years that I'll be that guy.
Whether it's to Miley or Carly or the latest boy band.
I'd do it for my Be-Bop.
This song doesn't suck as bad because it has Sheryl Crow in it.