Happy birthday to Justin Schrembs from Dad 12/26/2019

On this day, being the anniversary of your birth the one of which your mother and I prayed for, I wanted to wish you a blessed and happy birthday.

Your mother did a great job raising you. For your brother, mother, and her family (as you do and your family) will always remain in my heart…and daily in my prayers

Son, you are surely your own and grown man. With your own family/children and I know you will be the man/father I wasn’t. I’m sorry.

Nonetheless, this day is one of celebration to and for you…Justin Scott Schrembs.

May this day be one of; great happiness, good health, blessings, the reflection of memories, love, being surrounded by your loved ones/family/friends, creating life long memories, and knowing how much you are loved and respected.

Take care and may God bless you and yours this day… and every one hereafter.

Love ya son

Dad

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah wishes 2019 from Jeff Schrembs

 

My prayers, thoughts, heart, and soul always go out to my daughter who recently turned 12 years old. She is a beautiful girl and I applaud her; mother, brothers, grandparents and uncle each of which are…exceptional.

This is not directed to my beautiful 12 year old daughter as there have been things this year that have saddened me greatly. Decision and acts I prayed about intently and though it pains my soul I do hope that my prayers will be answered (i.e. the care she needs to battle her dependency and her horrific; language, inability to provide stability, and her mental instability). Also, I learned of a good man who I’ll always love – pray for – care about – etc. who, like one of my own battles with cancers, has throat cancer. I pray he recovers fully and that his, and that of his family members, life is long and full of happiness, love,  and stability. Battling cancer(s) is a terrible taxing ordeal and the only thing that truly makes it “worse” is to go through it…alone. As my brother battles his own terrible disease(s) I pay for him and his family 24/7.

I’ve been blessed to know/have known the love of a great woman. The everlasting love of each of my children. The eternal love of my grandchildren. Success in my chosen profession. The beauty of friendship and of family. I am humbled and grateful.

Life is never guaranteed in length, or qualify, of.  But if we chose to dwell on the past we lose the ability to appreciate the moment. The day. The week. The month. The years.

I wish everyone a blessed and Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas 2019.

Take care and may God bless each of you and yours…always.

 

Jeff Schrembs

 

 

Simpler life & happy Thanksgiving 2019 wishes

Some of the greatest songs I love have lyrics such as these: the heart gets weary, nothing every changes, heartache I knew, always on my mind, you took my one ray of sunshine, there is something wrong here, I just can’t fake it, I wish it would rain, gave me a mountain, etc. What do these songs have in common? Man, I don’t know but they left/leave a lasting impression and trends may come and go but quality man quality can never be substituted. Real voices with real experiences singing real songs. It’s in my DNA and courses through my veins and in some cases has been passed along to my children. Yeah, your welcome.

Back in the 1970’s seems like every girl has the album Tapestry by Carole King. That album, and those songs, were at every dance. At every roller skating rink. And, due to the wonderful technology in those days, on a device the size of a platter and thicker than the California redwoods, known as the 8 track tape. Hey kids give up your modern technology and try listening to songs only on an 8 track. The struggle(s) were…real and yeah we walked to school for miles in the snow, rain, thunderstorms, heat, and guess what? We had to repeat, this what would now qualify for a weekly show on National Geographic, endeavor to get back home. Hurray.

Back to Carole King. I have watched, and re-watched as that is just who I am, the 1971 concert of Carole King and not only did I learn she wrote one of my favorite songs of all time “will you still love me tomorrow” but she sings the hello kitty out of it. But the secret gem is her voice, passion, and throaty remembrance when she sings “up on the roof” co-written by her (by 2 years) ex-husband (note: if you get a chance check out him singing this song and he had a good voice in his own right) the multi-talented songwriter Gerry Goffin. Not to be outdone when she sings “a natural woman””, made infamous by Aretha Franklin, her version is just as honest. Just as soulful. Just as haunting. Just as soul provoking.

Simpler times are part of the title of this post but it is also a reference to life in times past that was life…more abundantly. Much more abundantly and I miss it.

From me to you via YouTube comes the incomparable Carole King raw and beautiful and as a footnote, it took place during the spring of my youth.

Take care and may God bless you

Jeff Schrembs

REUNITED (after 40 years)

When I permanently damaged the tendon in my right-hand index finger, which required surgery and in those days repairing a bone/tendon was in its infancy and most surgeons could not undertake the surgery, over 40 years ago I was devastated. A year prior I had inguinal hernia surgery, again most surgeons would not perform the surgery and now the hand that I threw footballs with. Shot basketballs with. Drew with etc. was irreparably damaged even after the surgery as was the area around the inguinal hernia. Both of these injuries were rare and individually and/or collectively adversely effected everything I excelled it was taken from me (or so I thought as did everyone else)

I had been blessed to excel in sports and art. My mother was a great artist and it seemed to easily flow unto the drawing paper from the pencil(s) she used. At around 5th grade I realized that I too had artistic talents. To make this post a summary I was President of the Art Club twice, was accepted and went to a prestigious Art School in Atlanta, and had a large portfolio of exceptional drawings. Many of which stayed at my Mothers home when I went off to college.

Through the years I have mourned the loss of many of my possessions including a very large 24×36 portrait drawing of my high school girlfriend. I had it framed, matted, and topped off with acid-resistant glass. I got many accolades about this drawing and when I gave it to her she was very happy. Her mother was speechless a memory I old till this day as sadly she recently passed away. Later on, her Father made a positive comment about it as it hung in a place of prominence in their home. Her parents I adored and have the utmost respect for them and my girlfriend’s brother Jay

I had reached out to their family, over a period of years, to ask if I could have a copy made as I considered it one of my favorites/best. Somehow my mother got it and had an 8×10 copy made and unknowingly she sent it to me recently and I was blown away to see it, even if it was dimensionally smaller, again and it brought back a lot of memories. Since my children have never seen this drawing, along with so many others, I opted to share it on this blog.

Note – I had to WATERMARK this drawing, as I have all my others, to protect my artwork from being “stolen” and/or used by others when in fact I created every line. Every shadow. Every highlight. Every eyelash. I am proud of this drawing and blessed that after these 40 years.  BUT the scan does not do justice to the original nor my high school girlfriend but it does capture the overall drawing even though it appears here to be so much darker.

As always comments will be read and appreciated in confidentially

Take care and God bless you

Jeff Schrembs.

Me without you

There are songs that you come across years after they have left the public eye or in this case ears.

I came across this song by the incredible singer Jennifer Nettles. I have been a fan of hers since she came on the scene. Her voice is the perfect compliment of octave manipulation, vocal inflections, nuances, raspy voice, and that true southern soul.

Far too many times I have received emails, or comments, about if I am thinking of someplace or someone when I post a video or song I like. Man, sometimes it is the case as I think of my children/family/loved ones/friends/church members and those I have been able to semi-mentor these past few years. But in this case, I just like the song. Are there particles of a prior relationship that comes to mind when I listen to this song? Probably but if you really loved someone, for a year or thirty, how can you not? But life goes on and each day is a new beginning.

To that certain someone, I really enjoyed your recent Instagram post and I’ll see you soon.

From YouTube comes the incomparable Jennifer Nettles song and I hope you like it

Take care and God bless you

Jeff Schrembs self pic October 16 2018

For my little girl. I love so very very much. 

Running in potholes

Nightmare. Websters defines it as; Definition of nightmare. 1 : an evil spirit formerly thought to oppress people during sleep. 2 : a frightening dream that usually awakens the sleeper. 3 : something (such as an experience, situation, or object) having the monstrous character of a nightmare or producing a feeling of anxiety or terror.

Well ladies and gentlemen one can have a nightmare during the day such as been the case for far too long. However, thanks to my God given will to confront a nightmare is the recipe for waking up to a new day with less drama and stress. One where the sunlight seems more beautiful. The clouds dance in the bluest of blue days. The air smells not of pollen or pollution but of life. Or the patterns of the wind with that “after rain” scent.

I have some upcoming medical procedures, tests, etc. but I will awaken these days with a calm. With a focus. With unrelenting love for my sons and my little girl.

Man, it seems like I had been running in potholes causing all days to be painful mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. and I am very thankful to my therapist of 8 years and my Psychiatrist of 6 years for battling cancer, Parkinson’s, PIDD, and other abnormalities seriously take their tolls in every imaginable way.

To break ones spirit. To dampen ones resolve to continue on with the knowledge that I pray for my children – their children – their mothers – and their mothers family. I always will. I think God for each moment even when I am locked in torturous pain. Even when my mind says my eyes can’t possible produce any more tears and yet through bloodshot eyes…they do, It is the soul that has been hurt and the side effect is tears.

And now that I have taken reasonable steps to ensure I have protected locks on my laptop, tablets, iPhone, etc.. As this dawn breaks forth I am thankful.

Lastly I’m going to have to get some new shoes that should allow me to expertly use my athletic skills (by the way…where did they go?) not fall into potholes of all shapes, forms, intents, etc. At almost 56 years on this earth, in 2 weeks AAAAAGGGGGGHHHH, I think with the proper outlook, support, my ever handing reading glasses, and some smooth Nike’s I will be able to see the potholes beforehand which I believe with each passing day will become less of a hardship. Less of a nightmare. And less reactive approaches to things/life.

God has blessed me all my life including these last two decades of life. Growing up I never believed I would live past 30 or 35. I shall make the most of these days, weeks, months, and years for after all if I don’t then the status quo will remain and I think it is time for some true, and beneficial, resolution. Man, it’s been far too long.

Enjoy your weekend.

Take care and may God bless you and yours… always.

Art. One of my passions since childhood

I have been blessed dating back as far as I remember to be able to draw. Whether it is charcoal, pen and ink, pencil, etc. I put my all into my artwork and it was my love for art that took me from Kentucky to the Art Institute. Man, it’s been quite a …while.

In October of 2017 I picked up a pencil and an artbook and started to draw. My intent was to see if I could control the coordination necessary to put onto paper, in detail, whatever subject I was focusing on at the time. After a month of practice I decided to try and draw from one of my favorite photographs of my oldest daughter when she was little. After many trials I was able to complete the drawing and gave the original to my daughter for Christmas.

It is my hope that I will be able to do a drawing of my little girl who is growing up to be a fine, smart, funny, and wholly beautiful soon to be 11 years old. Nonetheless  she will always be my little girl and one of the greatest loves of my life. Fortunately the time is upcoming when she can voice her desire for our relationship and I will surely embrace, and enjoy, every moment for there is no one else on earth (sans her mother) that loves her as much as I do. I have. And I always will. She deserves to have a positive relationship with both of her parents and God willing we will see one another sooner rather than later and find out firsthand about me.

*** Note – I have had to watermark my drawing, as I have all my others, as others have tried to pawn it off as their work(s).

 

Man, I ain’t always crying X 2

Yeah I think of, miss, want the best for, am proud of, love, etc. each of my children and theirs. BUT I ain’t always crying so dig this:

Attuned to the soul

An incredibility beautiful song.