Back to "Reality"

Today was my first day back to class, and it was a long one - or maybe it just felt that way because I stayed up till three writing a radio ad. I'm not sure what our instructor is looking for in that class, but apparently no one is doing it. I want to hear his criticism, but there's constructive and then there's just criticism, which is what I feel like I get from certain other students in that class. Oh well, I know who has a clue and who doesn't, but how irritating.

I know it's best to jump back in and do everything so that's what I'm trying to do. It's just hard to get back in the swing of things after the past couple of weeks. nI'm just glad I have my friends and especially Andy to keep me calm when I feel overwhelmed. By Thursday (or Wed night girl's night), I should feel a lot better, especially if I have time to do the stuff I really should like laundry and grocery shopping. For now, I have a little over 24 hours to come up with a children's book and rough sketches. :)

My dad

Most of y'all know what happened after my previous post, but if not, I'll explain why I haven't written in over a week. Tuesday, April 10th, after four years of waiting, went in to get his liver transplant. He called before he went into surgery, excited and looking forward to hopefully feel better. We said I love you and he told me to go to class. ;)
Since my senior year in high school, he's been sick. First they though it was cancer, but after surgery at MD Anderson, he was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (Walter Payton's Disease). When they went in to get his old liver out, there were so many complications from scar tissue and extra blood vessels that the surgery took much longer than normal and his body was too weak to accept the new liver.
I flew home as soon as I knew the surgery was going too long and was there by his side with the rest of my family when he passed. I can't believe he's gone. I just keep telling myself he's in a better place doing all the things he was too sick to do anymore. He was the greatest father and role model and I'm lucky to have had so much time with him. Here's what we wrote for the paper to share some insight into his life:

THOMAS CARL BELSHA, SR., beloved husband, father, brother, son and friend, passed away 4/10/07 of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Born in St. Louis, MO, 3/18/1952, to Elmer and Ruth Belsha, he grew up in Jennings, MO. He attended The University of Missouri at Rolla from 1970-74, where he played football his freshman year. After graduation in 1974 with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering he worked for Amoco Production Co. in Andrews, TX, and Houston, TX, where he met and married Robin Glasgow Richards in 1977. He later worked for Union Texas Petroleum in Houston, Lafayette, LA and Denver, CO, and once again in Houston. For the remainder of his career, he worked for Scana Petroleum and Seagull Energy which became Ocean Energy, now part of Devon Energy. Active in his community, this Eagle Scout was a leader in Boy Scouts and Indian Princesses. He devoted many years supporting his children’s activities at J. E. Taylor High School parent groups for football, Pacesetters and choir, chaperoning many choir trips. As a 23 year member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Katy, he served on the Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, youth group leader, Sunday School teacher, Usher and sang in the chancel and men’s choirs. Memberships included Kappa Sigma Fraternity, The Society of Petroleum Engineers, and Trinity University’s PAWS football parents group. An avid sportsman, he especially loved football, baseball, basketball, golf, hunting, snow skiing, camping and any activity involving his children and friends. He is survived by his cherished wife of 28 years, Robin Richards Belsha; their children, Thomas Carl Belsha, Jr., John Logan Belsha, Rebecca Marie Belsha, Jerissa Poulson Belsha his daughter-in-law; his mother Ruth Abstein Belsha; brothers: Dennis, Peter, Robert and Craig; his mother-in-law Mary Lynn J. Richards and a large extended group of family and friends. Thomas Carl Belsha, Sr.’s warmth, wit, kindness, ethics, leadership and dedication to the important things in life were an inspiration to all who knew him.

My brothers and I planned the memorial service with scripture and songs that meant a lot to him. We put together a slide show and recorded the songs, Psalm 139 and Recollection of Joy:

I Thank my God when I remember you, for he has blessed my life with yours. In every prayer of mine for you, I'm filled with joy! For I hold you, I hold you in my heart.

Say a prayer...

My Dad is having liver transplant surgery as I write this. He's been on the list for over four years, and finally got a call this moning that they had a match. He's been under for about ten hours a this point and all I know is that due to his previous surgeries, things are complicated. So, please say a prayer. Andy and Chrissy are here with me. We've been watching "The Bachelor" and my new favorite movie, "The Holiday." I'm so lucky to have such a great guy and friends that are here for me to distract and think good thoughts.

It seems silly to me that I'm here working on an "art object" – a shirt with huge wings that is supposed to tell the story of who I am right now – while my family is in Houston waiting at the hospital.

To blog about anything else, I had a nice Easter this weekend with Andy and his family. This was the first Easter that I haven't worn a new dress because it was 30 degrees outside. I had the cutest one picked out too, but I'll have to save it. Andy's mom is so sweet. She made me an Easter basket and for my birthday, baked my favorite kind of cake and got me the cutest outfit from Banana Republic! I think his parents like me ;)

Six Flags or not

I got up at 4:30 this morning (at the first ring of my alarm) to meet Chrissy, Mer and Ty at 5:15. Apparently, that was not early enough. The radio station 100.5 was letting people into Six Flags this morning for free between 6 and 9 am. We figured if we left my place around 5:15, we'd be there early enough, but on the way a around 5:50, they announced that Six Flags was over capacity. Over 15,000 people got in before 6 am and the doors closed. They even had to close the exit ramps off I-20. Craziness.

I had assumed there would be a crowd, but nothing like this. I didn't know it was spring break for Georgia schools. :/ Oh, well, we'll go later when it's not as packed.

I'm back blogging officially now. You can expect at least 3 blogs a week, yay! (Mom, I know you'll be excited.)

Just to catch everyone up, I just started my third quarter here at PC in the ATL and I'm really excited to get down to business again. Break was a lot of fun. I went home to Houston and brought Andy with me. My family and friends think he's a great as I do, of course. :) We had a great break and it was great to see everyone (especially my girls Ashleigh and Ashley)!!!




I'm off to wok on wings for my "art object" project for my Children's Book class. Later, (promise)!