Remembering Poppy

Wish I Could Go Fishing...

It is six o’clock in the morning. Papa walks into my room and taps my shoulder, “Hey Sport, it’s time to go fishin’!” Dragging myself out of bed, I wake up to the smell of brewed coffee and cover myself in sunscreen. I always slept in my swimsuit the nights before we would go fishing, this way I would be ready to go, without delay. My job was to fill the ice chest with sodas and treats while he uncovered the boat and got our gear. After we were ready we would head to the doughnut shop and order two maple bars and a glazed doughnut. I don’t even like doughnuts, but for some reason they always tasted better when I was with my Poppy. “That will be one hundred and fifty big ones”, the woman at the register would tell him. Papa would smile and hand her two dollars as a down payment and say, “I’ll catch ya next time. Hey, you have a good one, Partner!”

Upon entering the lake docks papa pulls up next to the guard station and shows his pass. “Yeah, I’ll take two cheese burgers, an order of fries, and a large soda pop.” He was always known as a jokester. Everyone loved him for his personality and friendliness. He treated everyone with dignity, respect, and always put a smile on everyone’s face.

When papa would catch a fish, he would set the hook, and pass the real to me. I would fight the bass and real it up to the boat. Papa would always give me the glory, never claiming it as his fish. When we got back to the house he would tell Granny of the fish I caught and give me all the bragging rights. This is how he approached many aspects of his life. He always worked for the good of others, never thinking of himself. He was a very caring person and got the most joy out of serving and making others happy.

Growing up, I would visit Granny and Papa for six to eight weeks each summer, which never seemed long enough. Fishing with my Poppy was always my favorite thing to do, and I eagerly looked forward to spending the summers with him. We spent numerous summers together out on Lake Oroville, searching for the “village idiot”, as Papa would call all the fish we eventually caught. For all the hours we spent on the water, we never had much to show for it at the end of the day. Well, that is what I thought at the time. However, I have come to realize I always came home with much more than a fish, if we even had one. Those hours on the lake gave me what matters most in life. I may have not come home with a fish, but I always came home with a stronger relationship with this amazing person. I loved going out on the water and talking with Papa. Even when we would just fish and not talk, it was rewarding just being in his presence.

Papa was a very important and influential man in my life and in the community. Because of the strong relationship we built and the many hours we spent on Lake Oroville, my poppy became my best friend. He is my hero, he taught me many of my values, and helped me become who I am today. He was a man full of wisdom, love, comic relief, and selflessness. He always put others before himself and had a heart for making a difference and serving others. He was a man of honor, one who fought for his country, and served his neighbor. He taught me how to make a difference and show people they are important and appreciated. Every Wednesday he took a Pepsi out to his garbage man. How many of us think of showing respect and gratitude to the man that picks up our garbage? He brought the newspaper to the front door of his elderly neighbor. Once emptied, he would wheel neighbors’ garbage cans up their driveways and return them to their rightful places. He would hold the doors open for people (something he never forgot to do even with Alzheimer’s), greet people he didn’t know with a smile and “Hey, Guy” or “Hey, Partner”, and make everyone he’d meet smile. He had a positive and personal impact on anyone he met. It’s people like this that make our nation strong and great.

As I grew older, our friendship continued to grow as well. He worried about loosing his “fishin’ buddy” to boys or rebellious teen years, but our ties were too strong. It was so strong, in fact, that after the Alzheimer’s had progressed and had stolen the names and faces of loved ones from his memory, he knew me.

Knowing his condition and wanting to support my mother and grandma through this difficult time, I left Colorado and spent two months in Oroville in the summer of 2005. I admit I was frightened to know his reaction when he would see me. My family prepared me for the worst, which was that he may not recognize who I am. When I arrived at the house he shot out of his chair and with a smile he exclaimed, “Well, there’s my buddy!” I was so grateful and excited he knew me. He knew me! He may have not called me by my name, but I saw in his face and heard in his voice he knew who he was addressing.

He had not wanted to leave the house much before I got there, except to go buy M&M candies at Wal-Mart when his candy jar ran empty. He was in rehabilitation from heart surgery and disliked people making him walk the block. However, the first day I got there we drove up to the dam, a tradition of ours when I came to visit, and we looked out at the water level, talking and joking about all the fish we never catch. We talked a while and got out and walked close to the water. After, as I was driving back, he motioned that we should go swing by the visitor center, also a tradition of ours. While at the visitor center, he attempted to climb the steps of the tower, overlooking the view of Lake Oroville. He reached the third floor and decided he was done, but the amazing part is he remembered our traditions and initiated all the events of the day.

Those two months were very difficult, but I was thankful I had the opportunity to be there for him and my family. I was there to talk to him and was able to comfort him when he thought he was going crazy and was broken down in tears. One day he looked out the window and seemed very concerned. I asked what was wrong, and he replied, “Those bears in my car!” Instead of insisting that there were no bears in his car, I peeked through the window with him and bravely said, “Don’t worry Papa, I’ll take care of those bears!” I walked outside opened and closed all the doors to the car and returned to the house. “Well Papa, I showed them; they won’t be in your car anymore.” “Well how bout that!” he sighed.

God gave me the strength to comfort him when he would cry and I could joke with him, as he always enjoyed a good joke. All his life he was cracking a joke or wise comment. My favorite growing up was when a bug hit the windshield he would say, “Whelp, I bet he won’t have the guts to do that again!”

When the time came for me to head back to Colorado, my papa gave me one of the biggest hugs he has ever given me and tears swelled up in his eyes. It was the hardest good-bye, as I was not sure what was to happen the next time I saw him. I traveled back to Colorado the middle of August, 2005.

William Hollis Killingsworth was a great man, an honest and loving man. All who knew Papa loved and respected him. I have learned many lessons by the way he lived his life. He had a positive impact on all who knew him. I miss him immensely, but I am grateful for the many memories we share. He passed away later in October, but in the end, he still remembered his fishing buddy.

The Things Kids Say.....

Oh what fun it is to be a teacher! You hear some of the most hilarious things from kids. I am sure I have already forgotten a great deal, but I wanted to jot a few down before they are erased from my memory forever. Here are a few of my favorite teacher-student moments; some are funny, while others are sweet, but they all make the list of favorite moments.

1) All time favorite moment: After coming back from a week long vacation I asked students in my PE class how their break was. People of the international culture often travel home or elsewhere every chance they get. On this vacation my students traveled to places like Egypt, Hawaii, and Australia. I noticed one of my 8 year old boys seemed very tan. I said, “Ivan you are so tan even your teeth look tan!” His reply, “Oh no, that’s because I forgot to brush my teeth today!” At which, all students around him scattered in disgust…. But it was a funny moment for all of us, including Ivan.

2) While at a school picnic Connor, a 6 year old boy, came to me and wrapped his arms around my leg. He looked up and smiled at me and said with much enthusiasm, “Hi Mrs. Runyan!” This moment made me happy to be a teacher.

3) Adam always says, “Puppy love is real to puppies.” I never really thought about it much until this week. I told a 5 year old boy, let’s call him “Romeo,” to come play. Normally a very active child, I found him on bench talking with a girl. Romeo’s response, in a thick childish Russian accent, as he stood up nice and tall and dramatically proclaimed, “She does not want to play, and I cannot be without she. I like she. I must be with she.” “Juliet” shyly turned to the side, looked away and batted her little brown eyes.

4) Oh Ivan. How I miss Ivan. Many of my favorite moments were with Ivan. He was a very entertaining child in my class. We often run a 1 lap warm up for PE. One day Ivan wasn’t running. Instead he was bent over digging through rocks. I asked him what he was doing and he insisted, “I’m discovering real gold Mrs. Runyan!” I offered to hold his ‘gold’ while he ran a lap, but he accused me of wanting to steal it. Can you believe it? Me, stealing Ivan’s gold from the school track!

5) While pregnant with Nya, a 6 year old student patted my belly, waived to it, and said with his hand to the side of his mouth to make louder for Nya to hear, “Hi Mrs. Runyan’s baby!” Pretty cute, really, and it was the only unsolicited belly touch that didn’t creep me out.

6) Connor: "Mr. Runayn, I know who your girlfriend is." Adam: "Oh you do!" Connor: "Yeah!" Adam: "Who is my girlfriend?" Connor: "Mrs. Runyan!"

7) Did you know I am a superstar? At least, I feel like one when I walk into the lunch room or down the hallway and 50-something 5-6 year old shout, “It’s Mrs. Runyan!” And, then proceed to charge me all at once. This was the case when I was washing my hands in the bathroom and I was spotted by one of my 5 year olds. “Mrs. Run is in the bathroom!” She shouted to her classmates down the hall. Immediately the class of 12 students, boys and girls, came rushing in the girl’s bathroom to give me a hug. Autographs anyone?

I’m sure there are many moments missing from this list. However, I can’t help but smile when I reminisce about these special times. There will be many more to come!

What is Health?

I teach Health. It is Sunday night, and I am thinking about what my lesson plan will be for Monday, as it is by nature that I procrastinate. The usual topic for health class is "Did you eat breakfast?", "Why wear a seat belt?", and physical activity vs a sedentary lifestyle. Tonight is different. I can't think about issues like soda and cookies for lunch, or if you went for a run or played video games. My heart is too heavy for that. Although these things do affect health and are important, they get lost in the deep dark shadows of things much greater.

What is heath? What does it mean to be healthy?

My daughter, Nyellie, was sick this week with a high fever of 103 degrees (39.4 Celsius), lasting 3 days. Medicine to break her fever was not working, so the doctor prescribed an antibiotic. Today, after two days of antibiotic, a rash has appeared throughout Nya's little body. As a mother, I am saddened by her discomfort and want so badly for her to be well. My reality: my daughter is sick.

I worry for my daughter's health, but 8557 kilometers away there is another little girl in the USA going in for a liver transplant today. She is not even 1 year old. While we rejoice that one baby's life is being saved and praying with all our heart, mind and soul that she will recover quickly and grow strong, parents are grieving over the loss of their baby whose liver was donated. Their reality: For one it is, "Our baby has a hope of a future!" For the other it is, "Our baby is gone."

A friend's mother is grieving over the loss of a good friend, while at the same time eagerly awaiting the birth of her grandbaby, due at any moment. Her reality: For those we care about, there is death and there is life.

As we enjoyed dinner with a friend, he shared a story of ministry efforts in India. This ministry works to find homes for children coming from mothers at brothels. They go into the trenches to offer hope and bring light where our worst nightmares will not dare to take us. While at the brothel to pick up a child they walked though the halls and noticed what looked like a row of storage closets. They asked the manager if they use that section of the building for storage too. The question was met with a heart piercing and sickening answer: It's used to break the will of new arrivals. Like cargo going in and out. New "merchandise", new slaves, are forced to stay in dark closet-like rooms. The door opens for only food and men to be serviced until the girls surrender their will and die to themselves. When women come with young children or are pregnant the brothel does not want the burden or responsibility, so they willingly turn them over to the ministry. These mothers' reality: "I am broken, hopeless, an empty shell of a human, and do not know what has become of my baby."

It is not just Mumbai, brothels exist everywhere; human trafficking exists everywhere. Women and children are forced into prostitution or sex slavery everywhere. Think your town is immune? Guess again. So long as the human race craves money and sex to a point that they are willing to do anything to get it, rape, trafficking, kidnapping, deceit, coercion, or other means, there will be brothels, there will be strip bars, there will be massage parlors, prostitution, child pornography, nude magazines, internet porn, mail order brides, exotic dance clubs, "gentlemen's club"...... there will be.

You may be perplexed why I would even list porn and clubs in the same sentence as brothel and human trafficking. But aren't there legitimate clubs with great shows and entertainment? Don't they all voluntarily do it for great pay? Prostitutes are all druggies and choose that lifestyle anyway, right? Plus, it's everywhere. Sorry to tell you, but if you have participated in any commercial sex avenue, you are guilty of paying into human trafficking. Paying for the actual act of sex or just merely sitting back enjoying the show (or pictures) makes the commercial sex industry thrive. There are woman trafficked everywhere around the globe, suffering for your pleasure and entertainment. That woman at the strip club, yeah, she has her reality too: She dreams of helping her mother sell produce in the market again back in South America; the life she knew before she was tricked into a promising waitressing job opportunity in the US, that landed her several beatings, life threats, waitressing tables in the morning, servicing men by day, and dancing for man's pleasure night after night, and with no pay. In fact, now she is worried about the accruing debt placed on her by her employer, because she must pay back the flight ticket, passport fees, and pay for an unsatisfied customer today. People, we are the problem, and we are the solution. Make a difference and make healthy choices! Think that is too heavy? I've gone too far? Well, that is the world's reality.

Research it. Learn about it. Stop it. Don't pay into it. Fight human trafficking and the commercial sex industry.

My child has a rash. One child is getting an organ transplant. One's parents are looking at an empty nursery room. One is entering the world. One will never know his mother. One dances around a pole stripped naked of her dignity. There is a different reality for us all.

So what is health? It is not the cookie you eat or the laps you run. Health is the everyday choices we make that can affect us and the world we live in, either positively or negatively. The ripple effect of the everyday choices we make holds a greater weight than we realize. Students in my class are going to be world leaders of all levels. Youth of over 54 nationalities who are children of ambassadors and diplomats, leaders of organizations, CEOs of corporations and world banks. They really are the leaders of tomorrow. What do I teach them about health? The curriculum, which is important, just seems pale in contrast tonight.

12 months... and 2 weeks of life!

Parents always tell me babies grow fast. It is true! To imagine I was just getting out of the hospital one year ago and my whole life changed. I went into the hospital with a watermelon shaped belly, or basketball if you prefer sports, and come home a mother!

I am looking at my beautiful girl. I don't think I can call her a baby anymore. She is sitting on the living room floor, playing with a colorful wooden shape-sorter puzzle, and still wearing clothes size 6-9 months (she's always been petite). One piece of the puzzle is just out of her reach. She leans to the side and stretches her little fingers as far as they could to get the puzzle piece; the cat shape to be precise.... something about that cat! It always goes missing, and I, with my OCD tendencies literally can't go to bed unless that darn cat is found and in its place.... (wait, I was telling a story.) As I was saying, the piece is just out of Nya's reach. Instead of crawling she gets into the squatting position (perfect form I might add), stands up, and puts one foot in front of the other. She walks over to the puzzle piece. Then, getting distracted, like her mother often does, walks over to Riley dog and tries to share her cat cut out with him. She must know he loves cats!

That's right, she is walking! A year has passed and Nyellie is walking, talking, and getting so big! Not only is she talking, but she is bilingual! Nya said "give me" in Russian this week! Her very first word was a perky "hi", followed by dada, mama, dog and book. Although dog is more like "dagh" and book is "boo", but we understand. They really do grow fast!

Here is a glimpse of Nyellie over her 12 months of life!

Excited parents expecting Nya anyday! September 2010

Nyellie Addison Runyan born September 20, 2010!

New Born- So sleepy

1 month - 1st family vacation, Lviv Ukraine

2 months - 1st smile!

3 months - 1st International flight & 1st time meeting Grandpa!

4 months - 1st laugh while in Rome! Best sound ever!

5 months - Found her toes!

6 months - 1st foods, carrots!

7 months - 1st time to roll over, see grass, play in sand, see the sea, and swim in a pool!

8 months - 1st time crawling, waiving, giving a kiss, and standing up! Plus 1st tooth! Big month.

9 months - Boating and visiting all the grandparents!

10 months - 1st word, "hi"!

11 months - Started walking 4 days before her 1st birthday!

12 months! 1st birthday! Loved opening presents and being the center of attention.

These are a few of my favorite things

Living internationally, it is normal to have days were you ask yourself, "Why am I even here?" Those are the days where every little thing the other culture does just gets on your nerves. We, here in Kiev, like to call those, "I hate Ukraine days".

Today was an I hate Ukraine day for me. Every little detail drove me up the wall. Like, why is it so hard to create slopes on sidewalks, at crosswalks and curbs for strollers and wheelchairs? Why must you breathe on my neck when it is not a crowded bus? WHY does everyone smell like B.O. and a chimney? Yes, those days do exist, and it is in the I hate Ukraine moments when we must stop and look at why we have come to love it here as well.

I thought it was about time to update our blog; considering Nyellie is now days away from her first birthday! Adam and I have lived in Kiev, Ukraine for little over 2 years and are beginning our third school year at Kiev International School. Here are some reasons we love the great city we live in:

I am sitting in our living room admiring a beautiful bouquet of vibrant red mums. Babushkas (grandmas) line the sidewalks and metros selling anything they have to offer to make a living: flowers, goat's milk, produce. Not only are the flowers inexpensive and beautiful, but you can walk away feeling good about supporting the real 'mom and pops'.

Kiev has such a relaxed pace of life. Sure, it's a massive city of over 3 million people and we have something planned nearly every night of the week, however, I cannot deny the significant amount of time we get to be with our daughter. The quantity of quality time we get with Nyellie is one of the biggest reasons we love it here.

Kiev has the most incredible parks. The numerous parks and little forests are great locations for grilling shashlik with friends. Many parks have beautiful sceneries of Ukrainian architecture, churches, the Dnipro River, and other important Kiev landmarks. In spring they are landscaped with beautiful lilacs, tulips, and other beautiful flowers.

Nyellie enjoying a day out at the botanical gardens. Kiev's most beautiful park.


















There are many activities to do in and around Kiev that are fun and affordable.

Adam and I explored the activities to do in Kiev for his birthday. We went to a Cubano Restaurant with great food and live Cubano music, had a picnic and paddled across a lake (about $3 for 1/2 hour), dressed up for Madame Butterfly (an Italian opera, at Kiev Opera House, based in Japan, with U.S. Naval officers, and in Russian subtitles! Also about $3 per ticket).
















The central location of Ukraine is ideal for travel. Not only can you take an overnight train and wake up at the beach in Odessa or in the Carpathian mountains, but you can find great deals on airfare. Spontaneous trips to other countries are also feasible. We've found flights to Norway for $16, Poland for $30, and Spain for $60.... and have made it back safe and sound to tell the tale!

At the Black Sea in Odessa, Ukraine.
















Kiev is beautiful! Although there are many Soviet buildings that are drab, ran down, and dark, the city also has very beautiful and impressive architecture rich in detail and color.

Maidan square in downtown Kiev. The glass domes are actually skylights for one of Kiev's many underground malls.

Learning about customs, cultures and traditions are always something Adam and I are drawn to. That is why we love learning about Ukraine and working at KIS where there are over 55 nationalities.












This is Lovers Bridge. After a couple gets married they put a lock on the bridge.

Learning a new language! The US has got to get on board with this. It is almost embarrassing when we travel and everyone from other countries knows 3 or more languages and we know..... English. We're trying!




I thought this would be a neat photo of my mom and a sign in cyrillic. Later I learned it was warning about ticks. Whops.



















I think Kiev has some of the longest and fastest escalators in the world. Long escalators and underground shopping malls are just some of the unique fun things about Kiev.

Ken Chapman, Adam and I having fun in the Kreschatik metro station.
















Life experiences! We shared our welcome to Ukraine with the Swine Flu, also known as H1N1. School was shut down for the month of October 2009, and spectators were required to wear masks at the Dynamo soccer game. It didn't stop the fun though, as smoke bombs and cheering filled the stadium.

There are many other reasons we love Ukraine, but these are just some of the highlights. It is always fun to go back and look at our photos and see the many adventures and experiences we have living abroad. This week we were invited to celebrate Mexico's 201st Independence Day, at the home of the Ambassador of Mexico. Our community through school and ICA church are an incredible support as we live far from family. We have been able to endure many I hate Ukraine days, thanks to the love and encouragement of our community and Kiev family. We look forward to another eventful year full of I hate AND I love Ukraine moments!