HOW FAR BEHIND ARE WE?? >>> ABOUT 2-3 YEARS! (at least)

 
As we are sadly closing the chapter of my parents' AMAZING involvement in GTD I'm so blessed to know their legacy will live on as long as GTD lives on. As I pick up the pieces and begin to sit back up from the knockout blow of losing Dad a few months ago I'm also surveying "the damage" of the things I fell waaaaay behind on. Being available for my parents didn't come easy or without great sacrifices. GTD wouldn't exist without my parents. It wouldn't have grown without my parents. It wouldn't have survived the harsh years without my parents. It wouldn't have thrived without my parents. They were as much a part of this ministry as my Sister and I are. So when I say "survey the damage" from years of Caregiving I don't mean it as a complaint... I'm just trying to articulate that I didn't fall behind because I'm lazy or I was playing video games or I was shirking my responsibilities... I'm simply saying that, along with my Sister and several incredible people, I poured the last 5 years of my life into taking care of my parents and in doing so I fell waaaaay behind on EVERYTHING in my life... everything got less than it needed... it almost killed me and required waaaaay more than I had to give (but it was totally worth it).... so as I look around at my house, my ministry, my life it's all waaaaay behind on everything. It's just a fact... a status report. There isn't a single thing that doesn't need some type of attention STAT. Soooooo we are playing catch-up on everything. One of those things is our corporate finances. Jan has kindly stepped up to replace me as GTD's bookkeeper. The best I could stay on top of the past 5 years was paying the bills, paying the paychecks, & entering in all the donations & income. So we are 2 years behind on entering our expenses & monthly statements. We have until May 3rd to complete the 2023 bookkeeping and have it audited by Fredrick James Accounting (they're AMAZING!!) and then submitted to the IRS. Then we are on to 2024... and then on to 2025. It's an arduous task, but Jan is a quick & brilliant learner and she is doing a JANtastic job!!! A lot of my posts in 2025 will be very similar to this post... things we are waaaaay behind on and catching up on with the goal of RELAUNCHING GTD for our 30th Anniversary!!! TEASER ALERT: I'm EXCITED to share that our spectacular friend Jason Lazzaro ( jasonlaz.com ) is currently working on rebranding GTD with an entirely new logo, new colors, new website, new graphics, new everything!!! He specializes in building "HECK-YA!" brands and I'm thrilled he is a part of the GTD family!! The new logo & rebranding will be unveiled at this year's banquet in November!! Thank you for your continued prayers & encouragements... I'm forever indebted with the debt of love.

 

 

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HAPPY ST. ANNIE'S DAY 2025!!

 
Today, St Patrick's Day, was Mom's birthday ("Bird Day")... we loved getting dressed up in green every year to celebrate this phenomenal woman!! My Mom taught me so much and inspired me so much through her daily acts of selfLESSness... she sacrificed so many of her wants in order to care for all of our needs. As I was thanking God in prayer today for blessing me with an extraordinary Mom I started thinking about how many times when we chase our wants (I'm talking about selfish wants, not healthy wants) it results in hurting ourselves or others, but when we refuse the selfish wants in order to make ourselves take care of the selfLESS needs of others & ourselves it leads to enriched lives. My Mom is my 2nd biggest hero in my life (2nd only to Jesus), and I followed her example of picking needs over wants by staying here in Florida for the past 30 years to be here for my parents' needs as they aged when in my heart of hearts, in my deepest desires, & perhaps in my most selfish wants I wanted to live in the mountains of TN, north GA, or NC... today I watched a highlight video from my Mom's Celebration of Life Service 2 years ago and saw picture after picture of cherished moments & sacred memories I would have missed if I moved away. I didn't stay because I wanted to. I stayed because I needed to (and they needed me to). Like George Bailey in "A Wonderful Life" I just wanted so deeply to go chase this inner want to leave where I grew up and go explore other places, but the need to stay and help my parents, and be here for them like they were always there for me, and to not leave my Sister here alone to be the sole Caregiver all kept me from going and doing what I really deeply wanted to do. As I watched that video today and saw cherished moment after cherished moment with my parents, with my family, with my friends I experienced that George Bailey "Wonderful Life" moment, and tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. I didn't want to stay, but I'm so glad I did! Thank you Mom for living out that example in front of me... you are one of my greatest heroes!! I miss you and I love you!! Happy BIRD DAY in Heaven BIRDDOG!! Give Dad a big DUG HUG from me! I know he picked flowers for you today ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 

 

 

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A CRAPPY UPDATE!

   

I took an ambulance ride, and was in the hospital for 24 hours (Sun afternoon thru Mon afternoon) with some complications related to my post hernia surgery (TMI >>> unable to have a bowel movement for nearly a week). I'll spare you all the details lol. While in the ER I received a CT Scan, and the Dr walked over to me with his diagnosis: "Well, you're F.O.S." It took me a minute to figure out what that meant haha. The whole process to resolve the problem was one of the most painful experiences of my life. Around 9pm on Sunday night I gave birth to a 3 lbs "baby". All I can say is that the entire event was a huge pain in the butt hahaha >>> oh, too soon, too soon lol 😆. I'm back home recovering from the original hernia surgery and now the "post surgery complication"... pretty worn out, but a little better & better day by day PTL =). Many thanks to Laurie, Traci, & all the medical workers that do what they do to respond to every type of emergency... even the crappy emergencies.

 

 

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FORGOT TO POST SURGERY UPDATE FROM LAST WEEK:

FORGOT TO POST SURGERY UPDATE FROM LAST WEEK:

Robotic assisted bilateral inguinal hernia surgery (say that 10x real fast) was a success PTL. I took 3 to the gut (3 incisions). I feel like I tried to catch a cannon with my stomach, but they fired it before I was ready hahaha. Special thanks to Laurie for helping me from start to finish. Thank you friends & family for the prayers. Thank you to the wonderful medical staff at HCA Northside Hospital. I'm going to cancel my belly dancing lessons scheduled for tomorrow just to be on the safe side.

 

 

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Hernia Surgery Tomorrow

 

Double hernia surgery tmw (Tue) morning... thanks for the prayers =) 

 

 

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Yes, 6 more weeks of winter :) .... Happy GHD (Groundhog Day) everyone :)

  
Originally we were headed to Punxsutawney, PA this weekend to celebrate Groundhog Day. I love the movie and I love the goofiness of such a silly holiday. So 8 months ago I reserved flights, rental car, & accommodations to head off for our first trip to Punxsutawney, PA to join in the frigid festivities, but I wasn't really feeling it after Dad passed so I cancelled the trip. Lord willing, I'm kicking it to 2027 and will celebrate it in person then. But we are enjoying GHD today with a walk at the park, some decorations, yummy food, and of course - the movie. Happy GHD people... a silly "holiday" originally made to break up the monotony of long dark winters back in 1886/87... which serves as a reminder that breaking up monotony & starting new traditions can only be one silly idea away & the will to just do it. Whatever it is, I love GHD :)
 
UPDATE: According to The Weather Channel news: "Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Sunday morning in central Pennsylvania. That means we could see six more weeks of winter, at least according to Groundhog Day lore."

 

YOU GUYS DID IT AGAIN :) ...$103,670 RAISED :)

  
I have so many people to still thank... from the bottom of my heart >>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH to all of our One-Time & Monthly Donors that made it possible for us to hit & exceed our Annual $100,000 Fundraising Goal for the 6th year in a row. You have launched us into our 29th year of ministry. From a humble & grateful heart, I so so so so appreciate your magnificent generosity & loving support (especially over the past 2 months). All glory to God :) 

 

 

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DONE!

 

With all that's gone on over the past 7 weeks this feels like a major accomplishment... all our end-of-the-year / beginning-of-the-year deadlines completed. Thank you to all of our amazing donors, supporters, volunteers, and staff... couldn't do anything without all of you!! Mom used to help me with this every year... Missing Dad & Remembering BIRDDOG ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

  

 

JUST A REMINDER THAT DAD'S SERVICE IS TODAY AT 4PM...

  
JOIN US THIS SATURDAY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF JERRY GARNER!!

Dad's Celebration of Life Service is this Saturday January 18th at 4pm at Park Place Wesleyan Church in Dad's favorite city >>> Pinellas Park! (4400 70th Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781). There will be an open mic time for anyone who would like to share a 3-ish minute "Jerry Story"... we would LOVE to hear it!! Also, if you want to, you can wear suspenders, patriotic colors, military uniforms, or Alabama themed clothing in honor of Jerry.
 
The service will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend in-person.

LIVE-STREAM LINK:
Jerry Garner Celebration of Life Service:
https://youtube.com/live/LQFIQbqGOq4
 
Following the service there will be a time of fellowship on-site with food, refreshments, & snacks.

Thank you to everyone who has helped, encouraged, & prayed for our family ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
  
LIVE TO GIVE! DARE TO CARE!
HAVE THE NERVE TO SERVE!

 

 

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JOIN US THIS SATURDAY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF JERRY GARNER!!

   
Dad's Celebration of Life Service is this Saturday January 18th at 4pm at Park Place Wesleyan Church in Dad's favorite city >>> Pinellas Park! (4400 70th Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781). There will be an open mic time for anyone who would like to share a 3-ish minute "Jerry Story"... we would LOVE to hear it!! Also, if you want to, you can wear suspenders, patriotic colors, military uniforms, or Alabama themed clothing in honor of Jerry.
 
The service will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend in-person.

LIVE-STREAM LINK:
Jerry Garner Celebration of Life Service:
https://youtube.com/live/LQFIQbqGOq4
 
Following the service there will be a time of fellowship on-site with food, refreshments, & snacks.

Thank you to everyone who has helped, encouraged, & prayed for our family ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
  
LIVE TO GIVE! DARE TO CARE!
HAVE THE NERVE TO SERVE!

 

 

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Two Antiques And A Young Man!

 

   

Growing up one of my dreams was to take my parents on road trips and fun adventures when I got old enough to do that. After getting a good paying job I took them on our first road trip in the mid 1990's. They were "Two Antiques" and I was a "Young Man", and we were looking for adventure so we headed out on the highway... they had never gone white water rafting before, and Mom loved train rides while Dad was up for anything, especially if it included picking tomatoes! We set out for north Georgia, South Carolina, & North Carolina on our own little adventure. They were such good sports! I had a new video camera and they put up with all my goofy ideas for video footage... my Dad seemed to revel in each video appearance hahaha! Check out this 5 minute highlight video from our trip called "Two Antiques And A Young Man Head Out On The Highway", and see Dad's pure joy when he is picking tomatoes LOL!

 

 

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A MONTH OF DEPRESSION... SAYING GOODBYE TO DAD!!

  

The past month has been full of lots & lots of depression and sadness with little (& sometimes big) glimmers of joy each day... but mostly heavy doses of depression. It's hard to get out of bed each morning and I tend to want to go back to bed all day long. As weird as it sounds it feels very healthy to have this amount of grief. It feels like the very definition of what it means to mourn. It's all a part of this journey of grieving. I'm not suppressing anything and talking about everything. Laurie has stayed with me everyday since the initial incident... she sleeps on the sofa every night and we talk and workout every day. I had two & a half days last week with only mild depression so I do see little glimpses of what the future looks like, but I feel like I have a long road of healing ahead of me... not just for the loss of my Dad which is huge, but for the loss of both my parents as well as the toll of intense caregiving over the past 5 years as well as all the little & big regrets I have over the past 5 years plus this awful reality that it's all over... I mean that since I was 12 years old I planned to always be here to take care of my parents so it has always been a part of my identity... now it's all over and it feels very awkward and frankly sad, especially with the moments that were unbearably hard or the moments I failed to have a loving bedside manner... caregiving is a mirror that shows you the best inside of you as well as the most rotten selfish parts of you... and both God & I have seen the absolute ugliest parts of me over the past 5 years even if I was able to hide it from my parents 90% of the time. But that 10% that did reveal itself are part of my grieving process. I plan to seek some professional counseling after we bury my Dad. But right now we have so much to celebrate about this truly extraordinary man who was one of my heroes and whom I loved dearly as well as probably the person who frustrated me the most in my life too LOL. Buuuuuut, way more to love than to be frustrated by 😊😊😊 .... so come out and celebrate the life of our Dad next Saturday if you can!!
 
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JERRY GARNER
JANUARY 18, 2025 (4pm - 6:30pm)
(This service will also be live-streamed)
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Park Place Wesleyan Church
4400 70th Ave N
Pinellas Park, FL  33781
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Come celebrate the life of our beloved "Tomato Man" at the Celebration of Life Service for Jearld Douglass Garner on Saturday January 18, 2025 at 4pm. (This service will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend in-person). A reception with food & refreshments will follow in the dining hall. A variety of family & friends will speak on stage, and an open mic time will be available for all who would like to share a short 3-4 minute "Jerry Story".

My new mottos inspired by Dad's life of generosity are "DARE TO CARE" & "LIVE TO GIVE"... everywhere he went he cared, cared, cared & gave, gave, gave... he loved to give... he lived to give! It wasn't something he did; it was who he was... it was part of his DNA.
 
On behalf of our entire family, THANK YOU SO MUCH for the outpouring of love over the past month. Dad is sooooooo loved by so many ❤️ . We deeply miss his presence in our daily lives, yet we find comfort in knowing he is now pain-free, reunited with Mom, and in the presence of God.

 

 

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CHANGES TO UPCOMING EVENTS!

   

Due to recent events as well as the impending need for hernia surgery the following changes were made to the upcoming GTD Public Event Calendar:
  
1) SWAMP THING IS CANCELLED, BUT WILL RETURN IN 2026
 
2) IGNITE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO OCT 10-12, 2025
  
I apologize for any inconvenience!!

 

 

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