About rkpaulus

Writer. Mom. Wife. Basketball coach. Lover or all things chocolate. Winner of bubble gum jar! Grace is my oxygen.

Once Upon a Hero

Posted on October 18, 2012 by rkpaulus

I fall in love. A lot. Doesn’t take much, actually.

Smile. Make me laugh. Buy me a drink, and my heart is yours.

Kidding, Hubs. My heart only belongs to my Sunshine, and anyone who knows me, knows, I am INTO my Hubs!

But I am drawn to people who wow me—with their stories. But not just any ordinary story. The stories that magnetically captivate me are the ones that involve a hero. Especially when I’m listening to the details. And find out that the hero of the story is standing in front of me. Continue reading →

My Two Minutes as Dr. Raj

Posted on October 17, 2012 by rkpaulus

http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

They say if you go through med school as a spouse of a medical student, you may as well be considered a med student.

They say if you lose enough sleep cuz your hubby is across the street pulling long nights as a resident, you may as well have been a resident. Even if the reason you’re awake is a crying baby.

They say if you’re married to a doc, you may as well be a doc. I mean, come on, if you’ve heard the guy who people call “Doctor” [which still cracks you up at times cuz, well, he’s just Sun to you, and Doctor sounds so… so… Okay, I need to not be in trouble tonight, so let me filter that thought. Just that one.]

Anyway, what was I saying? Yes. If you’ve heard Dr. Spouse give advice, prescribe meds, and field emergencies on the phone, you’ve been vicariously educated even if you don’t get the m.d. behind your name and passed the sterile processing certification

So, yes, I’ve been known to give out medical advice here and there. My grandma used to. Hey, her son’s a doc. My mom does. Her brother’s a doc. But I’ve learned a few things along the way. Continue reading →

Pink Boxing Gloves … 3 Years Later.

Posted on October 16, 2012 by rkpaulus

*[Last year, I wrote a little story about my Sister and her fight with breast cancer. Today’s her birthday, and we have a lot to celebrate! But first, a little flash back to give you a glimpse of how special this woman is to me!]

*Three Years Ago

The news of my little sister’s breast cancer shadows our household and I am still shaken. My faith lies speckled with doubt. I can’t help but ask “Why?” and ask more than once.

God never promised that the rain would only fall on certain days. On certain folks. Or only so hard. When it rains, we all get wet. Couldn’t see the end of the rainfall in those early days.

One of the most painful moments happens while driving down to see my sister for my cousin’s wedding. This will be the first time I see Sandi after her diagnosis, and only a couple of days after her first round of chemo. I’m so anxious, I lose sleep that whole last week.

One of the hardest parts about writing something down is that in order to remember the details, you have to go back there. I’m not gonna lie. It’s not easy to go back there. I’ll be right back.

*** Continue reading →

October Rainfall Run

Posted on October 15, 2012 by rkpaulus

http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

Wake up this morning with every intention to run. Then I hear the patter of rain outside my bedroom window. I do not want to run in the rain.

Truth is, I do not like to run. I don’t hate it like I used to. But I am so not there. That runner’s high people talk about? I’m thinking the closest I’ve ever come is one time when I got distracted by the music on my iPod during a jog and ran into a parked car and went flying HIGH into the air, but miraculously landed on my feet and kept running.

Okay, so the story above is slightly skewed, but there was a time when my husband biked into a street barrier, flew off his bike, and landed on his feet and actually continued down the street running. I swear! True story. Ask his friends in Miami. He was the campus SuperHero…for like a day.

So anyway, this morning, I am thinking of all the reasons I cannot possibly run in the rain. What if I fall? What if some speeding car whizzes by my and bumps me off the road in a wake-making blur? What if my pinky toenails fall off? Continue reading →

45 Reasons My Parents Still “Do!”

Posted on October 11, 2012 by rkpaulus

*This is a RE-Post from Last October.

Today is my parents’ 45th Anniversary! I loved writing this little fun list about the couple that inspires me daily when it comes to dedication, devotion, and friendship in marriage! I added #44 today to share why I look up to them! Because they truly live out their vows, and we’re kicking it up a notch and celebrating in style on October 27th with friends and family! Yikes, that’s only a couple weeks away! Stay tuned for a romantic blog down lover’s lane that week!

Mom loves Dad.
Dad Loves Mom.
Mom cooks.
Dad eats. Continue reading →

Trade of Innocents: A Movie that Moves Me

Posted on October 10, 2012 by rkpaulus

Take the 7 line to the F line into the city from Jackson Heights after I miraculously find parking on a side-street near the station! Get off at 14th street and then proceed to cross the same street—three times, because as much as I love the city, I still get turned around when I enter Manhattan via subway. I think the numbers are going up. So I turn around and walk the other way. But the addresses are even higher numbers, and so I turn back around and find The Quad Cinema less than a block away.

I approach the booth and after eyeing the steep New York City movie fares, I crouch down when my turn comes and say, “One child ticket please.”

The guy behind the counter chuckles. “Eleven dollars.”

“Right. One adult ticket for Trade of Innocents.” Continue reading →

Moved… By Moments that Press the Pause in Me

Posted on October 4, 2012 by rkpaulus

The day my grandma passed away, almost six months ago, I read a Facebook status that said something like, “My boy is gone to heaven. And I only held him for a few minutes.”

Friends of ours gave birth to their first-born son. Who took his last breath before they ever had a chance to enjoy him.

My grandmother was in her 80’s. This child was one day old.

Pause.

*** Continue reading →

Moved… to Ask a Few Questions

Posted on October 2, 2012 by rkpaulus

When I last left you at the Hilton on Movement Day, the opening session had just began and Ajith Fernando was speaking in front of the thousand plus attendees in the Grande Ballroom. But I hadn’t finished my morning volunteer duties, so I can’t say that I heard much of what he said. As I made my way back to the registration desk, a big guy, sporting a serious bottom goat is speaking with my supervisor. I guess my next person is up. I wait on the side until she finishes reviewing his schedule.

“So, where ya from Rick?” I can’t deny the fact that I’m a little curious as to how this guy got on the VIP list. He looks a little shady.

“Portland.” Well that explains it. Kidding. 🙂

“Cool. Have you been in the city long? Had a chance to do anything fun yet?”

“Nope. But my wife is out with some friends of ours having a great time while I’m here.”

This one’s a bit of a wise guy. I read his name tag: Rick McKinley, Pastor of Imago Dei. “You seem kinda young to be a Pastor?” Don’t know why I said this! Maybe it was the conversation about age with Tim Keller.

“Yup. But I also started the church. Twelve years ago.”

“Very cool.” We’re about to enter the green room, so I warn him. “It’s not green.” Then tell him a little about myself and my writing dream. We have a nice chat and he tells me to shoot him a copy of my book when it comes out. As I leave Rick to powder his nose, I think to myself, I hope I get to hear him speak. Something tells me he’ll make me laugh. Continue reading →

What Moves You?

Posted on September 28, 2012 by rkpaulus

I wake up at 3:28AM yesterday to attend New York Leadership Center’s Annual Movement Day. Although registration doesn’t open until 8:00AM, volunteers are asked to arrive at the downtown Hilton at 5:30AM. Unfortunately, no LIRR lines from Locust Valley leave early enough to get me there, so I can either drive into the city and take my chances finding parking or carpool with my two friends and get dropped off at the door. I choose the latter, but it comes at a price. Sleep, of course. Because I have to be at my friend’s house at 4:30AM, and just typing all these before the sunrise clock times is making me drowsey.