HUGS

Hugs are amazing things and they are so versatile.

Hey Jane, how nice to see you.  Jane smiles,  holds out her arms and walks into the arms of Dick as they warmly embrace each other. They chat for a short time, squeeze hands and then continue in separate directions to work, both smiling and feeling good as they start their day.

Hey Jane, nice to see you.  Are you OK, you look a bit sad?  Jane attempts to smile as she walks into Dick's outstretched arms and begins to cry on his shoulder. Dick holds her, pats her back, offers muffled words of encouragement and then squeezes her tight as he steps back from her.  Dick smiles, offers a bit more encouragement; Jane sucks it up, thanks him and they share another quick hug.  They separate, each one walking into their world for the day.  One may be feeling better, the other wondering about what just happened, why and what else he can do, all because of a hug.

Jane stoops down, grabs up Spot, twirls him in the air, hugs him, maybe even gives him a quick peck on top of his head. She feels love & so does Spot!

Giving love, receiving love, offering care and concern along with many other emotions, all wrapped up in one hug. Hugs are meant to be shared.....don't waste time, go find someone to hug!

Technology

Last night I purchased an Ipod for myself.  I'm excited but a bit scared.  All I really wanted was an electronic address book.....kind of expensive, I know but it was a Christmas gift from my mother in law.  Thank you Ma!  I'm glad you are not here to hear me rant about it as I try to figure out how to use it, but I'm more sad because you aren't here to see the joy your gift will bring me......eventually.  We have another lawyer appointment and a banking appointment today so I won't start trying to figure it out until Sunday, unless I get some time with my brilliant and tech savy nephew.  Wish me luck...I'm a bit challenged when it come to these kind of things.

Turkey

I'm home sick today, the sneezing, watery eyes, stuffy head, can't stay awake kind of sick!  Just took some more Tylenol Cold, hoping for a little relief.  May spend the day working from home even if I do get some relief.  Easier and more productive in the long run to work in crumpled PJ's than shower, do hair, get dressed, drive to work and sleep at my desk!

Can't work but are we ever too sick to check email?  Even with Kleenex stuffed up my nose, I can read email.  Sometimes, I have to read the same sentence several times due to lack of clear focus but there is no pressure to "check it quick" and get back to work.

The sun is just starting to brighten the huge piles of snow in my back yard, making me smile at the good feeling the sight of sunshine brings.  Blink once, twice, wipe runny eyes, sure enough, there are two turkey standing in my yard.  They are unusual birds, gangly and awkward looking until they begin to walk.  It's like a switch turns on, smooth, deliberate, almost delicate back & forth motion.  They are constantly alert, surveying their surroundings for danger as they glide through the snow to the bird feeders.  I watched them eat, picking up what their wasteful smaller cousins have thrown to the ground, until the Tylenol started to kick in.  As I stood up, rather awkwardly myself, they spotted me in the window and began to run.  Hoping to hasten the escape, they jumped into the air, flapping their wings hard, begging them to get their bulky awkward bodies airborne and amazingly, succeeding. They sailed through the woods out of sight to safety.

My husband is pretty special

Marty is an only child.  His mother left her family in Germany in 1952 to come here. His father died 30 plus years ago.  He and his mother were very close, they talked everyday.  He has been so strong.  I thought I was going to be strong for him, I wanted to be strong for him but I'm struggling.  He had said, "I would rather give her up than see her suffer". I admire him for his selflessness and as it turns out, they were not just idle words, he meant it.

We were both at her side, I held her hand. Marty wasn’t sure if that was where he wanted to be but as she passed from this life he talked to her.  He told her to enjoy the family reunion ahead of her, told her he loved her and even though he would miss her forever, he wanted her to go.  He was so strong, she would have been proud of him.

you just never know

Two weeks ago my mother in law died rather unexpectedly.  Two Sundays before her death we were laughing and playing 500 Rummy at our dining room table.  She has been in a skilled nursing facility since August 2010 and we've had several calls...."we're sending your mom to the ER".....it jolts you awake, you rush to the ER, she stablizes, stays in the hospital a day or two then is released back to the facility.  The calls kind of become an accepted routine not a critical situation.  Her health issues were not life threatening in an acute way but were such that they would cause her death down the road. The call 2 weeks ago was the same except after 2 days in CCU with pneumonia and a diagnosed heart attack....she had to make a decision.  She had discussed her life wishes with us many times. You just never believe it will ever come to that.....but it did.  She chose no further medical treatment and 7 days later she left us. 

Success

My trip to Northern Virginia was successful! This is not the dress she will be wearing but one of 50 dresses my daughter tried on. Yes, 50 dresses. We started out Friday going to a national bridal salon where she tried on over 35 dresses. We were there over 3 hours and my oldest daughter's hand was sore from zipping, buttoning and helping her sister in and out of the gowns. She found two possibilities but they did not have the WOW factor she was looking for. We had a fast lunch then went to a smaller salon in the town we used to live in. They had 8 gowns of interest. Again she found one that she liked but no WOW. We went back to the hotel and the girls went on the internet to continue the search. A hour later they found a salon that had several dresses she wanted to try on. We were lucky to get an appointment for the next morning. I was already making plans with my daughter to come back in two weeks and for her to take off of work so we could go dress shopping again.

Off we went to have a family dinner. It's been a long time since it was just the four of us. We talked and laughed about our day. I think being empty nesters it's what I miss the most is not having the girls around at dinner time.

Saturday morning my husband and I met the girls at the salon. Yes, my husband was brave enough to go with us the second day. We were greeted by a gentleman who was there from New York doing a trunk show for the designer. He helped my daughter pick out 7 dresses to try on. We were sitting waiting for her to come out. Then she comes out with the first one on and stands on a platform in front of the mirrors. The designer's rep came over and asked what she thought about the dress. My daughter proceeds to point out what she didn't like about it. Then he waves his hand and told her to go back and try on another dress. All three of us were surprised when he told us that if the bride finds one thing wrong with the dress then it's not the dress. She came out glowing from ear to ear with the second dress. Yes, that was the dress. She tried on the rest of the gowns but always compared it to the second dress. This dress brought tears to her dad's eyes. I'm so glad that she has her wedding dress. One dress checked off on the list. Now my daughter has to make a decision on what color the bridal party will wear so her sister and niece could get their dresses.

My oldest daughter told her son (who is age 3) that he will be ring bearer at his aunt's wedding. He told her he didn't want to be ring bearer --- he wanted to be Spiderman.