Showing posts with label #Covid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Covid. Show all posts

Friday, May 21, 2021

How to Maintain a Great Attitude in the Middle of Sadness

Mother's Day is an emotional day for many moms. My mom died when I was 18 years old. Not only do I miss her every day but I realize how fortunate my friends are who have shared their lives with their moms all those years. 

Mom died 3 months after my wedding

I love orchids and hubby keeps me well supplied! On Mother's day, he made it his mission to find the darkest purple one available. We were both shocked to see that it had NINETEEN buds in addition to the ones already open. Considering that these blooms last at least six months - I wonder if it will topple over when all the buds open.

19 buds on this orchid

This is also a day I reflect on the years of joy we shared with our son and his family. I hide away for a few minutes each Mother's day to thank God that one day, someday, I will hug my son again. We are now in the tenth year since he walked away from our family, without explanation. He lives in our small town, minutes away from us. But, we have not seen him. When he left, he had two babies and now he has four. Although the last ten years could feel like wasted ones, I refuse to buy that lie. I focus on how wonderful it will be when we are together again and will maintain that attitude of expectation!

The more you give...the more you receive

Hubby and I have close friends in Uganda who run an orphanage. They have sacrificed everything to parent over 100 children at a time. They ask for nothing in return. When Covid hit, they lost any small source of income they had and nothing has pleased us more than to be in a position to support them. They are humble and never asked for help which made it even more exciting to be able to bless them when they did not expect it. I keep a journal of our daily conversations - the good and the awful things they have had to endure. 

On Mother's Day, our friend posted a Happy Mother's Day message on Facebook. His kindness touches many people and there were a lot of comments in that regard. I wondered if anyone recognized that he has a wife who has given so much, works tirelessly, and never asks for anything.

So......I posted a beautiful tribute to her and sent her two dresses. It is something she will remember forever and I cried when I received this picture of her.


Not the best way to hear such news

When I opened Facebook on Easter Monday I was shocked to see this pic of Brie. Her mom didn't want me to worry.....crazy kid....so she didn't tell me what happened until she knew Brie was fine.




On their Easter egg hunt, Brie was challenged by one of her boy cousins to put a chocolate egg up her nose. Daddy to the rescue and a trip to Emergency scared her enough I don't think she will do that again. She had to have minor surgery to remove it. 

For Brie's birthday, she received a Shetland pony from her daddy who did not know the pony was pregnant. Last week this tiny horse gave birth. And now there are two precious babies. I can't wait to see them.



Although William is in second grade he is reading at a high school level. Here is a note from his teacher:

I just wanted to write to let you know that I reassessed William’s reading level today. WOW. He’s reading at a level “X” on the A-Z alphabet scale. His fluency is amazing. I can’t overstate this: I’m really impressed. He says that he learned to do this by listening to music and reading the lyrics. Suffice to say, you have an amazing kid. I was thinking about talking with our Learning Support teacher, about taking a closer look at William’s abilities. And, of course, I’ll explain to his classroom teacher next year that he is a truly unique student. In the meantime, plenty of praise and confidence boosting is in order! Way to go William!

Kind big brother ALWAYS looking out for his baby sister

The hydrangea bushes were so high that we could no longer use the sidewalk around the front yard. When I watched the gardener trim them back the entire yard was a pile of trimmings. This pic is only the beginning. I have no idea how this little bit of a woman did all that and carried it down the driveway into her truck. 


When we chatted later she said she was in the movie industry in France and is trying to break into it here. After her first year, Covid hit and she needed a job so she started her own business as a landscaper. What an amazing woman!


When I was sweeping the sidewalk the next day, I found my diamond hoop earring on the EDGE of the garden gate. Don't ask...I have no idea how it got there but how wonderful to have found it.

Whatever is happening in your world I hope you can find good memories and hope for a brighter future in your thoughts every day. 

 

Welcome to a Fly on the Wall group post. Today four bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. Come on in and buzz around, see what you think, then click on these links for a peek into some other homes:

 

Baking In A Tornado      

        

Menopausal Mother      

             

Wandering Web Designer      


Friday, December 18, 2020

What Happened to My Right to Celebrate Christmas?

After I wrapped the last Christmas gift a few days ago, I began my Christmas baking. While baking my grands favorites I heard the devastating news: CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED.

What Happened to my right to celebrate Christmas?


Of course, it came with a lame apology but our peninsula is on 'house arrest.' No Christmas celebrations. No family get-togethers. A $2800 fine if you are caught.

Many people might ignore this mandate but we don't have a choice. The ferries will not be running. 

I am angry and sad because I know this decision is more about control than it is facts. In our area, we have ZERO cases and where we were headed there has only been a handful. Yet, here we are - on house arrest. The worst part is explaining to the kids who do not understand.

Appreciate the little things

Thank God we were able to see the grands a few weeks ago. Brie wants piano lessons for Christmas and it is evident she has musical talent waiting to be exposed. Here she is practicing on Papa's keyboard:

What happened to my right to celebrate Christmas?

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