First, today is Memorial Day. In my humble opinion, we need to thank all those who have served our country, particularly the fallen. Their sacrifices have allowed us to experience all of our daily tribulations and trials under the blanket/blessing of freedom.
Since my last post, the seasons have morphed from Winter, through Spring (in just a blink of a pansy or two), and we now sit perched on the edge of Summer (high was 97 again today). It’s almost getting warm enough for an Al Gore sighting!
It would have been busy enough for me just watching the weather change and our pond water evaporate, but life and its relentless need to change has offered some additional seasoning of its own – salt and pepper, sweet and sour -- in the past couple of months.
My favorite daughter was asked by her favorite guy to marry him. Guess what she said? The wedding is planned for July 3rd when they will formally acknowledge the end of their individual independence. Being the day before Independence Day, something in me finds that ironic, yet appropriate. That day will also be the second anniversary of the beginning of their courtship.
As if a wedding isn’t enough to plan by itself, there has been a near frantic drive to stabilize/remodel/redecorate/landscape their future residence (see earlier post). That sucking sound you hear is the house gobbling more resources – mostly time, energy and money. The latest news is the air conditioning system needs to be replaced! But even though significant progress can be seen, the suspense continues to build whether or not it will be ready in time. As my daughter observes, “EVERYTHING TAKES LONGER THAN IT SHOULD.”
Frankly, if all of this wasn’t happening, I probably would have been more affected by the passing of my last maternal aunt in early April. Although I never put it in this perspective before, upon going through her papers I realized she was barely 20 years old when I was born. My most vivid memories of her probably date back to when I was 8 or 9. I was in awe of her beauty, vitality, and sense of “being with it.” And it didn’t hurt that she also gave me the best wrapped birthday and Christmas presents! She would regale me with stories about being a single girl working for DuPont in downtown Chicago, fending off unwanted advances from men she came in contact with. My memory doesn’t have to be too sharp here, because she repeated this story during my last (almost) weekly phone call.
Although I lost Aunt B in Lakeland, Florida, I am fortunate to say I transitioned an acquaintance there to full-fledged friendship status as a direct consequence of this sad event. If you would ever doubt angels exist, I could offer proof by introducing you to Mrs. G, who had been a local ray of sunshine to my Aunt B for years, and now she has taken on that role with me. Combing through 30 years of another’s residence is not my idea of fun, but having someone to share emotional support, advice, a sense of teamwork, run countless errands (and provide meals too) was/is priceless.
Just as each of these events could be an individual post, there was also the trip/escape to Phoenix/Sedona; the ride on the Grapevine (Texas) Wine and Jazz train; my favorite son advancing to the wise young age of 32; and my other angel (BBL’s) completion of her xxth trip around the sun tomorrow. Which also is the same day I celebrate(??) my 40th year of association with the best little paper company on the planet. Whew!
Monday, May 31, 2010
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