Just 40 Days

I have been seeing alot of butterflies lately. This got me thinking about caterpillars.  My seven year old granddaughter and the other kids in our neighborhood, found, cared for, and buried a 'pet' caterpillar just last week.  It was a common green caterpillar, probably that of a moth...those big ones that are attracted to the light and come in your house as soon as you open the door.  It was interesting to watch the kids as they first built a home out of leaves and scotch tape for their pet.  Then they moved to making a larger home out of cardboard.  They added water to that one.  (I'm thinking this move was the reason for the burial about an hour later.) It was good to see these four  kids working together, bringing the necessary items from their homes to contribute to the care of a common green caterpillar.

It was Irish Heritage night for the Toledo Mudhens game at Fifth Third Field.  My sister Margaret, her family and I began by wearing our green and gathering for dinner at the nearby Irish Pub - The Blarney My Aunt Betty always supported this event.  Once we got to our seats, a man came up to me to ask where all the Hibernians were sitting as he was from a group from Detroit.  Unfortunately I didn't know as I came with a bunch of Polish people!  Cheers to you Aunt Betty!

My dad got married today!  He is so absolutely happy. He is 79 and had been a widower for nearly six years.  She is 76 an had been a widow for 15 years.  How wonderful is that?

Sunshine can do wonders for the soul.  So can dogs and friends and family... I have determined that all of God's work is good for my soul...if I could just see it that way.

Nothing is better at cheering me up than a bouquet of flowers. Especially when they come from my own yard.  Lord knows that I need cheering up as I never know when Clarence will show up.  Good Grief! It's been eleven weeks since I walked into St. Vincent Hospital.  I have good days and bad days.  Actually, I would say I have all good days.  There are just moments in those days that are difficult but somehow I make it through them.  I know in time there will be less of those moments.   Until then, I will thank God for the flowers.  And for friends, family, and fellowship.  I may as well add a fifth 'f' word with food!  Thank you!

So...I'm driving home from work today around 4 p.m. and the person driving the truck ahead of me is looking in the side mirror so I can see her face.  She was a blonde, had sunglasses on, and resembled my Haylee.  (Especially because she looked so good behind the wheel!) Anyways, what an opening for Clarence to show up.  So with tears in my eyes, I drove home.  I tried not to see the white Vibe two lanes over.  I tried not to see the black Focus two cars ahead.  I tried to imagine my Haylee driving somewhere fun...with her sunglasses on. I tried to think of all the work I completed today at my job.  I tried to beat the rain home.  All I really was trying to do, was to not miss Haylee. Life is hard sometimes.

Merriam-Webster defines duty as: something that is done as part of a job or something that you must do because it is morally right or because the law requires it. Sometimes I forget exactly what my duty is.  I think it is hard to keep things straight when I have so many roles.  Some of my roles include daughter, sister, mother, friend, teammate, classmate, and teacher.  My newest role is administrator of Haylee's estate. This new duty may prove to be one of the most difficult.