Just 40 Days

Today I took a road trip with two of my sisters, Rosi and Margaret.  The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and it was less than 20 degrees outside.  I picked them up and we headed south/west to Lake Wawasee to visit the George's.  Neither Rosi nor Margaret had been to the lake before.  The scenery was quite brown and uneventful.  We laughed alot and learned alot as we googled all of our ailments and anything else we were talking about.  Two hours and twenty minutes later we arrived. We were greeted by barking dogs and a fussy Skylar. After the tour of the place - checking out their Christmas tree and DIY fireplace in process, we headed somewhere for lunch. I haven't had that much fun with my sisters in a long time.  Three cheers and farewell to 2014!

Today I wrote the words that I have been debating about for over a month. It took me a couple of hours but it was well worth it.  The envelope is sealed on its way to the recipients.  I feel so much better!

Who Am I or What Defines Me?  I've been pondering these questions lately as I struggled, consumed by the loss of Haylee.  I decided a few days ago that her death does not define me.  Just as her birth did not define me.  Sure both of these events added to my life.  In fact, they are major events in my life and will always have a profound effect on how I look out into the world.  Life events help mold us into who we are. My sister Rosi said something the other day about suffering.  If we do not suffer, we do not grow. We do not change.  We stay the same and expect things to be different.  When will we realize that things are always the same and it is we, as human beings, that are different?  Everyone acts or reacts to the events in their lives in some way.  I always have choices - we all do. What will I do with the events in my life today?  How will I let them mold me?  Growing up is hard work and I don't ever want to s...

“In a world often marked by egoism, a large family is a school of solidarity and of mission that’s of benefit to the entire society,” Pope Francis said.  “Every family is a cell of society,” the pope said, “but large families are richer and more vital cells.”  I belong to a very large family.  Both of my parents are the youngest of six children and they gave birth to eight children.  I am third and I gave birth to four children.  Currently, I have three grandchildren. Last night we all met to celebrate Christmas with my dad.  There were over 50 of us present!  We had lots of fun and enjoyed each other.  We may not always agree with or even like each other, but we love our dad and we love each other.  We have suffered alot of together. The pope also said that when families “breathe the air of faith together, they can face difficult challenges together.” He said the example of the Holy Family, meaning Mary, St. Joseph, and the infant...

Today is Christmas at my dad's house.  We are all supposed to bring something.  I'm bringing green bean casserole.  My brother Chuck stopped by to use my oven to make a pie.  He had already made two with graham cracker crust, but wanted a baked crust version of the cherry cream cheese pie that my sister Barb always brought to share at Christmas. Chuckie and his friend Christine arrived in town from Pennsylvania  the day after Christmas.  It was nice to have time to visit with him before the big crowd at dad's house.  Chuck always has a story and will always make me laugh.

Tonight we joined thousands of other people and went to the Toledo Zoo for their Lights Before Christmas display...and to use the 14 ride passes that I earned from the Dart Frog Dash this spring.  These frog lights have always been a favorite.  They are located near the elephants.

I've been feeling blue this Christmas...teal blue that is.  I joke about it, but I admit to not knowing how things would be this first Christmas without Haylee.  I have to say, it went okay. I tried to have my family together, make a nice dinner, and invite my siblings over in the evening to help us all stay busy as we make it through the day.  The day started well before dawn...babies will do that to you.  We made breakfast at nine and opened presents at 10:00 am.  I think it was the longest morning in Carly's life! She, my eight year old granddaughter, had a great christmas.   We all did!