I have not posted in so long, and so much has happened it is hard to start, and it seemed the longer I wait, the harder it becomes.
My mother was able to come for the holidays, but the time flew by, and it seemed she just got here, and it was time for her to go back home. I was very pleased with how well she looked, and even though she was still gaining strength, she did remarkably well.
We were blessed with many good times during the past couple of months, but heartache as well. It seems life can be such a roller coaster ride. We were rejoicing with my nephew and his wife over the news that they were having a little boy to join their family in early March. But sadly, he came too early, right at Christmas, and did not survive more than 30 minutes on this earth. Although we know there is a new star shining brightly in heaven, we were saddened that we never got the chance to know him here on earth.
Hubby's aunt fell and broke her hip this past Fall, and underwent surgery right at Thanksgiving. She never truly woke up from her surgery, and passed away quietly and peacefully right after the new year began.
We celebrated Charley's 10th birthday in fine style. She had a few friends over for games and cake and ice cream and presents, of course. It was a bittersweet time (for me). She has shot up this past year, bypassing one whole dress size completely. She is maturing so rapidly, and not only looking, but acting like a preteen. She had braces put on her teeth. Where does the time go? We are so busy attending to the day to day routines, we forget to stop and look at these children growing up right before our eyes.
Loudon has become my little garden buddy. Although his contribution seems to be whacking everything with a stick, I am hopeful he will learn a little more finesse with plants as he matures. With all the rain we have had, he has been wearing his froggy boots a lot. I sure wish I had some as cute as his!
We have had such a cold, wet winter, the daffs are just peaking out from their beds. I am afraid the cold temperatures have taken my gardenias out.
My son made me a beautiful planter for Christmas. This is some of the work he does. I think they have done a lot of pieces for the Capitol and businesses downtown. You can see some of their work at: http://www.austinoutdoorstudio.com/. One of the shots is of him hard at work. He seems to be enjoying what he does so much. I think he loves that he is doing more creative work. Go by and check it out. I've already got a wish list a mile long composed. Let's see...there's trellises, arbors, benches, more planters, a pond...
18 comments:
I'm very sorry to read about your losses. There's no easy way around pain, you just have to trudge through, day by day. Also glad to read about your mom doing well and your grandkids. I LOLed about "whacking things with a stick" because it reminds me so much of when my nephew was a little boy (though he was really interested in my tomatoes, wanting to eat them when they were still green, even). And, yes, froggie boots in adult sizes would be *awesome*!
Hi Marnie......there are no words when a child passes away......my heart breaks a little for you....
Also Aunty in the autumn of her years......how sad life can be at times.
BUT behind every dark cloud the sun can always be found.....just look at your two lovely grandchildren. Time passes so quickly, we must enjoy each and every moment spent with them.
Such a beautiful planter your son made....that makes it just a little more special, made by someone you love.
Have a good weekend.....shall we start thinking annuals or are we a little early. I think I am just a little excited at the prospect......
Thank you Monica. You are right, there is no easy way around loss--we must work through it, and take comfort from our friends. One thing is for sure--we have all had to go through it.
Yes, Loudon loves to whack everything, but like your nephew, loves to pick tomatoes too. Sometimes he would eat them, but often as not, just squish them and throw them down. Funny thing, we just got some test results a couple of weeks ago, and he is allergic! I won't be putting in any tomatoes this year! It will seem strange, but it is just too much of a temptation for him.
Dear Cheryl, thank you for your kind words. It is such a comfort to know that others understand.
I don't think it is ever too early to begin thinking of annuals. I have been pouring over my seed catalogs trying to decide what to order. I have been saving egg cartons to start my seeds in, and thought I might get started this weekend. It won't be long now--I have been listening to a robin singing in the garden.
I am so sorry for your losses, MG. How sad to lose a little precious baby in particular, but I'm sure there is a new little angel in heaven. I hope that your nephew and his wife are doing okay.
I know how hard it is to come back to posting after a long absence; I just assumed you were busy with your mother over the holidays. Loudon is really growing up! I can just see him "whacking" at things in the garden. Now, if you can teach him which one are the weeds, you'll have your own personal weed-whacker:)
What a beautiful planter your son made! I'm sure he won't be lacking for gift ideas for you for some time:)
Life does throw some hard things at you doesn't it? I wish you peace in dealing with them. I can appreciate your bittersweet time at Charly's birthday-my grands are growing up way too fast. I am sad that I have no babies any more. :) I hope things settle down for you and you can get back to blogging-we miss you.
I am so sorry for your losses and celebrate your successes. I have missed you and hope your future holds much happiness. Thank you for sharing this update.
Dear Rose,
My nephew and his wife seem to be doing fine. I think they knew going into this pregnancy that it was high risk...but that doesn't diminish their loss.
I am so glad my son has found his niche. He worked in oilfield welding for years, and was never truly happy with what he was doing. This seems to suit him so much more. It gives him a creative outlet, which he needs.
Loudon is my little weed-whacker for sure! I am patiently trying to teach him what are weeds and what are flowers or plants. He hasn't learned the differences yet, but what two year old does? If he sees it, he picks it! Thankfully, he is fascinated by snails right now. I am hopeful he will put a dent in the snail population. LOL!
Dear Beckie,
You are so right. Life can be hard sometimes. My lesson, is to look for the good, and not get caught up in the negative things that happen.
There is nothing quite like a baby in the family, is there? That time is so fleeting and precious. We may have to go out and find a baby to spoil! I volunteer in the nursery at our church just for that purpose!
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your friendship and well wishes. What would I do without my bloggy friends?
Hi Jen,
Your cardinal pic is beautiful. And the sky so blue! Loudon is really growing up - a little sweetie weed wacker! Such a joy.
I am so sorry to read about the passing of that dear little baby who arrived too soon. And your husband's auntie too. Life does throw us some curves when we least expect it.
Charley is a beauty! And only 10! These girls today grow up like you wouldn't believe. It won't be long now and she'll be wanting makeup....
Lovely planter from your son. He really is talented. I can't wait to see what you plant in it.
Glad to have you back!
Dear Wendy,
I can't imagine Charley ever asking for makeup! She is such a tomboy, we have trouble getting her to change her clothes! But I do know once puberty sets in, those hormones change them into someone completely different!
Wendy, thank you for being such a good friend and helping me over my writer's block. Just having someone to talk honestly to helps so much!
Hug filled with love,
jenny
Hi Jenny, so glad you stopped by the other day;-) I'm so sorry for all of these losses, life is such a mix of bitter and sweet. Yes, our kids grow up so fast...my youngest is 13 and in 7th grade, has a 'girlfriend' who he doesn't ever 'see' (she goes to a different school & they've met once!) and he wants me to help him pick out a neckless for her!? I told him I didn't really think that was necessary, they were really just friends at this point. They 'want' to act like they're older than they are emotionally...it's quite an interesting time!
Sorry to hear about your losses; as others have said, there is no easy way to get through loss. I always read Ecclesiastes, the chapter that begins "to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven". I don't understand why things happen, but I have faith knowing they happen for a reason, and that is enough for me.
Glad to see Loudon is a first class whacker; every garden needs one! Every grandma, too!
Jan, you bring up a very interesting point. Children try to rush into acting like adults. I think you were very wise to put the brakes to your son's relationship. I remember when a young boy (13) gave my daughter a promise ring! Yikes! I keep telling my granddaughters to enjoy every age they become and to not try to grow up too fast. Even so, there is so much pressure put on them to grow up too fast.
Hey Nola Girl! I do love Ecclesiastes. I am risking dating myself, but do you remember when The Turtles a hit Turn, Turn, Turn? I loved it. Doesn't it seem that songs used to have a lot more meaning than they do now? Yikes! I sound like my mother! ;-)
I am just catching up~~Goodness you have had some heartache and a winter that has made it tough to find solace and peace in the garden. Let's hope that it begins to spring up. Gardens are healing places as you already know~Have a sweet weekend, gail
Hi Jenny,
I was excited to see your comment on my blog, because that meant you must be blogging again. I kept you on my blog roll, but didn't notice you'd posted again, because I am so far behind in my blogging, and haven't been going through the blogs in my roll.
I wanted to catch up to see if you said anything about the reason for your absence. I'm sorry for the losses and difficult times. I hope spring brings new joys and good times.
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