New Life!

I have not written on this blog for many months. I went through quite a slump in the winter months where I could see clearly what I had lost, but had no inkling what God would send in its place. Sort of a "dark nights of the soul" period where I felt like huddling up with my dogs around the fireplace, cuddling up on my sofa. Thank heavens for good friends like Sharon, Freda Marie, and Ann and others who listened to my heartache and assured me that God did have a plan for me but I needed to be patient and let it unfold. My children and my brothers kept checking on me, thank goodness. And the grandbabies kept demanding that Life continue on.

Light did return to the world along with the early and constant heat of this blistering Texas summer. I have some new interests which are coming to fruition, and I feel younger and stronger than before. I lived with Fred's illness plus his impending and actual death for a long time. I cannot and do not regret one minute or one dollar spent on our time together; it was so rich and wonderful to be with him and all I can do is to thank God for letting me have Fred in my life. I would wish him back in a heartbeat if I could have my healthy, sweet husband back with me. But God took him home because his dear body could no longer bow to his will any more.

I am blessed with a new soulfriend in my life, and with other new friends and activities. Thank you, God for remaining with me, even when I could neither hear nor see You for a while. I am ALIVE and WELL!

It's November!

It seems like today is our one day of Fall in Texas. Some of the leaves have changed colors but this fall our temps have been too high to get maximum color out of the leaves. Oh well, maybe next year.

Overall, I am still doing very well. I keep almost too busy but my friends and family have been fabulous at keeping in touch. This lifts my spirits tremendously. Honestly, my primary emotion has been one of gratitude for the many gifts from Fred and God, my home, my family, my job, my friends, and the overpowering sense that I am truly loved. I am a bit wary of the upcoming holidays as I do not want to get maudlin and depressed. Somehow, I don't think that the grandchildren will let me! And we have the new baby to look forward to in January...a granddaughter! But I am planning to spend Christmas snuggling up to my wonderful grandsons, all of them!

Lifechanging Events

August added Samuel Scott Sullivan to our lives. Little Sam arrived at 9 lbs 11 oz, and is absolutely beautiful! He enjoyed sleeping on my chest a number of times, which his Nonna enjoys even more than Sam does! Lawyer Girl and the Virology Professor are great parents, and all is well in Austin.

While I was in Austin, Tex stayed in respite care for 4 days. When he came home, he developed another urinary tract infection, which ultimately took him Home on September 22nd. His death brought great sadness and a tremendous appreciation for the ways this kind and loving man touched the lives of those around him. I was privileged to be holding him as he gently left this world, and for that, I am profoundly grateful. I honestly feel that "he's only going over Jordan, he's only going over home" as the song says. Life is and forever will be greatly changed.

Waiting and Waiting for Baby S.

I am having a hard time waiting for my daughter's baby to come. It has brought up memories of my labor and delivery of my two children, both of which were pretty positive experiences. Part of it is that I know what she is facing and she does not. It will be unlike anything she has ever done before, something where your intellect does not get to be in charge, where your body takes over, and you work HARD. Lawyer Girl is in very good physical shape, she has exercised this whole pregnancy, and the baby seems to be in very good shape. Nevertheless, I am having a tough time relaxing and going with the flow, wanting it to be over. She is much more relaxed about it than I am.

Waiting for the newest creation

Any day now we will get to meet the newest little creation of Lawyer Girl and the Mad Scientist. Is he going to be known as the Nematode Brief or the Microvirus Lawsuit? He will certainly make a major splash in the Gr-Su pond! All is ready for him now, lovely nursery, excited parents and grandparents... Any time little guy!

Midsummer Dream

My neighbor reminded me yesterday that summer is half over, and school will start in six weeks. Where has the time gone? I have done so very little in the way of accomplishments but a great deal of resting, relaxing, and napping. Mornings are my favorite time of day. We have coffee out on the deck nearly every morning, visiting and watching the birds. I kept buying plants and flowers until I found some that I could not kill, so the backyard is pretty and fragrant. My dear friend in the neighborhood often stops by after walking her dog. Sometimes Tex is up with us, and sometimes not. His health is on an upswing right now so we are able to enjoy the mornings together. Life is sweet in the mornings. I am learning to look for and accept the things of beauty that the Lord has provided.

Post retirement

I haven't blogged in a long time, and I am not sure why. So much going on, with the end of school and the actual fact of my retirement. It has been an emotional time, even though I know this is the right thing to do. Mornings we sit out on the deck and have coffee, watching the birds. Sometimes with Fred and sometimes with my neighbor Sherry. I have had a lot of errands to run, and seem to have settled in for a quick nap while Fred sleeps in the afternoon. I try to read but instead, I match his breathing and go to sleep.