Let's Hang On

I got down low to take this photo of our little meadow. So many bees visit the purple flowers and the dandelions, it's a busy place.  

 The muscari I had inside last year are now in flower again in the old fountain turned perennial garden.

 Sewing as therapy.

Simple project, just getting started is the hardest.  Once I get sewing, it's calming.

The bag I sewed and gifted to my friend for her birthday.  Jean, the birthday girl. liked my granny bag.

 "To sew is to pray. Men don't understand this. They see the whole but they don't see the stitches. They don't see the speech of the creator in the work of the needle. We mend. We women turn things inside out and set things right. We salvage what we can of human garments and piece the rest into blankets. Sometimes our stitches stutter and slow. Only a woman's eyes can tell. Other times, the tension in the stitches might be too tight because of tears, but only we know what emotion went into the making. Only women can hear the prayer." ~ Louise  Erdrich

 Missing all of my family.  These two are so beautiful.  My daughter Kristen and babygrand Penny.

They are working from home, home schooling and taking in nature.  Penny hugs the phone we're on and says the sweetest things to her old grandmother.  Oh my heart.  Doug called to just talk. I feel so blessed for this gang of mine.

I am hanging on.  Doing better than I could have ever imagined on my own.  We have to, right?  

After almost fifty days without a hug, a kiss and snuggle, I fear for my family when we are reunited.  I may never let them go.  

These are the toddlers I last saw before they were walking, before they were rolling up and rolling up for Patty Cake and stomping their feet for if you're happy and you know it.  They say Hi!  Blow kisses and say Daddy! I just noticed the Little Tike labels on their swings.  They are part of their Grandpa Tyke, for sure .  They sat happily on their swings and are trying to sign "birds" which is amazing. Jon is the best daddy.  I love seeing him with his girls, and we get to talk every morning.

Some of those mornings in the last year were very difficult, but he always left me with a smile or a LOL moment.  So like his father, simply the best!

This little adventure seeker is uncharacteristically holding on.  I get to see them most days of face time.  I dream of the day the house if filled again, toys everywhere.

While I was writing I just got a facetime call from sweet Charlotte,  and got to play with the girls for a while.  Charlotte was accepted to her top two law schools.  It's remarkable, she's amazing.  The twins won't remember this time, but I will never forget this last year.  What a remarkable gift having these little sweethearts to love and be loved by.

The trees are leafing out.  Right now the leaves are tiny and almost translucent.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

-Ferris Bueller

 The leaves on this tree turn deep burgundy and are larger than my hand.  

Today they are tiny as my thumbnail.

The hosta are filling in. 

 I got a call from Mike and Amanda, they were grocery shopping, but I didn't need a thing.  They called later to drop off a treat.  Black Licorice!  Really, as far a families go, I won the lottery!  Thoughtful, loving, everyone of them.

Tyke is close, in spirit and in heart.  Eleven months without him. I can ask him any question and know in my heart the answer. It is a comfort, and I am growing stronger.  It is because of the love we shared that I have this family.  He took care of me in so may ways.  Prepared me for this pandemic, though he could not have anticipated it. I know he is proud of me.  He always told me I was Super Woman. So, to have survived the last year, I've had to dig deep and put on my big girl panties and pretend to be a grownup.   We pretended together for 45 years, 

when we were always 

just kids in love.   

May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam.

And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home.

And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true.

And do unto others as you'd have done to you.

Be courageous and be brave.

And in my heart you'll always stay

Forever young.

Forever young.

I hope that all of you dear readers are hanging on.  Please take care and know that your kind comments and comforting words help me so, and I appreciate each kindness.

Find something beautiful in every day.

Love, Penny