Celebrating.....

This was our first gathering of everyone since this pandemic started in the middle of March.

We have done social distancing, we have seen one family and then the other but we have not gotten together at all....until tonight.  

It was Gramp's birthday so we all decided gathering was okay.

We have all been beyond safe.  

We have washed hands, sprayed Lysol, disinfected everything in sight, worn masks, and otherwise followed every directive we have been given.  So, we decided we were safe enough as a family to get together.

It was so nice.  So nice to see the joy and hear the laughter of the kids, and see the smile on Jimmy's face.

Thanks to everyone for bringing us joy....boy did we need it!

Happy Birthday to you Gramps.

Covid Thoughts.....

There are so many people posting things as we tackle this virus issue and so many times they speak to me in a particular way.  For some reason this spoke to me he day I saw it.  Someday I will look back and see the reason for the words it says.  Someday........

New Reality.....

Church has reopened.....by reservation only and only on weekdays.There are strict guidelines for attendance and of course, facemasks are mandatory.

This is our new normal.

Truth.....

Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you know how magnificent it is on the highest mountain.

Remember........

Memorial May...Memorial Day

This year was different.

We are still struggling with the pandemic that is plaguing our nation. Things are slowly reopening but a public gathering was just not going to happen this year.  

Carry The Load turned to a public drive.

We chose to celebrate the day at the lake.  Being out of town seemed like a good idea.

It was not a good idea at all.

 Drew, Heather, and Adeline did the drive.  I am proud of them.

I wish I had been here to go with them.  It was where my heart was.  

It is where I wanted to be.

Tim and family continued the tradition and walked 7 miles in the rain at the lake.

I am so proud of them.

My grandkids get Memorial Day.

They know what it means.

They were on the road two hours and 14 minutes.  That is huge.

What did I do? 

 I walked.  I walked on Sunday and it was hot.  I walked today and it rained.  I did not care.  This Memorial Day was harder than most.  My heart hurts.  I miss my son.  

We have been so blessed.  People have cared so much.  The community has always acknowledged my son.  Carry the Load has honored him in a way that is just unbelievable but no matter what has been done in his honor...I would rather he was here.  I miss the person he was and the joy and humor he always brought with him no matter where he went.  He truly believed the world was a beautiful place.  I want a few minutes with him again.  Just a few minutes to hug his neck and tell him what a great kid he was.  Just a few minutes to ask him what drove him to succeed like he did.  Just a few minutes to ask him what we did to deserve a kid like him.

I will be okay tomorrow because I always am but today I am crushed.  My heart is broken and I know it is okay.  It is alright to be sad for awhile.  It is fine to have moments of self pity and be a bit mad at God for not giving Matt more time.  Someday I will understand all of this and I will have all the time I need with my son once again.

Today I am sad and I am broken and that is fine.

Mother's Day......

Mother's Day in a pandemic is not your usual.  

The need to have family gatherings and to hug and hang out like in years past just did not happen this year...but it was special in spite of the restrictions.  It is all what you choose to make it.

These cuties brought me my favorite things each day...diet cokes, blizzards, nothin bundt cakes, and a peony bush which has always been my most loved flower.

We spent Friday sharing pizza and snacks and visiting from an acceptable six feet apart!

And Adeline in all her sweetness got me a card and a new weighted blanket for summer.  

Happy face!

Love my weighted blankets pretty much above all else.

We shared Sunday with snacks and Babe's chicken for dinner.  It was a beautiful day and if we have to be sheltered in place, God has blessed us with beautiful weather.

This was not a typical day or weekend but it was good.

We are safe, we are well, and I am blessed.

Sara and Jimmy brought breakfast and we had a beautiful morning to enjoy it outside.

We will all remember the occasions we celebrated doing this pandemic years from now.

We would never wish this to come again, but while it is here we will make the most of it and understand that God does have a plan for good when this is all over.

Beautiful Reflection........

There have been so many beautiful reflections during this time of shelter in place.  I have not felt confined, claustrophobic, or particularly miserable.  I miss my grandkids and kids but honestly the ability to back away from the many obligations and commitments and given me time to recharge.

I am ready now to get out.  I am getting a bit antsy.  I am still fearful and will stay put a bit longer, but I am fine until we see signs that it is safe to go back to a normal that will all be new.

Looking Up......

At a time when things have been looking bleak, when people are finding little to get excited about...the Blue Angels came to the rescue!

 In an amazing move of support for all first responders, medical workers, and those on the front lines of this pandemic the Blue Angels came to the metroplex.  

It was the ultimate high for all of those (and there were many) who came out and parked in fields, on highways, and empty parking lots.

The skies were an amazing shade of blue and there was not a cloud anywhere which was just perfect for all waiting with eyes upward at 11:00 am.

These were some of the precious faces that loved the opportunity to get out and and enjoy the day.  Online schoolwork can be put off just a bit because this was not an ordinary event.

Thanks Blue Angels because for a little while things looked a bit normal and at the end of about six weeks of lockdown a little positive is good!