Go see your mama

 Things sometimes just work out. Sometimes it takes a life-changing event, or even 2 to bring things together. This was the case for my week. We were planning my sister's memorial when my sons friend lost her mom suddenly. I think that the combination of those 2 deaths pushed my son into realizing how precious family is and that we don't  know how much time we have on this Earth. So Casey decided that he needed to come up from around the Austin area to be with me for the memorial and just enjoy our visit. I couldn't have been happier to have his company! And when it came time for me to read my speech, I started out fine. But that last page I got choked up and couldn't  finish. Casey finished it for me. 🥲 We visited for 3 days and talked about old family memories. Very healing to have the adult children around when big things happen. We need the reconnecting.  I needed to be the mama and support my son and cook for him too. Kids, go visit your mama. Our days aren't promised! 

Ginnys memorial

 

Last month we said our final goodbye to our eldest sister. Today, we will hold a memorial in a most untraditional way. 

The family and many friends are in all 4 corners of the world and with no feasable way to gather in person, we will gather on line. I will say that our family is not all that traditional, we have finally for the most part blended together now. Coming from a mother that was very insecure and had difficulty showing affection after the kids were over 8 years old, and a father that drank hard and worked like a dog and had often displayed anger and rage, I'd  say that we came through alright. Not without the Grace of God though! Ginny had a good relationship with God and was saved back in the mid 70's. She battled mental illness and many physical ailments as well. But through it all, she kept the faith! She had such humor and a quick witt that the friends she made through the years will likely not forget her! I know that I'll always think of her when I see a peanuts cartoon, Dr Who show or hear songs from the early 60's like Bicycle built for 2, or Henry the 8th I am! 

I'll get a rush of emotions when I look through the many texts that we shared, and browse the pictures that thankfully we have! I'll  never eat another olive without thinking of her. Nor will I have a "juicy hamburger" and a vanilla ice cream without a flood of last days memories overwhelm my emotions and cause my eyes to leak. ~as they are right now. 

So, for now, we will continue on until the Lord calls us home. And then, my dear sister, we will be together again! We will laugh, sing and rejoice!

Blessings today

 I woke up early and went out back to check on the animals. The dogs stayed out all night and greeted me as I came into view. I spent a few minutes loving on them and turned my nose up at their stinky fur. Whew! Y'all need a bath!! They disagree and go off romping together in the back yard. Then I checked in on the rabbits. We have been raising meat rabbits for years and I just love them. Well, to my surprise,  one of my young mamas

had another litter (kindling) this morning and they were cold! She hadn't pulled much fur and had them on the mesh instead of the welping box. I quickly gathered them up. 12 this time! I brought them inside and placed them in a large plastic bag and set the bag into a bowl of nice warm water to quickly warm them up. While they were warming, I went out back and prepped the cage for them and then returned the now only 11 babies to the mama. 1 did not recover from getting so cold. Mama was happy to have them back in the pen and settled into her role. I finished feeding and watering the other rabbits and the chickens. Attempted to shoo away a stray kitten from the neighboring woods, but this kitty is determined to stay! Well, time was moving on and I still needed to get my coffee and dress for the day. Taxes are due, my drivers licence was up for renewal and the best part... my son was on his way up for a visit! The rest of the day was spent looking over the critters, catching up with my son and filing for an extension for the taxes. They can wait! Thank you Lord God for such gifts 🥰