Every time I’m at mom’s, I expect to hear her voice or her laugh. Or see her walk in to the room-because I remember her walking. Not with a walker or sitting in a wheelchair or lying in that damn hospital bed, just the way she used to be….happy and healthy and full of life. I know missing her could go on forever, but I hope at some point it won’t make me as sad. On Wednesday, I had to meet the delivery guys for the new dishwasher Tyler bought. (Her dishwasher was awful! It sounded like a jet engine…..for about four and a half hours) I got to visit with a few people while I was there. Penny and Fritz came by, Steve came by and later Patricia came by too. I so thoroughly enjoyed visiting with each one of them. I love the feel of that house and it makes me so happy that Tyler will live there soon! Seriously, the best neighbors in the world!

I have been in and out of there so often lately. I can’t really get in to cleaning things out and getting them out of there, but I can condense……. My goal was to get one closet cleaned out so that Tyler has at least one closet that is his, and his alone. I finally accomplished that today, but it was not easy in any way, shape or form. And without Rick’s help, I probably wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did. I tend to go in slow motion doing this kind of thing. Every item has some history that takes me someplace else. We also had to make one more trip to the countertop place, because the one I picked first was too small. I never have been good at judging that kind of thing. This time Tyler came along to weigh in, because, well, he should! Everything is coming along beautifully, but it has been so slow. I got my mom’s patience.

When I woke up this morning, I had the most beautiful message from my old friend, Elsa, from when we were kids. I love knowing that we are not alone dealing with our grief, there are so many people who share it or have us in their hearts. It is a great feeling! The message might have had a little religion in it, but as much as I’m not religious, I’ll gladly accept any kind of good vibes, whether they are in prayer form or not. And I totally respect everyone’s beliefs, even when I don’t particularly share them. As I always thought, one of us is correct, but we’ll never know until it’s too late……

We are planning mom’s celebration of life the weekend after Christmas. December 27th at 2:00 in the afternoon is the tentative plan. Andreas is opening Athens for us on Sunday, so we get the whole place. I personally think the days right after Christmas are kind of a letdown and it’s nice to have a little something to look forward to. No day is good for everyone, and Mom loved this time of year. So, why not? Plus, Jenna and her new husband will be here for Christmas this year for the first time since they moved to Texas!

Thank you for all the lovely condolence cards. I cannot wrap my head around the stack that is growing every day. Mom was so lucky to have you all in her life! And so am I!