and life goes on

 My mother has been gone a year.  Hardly seems real since there was no funeral.  Covid robbed her of the send off she deserved... she was the last of her generation.  All  her siblings had their fond farewell.  It saddens me that she did not get her final good-bye.

Funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living.  They help families grieve.  They remind us how precious life is.  My mom was the youngest of her family.  It was fitting that she was the last to go.  She would have been 90 just 6 weeks after her passing.  I'd like to imagine her brother and sisters greeted her at the pearly gates with welcoming hugs.  

Things were so simple all those years ago.... Sunday dinners in Grandma's basement.  Always macaroni and meatballs..... none of the dishes matched.... everyone was dressed up... it was loud... there was a lot of love in that room...

My first cousins, siblings and I are the "old folks" now.  We are the matriarchs and patriarchs... the old aunts and uncles.  Those are big shoes to fill.  

Still learning

It has been months since I've posted something.  The pandemic has been so prevalent this past year, and I just did not want to write about it - YET, it effected every aspect of my life.

The arrival of Spring (and my Covid vaccine) has given me hope of a "normal" lifestyle, once again.  Lord knows, I've had to define "normal" several times these past years.... I'm good at it now!

Whereas I have always been cognizant and grateful for my blessings, this past year has taught me a lot:

• EVERYDAY is precious.  
• I am working hard to disregard 'the small stuff'.  
• I have learned that dinner does not have to be a production.... but some simple nourishment. 
• My granddaughters are growing up so quickly - therefore I never skip an opportunity to get on the floor and play with them.  
• I wear the good clothes - even if we are just sitting in the living room - what am I saving them for?
• I look at my watch a lot less - and notice the flowers a lot more.
• I take better care of myself now... I actually see a doctor now and then to keep my blood pressure under control.
• I have removed deadlines from my life - they serve no purpose at this stage of my life.  
• My dad used to say, "you don't need a lot of money, you just need enough money".  I worry about money a lot less these days...

I will continue my efforts to live a happy life - I only have one shot at this and I intend on doing it with a smile.