January 10.
It’s a pretty, sunny day here. I was in the backyard thinking how nice it is and it looks better than it did a couple of years ago. BUT – the yard you have is like a magazine. You always have something blooming and you love seeing the humming birds come back each year. I’m so glad you have had these past 5 years to live in the house with Don!
Jan. 9th
Today I pulled out the piano books you brought me. You always loved the idea of being able to sit at the piano and play by ear and sing along with the tune. Your sister Betty had that gift and you came close. Maybe if you had been encouraged as a child you would have gotten there. You gave us all the opportunity to have lessons and become stars but it was not to be.
You had to part with your beloved Yamaha Piano just before Christmas. It can’t make the move to the Presbyterian Homes. You can visit it at Grant’s House. 🙂
Jan. 8th
You have enjoyed being in your book club you started maybe 10 years ago. You read all types of books and tell me which ones are your favorite. I enjoyed Where the Crawdad’s Sing in 2018 and shared it with Pat & Betty that year for Christmas. They both enjoyed it, too. In 2019 you recommended The Girl With Seven Names. I really liked that too and gave it to Pat & Betty this past Christmas.
I wish I could be in your book club & I’m glad Jami can participate with you.
January 7th
You were excited to tell me Fiona has been painting! She has been using acrylics on canvas. This is an answer to waht to do with your supplies in your studio. You are happy for her to take anything she wants and she says she wants it all.
We talked about Ted trying to plan a retirement trip. Right now he thinks there is too much going on to plan something. It might be too overwhelming for him to think about. We’ll see…
January 6 –
You sent a lovely thankyou note after spending Christmas at our house. You always have been a good letter writer. I still have letters you wrote me when I went to camp and from college. I have lots of cards from you and sweet and funny poems you have written over the years. You are creative in so many ways.
I talked to you yesterday while you were walking and it sounded like your energy was back after your bad cold. You said it is!
You were sad to hear from your Pastor, Father Frank, that the Franciscans would be leaving the Catholic Center. You said everyone was upset about it. You remembered Father Paul coming into Holy Cross as a new priest with big shoes to fill. He said he would do his best and he did.
Donatella cut your hair a little because she wants it to get longer. She wouldn’t show you how much she charged you on your credit card. You like your hair, you sent me a picture and said Donatella has a good hair dryer, HA!
January 4th – Patsy’s 75th birthday
When you were here for Christmas we set up location sharing on our phones. Yours is off when I checked today. I wonder where you are now. I say that a lot because you are go go go all the time.
You came back from your Germany River Christmas Village tour with a bad cold. You are finally getting some energy back so I won’t know where you are.
January 3
We had a nice long chat this morning. You said it has been raining non-stop there so you’re going to walk at the mall. You are thinking about cleaning out your studio, keeping the things you want and selling the rest for $100.00. The buyer has to take EVERYTHING or nothing.
You told me about having breakfast with Don and asking Alexa to make different animal sounds. Alexa asked if you would like to hear fart sounds and you couldn’t get her to stop. You two thought all of that was pretty funny. (laugh)
January 2, 2020
Taking my Christmas tree down today I was reminded of you and the special gifts you gave me for Christmas and my birthday.
You made a beautiful Shuttefly album for all of us with pictures from your 80th birthday cruise and beyond. You brought me piano books to practice after I told you I am trying to learn to play. You gave me a pretty coffee mug — handmade — that you picked out just for me. You also gave me a colorful Swarovski crystal necklace! But what made me think of you and your creative love was a tiny envelope with a tiny card with a little gold tree on it that just says (heart) Mom. I put in in the tree. (heart)
January 1, 2020
How fun to hear about Michael’s 5th birthday party at your house. You didn’t realize it would be a birthday celebration but it worked out fine. You had fun going outside with Michael for a little adventure through the neighbor’s yard and down the street. You said Michael calls you Grandma Julie and I can tell you were smiling when you said that.
You always have been good at taking time to be with all of us — one on one and giving all of your attention to us. What a lovely gift!
