More Favorite People

This is a picture of my nieces and nephews, and my own kids taken on the day of Mothers funeral. These are also some VERY important people in my life, and I am so proud of each and every one of them. They are a fun bunch of kids,(we have Audrey and Ryan's wedding as proof) and great people. The picture wouldn't do them justice in my "Favorite People" column, so I thought I'd highlight them here. They all mean the world to me, I was in Jr.High when they started coming into the world, and I got to play with them, spoil them, and enjoy them..........I love them!

Mothers Day without Mother

Mother, Grandma Amy Wolf (mothers Mother), Myself holding Audrey, 1982

When Mother died, a good friend of mine said, “Mothers Day will be terrible, my first Mother’s Day without my mother snuck up on me and was absolutely terrible, be prepared.” Well, it has come and gone. Yes, I missed my mother. I missed the reason for having a family get together here at my house, and hosting another holiday.

Our house became celebration and holiday central after the folks moved to Emporia. Something I really liked. I got to have everyone at my house, play hostess, celebrate and throw parties, and relish the time together. That is going to be the hardest part of the holidays and celebrations, this coming year at least.

We have been hosting Easter dinner with all the family who lived close enough to attend since before Mother and Paul moved to Emporia. Everyone who could would come for church first, then out to our house for Easter dinner, and then, when the kids were little, an Easter Egg hunt, weather permitting. At Mothers funeral, my eldest niece, RaDawnna talked about roasting lamb for Easter dinner. I joked that if she did, I’d come down to try it (they live in Houston), and the invitation was given and accepted on the spot. This year Roger and I went to Houston, and Nic flew in from Phoenix. We had a great time, and she talked about starting a new tradition of “Easter in Houston”?!?! We’ll see.

Another niece, Casie, upon finding out that Aunt Andrea and Uncle Roger were going to be “alone” this Mothers Day, (Audrey is still working outage, and Nic is, of course, in Phoenix), had invited us to their home, “about an hour and some change” away for Mothers Day Lunch. We were able to go, and it was a wonderful time, and great to have a “different kind of holiday”.

Actually, I face the absence of my Mother every day. It is just when all the family is around, at holiday times and celebrations that the vacant spot is so noticeable. Eventually there will be a holiday that I will have to face without my Mother present. She played a big part at holiday and celebration times because she set a standard of how to do it, and then enjoyed watching we girls take over as she passed the mantle to us.

As I sat at Casie’s table yesterday eating a delicious meal in her beautiful home, and look at the pictures I took of RaDawnna’s festive Easter table, with Easter linens, and decorations, where everyone got a chocolate bunny, I realize that Mother is still with us. The traditions she instilled in we girls, that we have taught our girls are coming out, and showing up in so many details. We now have the joy of watching our girls pick up this mantle and carry on traditions, and start new ones. So in one sense, I haven’t had to celebrate a holiday totally without my mother. She was there in all the wonderful touches in my nieces’ homes and holiday celebrations. She taught us many things about hospitality, hosting parties, celebrating Mothers, and honoring our elders. Isn’t that what Mothers Day is really all about?

Life with Lily

Messes on the floor? Check!
Cutting Teeth? Check!
Rowdy, rambunctious play? Check!
Toys under foot? Check!
Nap times? Check!
Feedings? Check!

No it’s not a toddler, it’s Lily!

Over the last couple of weeks, I am seeing many similarities to the days of small children in the house, and having a small puppy in the house. I just wish I had been blessed with the wisdom and patience when my children were toddlers, which I seem to have more of now with this dog. Perhaps this is Gods gracious way of training me for grandkids.
I don’t find it difficult to stop what I thought needed to be done to sit down on the floor and play with Lily till she is worn out, and needs a nap. I don’t’ find it difficult to take her outside to teach her what needs to be DONE outside. I don’t mind the toys under foot, as they keep her from chewing on the furniture.
I’m not so surprised by the work involved of caring for a puppy, as I am by my reaction to it. She is fun and sweet and makes me laugh. Today she fell off the deck. Just got to going too fast, wasn’t watching what was out in front of her, and walked right off the deck. Fortunately it was only a foot off the ground, and when she recovered she sat there and looked around like she was making sure no one saw. I did. I was in the house, laughing so hard the tears ran and I had to sit down.
I told a friend last week at church that we had just got a puppy, and she acted like I was crazy for doing such a thing “at this time in my life”. I just grinned and told her I was having fun….she has no idea!

Lily Jewel

I was aware when Mother died that I was feeling more than just the loss of my Mother, although that was huge. I was also brought to a place where I was reminded that over the past 3 and a half years while I was caring for my mother my children grew up and out of the house, and in Nic's case out of town. We lost our beloved dog of 13 years, Lady during that time, and the cat even died. When Mother died and life returned to some semblance of normal, I found myself looking around and asking "Where did everybody go?"
I believe they call it "empty nest syndrome", but what ever it is it is a huge black hole. I have always loved caring for my family, and can't remember a time in my life when I didn't have some sort of a pet running around in the midst of all the other hub-bub, and chaos of children and life.
I know things change, and time brings new phases, and experiences, but I am a firm believer that a small fuzzy warm thing that adores you and gives unconditional love, is almost a necessity to get through some days. Thus I introduce, Lily Jewel, Lil for short.
She is, as Roger is already referring to her as my "little buddy". She is 8 weeks old, and spends every min of every day with me. Except at night when she is "banished" to the garage to sleep. (my one concession to Rog, she will sleep in the garage at night like Lady did).
Since she is going to be such an integral part of our lives, I just had to let you know she is here!

New Neighbor

Spring is here, There is a new colt across the road born this morning, and I mowed my yard for the first time today!!! WELCOME SPRING!!!


This is our new neighbor! He was born sometime in the night or very early this morning. His little legs were still quite wobbley when I was watching him, but he had no trouble standing to eat. This is as close as its Mama would let me come, and I still had to zoom in. Isn't he cute!!!????