Good Sunday morning, my friends!
Here in the Hill Country of Texas it is a gorgeous morning! The sky is a lovely shade of blue with wispy white clouds just hanging in the sky. I think it is setting up to be another hot one…not in triple digits but warm nonetheless. It is relatively quiet this morning with sounds only of insects, the humming of a lone hummingbird and the breeze blowing through the oaks. That’s entirely okay with me. Quiet can be a great blessing!
When I wrote my post last week I had begun to really feel the pressure and sadness of Steve’s upcoming birthday. I wish I could say that my mood improved over the course of the week but I would be lying and I don’t wish to lie!
The rest of the week just continued to spiral. I cried every single day. More than once. I hate to admit it but I am not one of those women that look sweet and more beautiful when they cry. (Oh, is that only in the movies?!). I am one ugly crier let me tell you. Red nose, puffy eyes that get smaller as I bawl. I will leave the rest of the description to your imagination.
Steve’s birthday was on Thursday. I went by his gravesite in the morning before going over to my daughter’s house. It was a lovely day and the cemetery was dotted with color from flowers brought by people whose loved ones currently reside under the ground at Holy Cross. I bawled and wrote yet another letter to him. Leaving after about a half hour, I called my son, Matthew, picked up tacos for Lauren and Leah and spent the morning over there. At 2:30, I hauled butt back to my house where I had just enough time to shower, change and get to SA to meet my mom and Lauren’s family at the restaurant.
I made it!
Steve had to be laughing his head off at what happened next. Lauren and family arrived right as I was walking in so I turned around to help get the kids out of the car.
I had taken great care to wear something bright and with no collar as that was required dress for my evening adventure. I took Leah out of the car and she cries, “My tummy hurts!” and proceeds to vomit all over me! As I struggled to comprehend what was going on another volley of stomach contents spewed out and down the front of our shirts. Finally, my brain kicked in and I put her down where she threw up a third time. Poor Lauren is standing there, wringing her hands saying, “What do I do?” “Do we leave?” I asked for water and cleaned us up as well as I could and we went in to dinner.
A trip to the restroom made me, at the very least, presentable but, oh my gosh, I cannot imagine how badly we must have smelled. Leah was fine, just car sick and hungry. We decided to hold our noses and we just laughed and laughed! Why did I say that Steve was probably laughing at what went on? Because when the kids were little he was the one onto whom they ALWAYS threw up. Never me…just Steve. At the house, in the insurance office, at the doctor’s office, in the truck. You name the place, he had most likely experienced being thrown up there! I guess it was finally my turn.
After dinner, Lauren gave me her blouse (yup, she gave me the shirt off of her back) and Mom and I moved on to the next part of Steve’s birthday celebration. Every time Steve and I drove past the iFly Indoor Skydiving sign he said, “One day we should look into that!” So I did! It was such a blast! The instructor, Dave, was phenomenal. I felt safe, did a great job of controlling my body and even did some 360s which they said most newbies don’t/can’t do! I am going back. I’ve even put “sky diving” on my bucket list. Steve is probably cringing at that one!
Funny thing is…after Steve’s birthday everything started to fall back into place. Spirit has improved a bit each day. Productivity has increased as I have finished binding two baby blankets, began two more and designed a wall hanging for a Wounded Warriors event. I attended a small theatre production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown last night which got the juices flowing for a new painting.
Remember…
“weeping may endure or a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5
Enjoy the photos and have a glorious week!
