"Remember"- Day 29

Since I'm late with the last few days, the first week of school is a killer & to top of it I'm sick sick & sick, I'm going out of order to round out the month. My aunt posted this on her own birthday this week. It really struck me that most of my generation won't know this feeling, because if divorce or marrying later. I'm terrified of losing "him" to soon since I was 41 before I found him. I have so much admiration for couples who endured & stayed together by choice, not because of the kids or not believing in divorce. To this aunt...you are always someone I admire- classy, smart & hospitable beyond words & I'm so sorry for what this year brought to you xo.

"Thunderstorm"- Day 28

It was the perfect storm. Beautiful weather, slow day at work, very fast motorcycle. Mountains, back roads, little traffic. Until that turn with the blind entrance. & that pickup truck. That no one was hurt badly& he walked away with just some bloody fingers and legs-  & that was through gloves & Kevlar jeans- is a miracle, considering where his head hit the truck. Not my kind of perfect storm, but so grateful he will still be with me on many stormy nights to come.

"Encounter"- Day 27

Who would have believed that a chance encounter in grade school would have led to the eventual births of ten more people? Childhood friends (hard not to be when you have a class of maybe 30 the whole way through school), eventual "sweethearts" and now husband and wife of more than 51 years and 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Add in 4 step-grandchildren, which they have embraced in a way I never would have expected anyone to, part of our family because of my own encounter. Makes you wonder what exactly it is that makes these encounters different from others, and how you "just know"?

"Celestial"- Day 26

The one on the left. If "celestial" can mean anything related to heaven, she is it. She is the reason I am how I am with my own daughter, and I know it. I don't know why, nor do two shrinks, I can't and haven't gotten over it.

It has been more than 25 years. Most people don't know but I had it calculate to the exact date that my own daughter would have to live to in order to live longer than she did. It is getting easier now that I see my own daughter turning into an adult, but I cannot fathom what her parents went through and live with every single day, and they are together and as strong as ever. It is all anyone could dream of in a relationship.

"Dreamlike"- Day 25

Did I mention that whoever dreamed of this 365 definitely wasn't a teacher? I am determined to get 365 in, but I never said in order every day.

Sometimes I can't believe this family is my life and it is more than I ever imagined for myself after what I went through during separation, divorce, and some rough years to follow. Building on what I said in the last post, I hope it isn't a dream. This family came together relatively seamlessly and we have so much left to do together, losing that would be the worst.

Dreamlike part 2 here is that our oldest son was with us the whole week, leukemia and all...that was a dream come true for this summer!

Day 24- "Iridescent"

It is a word I would use to describe us both, which can be a great thing but is also a very scary thing. I hate the scary side of it...would trade for solid in a heartbeat.  Time will tell which it is, and it won't take too long.

Day 23- "Dormant"

I am guessing that is where the word "dorm" emanated from many years back, but I am not exactly a Latin expert. Not really a French one either actually, since I used to skip that class and that it a whole other story. Anyway...on the 23rd when I should have written this I was moving my girl in, one of the best days because she spent a few hours with me and was nice the whole time. She was ready for this and I am feeling good about it...for today at least!