Happy Heart Day Miss Zoey ...

I am kind of cheating here.  I wrote this quite awhile ago but thought it best conveyed my thoughts on this day.  A day we are so grateful for.  A day, 7 1/2 years ago that literally gave Zoey a second chance at life.  A rebirth of sorts   My fragile little child was made new and for that we will always be grateful for.  Immeasurably grateful for.  Hurdles would come after.  Major, life altering hurdles but this surgery enabled her the ability to fight those with a strong and healthy body. This heart repair was everything.  And as I work to count my blessings alongside things I struggle to make sense of, this day enables to me to see with clarity the goodness sprinkled amongst the the things I may never understand.  Its the balance you know.  The dance we do with sorrow and joy.  Tipping the scale to joy is my new deal.  Trying at least.  And trying is sometimes all we can do.

Happy Heart Day My love.

"Our sweet Zoey remained in the NICU at hotel CHLA for nearly 3 months. Life in that place was the most insane roller coaster ride ever. And I have always hated roller coasters. You would string along these really good days. You would start to get comfy and confident that home was around the corner. You would see light at the end of the tunnel, only to realize that it was a massive train barreling down the tracks, ready to lay you out flat. Nothing gets your heart racing like walking into your child's NICU room first thing in the morning with a spring in your step, all optimistic, only to see doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists hovering over your crashing child. Nothing prepares you for that. Nothing prepares you for being in a NICU room, with 5 other complicated babies and their families, distraught and worried and wondering if any of you will be walking out with a child in tow. And sadly, the truth be told, some of you won't.

At Zoey's 7 week of life mark, we had hit a crossroads. Zoey was in congestive heart failure. She could not manage nasal feedings. She was desating all day long. Which means her oxygen saturation was plummeting due to numerous factors. Most out of our control. Long term alternative nutrition, TPN was not a favorable choice due to her already fragile liver, so we were  left with just one option. A g-tube. Now, way back when, in those days, I equated feeding tubes to end of life issues. I thought, I surrender to that, and I am giving up. But surrender we did. Zoey began sporting a G-tube at the tender age of 7 weeks, as well as a fundoplication, which would cinch off her stomach to her esophagus, which in turn would prevent her from aspirating into her lungs and developing pneumonia. That g-tube has remained in place for the last nearly 5 years of her life and that g-tube has not been an indication of a life nearing its end but rather has been a LIFELINE to her fighter body, in the times when she has needed it most.

We arrived home with Zoey in mid May and once again we began a 'new normal'. Only this, looked nothing like normal. Zoey was g-tube fed 22 hours a day. She had a full size crib upstairs and downstairs. Oxygen, feeding pumps and pulse-ox machines. Meds schedules that required a spreadsheet. Zoey could not be left for a minute without someone by her side. She gagged and retched all. day. long. Her heart so weak, digesting her feeds was too much work. She never cried. And that is not a lie. She never, ever cried. For the first 6 months of her life, I never heard my baby make a sound. Her body knowing instinctively that to cry would deplete her of her already low reserve of energy. Zoey never smiled. Her eyes were dull and without light. They had no color. And speaking of color, Zoey went from a yellow hue in her early days from an overworked liver because of the TMD, to a shade of gray. Just gray. It would not be until her heart was fixed that we would realize just how sick she really was. And it was a good thing. We operated by rote. We did things day to day in a very organized, routine manner, all the while keeping our eye on the prize. Keep this child alive to get to heart surgery. Nothing else mattered.

And finally, the day arrived. August 13th, 2007. I handed my daughter over to the hands of the ones that would make her whole. I was not nervous. I was not scared. I knew that we, as a beautiful family of 8, had done everything possible to get this girl to this day. The moment they walked away, I took a deep breath. Relieved. Relieved to have arrived at this day.

1 hour and 40 minutes. That is all it took. A major heart defect. Fixed. Just like that, by a man and a team that I will forever be indebted to. Dr. Vaughn Starnes, his nickname in L.A., as blasphemous as it sounds, is 'god,' for the works he performs. Just ask Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is sporting a nifty valve placed by none other than Dr. Starnes himself. And perform he did. Perfect fix. No leaks. Nothing. Perfect as it should be. Perfect as I felt she deserved. And then the gifts just kept coming. On the day they extubated her, 4 days after surgery, they took the tube out and out came the tiniest of cries. Raspy and weak, but a cry. And the attending doctor asked me if her cry normally sounded like that, to which I replied, "I would have no idea, In 6 months of life, I have never heard her cry." And on day 5, the biggest gift of all. The moment I had been waiting for.  In all the pictures I had studied of other children with Down syndrome, there was one common characteristic that I longed to see and finally, there it was. A smile. Accompanied by the brightest eyes and the pinkest of skin I had ever seen. New life. A rebirth. A second chance at life.

Both of these pictures were taken before we were discharged from the hospital. That smile I had waited for had finally arrived.

I pumped my milk for that first 6 months of Zoey's life. Stocked my freezer. Added it to her feeds. All along thinking that once she was healthy she would be able to nurse. Well, if you could see the faces of OT's, nurses, and doctors as I conveyed to them my hope that she would nurse once she was strong enough. They thought I was in la-la land. And so be it. I knew differently however. I knew in my heart that this child was capable of far more than anyone thought she was. So on the Monday after her heart surgery, as I sat in the car waiting for Mark to check us out of the Ronald McDonald house, Zoey started fussing. I knew she was hungry. So I thought, what the heck, now is as good a time as any. So I lifted her out of her car seat and nursed her. My newly cut open, never had a thing to her lips ever, low muscle tone child with Down syndrome, nursed and continued to do so for another year. A lesson to us all to never, not ever, underestimate the power within these fighter children of ours.

So we basked in our 'new, new normal'. Watched her smile and master rolling and begin to sit for seconds alone, unassisted. She ate food and giggled and did, well, she miraculously began to do what other 7 and 8 month old babies do. Despite Down syndrome and a stroke.  Despite laying flat on her back, for the first  months of her life. Utterly and completely, amazing.We were unfazed by the prospect of therapy to rehabilitate her weaker left side. We were unfazed by the obstacles and limitations that might come with raising a child with Down syndrome. We were just feeling so blessed to be standing in a place of healing and hope. We truly believed that the worst was behind us, behind her. We could never have been so wrong in our lives. Soon we would add to the plethora of new medical jargon that had become second nature to us. Shortly we would become cruelly and unmercifully schooled in a much unwelcome new diagnosis of Infantile Spasms.

It would not be just a storm that would be coming our way. It would be a violent rampage on our already beaten down girl and it would prove merciless and unrelenting and would take this mother from a place of gratitude and thanks to a place laden with doubt in everything. Including Zoey." 

"Special Olympics and the Burden of Happiness" ...

We have been spending a great deal of time at this years Special Olympic Games here in Los Angeles.  Now, not so much time that it would account for my nearly 8 month hiatus but yep, we have passed a whole lotta beautiful time there, Zoey and I, since the games began last Sunday. Its been a joy to be among our people as I often say and quite frankly, I might go through a bit of a withdrawal as the games come to a close tomorrow.  But what I will most definitely take with me, besides some incredible experiences and memories, is the desire to do more to see inclusion, dignity and respect for all be common place in this world.  Tall order?  For sure. But so much more can and has to, be done. This is a very well written and thoughtful piece from the NY. Times today and worth a read.

   http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/01/opinion/special-olympics-and-the-burden-of-happiness.html?_r=0

And, as an added bonus to this out of the blue post, a few pictures  A repeat for people who follow me on Facebook and Instagram but, for anyone who, on the off chance might still have my blogger in their reader, a bit of the magic that have us wanting to stay put in that bubble that surrounded us during these World Games.

One of our most cherished memories will be  of meeting Peter.  An athlete and gold medal winner in  Bocce ball from Ireland.  The whole contingency from Ireland that was there at the awards ceremony were so enamored with Zoey.  They spent at least 15 minutes with her soaking up her magic.

Wherever we went, Zoey waved to every single person she passed.  She would frantically wave that little arm said hi and as of late has even stepped up her game and says "Hola" nearly as much as she said "Hi"  Totally cracks us up. And in return people just showered her love, not to mention with pins from all over the world. And today, an athlete from El Salvador, came up to her, kissed her on the top of her head, took his medal from around his neck and put it around hers.  It was so touching. So much more to share but I think I will leave it at that.  Best let the shock of my resurfacing sink in.  I have no idea what compelled me to write but I did and we'll see where it leads.

Hopefully not to another 8 month shut down.  Or maybe.  Hard to say. 

In search of that light breeze. The sun and the moon. Forever more.

"She let go.

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.

She let go of the fear.

She let go of the judgments.

She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.

She let go of the committee of indecision within her.

She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons.

Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.

She didn’t ask anyone for advice.

She didn’t read a book on how to let go.

She didn’t search the scriptures.

She just let go.

She let go of all of the memories that held her back.

She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.

She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do
it just right.

She didn’t promise to let go.

She didn’t journal about it.

She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.

She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.

She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.

She just let go.

She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.

She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.

She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.

She didn’t call the prayer line.

She didn’t utter one word.

She just let go.

No one was around when it happened.

There was no applause or congratulations.

No one thanked her or praised her.

No one noticed a thing.

Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.

There was no effort.

There was no struggle.

It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.

It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be.

A small smile came over her face.

A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone
forevermore…”

- Ernest Holmes.

{post script: after researching this poem, it is more likely attributed to Rev. Safire Rose, a SOM minister, rather than Ernest Holmes}

Resurfacing after 3 1/2 months.  Not sure why.  It just seemed like the thing to do this morning.  As a person who totally over thinks everything, I decided to not analyze coming back to this space and instead, just do it.

My family, those I love the most in this life, are fine.  More than fine. They are all in beautiful places and for that, I am so grateful.  

Zoey is at a new school these days.  A 5 minute walk from our house and is adjusting the only way that Zoey knows how and that is beautifully.  Jessica and Matt are expecting their first baby in February. Which is a beautiful, beautiful thing.  Taylor and Leo are soaking in all the fun that comes with planning a wedding and what could be more beautiful than that?  The boys are just busy being carefree boys, going about their lives with such innocence and ease, and although I know with time, that will change, for now, my heart is at peace with where they are in their lives in this moment.  Miss Charlotte is an eager to learn and oh so darling kindergartener now and such a little beauty, inside and out. And Olivia Grace, well she continues to be such a messenger of healing to us all. I would venture to say, mostly to Caitlin and Danny, that look at her with these eyes filled with overflowing joy. My husband continues to work harder than most anyone I know. Never a complaint. Always looking at life with his ever present "glass half full or at least I have a glass" attitude. Most men, in this life, our life, the family stresses, the pressures of his job and commute, many a man would have crumbled and faltered and failed but not him, he just keeps moving forward.

Which I guess brings us to me.  And that is far too complicated for an initial blog post after so much time.  Suffice it to say, on a personal level, beyond all the abundant beauty that surrounds me, despite all that should sustain me and carry me, I am and have been struggling. Physically with my auto immune issues. Mentally. Because well, I am not exactly sure.  Call it midlife. Call it Post Traumatic, call it what ever you might be tempted to call it, it is what it is and I am trying to find my way through it.  Perhaps coming back to this space that was borne from a time 6 1/12 years ago when I just needed to get some of my internal stuff out, will help. Hard to say.  However, for some reason, here I am.

Searching for that light breeze. The sun and the moon. Forever more.  

  

Looks like I have a trend happening here...

As in I find myself with a half dozen blog post ideas, to which I fully intend to come here and jot down my thought on say a single topic and then, well, life happens.   One day passes into another and one idea morphs into a few and then zap, as my mind operates as of late, I forget each and every one of the aforementioned ideas.  And when I finally carve out a bit of time,  I sit down and find there has been so much going on and friends and family are mostly looking for everyday life updates,  that I end up doing a free for all random post.  Which is all good but perhaps a tad bit boring and not at all what I had planned.  But here I am and here it goes.  Another disjointed, random post:

I find myself doing a lot of the "steadily" and perhaps not as much of the "abundantly" but given the state of my life and the tempo of the days, I think I should be a bit more forgiving of myself and be proud that I am moving sanely at all.  And on some days, the sanely goes out the window and I just am moving.  Which works.

Our weekly Sunday dinners continue.  Sometimes we are minus a few due to work schedules.  Mainly Jess and Matt who are out there saving lives cuz lifesaving doesn't halt for Sunday dinners.  I suppose, now that I think of it, the presence of these beautiful human beings should be classified under  "abundantly" because when I see them all together, broken into small little groups, discussing life and loving on little ones, that my friends, is abundant joy for sure.

Zoey continues to like to "walk" holding someones hand.  This little snippet I caught on the 4th of July as she made her way down to the cul de sac to see the neighborhood kids doing their thing  And this little thing makes my heart happy.

I seldom have time to myself other then before say 6 am and after 10 pm that is.  With Zoey deciding a few times a week that 4am-ish is a grand time to start the day, I end up hopping out of bed, leaving her with Mark and heading out for a bike ride and a run.  Due to some ongoing, pesky chronic health issues, I am having to bring my athletic endeavors down a notch.  Trying to instead do a bit of cross training that involves the running and biking and some light weightlifting to give my somewhat flabby and nearly fifty arms some love.  When school starts back I will resume Yoga.  I HAVE got to get back to yoga.  My summer schedule just doesn't allow it unfortunately.  But I really need to get back to it.  As much for my mind as my body.  Probably more for my mind if the truth be told.

Speaking of running.  I received these wings in the mail the other day from a long time friend.  A friendship that began in mid February of 2008.  A friendship that is actually responsible for the beginning of this blog.  My friend Rae has a son Sam, who is much like Zoey.  A few years older.  Mischievious and warrior like.

 The evening I received the results of Zoey's EEG that confirmed Infantile Spasms, I began pouring over the internet.  That was, pouring over the internet after I picked myself up from the laundry room floor.  Because as our pediatrician read me the results and my otherwise fairly optimistic pediatrician voiced his concern about being able to control these seizures, I literally did one of those signature moves you see in the movies, and gasped, covered my mouth and slid my body down the wall to rest my devasted body on the floor.  Sound dramatic?  For a diagnosis of Infantile Spasms, not so much.  Nothing particularly positive can be found when you google that diagnosis.  In fact, down right depressing and yeah, horrible.  But that night Rae and her blog that I found during my internet search and the story of her journey with Sam, were my beacon of hope and they were, truly the wind beneath my otherwise weary and broken wings.  I will always, always be indebted to them for that.  Always.

I leave you with this.

 Could think of no better way to end this than with a picture of this sweet 12 week old little cutie pie. Simply adorable our little messenger of hope and healing. Simply adorable.

What I do when I am not wrangling children ....

Last week when we were at the beach, Caitlin was heading back out of town with Olivia and Charlotte was staying behind to sleep over and maybe there was an extra child or two staying as well, and suddenly Cait pulled over and took this picture.  She posted it to Instagram with the caption: "Just Heather being super cool wrangling her kids plus mine .."

I don't know about the super cool part but I think I am one hell of a child wrangler.  And if you know me, I seldom acknowledge being good at anything.  But wrangling, yep, I do that fairly well.  I joke around with the older girls and tell them one day I may need to invest in one of those ginormous Sprinter vans to transport all my wrangle-ees.


So what do I do when I am not in wrangler mode?  Truth be told, not much.  Most days I do not sit down until 10 pm-ish.  Maybe a bit before if we are watching a program together.  Which often it is hard to find one suited for all the kids, and usually we opt for the History Channel, Food Network or Zoey absolutely LOVES America's Got Talent.  "The Voice" is her preferred choice though.  She literal says "Adam" every night.  Perhaps my unhealthy obsession with Adam Levine may or may not have rubbed off on her. But you can hardly blame the little love for asking for her Adam, can you?

  Anyway.  Spare time, let alone, solitude time is hard come by in these parts.  I do try and fit in a bit of running.  But even that has been sporadic. Especially since school is out for the summer. But really, when the day is finished, I either try to read or lately, I stay up far too late catching up on "Call the Midwife".  And can we please talk about that show for a moment?

 Fabulous.  I have blown through two seasons and am off to Target later to buy season 3.  I highly recommend it.  First two seasons are on Netflix.  You can probably find the 3rd online and the 4th is slated for release in December.  Not to be sexist, and not to say my TV show making husband doesn't think it is really, really well done, but honestly, I think it's a chick show.  I am not one to gender label anything, given the fact I am a girl/woman and I think I am fairly capable of doing many things that are viewed as boy/manly stuff, but I think the demographics of the viewing and maybe target audience are females. So if you are a guy or have a significant other that follows this series religiously, please accept my apologies for the stereotype.  So sorry.

As far as reading goes, this is currently what my bedside table looks like.

Which is really sort of ironic because I seldom even read in bed.  But there are my reads as of late.  I am at some point in the pages of each and every one of these books. The only one finished and that I have actually read twice is,"A Grief Observed" by C. S. Lewis.  which also may speak to some of my life events over the last nearly 2 years.  An easy read.  not in subject matter but in length of the book. I think it is little more then 100 or so pages.  And my Kindle there, has 4 or 5 other books downloaded and started but not finished.  What my deal is, I have no idea.  I just cannot seem to finish a book.  I usually get into a book and cannot put it down but lately, my attention span has been nil.  The forerunner, and the closest to completion is "Out of My Mind". The book is written from the perspective of a young girl named Melody who has Cerebral Palsy.  "Out of My Mind" attempts to shatter the misconceptions that the world, and even those closest to people like Melody, have when a person is unable to walk or feed themselves or talk.  Sadly, most correlate ones physical limitations automatically to intellect.  And honestly, with people who have Cerebral Palsy, that assumption is so off the mark.  I think I have actually passed chapter 6 of "Out of My Mind" and I just might finish this one in a timely fashion.  Maybe.

And while I am talking about books and my Kindle, I need to give a shout out to my friend Elizabeth and congratulate her on her ebook that just came out a week or so ago.  You can down load it at shebooks and it is titled "Hope for a Sea Change". Here is a brief description of her ebook:

• When her three-month-old daughter Sophie is diagnosed with a rare seizure disorder, Elizabeth Aquino and her husband, Michael, are thrust into a nightmarish world of impossible decisions, toxic drug cocktails, and talk of brain surgery on their tiny child. As they grapple with the harrowing progression of their child’s seizures, they grow to understand that the doctors know little more about how to heal Sophie than they do. They are in a terrifying no-man’s-land. This narrative of unintended medical trauma and the search for healing through alternative means will sear you with its stubborn hope, unexpected grace, and abiding love.

 Elizabeth is a magnificent writer.  Gifted in fact. And this snippet is only a portion of a larger manuscript that I wish for her, and for the rest of us, to be a full fledged published book one day.  For now, I am supremely proud of her and I think you should most definitely go get yourself this beautiful piece of writing right now.

Side note concerning the ease of FB and Instagram that I mentioned when I resurfaced the other day.  I guess Facebook specifically.  What I have noticed about my last two posts, is that I may get very few comments here on the blog but on FB, because I link my blog there, I get easily 4 times as many.  People just link over here and click back to FB to comment.  Gives pause to the times we live in and different medias we have access to and  how information, good and bad, can go out to the masses.  Social media can get a bad rap.  Some of it justified, but honestly, not to sound cliche, when used for the greater good, it really can be a beautiful thing.  

Well, looks as if my wrangling has ended early tonight and I think I will pick up one of those poor neglected reads and make some headway.  Or not.  Hard to say the way it will play out for one tired and slightly worn out wrangler.  Exhaustion might prevail.

Have a happy Sunday everyone.



 

Well gee thanks California Department of Education ...

A few months ago I signed a consent form at Zoey's school for an outside diagnostic center to do some educational observations.  I didn't hesitate in having her participate because I am a staunch advocate in participating in studies, especially since our journey through cancer.  Case studies and research are the reason my girl is here today.  Anyway, I did not inquire as to what type of study was being done and felt comfortable not pursuing other information and that was that.

Yesterday I opened my mail and found this:

A three page report with attached documents on their findings as they pertained to Zoey.  As I sat in the car waiting for Joe to finish his piano lessons, I think I laughed out loud.  Actually, I know I did.  Then I got a little bit bugged.  Given the current state of the California's economy and the cuts to services within and outside the school districts statewide, as well as the continued cuts to enrichment programs, not to mention, did you know that in our school district there are no longer librarians in the schools?  Yep, we did away with that paid position.  Teachers now need to work it into their weekly curriculum if they want the kids to be able to check out books.  I sat in my car and wondered just how much money and man power was wasted on this program.  And who's brain child was this?  Certainly not parents to a child like mine.  Because let me tell you, if I had been sitting at a table when this plan was being hatched, I would have most definitely not backed it.  I am not certain any of these findings fall under the umbrella of "education" either.  I could go on and on but let's cut to the chase, shall we?

It looks as if I have been wasting my time trying to get Zoet to oh, lets see, walk, eat independently, etc. Because in their opinion, Zoey might be well served participating in a good 'ole fashion game of "Horse".  I however disagree.  I say a game of "Pig" is much more within her reach.  Fewer letters to keep track of.  My favorite line is the first.  I cannot wait for her to become proficient in her shooting so I can shoo her outside to "independently" play some basketball.

And they were ever so kind to attach a diagram to help me with her form.

Does anyone else see the absolute hilarity of this? The two handed/arm throw about kills me.  Because of Zoey's stroke we know how effortlessly Zoey can use both arms.  In unison.  And, if anyone was not aware, Zoey attends a school for children with moderate to severe disabilities.  To send this out to parents such as myself is insulting and frankly, a tad bit hurtful.  But in their defense, they also had another quite helpful suggestion:

 Gee thanks California Department of Education.  I am so grateful for your continued guidance in making sure Zoey's educational needs are being met.  Okay.  Gotta run.  Need to strap on Zoey's basketball shoes and get out there and shoot some hoops.



  

I was here and then gone again. What was up with that?

You know, I can't really tell you the exact reasons why it has been nearly 3 months since I last was here.  I suppose the easy posting on Facebook and Instagram is one excuse.  A couple clicks and I am done within minutes.  Opposed to here, where writing seems to take me FOREVER.  But ease of posting elsewhere would only be a small portion of the reasons I have been away.  Let's see if I can catch, those who care, up to speed in a somewhat speedy fashion.  And along with that, an apology for a whole lot of repeat info and photos for some.

First off and most importantly, our crew has expanded by one.  A beautiful, perfect, little one. My granddaughter Olivia Grace arrived April the 22nd and her arrival has proven to be a messenger of healing for our family since we lost her older sister Grace Margaret 17 months ago.  Her mom and dad and big sister Charlotte are over the moon in love and so are the rest of us.

And come June of next year, we will add another to our crazy bunch.  In April Taylor and Leo became engaged and we are all thrilled and so very excited for the life that lies before them.  They are both incredible teachers and have such amazing hearts for each as well as this world and they truly are so, so good together.  And as a mom, to see that love and commitment, well, I couldn't ask for anything more.  I am 3 for 3 in the son in-law department. How lucky am I that 3 men are loving and caring for my girls in all the ways I ever dreamed for them?

Lets see. What else.  Oh, Zoey did indeed get one of these. However, she hates it.

We will just keep trying and in the mean time, she is doing so much more of this and we hope with the strength gain in her legs and her desire to be upright, that once her balance kicks in, maybe, just maybe, walking may really, really happen.

Let's see. What else?  Oh. There were an awful lot of happy  hockey fans in the house as we watched the Kings win yet another Stanley Cup  All were happy.  Except I venture to say, my son in-law who's hometown Blackhawks missed out on a bid for the Stanley Cup, losing to the Kings in the semi finals.  Poor Matt.  So out numbered.

The kids and I just arrived home from a week at the beach.  Mark unfortunately couldn't get the time off as a new season of a show he works on just started back up.  So I braved it on my own. Which was, well, brave.  I survived.  And the kids did also.  And Charlotte even stayed a few nights, as did one of the boys friends and the week actually turned out to be lots of fun.  The reality is, taking Zoey anywhere is not an easy gig.  Its hard.  Really hard.  But the beach is one of her favorite places and I was not going to not do this.  With that said, next time, we all go together.  Not so much for the the help with Zoey but for the entertainment and supervision of the boys.  We often have to divide and conquer because there simply are things Zoey cannot do or that we cannot do with her.  Just the fact.  And so we adjust and adapt and the last week I did a whole lot of adjusting and adapting and maybe, just maybe, may need a vacation from my vacation.

So there you go.  The beauty that has been happening over the last few months.  It's always a wild ride in these parts.  Complicated and difficult on some days but I still choose joy most every day and choose to not let the heavy stuff push out the good stuff.  I find that the faster the days pass the more I cling to the abundant blessings.  The rest of the stuff, the heavy and the hard, seems much more doable when love and the light are allowed to rise to the top.

I'll be back.  Sooner rather then later.  Promise.