...but joy comes in the morning.

December was a bit of a bitter sweet for us. My grandmother, who in her prime, was full of life, laughter and love, went on to her Heavenly home on my son's birthday, 14 December 2010. What a sad time for us all. My poor mom, who attended to grandma in the rest home in Florida, is somewhat at a loss. She would tirelessly go to see Grandma daily to feed her and spend time with her--even though Grandma's mind had been suffering from dementia for six years.

I have such fond memories of growing up and visiting my grandma and grandpa in West Virginia. Grandma would always bake homemade bread and have jelly and honey and all kinds of stuff for my sister and I. She would have our bed piled high with about 12 blankets because it was so cold there. Grandma would always have Valerie, my sister, and I go into her room and pull out her purse and sneak us some gum and give us some money--all the while telling us not to tell Grandpap. Later on, Grandpap would have us go into the room and open a drawer and pull out a white paper bag full of candy. He'd give us girls some and always told us not to tell Grandma. It was so fun. We would take the candy and think we were so special for each of them to share such "secrets" with us kids.

TR was honored to do Grandma's memorial service at my parents' church there in Florida. My sister, Valerie, played the piano---Grandma didn't like the organ, she said it reminded her of funeral music. TR did a wonderful job as we laughed and we cried and were reminded of all the 'Precious Memories' of her life!

Just returned from Missy & Major's home in KY. Boy was it good getting away and seeing them in their every-day lives. Missy is so busy at KET and at the hospital. She makes us so proud of all her accomplishments and at how well she handles the stress of all the deadlines. She's so talented.

The Boys are Here!

I got the thrill last night of the arrival of my sister, Valerie, and her two boys, Jordan (10), and Benjamin (6). Valerie is letting them stay with me and Uncle TR for a couple of weeks and she is going back to Florida to get her new place ready to live in. A big job, but easier without the two of them "helping" so much!

I am thrilled to have the boys come and I must admit, I will have to get used to having young kids in the house once again...hearing noises, seeing messes, more laundry, actually fixing food...LOL. It is going to be F U N ! Oh, my, I can see it now...

Successful Surgery!

We're all rejoicing tonight that Susi's brain surgery was a success. Her doctor reported he felt he got most of the visible tumor and is very confident that her recovery looks very good. Although I stayed home here in NC and TR went to WV to be with his family, I still felt like I was there with them all...praying and trying to show support as best I could from so far away. I have had some phone calls from concerned friends who have been praying and thinking of our family through this tough time. God provides all we need just when we need it. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us! I feel so blessed!

Family Love

Today I made the difficult decision to let my husband leave without taking me with him--totally against his wishes. He went to WV to support his family. Dealing with my struggle with this hateful disease, Multiple Sclerosis, I suffer severely from the heat and not being able to get inside in the air conditioning when I get hot. In WV most places don't have AC, and I just came back from visiting them and took two days to recuperate from the exhaustion and pain I experienced, so I chose to let him go without me. I did this not only so I would not suffer pain, but so he could concentrate fully on his brother and on the rest of his family's needs. TR needed to be with his family while Susi, his sister-in-law, had brain surgery. This has been a difficult time for the whole family--I cannot imagine what Susi is going though, although I take comfort that she is a child of the King and has a faith that is helping her through all the difficult stuff and will help her continue to be strong. I pray daily--constantly these days--for peace through all this and for the best outcome for her surgery. Susi has a good surgeon and a wonderful neurologist, but she also has the best "Great Physician" looking after her spiritual soul as well as her physical body. She is in good hands and I praise the Lord for that!

My Daughter's Getting Married

Now is the time for all good moms to come to the aid of their daughter. I find this easier said than done. How can such a special planning time in her life happen when I am so far away from Missy and can't be there for her. Sure, we e-mail and call each other--advice and suggestions are given and either taken or not, but I hope she really knows how much I want to be there for her. I guess it will all work out and most of the details will be a blur when it is all said and done. Funny how things can seem overwhelming one minute and then not so the next. Lord please help me to be what you would have me to be...