Today

is my grandma’s birthday. She would have been 86. On this day, when my grandpa was alive, I’d make sure to call him and thank him. He fought in the Pacific during WWII. He’d always get choked up and his you’re welcome was a little rough. Later, I would wish my grandma happy birthday. Whether in person or on the phone or both, I always thanked him first. So a big thank you to all the Veterans that have given me the privilege of living in a free country.

I don’t mean for this blog to be maudlin but let’s face it, it is a day in the life and if my days are a little darker then… they will brighten again and I will regale you with my witty comments and deep insights into the world of writing.

Until then I thought I’d share some memories with you. It’s all part of the healing process.

This is my two youngest and my mother.

C didn’t quite understand what was happening and kept asking questions I couldn’t answer. She’d gone with me to the hospital almost daily all summer long. What she remembers most about the funeral is that we laughed. We told stories about my grandma and for those of you who’ve heard me talk about her, you know, she had quite the acerbic wit.

K ended up reading an obituary of sorts. I know, not usual for an almost 9 yo. But my aunt had been trying to write one at the kitchen table. We were all in shock and just looking at each other. What do you say about a woman who was everything to so many people? We all got up and left the room. When we came back, K had finished the obituary.

This is what she wrote:

She was a good person and friend. No one can replace her. She meant everything to every one. She was a bit plot of sunshine and a good mother to…. We will remember her in our hearts forever and never forget her. Forever remember her all her life. She will be missed by lots of people.

It was a beautiful day and if you’ve never seen Ogden, it’s surrounded by mountains–simply breathtaking. I took pictures of that too but I don’t want to offend anyone by showing a picture of her coffin. She is buried with Grandpa near a stand of American flags. He would have liked that and so would she.

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It’s amazing

how addictive this is, blogging that is. I suppose it has something to do with having someone, even a virtual someone, over the age of 13 to talk to. No, I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I do get my daily phone conversations with my SO, and D1 calls every day and my baby sis checks in too.  Oh hell, I’m not here to psychoanalyze myself, I do enough of that already, trust me.

On the home front. I am officially declaring the washing machine to be fixed. One week without leaking. Thank you. Now, I’m going to try the kitchen sink, it’s leaking too. Pulling out the washer doesn’t bother me, but it’s… spooky under the sink so I’m putting it off until tomorrow, of course I’ve been doing that since Thanksgiving. : )

My pineapple plant has little squiggly roots! Yeah! The coffee plant is responding to laundry room therapy too. The humidity must be doing the trick, either that or it’s due to the fact its now out of D4’s sight. She has a fascination with that plant. I’ve re-potted it 5 times because she’s picked it for me.

4 days until SO comes (and I haven’t lost that 5lbs and I’m accepting now I won’t and also nowthat it’s 6lbs now. Ahh birthday cakes. Two more weeks of school and 6 days until D2’s birthday which means she has only 4 days to bring her grades up if she wants to have a 14th birthday party. Not having it will be quite as hard on me as it will on her, but she doesn’t know that. Ahh… tough love cuts both ways. And Christmas. Ack! But first today, today is taking grandma to the bank. So I’m off.

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