So on Monday I had Occupational Therapy. I have a little more range of motion. Next session is New Years Eve Day.
For the rest of the day I made fudge. Three sets of books I got for my grandkids came from The United Kingdom and the other from Sweden. It was amazing that they came from so far away. Two of the sets gave me a huge window of delivery saying they could come as late as January 20. so I had been trying to figure out what I'd do if it didn't come, so I was okay.
On Tuesday I wrapped presents and got the items I wanted to make roasted vegetables and a green salad for Christmas at Shelley's home. That evening I went to a surprise birthday party for my grandson Billy at Rusty's Pizza. I gave them their Christmas presents to take home.
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| Billy's birthday (with his son Conner) is Christmas Day but it is done earlier to celebrate his day |
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| Conner loves to stand up |
Christmas Day I finished my wrapping, got the food prepared that I was taking and took the fudge I made and wine to my daughter Shelley's home a little after 4 pm. Dinner was ready a little after 5 pm. An amazing accomplishment! Her home was decorated very nicely. Great snacks and dinner was fabulous. We opened presents before eating. Everyone had a great time. I had a couple of glasses of wine and was done for the evening. I got three of my grandkids books. I would like to do more of that, because I think reading is good for the soul.
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| Crystal, Shelley, Kevin and me, Rachel |
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| Sisters Shelley Schmitt and Jennifer Kline |
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| Wes and Heather |
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| Shelley and oldest daughter Alyssa |
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| Wes, Heather, Alyssa, Jennifer and Devin |
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| Kevin, Shelley and Heather |
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| Kevin with mom Shelley |
Heather had her 18th birthday on Saturday. She graduated from high school when she was 16 1/2 years old. She got loving wishes from the family and friends.
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| Heather with her dad Chris (acting silly) |
On Saturday Barbara and I went to Chef's Choice for Thai food. Very good as usual. We walked around Eye and 19th Streets. There is a new Sushi restaurant going in on 19th Street and The Bakersfield Art Association Center is moving around the corner to be on 19th Street also, by Kuka's and The Mark. A very good move. Not sure of the date, but the signs of the change are on the doors.
Barbara and I saw Annie at the Maya Theater. Very light weight, but neither of us wanted to see anything heavy. It worked well for us. Barbara's mom died last year and the holidays are a rough time.
My daughter Ronda prefers to do a Goth look in photos. I prefer to see her smiling, so here is one with her niece Erin where they are playing around and also her Goth look. She is pretty, I just like a smile and rarely see it in pictures.
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| Erin and my daughter Ronda |
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| Ronda with her Goth look, pretty but no smile! |
So my great-grandson is now able to crawl, he also likes to stand, but he has to hold on to something.
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| Conner riding his horse |
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| Conner with mom Meagan |
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| Conner loves to Eat! |
My grandson Devin, went Geocaching and actually found something!
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| Devin with his cousin Heather |
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| Devin Found It! |
Posts from friends who have had major losses share a sense of loneliness. One woman who lost her husband awhile back doesn't want to be around others while she feels so lonely. Having people around doesn't lessen this feeling for her. She would rather be alone. Another friend shares how when her parents were alive, they had enchiladas and tamales. They still do this but it doesn't taste quite the same and missing these key people in their celebration tones down the feelings they have had.
One thing I think of about dying is that we leave a little bit of ourselves with our contact with others. I don't mean the biological connection. I think we leave a mark that influences the next generation, so it is important to make memories and teach the next generation things we know that they wouldn't know without hearing it from someone who lived it.
One thing I think of about dying is that we leave a little bit of ourselves with our contact with others. I don't mean the biological connection. I think we leave a mark that influences the next generation, so it is important to make memories and teach the next generation things we know that they wouldn't know without hearing it from someone who lived it.
These tips are helpful to consider during the holidays. It is from The Grieving Tool Box:
So all these ideas are ones I have used at different times. I'm not exactly the same as I was before losing all these important people in my life. I had no choice, but I have grown a lot as a result of these losses. Frankly, I'd be okay with being boring, but it was not to be!
A fascinating article in Salon.com (really interesting articles here!) on near death experiences and out of body experiences:
www.salon.com/2012/04/21/near_death_explained/
So that is it for the week. I'm thinking of all of you and hope the holidays were okay for you. If not, at least they are over which I really used to feel such relief about that. I'll see you next Sunday. Rachel
So that is it for the week. I'm thinking of all of you and hope the holidays were okay for you. If not, at least they are over which I really used to feel such relief about that. I'll see you next Sunday. Rachel
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