Yes, I know, it's been a long time since I've posted here. Trust me, there are a lot of thoughts that go through my head, but very few that I want to share. Out loud. On the internet. Besides, I promised nothing political here.
I've also been busy working on that project that I referred to in my last blog. Plus, I've had a birthday since my last post and a couple of adventure days.
I've also been busy working on that project that I referred to in my last blog. Plus, I've had a birthday since my last post and a couple of adventure days.
I had a fun day back in "the Lou" with Kelley. We haven't done that in months!! I know, most people haven't done "normal" for a long time.
I spent a partial day in Springfield at some of the "bigger" stores, getting things that our Carlinville Walmart doesn't supply. I already see that I need to go back.
We took my mom to Wentzville to see A.J. and Abby and their house one Saturday. She did very well and even went down the steps to see the basement and better than that... she came back up! AJ carried her oxygen tank for her in both directions. I think she had a good day. Some normal family time for her.
We took my mom to Wentzville to see A.J. and Abby and their house one Saturday. She did very well and even went down the steps to see the basement and better than that... she came back up! AJ carried her oxygen tank for her in both directions. I think she had a good day. Some normal family time for her.
In working on that writing project today - editing and adding commentary to the blog that I did during our transition to Illinois - I came across something from the day before we officially moved to this house. We'd been at our rental house for 4 months and even though the official "all hands on deck" family assisted move was still a day or two away, our new bedroom furniture had arrived here, so, Jack and I decided to bring a few of our bare essentials and just spend a night or two here before the big move. A.J. was living at college by then. I found this in my writings:
"...... when
I talked to AJ on the phone, I told him we’d be at the new house when he got to
Carlinville. His response brought tears. He said, “No, mom, you’ll be home. That’s
home now.”
Reading that today, brought tears again.
I also noted something else in my writing around this same time. In our early days here, Jack and I used garage door openers and we didn't lock the door from the garage to the house. So that's how we got into the house. No key required. We only had 2 remotes and cars were not programmable back then, so.... A.J. would need a key. Therefore, A.J. became the first person to officially carry a key to this house. I think that has some significance.
I also noted something else in my writing around this same time. In our early days here, Jack and I used garage door openers and we didn't lock the door from the garage to the house. So that's how we got into the house. No key required. We only had 2 remotes and cars were not programmable back then, so.... A.J. would need a key. Therefore, A.J. became the first person to officially carry a key to this house. I think that has some significance.
We've been "home" for just over 13 years now. So much has changed. Family members added through birth and marriage. Family members lost through divorce and death. Okay, not really "lost" they've just moved on. But, the other thing I read within those lines today is how nearly 30 people came together one Sunday and in 4 hours all of our "stuff" was out of the rental house and into this one. We've added to and purged some of that stuff through the years, but, it's just stuff. Things.
But, family. That's a whole 'nother "thing." Having them all help with that move meant so much. Having them all in our lives through the good times and bad has meant even more. I hope we've all learned the importance of people in our lives this year. If you haven't learned much in 2020, I hope you've learned that. Learned what's really important. Because, if not, then you may be doomed to repeat the year. In other difficult times in my life I've tried to learn the lessons that are being sent through adversity because I don't want to have to repeat the course.
But, family. That's a whole 'nother "thing." Having them all help with that move meant so much. Having them all in our lives through the good times and bad has meant even more. I hope we've all learned the importance of people in our lives this year. If you haven't learned much in 2020, I hope you've learned that. Learned what's really important. Because, if not, then you may be doomed to repeat the year. In other difficult times in my life I've tried to learn the lessons that are being sent through adversity because I don't want to have to repeat the course.
This is the proper order, folks, and never, ever doubt this:
God/Jesus, Family, Friends.
God/Jesus, Family, Friends.
I'm inserting a picture here. This is one of those pictures that when I first saw it, I just tucked it away with all the others from that time. Then, a few years later I came across it again. This time my reaction was different. This visual just got to me. This is AJ here at the site where we built this house. This was taken in June 2006, a full year before we started building. Many more trees were to be cut down eventually, but the driveway had been put through and he was walking away from the house site back towards us at the car. This picture has been in a 5x7 frame and has sat on my desk since I rediscovered it. I find it very poignant. He is one of the first 3 people to call this place home. He was the one who kept reminding me it was home. This at a time when I wondered how he felt that we were uprooting and disrupting his home. HE always called it home. Someday, he may be the last of the 3 of us to walk away from here. The first key carrier may be the one to hand over the key to someone else.
I've spent a lot of time "home" this year. Thank you, God, for family and home. Thank you, God, for A.J. and Abby's new home. Bless their home with their love and Yours.
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