The Legacy

I have just returned home from northern Utah. It wasn't a pleasure trip. It wasn't a trip to visit with my sister and her family. This was a journey for my sister-in-law Edith. This was a journey to remember her husband Dave.

Edith buried her sweetheart on Wednesday.

Dave has left behind a wonderful legacy. He left behind his sweetheart of 39 years, 7 beautiful children and 15 grandchildren.

But this is not his only legacy.

Dave loved his family and the Lord above else. He taught his children through example. He had the gift to make each grandchild think that they were his favorite. He was known by his peers as an honest man in an industry where this is not always the norm. This is how he lived.

His quiet, unassuming life affected more people than his family realized.

He will be missed. Yet his legacy has drawn us closer. Shown us the path that we need to be on.

His death brought an extended family together to mourn his passing. A family that has struggled for years because of past hurts. With each gathering the hurting becomes less. The healing can continue.

You never know when your time on this earth will end; when the Lord will call you home.

I don't want to have any regrets.

I have a phone call to make.

I have a relationship of my own to repair.

Lions & Tigers & Bears, OH MY!

NO.

I haven't been off to see the wizard.

But this past week, I have been to that place in Oz where those infernal flying monkeys buzz around your head and dive bomb you.

I've been visiting that place where just the thought of Munchkins dancing around would cause you to pick one up and toss them head first at Galinda and her irritatingly sweet voice.

This week week I have been visiting the land where the yellow brick road does not reach. The land where the roads aren't paved in gold.

It is the land where you are forbidden to take your thyroid meds for two weeks, and as a result you also forget to take your hormones as well.

In this land for the duration of my stay, I will be donning a bathing suit, in my whiteness and all, humming the tunes of WICKED. The bathing suit will help with the hot flashes, the humming I'm hoping will help me get to a happy place for the sake of my family.

Please pray for them.

I hope they make it out of this land alive.

How long does it take hormones to kick back in? Maybe I'll ask one of the flying monkeys.

So A Lady Walks Into A Doctor's Office....

Why, why, why, must we step on that infernal scale EVERY time we walk into the doctor's office?

WHY?????

I think next time when I am asked to step on the scale I will say...."after you!" And see what happens.

You know your weight is then catalogued and followed with a follow up comment. The comment to me was...."Oh, you seem to have gained a few pounds."

{Gasp} "Really?" <----(sarcasm)

"No wonder my belt has seemed a little tighter." (Looking for whole to crawl into.)

But not to worry! After my two shots of thyrogen and my radioidine pill, I don't feel like eating. So, when I go in to visit the doctor in a few weeks, my belt will fit just fine!

It Happened AGAIN!

IT HAPPENED AGAIN PEOPLE!!!

I was sitting in a restaurant (I do occasionally eat at home) minding my own business when I spotted the child of famous blogger.

This little one is such a cutie! Oh my goodness! You just want to squeeze her!

And she wasn't even freaked out when I ran over to her and picked her up and swung her around and yelled, "I know your mom! I know your mom!"

Ok, maybe I didn't go that far, but I got a big hug out of her by the end of dinner. She is so adorable and might I add, very mature for her age.

You are welcome Miss D!

Oh, and did I mention that I got to eat dinner with her mother as well? LOVE HER! She is the craziest Nutty Hamster Chick you will ever run across!

There was this other guy at the table that was sporting some hand mustache. Kinda weird, but he paid my bill, so I wasn't about to complain.

Seriously, what are the odds of running into another famous blogger's child? (And the blogger too of course!)

I {heart} Cafe Rio

It's not just the food that's amazing, but the people you see.

I've been there twice this week alone for lunch. I'm spoiled, I know. I was there on Wednesday eating lunch with two coworkers when a cute lady just plopped down in the seat beside me. I screamed. We hugged. We laughed.

We made arrangements for a lunch date to celebrate our February birthdays and we thought we better bring along this lady too. Her birthday is in February as well. Weird! Let's set the date ladies!

As I was leaving I walked by a table and recognized a young man sitting there. I knew him when he was this big (pointing to my knee). Fine! He was taller than my knee, but he was very young. I knew him before he was all grown up and had a family of his own. I knew him before my youngest was born. My youngest turns 19 this summer. {SIGH} I am old.

So today when I went to Cafe Rio with my hubby for lunch, I thought the coolest part was standing in line and finding a wad of cash on the ground. But noooooo! Although my hubby would disagree with that!

The coolest part was meeting this lady's daughter.

I'm pretty sure i freaked her out. But she's going to have to get used to being the daughter of a famous Dummy.

I {heart} Cafe Rio. I have to go more often!

When The Answer Is No

My wish for my sister did not come true.

Tears have been shed.

At times like this they begin to flow freely again.

I know she is hurting.

She has loved this beautiful baby.

We all have.

I know that my sister would not have changed a thing.

She has given this little girl a wonderful start.

Hope.

Love.

Stability.

Belonging.

Boundaries.

Family.

This is what we all desire in life.

My sister is a hero.

My sister is my hero.

The tears will stop ........

My Wish

I have a wish.

It's a simple wish.

It involves a little girl and an amazing family who love her dearly.

I will know on Tuesday if my wish for them comes true or not.

My prayers are with you Toad.