Filling My Nest

4.24.2024

RIP My kid's Dad

I'm so out of practice writing that I don't even know where to begin. This is going to be messy. I'm not writing this for anyone but myself. Perhaps maybe when I'm long gone, my kids and grandkids might stumble upon it.

I never would have thought a song would be the "sign" I was looking for/ praying for/ begging God for a month ago when my kid's dad passed away. He and I divorced twenty eight years ago; we got married forty years ago, and we were married for twelve years.

I honestly didn't dwell on this and it rarely came to mind, but somewhere deep down I had this fantasy that I was sure I was going to be the last person on earth he would want to talk to before he took his last breath. I just knew he wanted to tell me how sorry he was for... everything. Yes, I had gone through counseling years and years and years ago. I learned to understand to the best of my ability all of the reasons it had to happen. Yes, there were many lessons and yes, I take responsibility for my part.

As it turns out, I don't think I was on his radar. At. All. He was able to say goodbye to our kids on the phone. He also spoke with the rest of his loved ones. That was a sweet blessing for him and for them. God gave them the sweetest gift! I talked with my daughter right after she said goodbye to him. I felt so badly for her!

I felt like I had one chance to tell him a few things myself, so I called his wife and asked to talk with him. She told me he was sleeping and I asked if she would please put the phone up to his ear. It was the ugliest, hardest, messiest thing I have had to do in my life. Looking back it felt like I was in a movie. I told him everything I needed to say. And I told him I forgave him. His wife said he opened his eyes a little bit. I am so glad I made that call. He passed away about an hour later. I have no idea if he heard a single word of it, or if he talked with anyone after me. I needed him to go in Peace. He was good to me even though things turned out the way they did. I am glad he didn't have to think of something profound to tell me. I wondered though... did he have any regrets? I will never know.

My kids and I spent the next few days sharing photos. They wanted pictures of themselves with their dad when they were young. Looking through the bins of photos brought back so many memories. The history we had together during the most special time of my life, having our kids together and those early years were precious. A lot of healing took place in the basement sorting through those pictures.

I had a hard time trying to keep all of the thoughts to myself. It is complicated when you're remarried. Thank God my husband was pretty understanding. I needed to process it all.

Since he was in Tuscon, my daughter and her family are in Seattle, and my son is in Denver I didn't know how to "be there" for any of them. Also, when you are the only parent left there is a sense of responsibility unlike anything I have known, so I want to handle this the best way I know. I quicky bought plane tickets to be with both of my kids separately.

When I was on the plane on my way home from Seattle I think I got a "sign" from him. Looking out the window a song came on my playlist that I had just added recently from a trip to Holland with friends. It was a gift for just me and brought tears to my eyes. I had never really heard the song before, so the words were precious to me. I don't even know if I believe in "signs" but I'm going to accept it anyway.

I really wish there was some kind of rule book for when you are divorced from you kid's other parent and they pass away. You feel like such an outsider. You hear bits and pieces from your kids. You only want to be caring, loving and supportive. You grieved their loss years ago. It brings back so many complicated emotions, and it definitely brings closure.

Here it is...

Windows Are Rolled Down

Look up child, the world is born Shoe's untied, and your soles are worn Windows are rolled down Sun is setting high Windows are rolled down I'm fixin' to die

Corn rows have companion feel This rocky road and this steering wheel Who do you call to ease your pain? I hope for you to get through this rain

Windows are rolled down Moon is hanging low Windows are rolled down Think it's time for me to go, hey-ay-ay-aaah-ay

Is it what you dreamed it'd be? Are you locked up in this fantasy? Oh, these miles that have torn us apart My new found faith and my broken heart

Windows are rolled down Sun is rising high Windows are rolled down Feel that wind rushing by, hey-ay-ay-aaah

Windows are rolled down

I'm sure I'm the only one who "gets it.":)

RIP "Babers"

2.02.2024

She's baaccckk... ;)

Okay, it's time to get back to blogging... and especially being intentional about counting my blessings. This is a great little space to get some things out of my head and on paper. It's the second of February and I can't think of a better day to start than today... or maybe tomorrow since I spent too much time trying to get a better look. As you can see, it's just as plain... and I'm trying not to care. ;)

11.01.2022

11.1.22

It's November 1st. Why not spend the month listing all of the ways God has been good to me?

Excellent idea...

I turned 60 in February and it has made me reflect on what is really important all year long.

I'm grateful for a recent cancer blood test no signs of Cancer. With my family history, I don't take it lightly. I had to wait almost 3 weeks to get the results and it was a strange time thinking about all of the what if's. I know some might think it was a waste of money but to me it was totally worth it. Three are no guarantees in the future, but that's okay.

I'm grateful that although my kids (36, 37), son-in-law and grandsons (3, 1) live out of state (Seattle + Denver) I see them often, and it's all about quality-time.

God is still God.

I cherish my friendships. We made more friends up north and it's been so nice to get to know them better this past Summer.

I finally hit my personal record on my Peloton since I had COVID in December of 2020. I'm still quite competitive with myself and that hasn't changed.

I don't feel my age... in my mind. My body shows minor changes (to me anyway!) and the arthritis in my hands is minimal.

9.24.2022

How Great Thou Art (feat. Lauren Daigle) - Hillsong UNITED

Oh Lord, my GodWhen I, in awesome wonderConsider all the worlds Thy hands have madeI see the stars, I hear the rolling thunderThy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artThen sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou art

And when I think that God, His Son not sparingSent Him to die, I scarce can take it inThat on the cross, my burden gladly bearingHe bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artThen sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou art

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamationAnd take me home, what joy shall fill my heartThen I shall bow, in humble adorationAnd then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artThen sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artHow great Thou art, how great Thou art

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art (Official Performance Video)

xoxo

12 years later... My Mom

It's been a long time since I sat in front of my laptop with headphones on, listening to some great music. Oh, how I've missed it...

And I miss my mom. Yesterday marked (12) years since she passed away. Oh, how I wish I could sit with her over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. I would tell her so many things. I would love being an empty nester with her. She was always up for spontaneous outings. I was pretty distracted so much of the time with trying to be the perfect mom to my own kids that I didn't appreciate her enough.

Click here for the post from 2010 about her.

I hope she knew how much I loved her.