Just When You Think.....

Time is a precious thing.  You can measure it, live by it and  watch it go by, but you can't stop it.  

When I was younger, I felt more in control of time.  I had time to develop my career, I was in the "desirable time" age group--translation--no poochy stomach, great legs and a firm butt! And, the days of my life seemed to stretch endlessly into the future.  But, just when you think you are in the "sweet" spot of life, you begin to age.

I am older now.  My life of late has been a flurry of doctor's appointments, working, being short of breath and  feeling tired all of the time.  

I went to a new heart doctor last week.  Dr. McCrispin is Tony's heart doctor and I really like him.  He was with us during my appointment for more than a half an hour.  I didn't feel rushed or like I was less important than his time or next patient.  

He ordered a breathing test for me--what a killer that was.  When you hear "breathing test," you think, "how hard could that be?  You just breathe."  Wrong.  

For the test to be read accurately, you have to establish a baseline breathing pattern.  That equates to three "readings" that are similar.   My readings were all over the place and the computer mocked me by flashing red "failing" messages over and over again.  It took awhile to go from flashing red to "you're almost there" yellow to a weak, "OK, I"m green," reading.  As silly as it sounds, the test was a real workout.  I found that out when it was over and I stood up to leave.  The room started to spin and my legs were weak.  Geez, am I really that old? 

But, I survived!   The next thing on the list of medical mysteries that have to be solved is a 6 millimeter spot on my lung that I was surprised to find out I have had for 6 months.  I have a CT scan scheduled for Monday to find out what it is and frankly, there is a part of my brain that really doesn't want to know.  But, I guess I will find out after Monday.  

On brighter notes, Sarah's wedding is coming up in less than a week and Owen will be baptized.    I am so looking forward to both events.  It will be good to be in Cleveland because, unfortunately, for me, it will always be "home."  Leland, North Carolina is the place where our home is, but, Cleveland is home.  From Cleveland, we go to Charlotte for the baptism--another important spot on the map of our family.    

We are going to see Jenna and Jon's kids and I am super excited about that.  I'm guessing that Ben is almost as tall as Tony and I are and that tickling him and telling him that he was not supposed to grow, is going to be difficult.  But, I will try.  Ben was our first grandchild and will always hold a special place in our hearts.  To me, he will always be that baby with the tubes all over him that looked straight at Tony for his first photo-op before going to the Pediatric Neo-natal Unit in the hospital.  I value that picture.    

We are a bit worried about leaving Dixie (OK, maybe I am) because she has been reacting to thunder and lightening all of a sudden. July has been a really rainy..no, major thunder storm, month down here.  We have only had 6 or 7 days of sunshine during the entire month.  She trembles terribly and cowers in corners and closets when the storms come rolling in.  Maybe 12 days with Aunt Jan and Uncle Stu will help with that.  I hope so, we hate to see her be so afraid.  

And so, just when you think that your life is falling into a routine place,  stuff happens.  Happy stuff for our children and extended family.  Happy memories.   The beginning of a new married unit that will happily endure.  Happy photo ops and happiness in seeing our "old" grandchildren.  I can't wait.  

Cleveland....here we come!!

The Rhythm of Life

We spent a few days in Cleveland in June to attend Sarah's bridal shower.  I have to admit to looking at the beautiful bride-to-be in front of me and remembering that little girl that I took shopping so many years ago.  Her hands were messy after lunch, which was also showing on her face.  She raced along happily in stores and in the mall and stood patiently while I tried dresses and slips on her for hours.  

What a difference I saw on the day of her shower.  With guidance from her parents, she has become a self assured, graceful woman.  She set goals for her career and life and is achieving them as time goes quickly by.  

And now she's getting married. She found a wonderful man, they have spent years together learning about each other and making memories and now, they have a home of their own.  

I thought of Sarah again the other day.  Tony and I have started a new routine in the rhythm of our life together.  We do our own thing during the day and sometime in the afternoon, we take Alexa out on the lanai and take turns choosing songs for her to play.  We sing along, we talk about the first time we heard the song, who is singing it, why we like it and all kinds of other things.  We watch to see if there are any humming birds taking advantage of our feeder and we stretch our necks to see the military planes that are flying overhead.  Dixie, of course, comes out to be with us--sometimes sitting on Tony's legs or just on the cool concrete.  

It's a time when we don't get bogged down in the little things that tend to get in the way of enjoying the life we have made.  It's a time to plan and to remember.  It's a time that neither of  us would change.   

I look forward to the time that Sarah and Steven discover their rhythm of life.  I know that they will have a family and get stressed with all of the things that parents who have children go through.  Are they healthy,  are they safe when they leave the house, will they make the right choices?  I know that they will get stressed over money--do they have enough for all of the things that their family really needs in various stages of their lives?

But at the end of their careers, when their children are on their own, I hope they have a lanai that reminds them of why they are together and the things they have accomplished together.  I hope they play music and sing.  I hope they dance.  I hope they smile.   I hope they are as happy as they will be on their wedding day--just 23 days away!

Cheers...Here's to your new life together!