Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2007. Mattie was five years old and we were doing what he loved best on the weekends.... walking Roosevelt Island. We traversed that Island at all times of the year. It did not matter the weather and this little piece of natural paradise in the city was a joy to see during every season! After Mattie died, the Island was almost like walking on sacred ground, as we walked every path and saw every part of the Island with my little explorer. Now whenever I drive passed the Island, I think of what my life USED to look like when we were a threesome. It truly seems like a lifetime ago. 

Quote of the day: Because I have nobody and nowhere to go, I’m forced to think of everyone everywhere I am. ~ Karl Kristian Flores

It was another busy day here! But despite all the craziness, I wanted to make sure my mom had moments of happiness.... because today she turned 90 years old. Since my dad as going to his memory care center, I have decided that we are going out for a special lunch on Friday. When my mom got to her chair by the breakfast table this morning, she got flowers, a balloon, and a card. She was very touched, especially given all the craziness I have been balancing recently. 

Even though it is the end of November, today was 70 degrees. It was a magical day! I told my mom that these kind of days are rare, and that it was a birthday gift from God. Given the weather was lovely, my mom got to go outside with her physical therapist and she walked the neighborhood. She walked a mile and she felt good about her accomplishment.  

Later this afternoon, I went outside into the garden as there were things I wanted to get done before it turns very cold. I cut back and cleaned out my day lily bed today!

I trimmed one of my crape myrtles!

I got out the ladder and cut back the climbing hydrangea from the chimney! 

While I was outside, I saw a car pull up! The car brought a tasty surprise from my dear friend, Cheryl. Cheryl and I have NEVER met each other. She is connected to me by marriage and she began to get to know me through Mattie's blog. She has been a faithful reader for 17 years! That is a lot of reading and when my life again fell completely apart in 2023, Cheryl has been one of the people who keeps me from jumping out of the window! 

Wait until my mom sees these treats after dinner tonight. It is the perfect way to celebrate her 90th birthday, and I am so grateful for this kindness, because I truly do not celebrate birthdays or ANYTHING for that matter since I became single. I am so depleted of energy and life, which is why today's gift of love will never be forgotten.  

This photo was taken on October 25, 2018, where my mom was inducted into her school's HALL OF FAME!

As I type this my mom is on the phone with her favorite student (pictured far left)! My mom was a high school math teacher at an all boys public school in the Bronx, NY. She taught at this school for 25 years, before moving to California. This student (and many others) has never forgotten my mom, and he called her to wish her a happy birthday. It is amazing how these acts of kindness can transform one's day!