Saturday, July 13, 2024

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Tonight's picture was taken on July 20, 2002. Mattie's baptism. Mattie was three months old and we had a private baptism for him with Father Jim. I met Jim at the George Washington University, as he was the head of the Newman Center at the time. Jim is the type of priest you just want to clone. He is bright, compassion, a great listener, and understands human dynamics. Jim gave us pre-cana before we married, he baptized Mattie, offered a prayer at the Mattie March, and then presided over Mattie's funeral. 

Why was Jim holding up one finger? Because after pouring holy water over Mattie's head, instead of crying or getting upset, Mattie smiled and was very happy. Jim was motioning to all of us that in his history of performing baptisms, this was a FIRST for him. Leave it to Mattie! 

Quote of the day: Being heartbroken doesn’t mean you stop feeling. Just the opposite—it means you feel it all more. ~ Julie Johnson

This was one of my favorite wedding photos. Mainly because our photographer caught an unposed moment. A moment of joy and happiness. I think friends and family who have known us over the course of our years together are as equally shocked by what is happening now. Peter and I had a very special love, bond, and connection. As I tell him even now (though it is a one way communication)..... what God created can not be divided. That is how I feel, regardless of what the law tells me regarding my marital status. We found one another at the age of 19, dated for 7 years prior to getting married, and we survived the impossible together. 

My dad's physical therapist came over today. Actually my dad works with three different therapists. The one who came over this morning is my favorite. Mainly because she worked with my mom in the hospital for almost a year of outpatient therapy. She is great at what she does and like me, she is fascinated by human dynamics. Before she started with my dad today, she took the time (a rarity) to find out how I am doing. I thought that was so, so caring and compassionate of her. Any one who is around the three of us for any length of time, has an appreciation for what I juggle 24 hours a day. 

Typically I cook dinner at home on Saturdays, but my mom suggested we go out to give me a break. Literally I am always moving, cooking, cleaning, and caregiving. So thanks to the generosity of one of my close friends, who gives me Cheesecake Factory gift certificates, I took my parents out today. Tammy is our server at the Cheesecake Factory and when she sees our gift certificates, she always says to me.... you have the best friends! Indeed. That I can't deny. 

Highlights from my garden! This purplish plant is a butterfly bush! It absolutely attracts wonderful flutter bys!

Peter planted several rose gardens for me. This area is one of them. I am diligently outside everyday nurturing the garden. 

These two brown flower pots are tributes to Mattie. What that means is before we moved out of the city, we planted several acorns in these pots. Where we lived in the city, we had ONE oak near our townhouse. This oak was crucial to us each spring as it supplied leaves to Mattie's tent moth caterpillars. We quickly learned that they ate no other leaves than from an oak. So before we moved, we grabbed some acorns, planted them, and these saplings will always be reminders of Mattie's love of oak trees, acorns, and tent moth caterpillars. 

In the blue pot is a lavender plant that Peter gave me for Mother's day. Seems appropriate that it sits between Mattie's saplings. 

My tribute to Sunny! This is a sunny hibiscus. Though I love the plant, I rather have the pup. 

My mother in law gave me this flower pot years ago. It belonged to her. This year I planted a primrose in it. What I love about the primrose is it is a succulent. The flowers open during daylight and close at night. 

Peter bought this lovely barrel when we moved into the house. He started the tradition of planting basil in it each spring. I know it is hard to believe, but I use basil from this plant daily! It is one of the highlights of the summer... fresh herbs in many of my dishes. 

Three things I am grateful for:

1. The kindness and generosity of my friends. 
2. Friends who remind me I am loved. It is hard to feel love, when the one person in my life who I counted on to provide it to me for the last 36 years, has disappeared. It does a number of your mind, heart, and spirit.
3. Not having a backache today!