Another day to what is now.    I think I am doing well.   I am taking each day and living it.    Thursday night we said good by to Leslie and Bill as they headed back to Bossier City.   I expect to get a call when they arrive safely home.    (Remember that, Leslie.)

Friday morning, we said goodbye to Richard and Brenda.  They HAVE made it safely home to Madison.   With the ice they were talking about that was a big relief.

This morning I said goodbye to Bart and Barb who are on their way back home to Lawton OK.  They called this evening and are making good time.  They were getting ready to stop for the night.

I saw Nora and Leif yesterday.   Twice as it turned out.   They came here to be with us a bit so that we could be together before they went back to Texas.   Then I found them at Mother's when I stopped by there for a couple of minutes.  After that I stopped at Blessed Trinity for a minute.

A friend of mine lost her husband lost her husband on Christmas and I felt that I needed to go to the church to give her a hug.    We have been Bible Study/Prayer partners for years and to lose our loves so close together at this season was to say the least hard.   We need to pray and hug each other through the next few months.

Today was pretty quiet.   Bart and Barb and I slept until between 8 and 9 AM.   Then they loaded the car and got organized for the long trip home.    They left at about 10AM.  I spent the rest of the day putting things away and getting ready for the rest of my life.  I took a lovely nap this afternoon and went to Mass at 4PM.   Now I am home and can stay here until Monday noon or thereabout and just BE.  

Feel free to call if you want.   I just don't want to leave the house and Roxie and I are looking forward to the quiet.

Bart and Barb took me to Chissy's for fish fry last night.   That was a nice comfort meal for Bart and I I.   Dick was a fish fry lover and for the first several years of our married life we went for fish fry very often and Bart loved that.    He was a good Dad to Bart.    And Bart loves him.   

That I did right.

I just got the nicest cuddle from Roxie.    She is still confused and now will probably be wondering where the "new people" ( Bart and Barb) went.   Well.   We STILL have each other and that will not change.

So. The beginning of the beginning.   I am trying to hold the big things off until January 1st because as my sweetheart would have said.   It is a tidy time to start.

Dia Dhuit  I love you

Mary

I'm still here.

Yesterday was so long.  But I was surrounded by people who love Dick and who love me.    I cannot express the comfort and support I felt during that whole day.

The gathering before the service was as I hoped, full of stories, and sharing and hugs.    Good for all of us.   Then Fr. Dan presented a lovely service for Dick to bless him and send him to heaven.   It was so special.   Finally, the Army soldiers came.   They did a 21 gun salute and played taps and opened and refolded the flag and presented it to me.    I was so touched and will treasure that flag forever.   I will get a triangle frame for it and it will stay next to his urn with me. 

We all went to The Twisted Root for lunch.   I wasn't sure where to take everybody since the Villager has sold so called Randy and Donna and Donna suggested there.   It was perfect.   The food was so good and we were able to visit more in that lovely dining room overlooking the Sheboygan River.   There were even deer walking through the trees across the river and ducks swimming.

Dick would have LOVED it.

Then we picked up the urn, the flag and the flowers and documents from Wenig and all the Kunerts and Johnstons gathered at the condo.   We just shared.   Richard and Brenda passed out their presents.  Roxie got one this year.   They gave her a packet of catnip and she really put on a show for us.

Dick would have loved that too.  We laughed and laughed at her.

Everybody helped bring up our queen sized bed and took the twin down to the basement.

I slept much better in OUR bed.   

We said our goodbyes to Leslie and Bill last night as they left early this morning.    They are in Arkansas already.   They called this evening.

Richard and Brenda came by for breakfast this morning before heading home.  They called when they safely arrived at home.    I was so glad as they were talking ice in Madison.

Bart and Barb are planning on leaving in the morning, weather permitting.   So our family is going home.   I will miss them.   But it is time for them to be in their homes and for me to begin this chapter of my life.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.   I will be OK.   I have been very blessed.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Only one more day until we gather to celebrate my Sweetheart's life.     It has been so great having Bart and Barb and Leslie and Bill here.

I did a few errands today and I gathered up and put things away so that I could feel comfortable with more guests tomorrow.

Barbara made Goulash for our supper tonight.   Bill and Leslie were here too.   It is delicious and she has left several meals of the goulash and the taco soup for me to be able to eat when they are gone.   I feel very loved.

So, tomorrow is the day.   I will bring Dick home again.   He is staying with me until I die, you know.   Then he will be buried with me.

Thank you all for the prayers and good thoughts.   I can feel it.

Dia Dhuit


Mary

Merry Christmas.     May you be be blessed on this special day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I will be more consistent eventually.   At this time, I will post when I think of it.

It was a nice day,   I slept late, until shortly after 8PM.

Barbara and I went to Woodlake to do a bit of grocery shopping this morning,then came back to pick up Bart so the three of us could to to visit Mother.   She looked just beautiful in her Christmasy outfit and with her hair just done on Saturday.   We had a nice visit - not too long but she was so glad to see the two of them.

Home again,  Bart went to take a nap.    The doorbell rang and it was Leslie and Bill.   Yea.   They make better time than I thought they would.   They look wonderful.   I went to Mass at 4PM.   It was a lovely Mass.  The Folk Choir sang.   I was a Eucharistic Minister which really makes me feel close to God.    I had a lot to ask him for today so that made it especially important.  

My being gone gave Barb and Bill and Leslie a chance to get to know each other.    Barb made Taco Soup for our supper that was  SOOO good.  She made a big batch so I ell have some for meals after she leaves.  I feel so treasured.

The five of us had supper and a super visit tonight.    Tomorrow is Christmas and Bobbie and Bill will be here for dinner and the day.  

I wonder if I will ever be really rested.   Early to bed tonight again.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary