Though for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 24th day of June, 2017.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

The wind is blowing a bit and the sky is bright and blue.

 

Had a great supper with my daughter last night.  We girls, and Alvin went for a walk and even took in a garage sale.  Found two dragonfly ornaments for my backyard and bought them.  Love garage sales.  Right price.

Found out that Mr. Alvin has some serious separation anxieties as at the garage sale – I handed the leash to my daughter and she moved to the outside of the garage so that I could pay for my purchases.  Well Mr.

Alvin would have none of that and just fussed until she brought him near me again.  YIKES, buddy.

We returned home after the walk and had our ice cream treat from DAIRY QUEEN, with thanks to my daughter.  Alvin and I enjoyed our visit.

 

Okay now that I have set myself to doing this COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60 post – have found that I am running low on things to say.  Fancy that?

 

So I will leave you with this …… ENJOY your time with your children – if you are blessed to have them.

If you do not have your own ……. spend time with nieces and nephews or the children of neighbours or friends …… children are the light to the darkness at any age.

Go for a walk ….. play a board game.

Or just talk to them.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Time to get downstairs and get this day going.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends …. thank you for sharing your lives with me.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  clouds appear to have rolled in ……

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 days to 60

Today is Saturday June 17, 2017 and it is the 54 day until my 60th Birthday.

Crazy that the days are passing so quickly.

This writing has helped to gain perspective on a few things, and to give me extra purpose in the days and years ahead.

My family and I have had I would say an odd relationship.

Not bad but odd.

I am the eldest child of five.

We lost one brother several years ago.

We, remaining four are two girls and two boys.

I am closer to my sister because I have been around her more than my brothers, know her better, and because we are girls.

Part of the reason for this was I left home when I was sixteen years old.

This was not my choice.

I was always their guide and protector and it hurt me a lot to leave them.

My paternal grandfather had died in a farming accident back “home” and my Dad decided it would be a good idea for me to go and live with my Grandmother.

I was sixteen and she was 72.

I had always loved my Gran and was close to her but the idea of leaving my siblings behind scared me a great deal.

My youngest brother was 8, the other boys were 10 and 11; my sister was 14 when I left home.

I would say that this was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do.

Leaving my babies behind – being the eldest I was always responsible for them and they really did feel like my children.

So as I said, we have an odd relationship.

My sister and I are super close.

The boys feel like my children – most especially the youngest one.

I think it was hard for them, too.

We love each other very much.

I always felt bad that I missed out knowing them better in those years, and then as teenagers.

It also has had an effect on every conversation and get together over the years.

Whenever they spoke of many things – I was not there, and could not be connected to that memory, and that always hurt.

I did not feel included in a way.  Not that it was their fault as it certainly was not the case.

Now that is not to say that we did not see each other during those years we certainly did but not on a day to day basis.

My very core hurt when my middle brother passed away …..

Everyone has something in their life that throws their life into the fire pit.

So family is important to me.

I may not see my “babies” on a regular basis but they are engrained in my very being and with me everyday.

My Mom always treated me as a younger sister and even referred to me, as such.

My Dad well, despite his shortcomings, I loved him.

Families are not all the same.

You do the best that you can.

I am excited for my birthday as my sister and younger brother are coming to stay with me.

So excited to spend time with them.

Your family is your family.

All you can do is the best you can do …..

I am blessed to be a part of this family.

 

Always, Carol