Lovey

On Monday I attended the funeral of my sweet Aunt Paula. Her death was sudden, unexpected, and positively heartbreaking.

Somehow, I just can't wrap my brain around the fact I will never hear Aunt Paula say, "Hello, Lovey." to me again.

Speaking to Aunt Paula was always easy - no matter the topic.

Aunt Paula and I did not speak on the phone often. We normally saved our catching up for family gatherings. However, I do remember one exception vividly.

Many years ago I was undecorating my Christmas Tree alone. For the first time, I was dividing up the Christmas ornaments into "His" and "Hers" boxes. I remember not wanting to answer the telephone when it rang, but I did.  It was my Aunt Paula.

Aunt Paula had just spoken to Mom and learned that my marriage to Robert was ending. Aunt Paula called just to tell me that she loved me and that even though it didn't feel like it at the moment, eventually I would be okay.

Aunt Paula knew first hand how it felt to have your love story not end with "...and they lived happily ever after." She also knew first hand that my mother could be less than understanding in this type of scenario. Of course Aunt Paula was far too gracious to ever actually say that...but she didn't need to. In her own sweet way Aunt Paula was letting me know she was there for me and would fill the role my mother couldn't.

Aunt Paula and I talked for what seemed like hours. By the time we hung up the phone the tree was undecorated and I had even laughed a few times!

Aunt Paula's death has brought back so many memories. Many of which include my mom...and dad.

There have been very few times since Mom died that I have actually been thankful that she's gone. However, this is definitely one of those times.

Years ago my Aunt Paula had the unimaginable task of speaking at her daughter Cecelia's funeral. Aunt Paula ended her eulogy by quoting these lyrics from Garth Brooks' song, "The Dance":

And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance

Being part of a large, close-knit, loving family brings with it many, many joys. Unfortunately, it also opens you to more heartache. Be that as it may, I can honestly say I wouldn't want it any other way.

We Shore Had Fun

Tony, Lily, and I spent a long weekend on the Eastern Shore completing several Park Quests. As I've mentioned before, we really LOVE the Park Quest program and I will post about the actual quests another time. What I want to share now is how travelling to these parks to complete Quests has given us the opportunity to visit parts of Maryland we've never seen and also the opportunity to spend quality family time.



I mean, when's the last time you travelled on a dirt road? In Maryland???



Or visited a beach that seemed like it was frozen in time?



When was the last time you spent the afternoon hunting for sea glass?



Or ate dinner while watching a beautiful sunset over a "boat parking lot"?





Visiting different parts of Maryland is certainly one of the best things about Park Quest, but the absolute best part is spending quality time with our little fashionista and her father!

Beauty And The Beast

Our little Miss Lily is absolutely in love with Biscuit.  I would love to say the feelings are mutual...but....

 

...perhaps it's because Lily is rarely an inch from Biscuit's nose...



...or perhaps it's because Lily's new favorite place to hangout is Biscuit's bed...

...or perhaps it's the combination of the two! The good news is Biscuit is amazingly tolerant and I think despite Lily's best efforts Biscuit is pretty crazy about Lily, too!

woMan's Best Friend And "Sibling" Rivalry

We've had Biscuit for just over a week now and we are all totally smitten.  He really is the sweetest little thing...that is when he isn't...to quote my Granny..."being bad as cat shit".

Who knew a puppy could be so...um...puppyish?  Honestly.  Biscuit is either going a million miles a minute or he's sound asleep.  I feel like I have a toddler in the house again...and much like when Lily was a toddler our newest "baby" is stuck to me like glue.  There's only one slight "problem".  Lily's still stuck to me like glue, too. So, sometimes there just isn't enough of me to go around.

Adding Biscuit to our family has stretched Lily and I in unexpected...but I think important...ways.  Lily and I are not used to having to share our time together.  Please don't get me wrong, I know having a puppy is not the same as Lily having a little brother or sister...but it has resulted in some incidents of "sibling" rivalry.

The times when Biscuit and Lily aren't jockeying for position on my lap Lily is positively precious with the little pooch.  Lily makes Biscuit's meals, takes him on walks, and talks to him in the most annoying precious high-pitched voice you can imagine.

Biscuit's veterinarians are a husband and wife team and they are wonderful with Biscuit and Lily.  During our visit they spoke directly to Lily and told her all about the joys and responsibilities of having a dog.  Lily listened intently to everything that was said and walked...or should I say strutted out of the office...like the proud little puppy mama she is!