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| Pink Roses |
Today, I picked up the groceries at noon. By the time I came home, my daughter had left to help her friend with preparations for his Hollywood themed birthday party (being held outdoors and she will be fully masked the whole time; although our county's new case numbers have been below 1,000 for several days, now we are not sure if that is because fewer people are testing or there is less spread!)
I put away the groceries and then spent about an hour or so in the garage! Today, I spent a lot of time trying to clean two shelves at the bottom of the metal shelving units. Something had spilled and made quite a mess and the shelves were filthy! I will be posting some pictures of the garage, soon, but, not yet.
Eventually, it got too hot to be in the garage, so, I came in to the house, cooled off a bit, had something to eat, ran the dishwasher, and replied to blog comments. Then, I wrote up my March grocery shopping part 3 post, watches some cooking shows and the news, called my half-sister to wish her for her birthday, etc.
I received the phone call in the evening, informing me of friend A's mother's death. A's daughter had texted the news to my daughter who then called me to let me know. I called A and spoke with both her and her daughter. Her mother's passing was peaceful. Unfortunately, she passed away before her sons could come from Australia. A said one brother was arriving tomorrow, the other sometime next week. Afterwards, I called one of my cousins and friend R to give them the news (they both know A).
I haven't done much after that. I had leftovers for dinner and have been going through a box of files, shredding the old bank statements (cutting them with a pair of scissors, actually), while I wait for my daughter to come home.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Roses blooming in the garden
- Family and friends
- Sunny days and the promise of rain in the forecast
- Memories
- What I was able to accomplish, today
Today's joyful activity was admiring the roses in the garden.
Plans for tomorrow include cooking and taking the food to friend A and, later in the evening, calling to find out if I need to report for jury duty on Monday!
How was your day? What are your plans for tomorrow?
So sorry to read of your friend's mother's death. Your pink roses are beautiful. Fingers crossed that you won't need to report for jury service in person.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen; the suddenness of it all has been a bit of a shock to the family. The roses do look pretty, don't they? :) Thanks; it would be nice if I don't have to go in for jury duty, but, we shall see how it turns out.
DeleteI am glad you are working on your garage. I need to do that, too, but it is too cold here. Sorry about A's mother and that the family couldn't make it home in time to say their good-byes. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteYes, the garage had been on my 'to do' list for far too long! Definitely wait until it is warmer to tackle your garage!
DeleteA's mother's passing was very sudden and it is sad that A's brothers couldn't make it in time.
So sorry to hear about A's mother's death. I remember when my husband's grandmother had a massive stroke, the doctors said that strokes are painless. We found comfort in that among the difficulty.
ReplyDeleteI hope the COVID numbers stay down there (as well as here.) Perhaps more people aren't testing because fewer people are sick? That would be the good news.
Thank you, June. Good to know that strokes are painless; I will let A's family know that.
DeleteOh, I am definitely hoping that the numbers will stay down! It makes me hopeful that maybe it will be safer to venture out a bit more!
So sorry to hear about A's mother's death. It's all happened very quickly so it's a relief to know she didn't suffer but a shock to everyone who knew her. I hope that you don't get called in for jury service so you are able to support A.
ReplyDeleteWell done on continuing with your garage clearance. I tackled all the books today and have reduced them by about 50%, so am pleased with my efforts.
Yes, it's a shock, but, apparently, it was a very peaceful ending.
DeleteThank you! I still have piles to go through, but, I'm cleaning as well as decluttering, so, it is taking me some time. Well done on the book decluttering!
The roses are such a lovely shade of pink! How sad that the sons were not able to come in time to see their mother. It all happened so suddenly, didn't it, but at least she had some family with her.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is a valuable friend when themed parties are to be held. I wonder what this one will turn out like? A lot of fun I should think.
When you write that it is so hot that you have to come in, here it is the opposite! The temperature has gone below freezing again and will remain so for a couple of days, but it gives us a little break from the maple syrup work. Also we even had a slight snow fall overnight, so we can see any tracks from wildlife again.
I love those pink roses!
DeleteYes, it is sad that the sons were not able to make it in time, but, one son, had visited earlier this month and seen her; perhaps it is better to remember their mother as she had been before the stroke.
The party went well, I think, with a photo booth and various props. It was held out doors at her friend's sister's house, but, daughter (who stayed masked for the day) was able to go inside the house to have her dinner (by herself). It was supposed to end at 9:00 p.m., but, she texted me at 11:00 p.m. to say they were still singing! LOL.
It has been in the mid-80s, here, and I seem to be working in the garage in the afternoons. I should probably work in there in the mornings. Today is much cooler (high of only 69F) and would have been a better day to be in the garage, but, I'm taking the day off! :D
I'm sorry it got so cold again, up there, but, at least you can find the benefits of a break from the syrup making and seeing animal tracks. :)
So sorry to hear of A's mother's death. It must be so hard. And if the family are so scattered, it will make mourning and supporting each other so much harder.
ReplyDeleteThe roses are looking amazing. And it seems that you are working wonders in the garage. It will be awesome and you will be getting the benefit of it soon.
Thank you, Lyssa. Yes, it is harder when family is scattered, but, it looks like they are making the effort to be together for the funeral, at least.
DeleteThe roses are a reminder of what my garden used to look like when my mother was alive and we had nearly 100 rose bushes! :D
I am happy with the progress I've been making in the garage! :)
Strokes are so common. I'm sorry for your loss. I am relieved that the Covid numbers have dropped, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. Hope the numbers will stay low.
DeleteSad to hear of A's mothers death, were you all close?
ReplyDeleteLovely roses, I do love them.
Thank you, Christine. Yes, we are family friends; my mother and I were friends with A's aunt (her mother's sister) and met A and her mother through her. A and I have known each other for over 25 years and our daughters have grown up together and are good friends.
DeleteI'm very sorry to hear of A's mother's death, and that her sons from Australia were not able to be there. It sounds like it was a peaceful passing. Your pink roses are lovely. Celie
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. A's one brother is here, but, the other two are scheduled to arrive tonight. But, A's mother's passing was a peaceful one.
DeleteThank you; I love the pink roses (and the yellow ones and the red ones! LOL.)
Sorry for the loss among your group of friends. It sounds like you are staying busy, and finishing the garage will be a big relief I am sure. Can't wait to see the photos and give you an official high five.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susanne.
DeleteYes, I'm staying busy and getting a few things done. Not as quickly as I'd like, but, making progress. :)
Such sad news. I'm so sorry for your friend A on the loss of her mother. Reading through the comments, I see that your families have been friends for years.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to all who loved her.
Your pretty pink roses remind us of the beauty in life even when there is great sadness.
Thank you, Debra. Yes, our families have been friends for years and, with our daughters being friends, I see the friendship continuing a little longer.
DeleteThere is beauty and renewal all around us, isn't there?