Its OK to not Be OK

Great photo of Maggie, Bernadine! I don't
have a dog, bc I'm out all day. But, this is
a dog friendly town. After Linda died, I
befriended a widow, whose husband died
a month after Linda. At first, we were
both very sad & talked about our spouses.
But, then an amazing thing happened. Her
friendly, quiet French Bulldog became my
"service dog". He loves people, & would
greet me with unconditional love. He
looked like he had a wide grin, & was
gentle with the children of tourists. The
parents would take photos of the dog
with their happy kids. This special dog,
which the widow got right after her
husband died, is the most popular dog
in the neighborhood, bc he brings so
much joy. Lou

 

Thanks, Lou
A french ‘service dog’ sounds really sweet.
~B

 

I try to see him most days. Bernadine.
Like me, he likes the summer, for the
people & excitement ,and he can be
outside, unlike in the winter. Lou

 

One of my drawings 2016
Samy 11 year old cat now she is 17

 

Gary, I've been all over GIC, but didn't
see your photo of the beautiful dove
outside your window, until this evening.
You are a Renaissance man: nature
hiker, photographer, hunter, fisherman,
writer, GIC greeter, as well as a grieving
widower. I'm a walker, writer, and
an admirer of artists , photographers, &
musicians, in my town, a GIC greeter, as
well as a grieving widower. Lou

 

She is a darling!

 

Gary, Thanks for your kind words and the photo of the dove, that is the message: 'Cheryl will always be with you'.
Helena

 

Thanks, Helena
She’s shedding and the incoming hair is much curlier than the labrador coat she came with. Life could get interesting.
I know the next few days for Deb could be rough, one year anniversary if I remember correctly. Didn’t want to forget to share some Maggie Joy for her.
So glad everyone loves my girl.
~B

 

Oh Helena, You are talented indeed, you definitely can't let this talent and passion disappear...so beautiful!!!! Hugs, Rita

 

Thanks to you Rita! You actually gave me a push with your words of encoragement to do more than just feeling sorry for myself. Today I spend searching for my old drawings. I'm getting ready to begin again with one of my passions before it disappears. Wishing you and TGW a very good night!!! Helena

 

You can do it Helena, can't wait to see another drawing.....so happy you are finding this passion again.....try to have a hopeful and blessed day! Don't forget to smile, Hugs, Rita

 

Lou,

I feel the exact same way!!!, TUTTAM!!!

 

Helena,

As usual, I'm not reading messages in the order they were written, so there's a good chance I've missed some things you've said, but reading this message made me smile BIG!!! TIME!!!, TUTTAM!!! To repeat myself for (what must be) the zillionth time, smiles are one thing I'll NEVER!!! take for granted again!!!, TUTTAM!!!

I LOVE!! that you're getting back into drawing. If you can, and want to share, I would LOVE!!! seeing some of your drawings.

Sending you lots of hugs and love, wishing you peace, all of us peace. DEB

 

P.S. Helena, I just saw your cat drawing. You are very talented!!!, TUTTAM!!! It's beautiful, so real to life, so much expression in his eyes... He looks just like one of my very favorite fur babies who was born in a dumpster, near the naval air base where Bob was stationed.

 

Deb, I'm stepping away from GIC, &
walking to my local cafe to see my friend,
my age, play drums. I'll take my phone to
keep in touch with you & other GW, I'm
glad you're seeing your friend, who "gets
it", being a widow herself. Hope you can
get a walk in, this afternoon. Lou

 

Bernadine,

You made me teary eyed, but only in the very best of ways... I really should read messages in the order in which they're written, lol...

Going to look for those new pictures of Maggie Joy ASAP!!! I'm smiling and I haven't even seen them yet. I'm an emotional mess, lol...

As always, sending you and Maggie lots of hugs and love, wishing you peace, all of us peace. DEB

 

Bernadine,
'
This is absolutely the most adorable picture of Maggie!!!, TUTTAM!!! I wish I could "walk" right into this picture and give her zillions of hugs!!! I LOVE!!! her, TUTTAM!!! I'm so happy you adopted Maggie, Joy, her middle name is absolutely perfect...

I'm not sure if I mentioned this yet, but after I've done some more decorating, I think I'm going to begin looking for another fur baby who is in need of a home, and lots of TLC. Puppies...., dogs... make life so much better!!!, TUTTAM!!!

Better stop here, I'm beginning to ramble, lol... I had to reach for a tissue, but these tears are happy ones.

Lots of hugs and love to you and Maggie, wishing you peace, all of us peace. DEB

 

Deb, I’ve done quite a bit of Re-decorating after Maggie arrived and Un-decorated my space, lol.
It’s coming back together though, fewer barriers, pillows Almost always stay on the couch now, rugs still get tugged out of place but I’m learning what works at each stage as she grows. It’s also given me ‘permission’ to let a lot go undone too.
Our days include walks in the neighborhood and local parks we encounter as we go for drives. Being outside, really looking up and out and around has been instrumental in coming present to my world. Greeting neighbors I haven’t connected with in years. My garden and home are contained and safe, familiar. Maggie has taken me out the front door. Venturing out isn’t something I would have done alone. Not yet anyway.
I imagine Kenn’s watched me stumble through these last 5 months. Holidays, Tai’s death, Maggie’s arrival. He would have loved Maggie and she, like everyone else, would have adored Kenn. ~B

 

Bernadine,

I was so happy when I saw Maggie's most recent picture, I forgot to tell you how much it meant to me that you remembered this is a tough month. The one year anniversary of Bob's death is April 11th at 3:45 a.m.. My youngest son is defending his dissertation on April 12th, the very next day. I'm so over the top proud of our youngest son!!!, TUTTAM!!! He had to overcome lots of obstacles to get to this very important, most wonderful moment in his life. However as proud and happy as I am, it's all so very bittersweet... I need a tissue...

Bob and I looked forward to our son getting his PhD for such a long time..., the biggest achievement (so far) in our son's life. Bob should be here to share in this very special moment. As I think Robin said once when referring to Ron not being physically present, it feels so wrong... It IS!!! so wrong... Really hope whoever owns the Kleenex company appreciates me today, lol... (to quote Lou, from what seems like ages ago.) It SUCKS!!!

Backing up a bit, my oldest son's birthday was on April 8th, three days prior to Bob's death. I'm too emotionally and physically drained, but when I'm up to it, I want to share my feelings about the day he was born, some of the most beautiful memories..., now so very bittersweet... Those floodgates just opened BIG!!! TIME!!!

Still on birthdays, my youngest son's birthday is on April 28th. Toss in Easter between all of this, on the 17th, and I need more than an entire case of tissues... We always celebrated Easter BIG!!! TIME!!! I have so many wonderful, fun memories of past Easter celebrations, now, just like all my memories... so over the top bittersweet... It SUCKS!!!

I'm trying so hard to remember, the excellent advice Lou gave to us, "it's just one day." I keep repeating this over and over and over to myself. I know I'll be okay, but it SUCKS!!! I seem to be stuck on SUCKS!!! today.

Lots more I want to say, but I want to accomplish some of the things on my growing to do list. I've learned a long time ago, when the mood hits, go for it!!!

As always, sending you and Maggie lots of hugs and love, wishing you peace, all of us peace. DEB