Leave the Light On

Do you know how many times I would text Sue to let her know that the basement lights were on? Since Hank died, she never went downstairs. It was generally one of the grandkids who left the lights on when they were getting away to play.

And last week Sunday, I texted her again that Colton had left the light on. She called the next day to laugh about her grandson and to roll her eyes at the universe. And she said she’d go downstairs to turn the light off. Which she did. 

The basement light is now on, and I can’t call her to let her know that it is. 

And I’m in my bedroom looking at her house and crying.

My Heart

 I'm not sure my heart can take any more death in 2022 - and it's only 60+ days into the year. 

I've written about my beloved neighbors in the back yard...and when Hank died early on in Covidcrap, my heart just ached. His children suffered tremendously, but no one more so than his wife, Sue.

Sue and I would talk a lot for a few weeks - then she'd be quiet again. She'd come out to say hi and wonder how the kids were doing, and then she'd go hide in her home, lonely to the point of agony.

In January, she slipped and fell - and needed more help than just stitches. So she tried - for a week. And during that time, her beloved dog, Tess, of 15 years, needed to be put to sleep. She came home to an even quieter house.

On Saturday, when the weather was warm and there was a promise in the air of bonfires and summer swims - Sue was alone in her home, mere feet from my back patio. 

Where she slipped down her stairs, hit her head - and this time, could not recover. She passed away - and joined her beloved Hank.

Her children are reeling - but in truth, our little hamlet is, too. 

I don't have words right now to process the grief I feel of my aunt, my friends, and my beloved neighbor - all gone since the start of this year. 

For now, I'll post one of our many favorite photos together - and tell the heavens that I love them both and miss them so terribly much.

Still Walking

 I'm still putting on my shoes. I'm still walking. 

Which is probably good, as my weight loss didn't stick and I am back up again. Argh! I might also blame in on hormones, so that'll be one nice thing about an upcoming little "take out the baby house" party I plan to have in about 8 weeks. Time for me to thank my baby house for its service and wish her adieu! Not quite sure that will attribute to the 25lbs I want to lose - hahaha - but it's a start.

So I keep walking - and picking up weights - and stretching. 

Ain't nobody gonna work out for me, I have to do this one myself.