Spring Break

 Back in October, when the world was heavy (who am I kidding, the world still seems heavy) - I gave Hubs 4 options for Spring Break, all in Key West - and told him to pick one.

Up until the day we left, I swore, the universe was going to conspire against us that we wouldn't be able to actually go on the trip.

I'm shocked - and happy - to report we left. We went, we saw, we relaxed, and we conquered. Even the huge hiccup to get back home - not direct to ORD as planned, but a four hour drive up the Keys in a rental, to Miami....to Philadelphia...then to O'Hare to get the car and then back to MI. Ooof!

Still - we went. And we're grateful!

Remembering My Neighbor

I'm still not sure I know how to swallow this one. Her red house stares out at me daily. Quiet. And empty. 

I'm so sorry her pain was so great but I know she's happy being with her sweet husband again. 

I will miss you so. 

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/suzanne-gignac-obituary?id=33541714 

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.

Step One

 I want to write again - but I'm not sure about what.

I want to up my exercise regimen - as the two times a week strength training class isn't enough. 

I want a lot more things - but maybe that's what I'll write about...soon.

Because step one is to just sit down at the computer.

Which I have done. Go me. It's 8:45am, I can do this for a few minutes - and celebrate that after I got one kid on the bus, another kid in carpool, the dishwasher started and the counter clean, instead of sitting down, I went downstairs and walked on the treadmill for 12 minutes. I told myself 10 - but found my blog book from 2012 - where KK had just gotten to pigtails, Bubba was in SpEd preschool and we were moving for the first time.

To think of my life since in those last 10 years. It's humbling, unreal and extremely special. 

I'll be reading a few stories to my kids tonight at dinner.

Which I already got out of the freezer and is currently defrosting.

Anyway - I walked for 12 minutes which wasn't a ton, but it was 1,700 steps - all because I chose to put tennis shoes on.

Step one - Confucius was right.

And for giggles - almost 10 years ago to the day - my now-hair-farmer - just got to pig tails!

In Loving Memory

 In loving memory of my dad's oldest sister, my Aunt Shirley - you will be loved and missed. What a rich, rewarding life you led, may I be so lucky.

Kiss my grandparents for me.

xoxox

Jeni

We must say goodbye to a devoted wife, mother of unbound love, cherished sister and friend, an astute teacher of learning, and a beacon of beauty and faith: our dear Shirley Colsman.

 

 

Shirley was born on February 2, 1932 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This was the time between the wars, when the world seemed unsettled, and life could be hard.  Shirley transcended the turmoil, like she did every hardship in life.  She married Marv Colsman in 1952 while he was still serving in the Air Force.  Marv set about building his career.  But Shirley did not sit still: for over thirty years she taught the meaning of a Christian Life to young, aspiring minds.  Marv and Shirley traveled widely, unveiling evidence for heaven, in the majesty of earth; the language of seas, the clarity of streams, the intelligence of owls; and the flare of winter’s sun setting in the amber sky.  Their marriage reflected the divinity, Marv framed through the lens of a camera, endowed by God. Their bond was like a diamond; brilliant and strong. And just as gentle and long.   Shirley imbued their family with heart; a devoted son, two attentive and loving daughters, five grandchildren, and the euphoria of a great grandchild times four; and touched them with her laugh, with her love, and with her unshakable belief in the healing power of Christian faith.  When Shirley first became ill, not that long ago, Marv attended to her every need.  Shirley once said: “Marv never quits!  He is so positive about everything: his good nature keeps me going.” Marv would have said had he heard it: “It is Shirley, wholly and only Shirley, that keeps us going and young!”  So certain were they in their faith, and in each other, that just two weeks before Shirley passed, she announced she did not need help of the nursing sort; she would be getting up and around! She turned her adoring smile on Marv, adding: ‘besides our children will help, they are a ten!” Marv leaned back in his chair, stretched his long legs, his handsome face softening as though in a reverie, the glow in his voice, audible to anyone who could hear, “Yes, our children are a ten!” Then affirming a vision, he nodded his head, and passed on Shirley’s smile. One could not fail to feel the bloom of the blessing sent in their smiles.