My Realtor and Friend

 When we lived in Grand Rapids - the first time - in the late 70's and early 80's - a family with four young children moved in across the street. Actually, they only had three doodle bugs at the time. Boys...all about the age of my brother and me. 

Which meant instant playmates and friends.

When we left in 84, we stayed in contact - coming back for 4th of July parades and time together.

I returned to GR to go to college in 92 - and I'd pop over occasionally to say hi, grab a snack or steal a hug.

And when I returned (for good?!) in 05, Mr. G was then a realtor who could help me navigate buying a home in town- Which wasn't an easy accomplishment with the disaster of selling my Chicago condo. But he helped me through the whole process from start to finish - offering fatherly love and advice, and certainly the protective eye that I needed.

And then I met Hubs - and we got married, so Mr. G sold his house. And then we moved to Cal...and he sold the GR house, helped us navigate purchasing a new one...all so we could do it again four years later and sell the Cal house for another GR house. 

In the meantime, my brother moved from GR to Cal...so Mr. G helped him sell and buy. 

And then my parents came back from Lansing to the lake...and yea, Mr. G helped them too.

Through all those years and real estate transactions, he, with his lovely wife and grown children, remained good friends. The kind that you know and long for - the ones that pick up and set down over decades and never lose that connection.

As I study connection in the last few years, I find just how important this is.

So when I heard that his health was failing, it was time to go say hi and get my hugs.

His health continued to rapidly decline last week - I spoke often to his daughter - and by the time the call came yesterday afternoon (Easter, of course - and the 2-year anniversary of my back yard neighbor's passing) - my heart was still not ready to say good bye.

There is this odd feeling that can coexist in your heart - you don't want your friend or loved one to be in pain (which he certainly was) so you want them to go. But, you want them here and don't want to say good bye.

Those feelings of "GO!" and "PLEASE STAY!" can exist in your heart and mind - for as long as they need to.

In any event...I saw his daughter's face on FaceTime - and I knew. And we didn't have words. We cried for a moment...and took a big breath.

He was gone. 

Hallelujah, it is finished...we had just recited on Friday...and as we do serve our risen Savior...I only say that "it is well with my soul." 

I will miss him terribly - and then next time I sell a home, it won't be the same.

Mr. G - you were a good, good man. Every hug, every nudge of confidence....I'll keep with me.

Our whole family is grateful for you - and we love you. 

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/william-graham-obituary?id=34324007

I Serve a Risen Savior

 He's in the world today....

I sing this all day long on Easter...and rejoice that my Savior lives. 

We returned to church today - in person. We had tried once before a few months ago and it didn't sit right. So we waited until our return from Spring Break ... and Easter morning seemed perfect for that.

Alleluia....Hallelujah.

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.