mom's diary ... and things forever in our heart

Among my mom's things I found a little diary. It was called "Peter Rabbit's Diary". She liked it enough to actually write in it a few times... back in 1995. Over 20 years ago. 

She loved Beatrix Potter. Her first entry was on her birthday. January 13. She said Mary Jane had a small dinner party for her and they had a wonderful time and they gave her very nice presents. Then she wrote about helping with the Little Whale Cove publication and that all the comments regarding the newsletter were positive... then her San Francisco trip in February..... No details.. just that it was "great fun". She said they received three inches of snow on February 13 and it looked so beautiful and white and clean. All was snow covered when they got up that morning.

And that was all.

She didn't write in it much but I bet she wanted to and then life got busy... or she left her little diary out of site and "out of site, out of mind" took over ... or she just started it all on a whim and never really intended to be a serious writer. But I look at it now and see her handwriting and I smile and feel close to her. She didn't write anything profound or poignant or deeply moving. She was just herself ... sharing what was happening in her life on a few select days. 

And that's what I'd like to do. 

Sometimes I write to get out my feelings and emotions and thoughts. I write in order to process my little place in the world and what is going on in my life. Sort things out. But I can write small snippets of my day too. I don't have to always have something profound to say. None of us do all the time. We just live life.

I also have a little diary I began last year... one year ago. I wrote one short entry. I think I'll pick it up again and ... in memory of mom... write a bit each day. I'll try anyway.

I miss you mom. So very much. I'm so glad you are forever in my heart and a part of me....

nostalgia and belonging

It's a different kind of Christmas. Maybe I say that every year... or at least I have been saying it the last few years. Someone recently said to me that "the joy and sadness of life seem so intertwined at this phase of life" and I agree.

Christmas is something I seem to settle into every year. Sort of the way a dog gets comfortable in his bed, going round and round, sometimes giving his bedding a little dig with his paws... a tweak here and there... and then easing into it.... moving around till it feels just right. Kind of working through the wrinkles and kinks in the fabric and finally finding the warmth....

This year was no exception.

Nostalgia. That is a big word. Only three syllables, but a word with a lot of meaning. If we're not careful it can ruin our holiday as we think nothing is the same anymore nor will it ever be again and the "good ol' days were where it was at". It's hard for some people though. I am one who can feel the sadness of remembering the long-gone past, but also very capable of feeling all the happiness and warmth as I remember all over again and feel so grateful for the memories that seem very real still. Life doesn't stay the same. People come and go but our past is all inside of us and hopefully gives us strength to find our way...

Amy Grant when speaking of one of her holiday songs said she thinks "there is a kind of exquisite longing that we all feel at Christmas".  I think we are all wanting to somehow recreate that sense of belonging we once felt or wish we had. We all want to feel we belong somewhere.

I hurt to think of those who don't feel they belong. I have a feeling it's a big group. So many searching for answers. We're all responsible for finding a healthy sense of belonging though... working through the wrinkles in the fabric and ... finding the warmth...

It's there. Sometimes we need to reach far back to find it. Or reach deep. Or just reach out and let someone help... or lend a hand to someone else who has lost their way.

For me it comes back to my faith time and time again... when I feel lost and lose my way. The Christmas story. Immanuel. God with us.

holiday time ... and "stuff"

The Christmas season is upon us. I don't mind saying that before Thanksgiving. It doesn't make me enjoy Thanksgiving less. I like to get an early start on easing into the Christmas season because I love the beauty all around this time of the year.

I don't know if it's because of the political season we just endured or if something has been building in me for a long time but "stuff" around my home, in my personal living space, makes me less... happy... it seems to take joy away.... and I want a simpler home... a simpler Christmas. Simple in that I don't want a lot of decorations or glitter or added clutter in my life.  I hate to describe the beautiful things I've accumulated over the years as clutter, but just because things are pretty doesn't mean I have to find a place for every piece of it in my home during the holidays. Lately I have looked around my home and have seen too much. As I take things away, put things away, give things away, donate things ... peace settles more into my spirit and it's so needed and kind of wonderful. I need to translate that wisdom now to my Christmas decorating! 

The thought of dragging out boxes of Christmas decorations and finding a place for them seems like a weight to me.  So I am looking through the boxes and taking a few things out and leaving the rest for another time... another year....

Since I've been purging my house of clutter lately I don't want to give up the simplicity. I'm not a grinch and I love Christmas wholeheartedly  but I want to actually SEE things... clearly and with thoughtfulness. It seems the more stuff I have around the less I see what is actually there! I'm feeling very excited and encouraged and joyful with the thought of just decorating my tree .... maybe two trees! ....  and taking out a few things that I love that make me happy. Simple. I hope to continue this throughout the rest of the months to come. It feels relaxed and peaceful ....

 

My quest and challenge for this coming beautiful season.... and the years ahead!

what a day!

Today was busy from the moment I woke up until... now. And as the day progressed it got a bit wild and strange too.

I had my sweet granddaughter until around noon and an air conditioner repairman all morning too. I then rushed to make a hair coloring appointment at the salon and then decided to cast my early vote afterwards at about 3pm.

That's when the excitement really began!

I waited in a long line that actually moved fairly quickly. I chatted with some people near me and thought about taking my driver's license out of my wallet but waited a little longer. I was almost at the front of the line when I discovered I DIDN'T HAVE MY DRIVER'S LICENSE! And I had to leave the line and go home....

I looked everywhere! I never take it out of my wallet so it was very perplexing. I took everything out of my wallet and everything out of my purse. I looked under the seats in my car, in drawers in the house... in the hamper, in pockets....

I kept trying to go back in time and remember ... and then oh.. Yeah! On Monday I walked to our neighborhood mail boxes because we were getting new keys since the old boxes had been replaced with brand new ones. We needed to show our I.D. to be issued our new keys. That's the last I remember seeing my driver's license. 

I then searched my clothes again, pants pockets, washing machine and dryer, plastic bag I carried my mail home in, my recycle bins inside and outside... even searched through my two-day old garbage with plastic gloves... I mean, I looked everywhere! Even called our Homeowner's Association to see if maybe they hadn't handed it back to me. I checked my mail to see if someone found it and may have mailed it....

At this point I began thinking I better get on-line and search out "how to replace a lost driver's license". I did everything I could think of but then it occurred to me that I would NOT have put my license in the bag with my mail. I would have put it in my pants pocket. That is definitely what I would have done. But it was not in my pants pocket and the pants had been already washed and folded. 

So I looked in the washer and dryer one more time. More carefully. Very carefully. 

And there it was...  inside the dryer, stuck on the drum. I hadn't seen it the first time I looked which is understandable because it wasn't even in view unless I practically climbed into the machine!

And that's when I decided to hop in the car .... and stood in another long line a second time to vote.

And this time I actually DID!

I can be very unwilling to give up, persistent and stubborn when I want to be!

But I am exhausted.... 

we all have those days

Having one of those "I forgot my list so it's such fun to go home and see everything I forgot to get at the store and my hair looks horrid and I feel itchy and stuffy-nosed and just achy today....and I'm looking around and seeing all the junk in my house that isn't in its place and I'm irritated at everything especially myself" kind of day! 

 ...sigh...Whoa! That was a lot. 

On the bright side....

I fixed the settings on my camera and it's taking wonderful photos again!

I made reservations to visit family on Thanksgiving. I am flying on Thanksgiving day, but that will be fun too!

I ordered that foyer light I have been wanting. Finally going to change out the old builder's brass monstrosity!

My daughter took some wonderful photos of my grand daughter and me. What a little joy!

And I'm so glad Autumn is here.

figuring it out

I may have just stumbled onto something pretty significant. After months, actually almost two years now, of wondering just what I "have" as far as my health goes, I think I may have figured it out.

Seems like arthritis, but sometimes not. Pain in my thumbs, top joints of my fingers, wrist pain that came on very suddenly and has stuck around. Moved to both wrists. And the tops of my feet and sometimes toes... and elbows. Both sides.

My doctor did some tests and x-rays and was able to eliminate scary stuff, like bone tumors ... and even Rheumatoid Arthritis. No gout. Good lab work.

So I figured it was arthritis. It's somewhat better than it used to be. The pain has died down some. But sometimes there are flare ups.

But now I found something called Inflammatory Erosive Osteoarthritis and that seems to describe it perfectly. It tends to mimic Rheumatoid Arthritis somewhat but isn't serious like RA. The symptoms are similar but the inflammation gradually dies down although the damage to the joint, if there is any, will remain. But the prognosis is excellent and doesn't require scary medicines other than simple pain relievers.

It generally hits middle aged, menopausal or post menopausal women. Bingo.

Lots more to it but I have also been able to make a correlation between my diet and flare ups of painful symptoms. Losing weight has helped because when I am in weight-loss mode I am eating less processed foods that are generally high in sugar and saturated fats. Those types of foods promote inflammation in the body.  When I eat fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish and lean meats in moderation, I not only lose weight, but my body does not produce the inflammation that causes pain in my joints.

Simple. Yes. But it's been a lengthy process for me to figure that out. I'm pretty confident that I'm figuring out what's going on in my body... and I'm so thankful because the "cure" is good for me. A healthy diet and moderate exercise every day. Nothing strenuous. Just keep moving without over taxing my joints.... My elliptical machine, walking, riding my bike, yoga....

I feel so much better when I do what is good for me.

feeling the change

Such a wonderful early fall day.


My day began with a bike ride. The Veloway near my home is a trail just for cycling and is just enough of a challenge for me to get a good workout. Some steady inclines and a couple of hills. Of course downhill feels great and usually comes when I need it most. A slight wind was at my face much of the time though and made it just a little more difficult.












I love when the sun shines in beams through the trees and lands in patches on the grass. The morning was perfect for sitting outside for a while and just enjoying how everything felt. I did some weeding in my flower beds and then took off with my camera for the Wildflower Center ... also just a half mile away from my home. I'm really lucky to live next to these two great places!












I walked a trail and got some more exercise and took advantage of one of the nicest days we've had since early spring.... in my opinion anyway. Many people love the hot Texas weather, but I'm not one of them.

 I found out yesterday that the work I've done to lower my cholesterol paid off! My numbers were down by almost 40 and in the normal range without having to take any medication. Just by being careful with my diet, losing some weight, and including regular exercise.

Sitting at my desk now and looking up at my high windows I see blue sky and leaves that are still green. This view will change during the next couple of months. The leaves will turn yellow then brown and then fall... revealing only branches.

I am thankful for right now.

these present interesting challenging times

I know people who support Pro-Life organizations. They are against abortion and rightly so. Recently I was invited to be involved in a fund raiser in support of the pro life movement. A good thing I am sure but not where my focus is right now.

I am pro-life but involved on a personal level. I don’t necessarily believe the ultimate answer is to vote Pro-life candidates into office. They may be scummy people who actually are hiding under the pro-life candidate’s agenda. People think they HAVE to vote for them and they have no other choice. I personally don’t feel that way. I don’t necessarily think they will ultimately do anything to help. To help where the problem really is. With the pregnant woman who feels she has no choices.

Many people would disagree with me and that is their right, but I’m not going to be backed into a corner of having to vote for an idiotic person because they claim to be pro life.

I believe the responsibility is still and has always been in the women’s hands. She has the personal responsibility. And will carry the consequences and guilt. And that’s where our focus should be, not which government party supports pro life and which one doesn’t. If your candidate supports pro-life great. But if you think this person is not a good choice given ALL your values you do not have to be forced to support him or her. 

I think our focus needs to always be on the woman who is deciding whether to keep her baby or not. She is the one responsible. Not the government. And it's a huge responsibility. She is the person who is accountable to God and will answer for her choice. Will we support her and help her baby live and be taken care of after she has made all kinds of horrible decisions to get where she is? Will we work to share real information about life happening early in the womb? I know for a fact there are considerably less people willing to get involved with doing that.  

They feel they are doing their part and can then look away when confronted with an actual woman in need... and there are thousands of them.... many unlovely, drug addicted, poor, mentally challenged who desperately need help and support and resources. There just are not enough of these resources available ... or people who actually care to get involved. It's sad how little help is available for those who choose to keep their baby in spite of all the challenges. It's uncomfortable. It's hard. It's messy.

Will you help with child care? Because the woman who is unwed and poor and without any support who kept her baby cannot work because she has no one to care for her baby while she does.

Will you help give her a ride to the store? to doctor’s appointments for herself and for her baby? Will you give her a call regularly and offer encouragement so she doesn’t go back to the loser who got her pregnant in the first place? I could go on and on……

Oh, it’s so sad. It’s such a tragedy … but there are lots of tragedies all over the world. All kinds of suffering and people who are killing and hurting others. The answer is always one person caring about another person. And doing what we can. Every day.

celebrate anyway

Enjoying the day today. I need to try to overcome the joy-killers in my life though. You know (maybe you don't) the voices in your head that say, "You really shouldn't be happy or relish in anything good happening to you because ..... (fill in the blank)". I have quite a few things like that in my life. People I care about and fill me with concern. Worries that keep nagging at me. The "what ifs" that I constantly try to regulate and control.

My daughter's best friend doggy pal, Cooper, fell ill and quickly deteriorated and died two days ago.  Just died. Damn damn cancer. It's so traumatic. Death. I hate it. It leaves me feeling sick and sad, lonely and empty feeling. Sad for me. Hurting for my daughter. For the loss of a beautiful faithful loyal furry friend of 11 years. Are we grateful we had him? Of course. Was he loved? Immensely. Could our love heal him? No.

This isn't the Me that used to have all kinds of faith and trust in God.

Sigh.

Ah... but this day, today, always has much good in it. The hot steamy humid days we have been experiencing have ceased. At least for now. It feels like fall and that proverbial "change is in the air" has arrived. And it should be celebrated!

I had a doctor's appointment today, my yearly exam, and I was ten pounds lighter in weight than I was at my last exam in June! I've been trying. Really trying. That should be celebrated!

Norman ran out of the yard yesterday after the neighbors' kids left my back gate open. He was nowhere to be seen. I called for him and he eventually came running from around the block having traveled quite a distance down the street and around the corner. Good dog Norman. You came when I called you! That should be celebrated!

There are so many things I could celebrate even though my little family feels kind of battered and bruised. Let's face it, the whole world seems battered and bruised to me. 

I do still have my faith and trust in God though. It's definitely small as a mustard seed. But God says that's enough. 

And that should be celebrated too.

just Go!

I didn't want to exercise this morning and couldn't get motivated. I figured I would eventually, but it wasn't going to be easy.

As I contemplated going upstairs and using my boring elliptical machine, I thought, "What could I do that I might actually enjoy and get exercise at the same time?"

So I decided to hop on my bike and just Go..... 

It's the first day of fall. Here in Texas it doesn't feel any different than hot summer yet, but the weekend is supposed to usher in rain and cooler temperatures for next week. Or at least that's what the local weather people are teasing us with. This is the time of the year when I long for a change in the usual hot hot hot. 

And it's coming!

So a ride on my bike was a perfect beginning to my day. It's said that no matter how  slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch! 

I'll go with that! 

listening to my body

I wish I didn't feel so horrible when I don't eat light and healthy. I wish I didn't feel horrible when I neglect to exercise. I wish I didn't feel horrible when I have more than one glass of wine. I wish I didn't feel badly when I eat more than my body needs and begin to put weight on this Fifty-ish frame.

Or do I?

My body is telling me what it needs and what is good for it. I need to listen and give this outer shell for my soul and spirit what it needs and stop giving it more than it needs.  More than ever I feel like I am affected by what I put into my body every day. I have never been able to figure it out exactly, whether I'm allergic to this or that, or if certain foods cause issues with how I feel, but I DO know that if I don't consistently practice moderation I suffer the consequences pretty quickly. My body needs more TLC now... and probably always did.

I feel more achy.
I feel more anxious.
I feel less ambitious.
I look less perky and more old.
I feel more lazy.
I have less energy.
I just .... hurt.

I haven't an excuse. After all I have an EXERCISE ROOM in my home! With free weights, and an elliptical machine, a yoga mat and yoga and pilates DVDs.  I don't need to run any marathons but I do need keep active every day. I'm making it a habit again. What's 30 minutes? Not much and it makes all the difference in my day.

Thank you, Body, for reminding me what I need to do... and what not to do!

restoration

One of my pet peeves is when something doesn't work. And if it's something that is supposed to be useful, like a clock that should tell the time, I can't picture it just sitting on a mantle to be decorative.

Recently I gave some thought to "things" that had special meaning and memory to me and decided I needed to bring a few items to someone for repair so they could be used and enjoyed again.

My childhood memories include a small clock that was given to my parents on their wedding day by my grandmother.... my mother's mother. I saw its face and heard its chimes in my childhood home for two decades and the memories were strong. I remember seeing the hands show 8:10 every school-day morning. When that time rolled around I knew I had to make my way quickly down our steep driveway to catch the school bus. If I was ten minutes late I would probably see the bus drive away without me.

The clock was given to me by my parents about 20 years ago and worked at the time but it had since lost its ability to chime and tell time correctly. I had it repaired and it's now operated by a battery and chimes again. Not exactly the same sound since that was not possible to repair exactly, but it is useful again.... and lives on as a reminder of sweet days gone by.

 

After Edd passed I had the diamond in my engagement ring placed in a different setting. It was a way to  move forward for me and also embrace the past and the specialness of his gift to me. I knew he'd like that.  But I had the original setting stored away without a stone thinking I'd put a new stone in it "someday". Well, someday finally arrived and I added a sapphire to the setting. I now have a new ring to enjoy! The beautiful setting Edd chose years ago now includes a sapphire I am happy to wear!

About a month before my mom passed away in 2013, she showed me her finger that wore her wedding band. She couldn't get it off and it bothered her. She even tried to cut it off herself and never had the opportunity to go to a jeweler or elsewhere. I think she didn't want Dad to know. So I asked her if she wanted me to do it.... she did... and well, I snipped it off her finger with a wire cutter. The ring was thin after so many years of wear and not difficult for me to do. It made mom happy to have it off, but I'm sure sad that it had to be done. 

After she passed away I looked in her purse and the ring was still in there. I asked Dad if I could have it and I just had her broken, cut ring restored and repaired.

Though it still looks aged and thin (because it IS!) it is now shiny and not broken! I wish mom could see it! The engraving inside says "Always and forever...." They had been married for 56 years when she passed away. 

I'm happy to be able to restore items that have meaning, so they can once again be useful and have more life left in them! No one needs broken things in their lives if they are able to be fixed!

broken heart

Oh, the things you experience .... the horror, the depth of insanity and fear, the hurt and sadness in your heart ... when you love someone who is addicted to drugs. They don't seem to have any idea how their actions hurt others... and that they are blocking the pain with their drug, but the person who is not using is standing helpless feeling it all.

If your expectation is to talk sensibly together you will be constantly disappointed. You won't even be able to comprehend the ridiculousness of what comes out of their mouths. The lies. The manipulations. It will make your head spin.

What hurts the most, is that you are forced to give up and let go. Because it is an illusion to think you are actually helping when you are not. The only one who can help the addict is themselves. They have to want something different. They have to want to get off the roller coaster. Stop hurting themselves and the innocent ones their lives touch.

But sometimes I don't think they want to change. They may not want some of the ugly consequences, but they really don't want to change or give up the drug.

And it breaks your heart.

It has broken mine.

thinking....

I'm thinking of my little family today. We've been through so very much through the years. Changes. Pain and loss. Joys.  Endings. Beginnings. Carrying on. Endings again. New life. Some seem to hide. Kind of battered. Hobbling. Struggling. It hurts sometimes to watch. It hurts to look away. It hurts to stay. It hurts to go. My prayers are for each one. And for myself.

I don't like change, but I accept it. Mostly. Maybe? Maybe not. Some days I do. Some days I don't.

I find the need to limit what I allow my mind to take in. In this day of perpetual opinions and preaching and thirst for outrage in so much of social media... I find it more than I have the capacity to do anything constructive with except lose my bearings, lose my contentment, lose my peace and lose my joy and perspective.  I've had to shut a lot of it down.  Turn away. And move in a different direction.

I long for simplicity in a complex world. All I can try to manage is my own sphere. My own place and home. And that is where I find joy and contentment. I always have....

this place.....

I think I need to return more to my little blog. This place. It's been here for me over the years. Waiting for me to share my thoughts and struggles and dreams. My successes and failures. 

My safe place. 

Social media has made us so smug we feel we can post our opinions and comments and too often not have to actually do anything. We feel by complaining we've done our part.  I am growing more and more wrestless in it. More weary of its ability to reach me with its discontent. Sometimes for good yes. But often its message is one that puts another down, often cruelly  and is used as a weapon and show how enlightened we are.

We can post articles about being Pro Life but never actually support an unwed mother. Maybe drive someone to her doctor's office for care or to the grocery store for food. It takes a village. Some people have more of that village at their disposal. Some, for whatever reason, are more isolated. I know this first-hand. Loving the unlovely person who clearly got themselves into the mess they are in is not easy. And we feel justified to walk in the other direction... and judge. But again. We can't do everything, but we can do something.

We can blast our political system and politicians, and all that is wrong but never write a letter, make a phone call, go to a meeting or vote. Even if we do, it's often flaunted arrogantly by letting everyone know about it.

We can show our outrage in so many ways but never really love our neighbor as ourself...outside of church walls or a program. 

We can't do everything, but we can all do something...besides complaining.

Just feeling so sad today over the brokenness I see.....

this moment

Ahhh.... what a good day! 

I lost another pound. Sheesh! This weight-loss-after-age-fifty is tough stuff! I'm in it for the long haul though so it's okay. 

After a walk with Norman I did outside yard work in the morning and sweat my you-know-what off as I snipped and clipped and watered and dug and planted...for a couple of hours. This Texas July heat isn't for sissies let me tell you. A frog jumped out of one of my planters and scared me half to death and a large lizard watched me from the outside wall of my house! Yeah, at least he was on the outside of my house. He was a big one!

Another hot day in ATX

Hey there big guy... or pregnant girl! (Hard to tell)

I did some of my volunteer work with the Diamond Dachshund Rescue and also worked out on my elliptical machine.

After taking a shower I sit now with a glass of Pinot Noir and feel at peace.

Peace. It's definitely NOT over rated. It's one of the greatest things in life... Like contentment and trusting in God's goodness... and letting go of worry and fear and..... I could go on and on.....

Sure there are things of concern in my life.  Isn't that true with EVERYONE'S life? But for now I will savor this moment, give all of those concerns to the One who loves me....and be thankful for this day.

some totally unrelated observations.... serious and not so serious

I would put myself in the "thoughtful observer" category. What I have observed lately is those who speak the loudest and agriest are often the ones who spread misleading information and don't check their facts. Defensive angry people have to win arguments to feel better about themselves. Much better it would be to feel secure in your beliefs yet not have to beat people over the head with them.

It was sad I felt I needed to walk away from a 20-year marriage many years ago. I was at a point of breakdown. Actually I did breakdown. But years later I don't feel bad anymore because I realize I was never fought for and neither was the marriage. I was replaced almost immediately. I have known people in my life who have said they loved me, but never fought for me. That's the only kind of love with meaning for me anymore.

Losing Edd is something I'll never really "get over" nor do I want to. I want to remember the pain. I want to remember the longing and the love and the passion, but I don't want the grief to cripple me. And it doesn't. 

It seems anything imaginable can be looked up on the Internet. And there is support for just about any point of view, so it's important to get the facts and research thoroughly... There is so much misinformation it makes my head spin. 

On the other hand, I saved so much money recently by researching DIY microderm abrasion facial treatments and made my own amazing product! So I'm glad that just about anything can be researched easily on the Internet.

I wish I could tell people, young women, not to give everything away so quickly to a man. Don't sell yourself short. Have healthy moral boundaries. Wait for a real commitment. Edd used to tell me I wasn't like all the women he knew. I was different and so he treated me differently. I would like to tell them to be the person that the guy actually wants to change for. To be the person he knows he must treat kindly and respectfully and lovingly and to really cherish. I felt that. And I'm so thankful. We would need that trust and loyalty, grace, respect, love and commitment for what was ahead. What a glorious ride was ours.

Among other chores I cleaned and purged my closet today. I have done a lot of volunteer work over the last four years....hospitals, library, Humane Society, Operation Turkey on Thanksgiving, animal rescue, etc ..... and I have (had) the T-shirts to prove it! 

Just some random thoughts today....

ruby ring

When I was a young girl I loved jewelry. Rings in particular. I collected them. I'm sure I had conversations with my grandmother and aunt and one wonderful day my Aunt Teresa gave me a very special gift. A ruby ring. I don't specifically remember its origin, but I do know it was special to her.  When I received it I knew I better take good care of it.  

Although I was a very responsible kid, I was still immature at around ten years of age. 

I lost it. 

I didn't even remember losing it. I just knew I didn't know where it was.

Years went by. Quite a few years.

I grew up in Northwest New Jersey on almost an acre of land that was surrounded by woods, so it seemed as though all this land, woods and hills, was ours to personally explore. My dad loved the property and dug up gardens and planted trees and pursued other construction projects over the years. We also had a septic tank that needed attention from time to time... and an above-ground pool.

Years later, one day when dad was out digging, he came into the house with a discovery. I still vividly remember him showing me a ring that was caked with dirt. He asked me if it meant anything to me and if I'd seen it before.

I was overjoyed! Yes it was very familiar and was the ring I lost years before!

I still have this ring today. Decades later.

A special heirloom.