You may think..that I am saying..:"I'm so lucky"..
Well for many reasons maybe I am..
But that's not why I wrote that.
A friend of mine..who welcomed me to this area with open arms over 43 yrs ago..and had moved several times.. lost her beloved husband 3 months ago..she came to visit..now living in FL having lived twice in Texas..In Maine..and now Fl..
Lots of tears..but even in her sorrow she made us LOL..even J..
I'll tell you the funny little anecdotes after..
But a few things re her devastating loss have stayed with me..
A Valentine's Day...( we don't even exchange cards anymore..)
The card he gave her ..
Said something about 3 words for her on this Valentine's day..
All expecting.."I LOVE YOU"?
Nope..
I'M So Lucky.
To have you.
The card read.
He really meant it..and now he's gone.
So sad to continue w/out the person who felt so lucky to have you.
Made me cry.
My immediate neighbour..a Gentle Giant of a man passed away in the last 2 weeks..
It's a tragic time for the spouses left behind.
They always say Man was Not made To Live Alone and many men remarry..
It's not as common in women yet it certainly does happen.
Watched a fantastic movie last night we had to stop midway.
Anthony Hopkins is so stellar in his role as The Father(Prime)..and so real.. it was hard to watch.
Funny the movie to us much younger would probably not have been of interest..Now myself approaching 70 in a little over two years and J already 80..this movie..is heartwrenching.
Sir Anthony Hopkins.♥
My friend made us both laugh..though on a few occasions.
She is one of the funniest people I ever met.
My daughter and her family are moving in January..they are leaving their past 17 yr old home kittie corner across the street from and moving.
I told my friend..she lived here ...she knows the area like back of her hand..she said where to..
I told her..and she said:"MOVING?" That's not MOVING ..TOKYO is MOVING..she'll be 5 minutes up the highway..
Well it's actually 14.1 minutes away.
Another chapter.So exciting for them.
Moving on..
Those were the days my friend...♥♥♥
We thought they'd never end..
Lucas said they have a big unfinished basement and they will build a wing for me..💕
Oh my God fall and all it's nostalgia right?
xx
A lovely story about your friend, she sounds delightful, thank you for sharing. That movie was tough to watch, hits a little too close to home. Your photos are awesome. Happy week to you and yours. V .
ReplyDeleteIt's terrifying to watch..I watched the end on my own..His performance is one of his best ever.But I know this much is true..This happens more and more it seems and is so sad.Perhaps we are living longer?Although a friend I was with a lot in the late 70's was diagnosed with early onset..we met her husband..and she's about my age,a few yrs older.. ..and has had it for years.I had no idea.
DeleteWhat a lovely friend to share her story with you. We're both 65 (well, I have a couple of weeks of 64 left), and I wonder occasionally about life without my beloved. God willing, we will have many more years together. I see my parents at 85 and 87 and dread the day when one of them passes away and leaves the other after 67 years together.
ReplyDeleteChange happens in life, and we have to adapt, don't we? So glad your dear ones will be not too far away. It will still be an adjustment for you.
I never knew my parents old.They passed away at 55 and 62,6 months apart.I was 19..then 20.
DeleteI don't know how painful it really is to see one's parents age.I am happy you have both.What a blessing and your gene pool looks good:)
It will be an adjustment..But Covidmay have made it easier..If I think about it I have nostalgia sickness:)I have thousnads of photos of them..from birth to now..the eldest taking drivers ed.
I know the boys won't just pop up at our door.I LOVED that..Oli was on his own more this summer..a parent..but his brothers older..had either jobs or different activities..they are usually a tight trio.When he would show up and say I came to hang around with my grandparents...? Be still my heart.Then Max would come..♥
Seems to me she was very lucky to have him in her life. Not so tragic imho
ReplyDeleteShe was..and terribly tragic IMHO.
DeleteI remember when your littles were little. They grow so fast and time speeds by. Your post gave me pause and I’m feeling grateful that my husband is still by my side, still vibrant and healthy at 71. There will never be enough time. Laughter ……. We all need more of that!
ReplyDeleteWE do!! Laughter is gold.There will never be enough time.
DeleteYou said it beautifully.:)♥
Monique, I appreciate that you shared about your friend. It sure is important for us to stop whatever we're doing, and give thanks for all those we love. As I approach my 68th birthday, I want to be more aware of my blessings and stop worrying about what I can't control (and when I think about it, I really can't control much!!). So sorry for the loss of your neighbor--you will miss him. A good neighbor is a gift. Such great pics of your dear ones. Glad they won't be too far away. Once we get our little retirement home remodeled, we will be moving there full time, and only be 2 miles from our daughter and her family. It is an answer to my prayers. xo
ReplyDeleteOh Pam I'm excited for you!So excited..You will be in heaven on earth:)♥
DeleteNancy who used to live across the street knew Brian..my neighbour..I told her and she wrote..how she liked seeing him on his tractor reverently mowing his grass taking care of nature.It's so true..reverently.I had wanted to paint him on it..he didn't mow this year:(
Don't put off something you feel like doing in your heart right?
I know it is hard to be the one left behind. Your friend sounds like a wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteShe's so funny..when she lived here she had horses.I loved horses..she took me for a trail ride..that's where and when I discovered how severe my allergies were.Her recollection of that day and my wheezing and saying I love this through my wheezes..was spot on.
DeleteI've never forgotten that day.She had us in stitches.
♥
Monique, your writing, so heartfelt, always touches my own heart. This season in our lives is one filled with challenges. I'm happy you and your friend had this time together. It's important. Time with those we love and care about, those that are a special part of our hearts, we need to embrace these times. Life is fragile.
ReplyDeleteLove the October calendar page with your own girls as littles. Photos are wonderful memory joggers.
Love sent to you across the miles, my friend.
And always reciprocated back to you:)♥
DeleteWe never think of all this in our forties..
And it all flies by.
xx
This blew me away..I understand the meaning behind all of it.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky, too.
:)Have a nice day Ga~
DeleteDear Monique I'm sorry for your loss of an old friend and a neighbor. In many ways it's especially hard due to the last year or so and the loss of so many. It's devastating to loose a spouse, but unfortunately it will happen to every married couple and as I have learned, we must learn to go on as hard as it may be. I' doubt you realize it, but I'm sure your blog has helped many of your readers get thru such times and you are not even aware of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that your daughter and her family are moving away, but I know they will still drop by all the time. As the boys get their licenses they will love to drive over and visit you, and get to eat all the great goodies you have made.
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your family is able to celebrate together today, even if it is a Thanksgiving picnic outside. Do the foods eaten differ from an American Thanksgiving? My best to you all... Sue
Love your calendar page...I hope you made ( or make ) a whole calendar for your girls with pictures of all of you as children in it. What a keepsake that would be. I bet you have given your readers a good idea .
So kind of you but plse dont feel sorry for me..My neighbour was a good kind neighbour but I am sad for his wife..not ma..and my other friend again I am sorry for her.I know we will always be close my grandchildren and I..Funny thing is though someties I will say..do you remember when we used to..? And they say no..I think for us the memories aare indelible but in young children the memories leave..they will remembr the love of that I am sure.
DeleteThank you for your kind,thoughtful words.
I hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, Monique! How wonderful that your friend came to visit and made your laugh. Sometimes it's hard to see things from another perspective but 14.1 minutes isn't bad at all. But I get that it's not across the street. I love the offer to make a wing for you in the basement :) Life is sure full of surprises, many of which are out of our control. Your poor neighbors losing their spouses. So sad. I just read a synopsis of the Anthony Hopkins movie and I'm not sure I'll be able to watch it...I know John won't after what we went through with his mother. Oh my gosh, what wonderful photos! We are so lucky, after all. ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteThe sun shone down upon us ..so dark so early though and I wished I'd had your solar lanterns..going to look into something like that:)It would be very hard for John to watch but ohmygosh Susan that Sir Anthony..His presence on screen was riveting.
DeleteLife sure is full of surprises and yes those children..we are so LUCKY.♥
There is sadness all around. And good things too. Sending a big, strong hug.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
You are absolutely right:)♥Have a lovely week Amalia.
DeleteThe times gos so fast , This I feel when I see thwe twins, they have 27 years and still I feel they are little, Im so nostalgic by these days, what love story of your friend and you both are lucky for can share all these lovely moments. Im sad by the passed of her husband.
ReplyDeleteSend you hugs and love, gloria
It changes your whole life..with someone 24/7..to alone..I feel for them.
DeleteBeautiful story about your friend. So sorry to hear of her hubby's passing. I can't imagine that feeling. Love his precious words. Your grands have certainly grown up before our eyes. so glad they are not moving far. I haven't watched that movie yet. It's on my list. Your French apple cake looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteWidows have sometimes mentioned it's like losing a limb.24/7 with someone..to alone..Both ladies have many many frinds of their own.So their entourage is rich.
DeleteA lovely cake Linda:)
Oh, your garden. Sigh. and to be with friends and be allowed to walk their grieving journey with them is indeed an honor. I'm sorry of her husband's death and that of your neighbor. I know you will miss your family across the street desperately but they aren't far and it does sound lovely.
ReplyDeleteThey will be close enough to visit for certain.
DeleteAnd really I did not see them a lot..busy lives..but it's the knowledge of them there..LOL.
An Oli popping by .That face at my door.
Best guest.
Life goes on.
They are here.
My poor neighbour and friend though..Oh lala..
Que c'est triste la vie..parfois.
Happy autumn love from me ….🍀❤️🍀
ReplyDeleteHope you are well Ria♥
DeleteBittersweet story...glad that you were able to spend time with an old friend. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy fall....and that cake! Looks amazing! xo
Thank you ♥♥Me too..things seem to be getting slacker but Jacques' not ready...
DeleteAwww, that is so sweet that Lucas said they have a big unfinished basement and they will build a wing for you. It won't take you long to drive 14.1 minutes :-) Thankfully.
ReplyDeleteSo true..but my heart is melancholic:) I am SUPER excited for them..It's all the memories..It's a new chapter.They have grown so tall..all high ceilings big windows big rooms..:)Perfect for them.Fred will love his larger parcel of land.
DeleteMonique, les photos de ta famille, je les aime tellement. Je n'ecris pas souvant, mail je lire toujours. BIZ, /Fay, SE USA
ReplyDelete