Would've been 93 years old...

Time continues to move forward and we all, hopefully, continue to grow and become better people. So many times I catch myself and wonder how Dad would react to a situation and the answer is always that he would do whatever was honorable and fair. Why it took his passing for me to finally learn such wisdom astounds me as it seems like such a very high price to pay for a simple lessson, and yet it is one of the greatest gifts that he could ever have given me. (Of course, that is totally balanced by the fact that my mother said taught me to expect and want the best -- so, I guess it all evens out somehow in some warped way in the end.) This Saturday, August 8, 2009, Dad would have turned 93 years old. A special day, if only because it would have been his birthday. Just recently my older great-niece Avery learned to ride her bike without using training wheels. For a great-uncle, that is an amazing achievement for a five year old and, at first, it made me sad that Dad was not there to see the event. However, when i thought about it....Dad WAS there. He was the one that was holding the back of the bicycle as she took off and the one widely smiling and clapping his hands as she rode off on her own. He was there and will always be there for those Milestones of Life. Somehow Time and Life manages to move on.


Just recently the spouse of one of Fred's co-workers and who I had worked with professionally myself passed away suddenly. A horrible shock and another reminder of how tenuous life is and how fully one needs to live life. You never know when your time will come and those who love you may not have had the chance to tell you how much you are loved. Seeing the sorrow on the faces of the surviving family members touched home so deeply and reminded me of my own sorrows of 2008.


But -- one cannot live the rest of one's life in the past and needs to continue to move forward AND to grow. There are always lessons to be learned and Life to enjoy! Fred and I are slowly, ever so slowly, unpacking and the house is ever so slowly becoming a home. This past weekend we realized that the mere switchng of area rugs would make such a change in the living room and the soon-to-dining room. It made a world of difference -- not only in the house, but for us psychologically, too. This late afternoon our dining room furniture is supposed to be delivered and we are very excited about that! Naturally, there are still boxes in the garage that need to be unpacked and things that need to find homes (Perhaps "home" IS the garage?!), but progress is being made. Fortunately, it's not for want of space....it's just for want of "location."


"Cash for Clunkers" has put my life into turmoil. I'm still driving my '97 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, which I love! However, with the "Cash for Clunkers" incentive, it's making me seriously consider that it might be time to trade in for a more green car. Right now I'm waiting to see if the Senate will pass the extension of the incentive and then I may very well take advantage of the incentive. We shall see.....and I see a Prius in my future.