Growing up

It has been a rough summer for me.

I know that I have it a lot better than a lot of people, 

but I can honestly say that the last 3 months have been a struggle.

To the folks who read my blogs everyday or every other day, 
I apologize for letting you down. 

AND

if I have offended anyone with my writing, I am sorry.

I try to write what is on my heart.  I do not intend to use this blog as a weapon of any kind.

A lot of things have happened this summer.

Bill & Gladys Flynn

I watched my best friend in the whole world walk through the experience of her father having cancer and then passing away.  

Betty Smith and some of her grandchildren

I also watched the Scott Smith family struggle with the death of his mother, Betty Smith.  

  

After multiple trips to different doctors, 
my concerns about my husband's health have finally quieted.
Thank you GOD.

My 72 year old father fell & broke several ribs this summer.  I was terrified that I too would loose my parent.  I am just not ready for that.  I know, we are never ready for that.  Here I am at 51, just not ready to grow up.  Those people who are constants in my life, how would I live without them?  How could I be me...without them to make me who I am?

Through all of this, my ability to create has "taken a hit".  A conversation with an acquaintance yesterday helped me to think that through.  He said that I need to paint in the bad times too, that it would be a release of my feelings.  He challenged me to let that work be what it was, to let those feelings out.  

There have been good things happen this summer, too.  
I had a wonderful visit with my niece Brittni.  She & Mary have been like sisters from the very beginning.  

My favorite three year old eating ice cream with Brittni & her son Dorian. 

I enjoyed my visits with Brandon & his son this summer.

Brandon & Kaiden

Mark Roberts came home from Florida for a visit. I love him like a brother. 

Here is the gang.  Mark is second row down third from the left.  I am in the fifth row down third spot in (with the crazy permed hair and the clown bow) (obviously my mother hated me :) from the left.  Annie & Ronnie are here too, so is Danny.  Given enough time I am sure that I could name most of them.

It was so nice to see him.  

I got to spend time with my folks at the Winding Creek Blue Grass Festival.     

Thank you for listening to me ramble today.  
I will be writing with more regularity from now on.  

I have to go, now.  
Al has a list of things for me to accomplish today and I need to get on it.

Work, work, work. 

Growing up is hard.
Growing old is harder.

Bill & Betty, I will miss you.  
We all will.