As I plug along and copy the content from my blog here on Facebook and move it to my new website, I try to work from both ends of the spectrum. I work on new stuff for a while, then I work on the older, early writings. I have to do it this way as the early stuff is so painful…most of the time. Right now, I’m in the midst of the first spring/summer after losing Mr. Virgo. I have purchased Little TOW-Wanda and I’ve been out on The Grand Adventure for quite some time. I am enjoying looking back at the pictures of all the beautiful places I visited. So much of that year is a blur to me. The brain fog of grief had me pretty firmly in its grip for the first year and seeing these photos, and reading the meager writing I was able to produce fills in some blanks and makes me long for getting out on the open road again…wind in my hair, tiara twinkling in the sunlight.

As most of the nation struggles with snow and cold, we are still deluged with this incessant rain. Grey skies are gonna clear up…put on a happy face! Meh. I’m not feeling it. I have been plunked down in front of this computer for days and it is slow going. But every day is progress and I will reward myself with an outing to town today or tomorrow.

Yesterday was the Angelversary of my mother’s death. I posted it on my personal page and received an outpouring of love from friends and family. I love that people remember her and tell stories about her. I love that they speak her name. One of the things I hear the most from my readers who are grieving is they wish people would say his name. Talk about him, tell stories, remember. It normalizes grief. It acknowledges the fact that this wonderful person lived and we got to live with them. It keeps their memory alive. I appreciate that. I love it when someone tells me a funny mom story or Mr. Virgo story. My mom…I loved to make her laugh. And I had a talent for it. She lived a hard life and I took it upon myself to entertain her, boost her spirits, and make her laugh till she cried. Oh, I aggravated the heck out of her sometimes, too. That’s the nature of the mother-daughter relationship, is it not? But, her laughter was like sunshine to me and I would do whatever I could to bask in that glow.

I called her every Sunday night. Without fail. And I tried to visit her in West Virginia at least once a year. She came to Colorado a few times. I once lived in a very tiny house. Hubby #2 was in medical school and was on a rotation of work one night, sleep one night, study one night…on and on and on for nearly three years. For some reason…I didn’t see my mom during that time. There wasn’t room for visitors at my house and no money for a hotel or for a plane ticket home. So, I just didn’t see her. I made excuses. I put her off. I hate that I did that. I’ll never forget when I did finally make it home for a visit, her hair had gone completely white! I was convinced it was all my fault. Silly, that…but still. I can’t imagine not seeing my girls for nearly three years. It had to have been difficult for her. I tried to make up for it in her last years. I think I probably did. She was a very forgiving soul when it came to me. Not that I deserved it. But a mother’s love, you know.

I’m going on an adventure in a few days. Are you ready to travel with me? Get your sunscreen and your flip-flops out…there’s sand, sun, and surf coming your way soon! Wahoo!!! ❤️

“”‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV‬