53 Years Then and Now

My how times have changed. 

Yesterday we celebrated our 53rd wedding anniversary.  Or I should say we sent each other a Happy Anniversary text.  Our life has changed in retirement.  Or should I say semi-retirement.  These last few months have offered us more challenges than we could never had guessed would be in front of us in the innocent years.  But, as we have grown individually and as a couple, we have learned to cope, to whether the storms.  We are presently experiencing storms.  All of our strength is needed now and will be needed for a few years to come.  I often think, this is what we are to do, maybe the plan all along.

We started our downsizing project, which we needed to do and which has been successful, but draining.  We have sold our big home, but not without the challenge of a new roof because of hail damage and a pending septic system update, which was not expected.  Then we experienced two weeks of roll a coaster emotions.  It all started with Bo. 

1.  Put down our beloved dog, Bo Sad

2.  Accepted an offer on our home, & signed contract, Happy

3.  Hail damage on home, then a back and forth with our realtor about who to have put on the new roof. I'm still trying to figure out our realtors insistence to accept his guys bid.  We went with our guy. Confused

4.  Dealing with misunderstandings between a storage unit owner and our son--to which we intervened and now things are smooth.  Stressful

5.  The death of my hubby youngest cousin.  Expected as he had been quite ill for a few years.  Sad

6.  Then the unexpected death of our grandson's Mother, at age 35.  She too, had an illness, but she had not been taking care of herself.  Sad, Sad, Sad.

As we start a new week, what is our role now??  Our grandson is 5 years old.  His Dad is a single parent, who is struggling to establish a business and a little lost.  We have had the stabilizing role in our grandson's life since the beginning.  His Mom and Dad were there for him, but we were always the ones that took care of him during the difficult times of his parents, or when he was sick, when he needed to be at this appointment or that activity.  Who will we be now??  We are prepared to take the lead if we need to.  He has his room which holds his dresser, bed, desk, books and toys at our new home.  He has been with us since his Mother's passing.  Dad is trying to find himself and his new role as 100% of the time parent. 

As we all go forward, we will rely on our strong marriage/partnership to provide what is needed to a sweet little boy who has an exciting life ahead of him.  We pray for ourselves continued good health to help see this little guy grow.

My quilting may be on hold for a while.  At least for the next month, as our final move of stuff from our old house begins today.  Our closing is scheduled for the 17th so we have the last bit of things to complete at the house before the final walk through and  closing.   Have a great week and as always Happy Quilting!!