Unfinished Songs

My days have settled into a sweet routine now; each day is different, but there is a pattern to them. At first, I felt like a dog who had chewed through his leash, and suddenly found himself free. I didn’t know which direction to run. I found myself trying to do too much, and doing it all at once. Now I am more settled, more focused; I have made it a point to set small goals every day, but leave room for spur of the moment adventures too. I wake up every morning with thanksgiving on my lips; Thank You God, for my life.

Summer hosted a retirement party for me at church a few weeks ago; it was a come-and-go affair complete with refreshments,  a beautiful cake, and my favorite 70’s music downloaded by Tay. The tables were decorated with vintage photos of Nurse Gina, old awards, and my nursing paraphenalia. All afternoon, people came to hug me and to wish me well: family, friends, former co-workers. My awesome daughter was the perfect hostess, greeting guests and keeping everything under control. My only role was to just mingle and visit with the people who love me.

I almost think the party was as much for Summer as it was for me. She needed the closure; I already have it. At the end of the day as we were cleaning up, she asked if she could have my nursing cap. I passed it to her gladly. It is the end of an era for me, and the beginning for her; I am most happy to pass the torch.

Nursing Cap from 1970

 Memorial Day weekend found us celebrating two family weddings. First, my brother Todd was married to beautiful Melissa on Saturday. The two of them have been friends for 30 years, and they are finally together where they belong. Both of them suffered through unhappy first marriages, with unfaithful spouses.  God promises that He will give us back the years that the locusts have eaten, and the happiness that they now have is proof of that promise. I wish them many, many happy and blessed years together.

Todd and Melissa

 

On Memorial Day, my brother Alan’s daughter Kourtney was married to the love of her life.  It was a sweet and off-beat ceremony, with touches of the traditional and much that was non-traditional. I wish them many, many blessings.

Alan escorting Kourtney (that’s me on the right, in brown.)

 

This past weekend, Chuck and I attended an "unofficial" reunion with some of my high school friends. They meet together once a year, and camp out in the mountains on the Buffalo River. Chuck and I didn’t camp, but just drove up for the day. The weather was beautiful, clear and cool; we had a delightful day. Some of these people I hadn’t seen for almost 20 years, and we enjoyed trading stories and memories, and reconnecting.

Chuck and me, far right

 

My next project is my new job as a nanny; that will start within the next couple of weeks. It’s a new adventure for me, and I welcome the challenges and the joy of it. I don’t take lightly the trust that Baby Lydia’s parents have placed in me, and I pray God will give me what I need to do this job with all of my heart and all of my might; to do it with excellence. And I count it as good practice for the grandchildren He will bless me with someday.

<span style="color

: #800080″>Baby Lydia

 

That brings me to now; the rest of this day awaits, and I am off to see what it holds. I am learning to transition to a life that is free from doctor’s orders and chemotherapy and cancer and death. I have fought the good fight, and have laid down those former things to grasp hold of these new things, this new life. 

But, as always, God is so good, and life is so sweet.