Almost Back to Normal

Over the last week I have had several emails from some of my followers wondering why I haven't posted recently.  I appreciate your concern.  On May 23rd, my mother passed away.  It was not sudden; she knew she was dying.  Putting her on Hospice was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it opened up conversations (with her) and she had time for all of her grandchildren and other family to visit and say goodbye.  She planned her funeral and the reception following and she wanted it to be a celebration.  And it was.  I miss her tremendously, but know she had a good life.

About a week after she passed away, I told Dan I had to get away for a few days.  That same day we had an email from Princess cruises with a "last minute" deal on a cruise to Norway.  So, with only a few days to pack, we flew to London and then went on a 12 day cruise.  Mom would have loved it.  I feel she was with me, I wore some of her clothes (we were almost the same size), tried and failed to read a book a day (Mom read a book a day right up until the last few weeks of her life), and just relaxed.

This was my first trip in over 2 years other than brief trips to visit grandchildren.  And right now I'm packing for another trip, one that I had planned since early spring.  My son-in-law is in Glasgow doing research and I'm flying over with my daughter and 2 grandchildren next Thursday.  So I won't be doing any more blogs until I return from that trip, but I have every intention of getting back to a normal routine by the end of the summer.

I'm hoping that all of you are having a creative summer and look forward to visiting with you again in the fall.