Natalie has graduated from the shower to the hairbrush in the kitchen!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Stronger
Walter Valentine Shevchik
June 5th, 1915 - April 19th, 2008
I am repeating this post from Myspace because I am not sure if people actually read both posts. Presently I am dealing with the death of my father whom I loved tremendously. I cared for him in my home for the last 18 years. He was an integral part of our lives and for the last year he required 24 hour care. This care was not often pleasant and impacted our lives immensely but we were willing to do it for him because we gained much by knowing and living with Pop. Our interactions with "Grandpa" were worth the effort that his care required.
Now I am establishing new routines for my life.
Like any time you begin to change routines...it is tough at first. There are certain times of the day that are more difficult than others. When I was caring for Grandpa the mornings were the most important. Mornings were very labor intensive but also filled with meaningful interactions. I miss the good parts of the mornings. However, I find that I appreciate the sunshine and warmth in a different way since I now see and feel the sun through his perceptions since it was so critical for him.
Many people have told me to keep busy and fill my void... for me it's just the opposite. First I need to find a quiet space ... a place to be still.. a place to be 100% in my surroundings without the distractions of phones, texts, and voices.... a place where I can breathe and find my own inner voice. A place where I can find a new way of feeling Pop around me. There is still the "rolling grief" where I tear up but I've found that the best way for me to deal with it is to feel it and let it pass over me. I am strong and I always come out the other side OK. If I fight it, it becomes stronger. I have the capacity to feel strongly and live deeply. Nothing is closing off but opening to greater depth.
Live.....laugh.....Love.....
June 5th, 1915 - April 19th, 2008
I am repeating this post from Myspace because I am not sure if people actually read both posts. Presently I am dealing with the death of my father whom I loved tremendously. I cared for him in my home for the last 18 years. He was an integral part of our lives and for the last year he required 24 hour care. This care was not often pleasant and impacted our lives immensely but we were willing to do it for him because we gained much by knowing and living with Pop. Our interactions with "Grandpa" were worth the effort that his care required.
Now I am establishing new routines for my life.
Like any time you begin to change routines...it is tough at first. There are certain times of the day that are more difficult than others. When I was caring for Grandpa the mornings were the most important. Mornings were very labor intensive but also filled with meaningful interactions. I miss the good parts of the mornings. However, I find that I appreciate the sunshine and warmth in a different way since I now see and feel the sun through his perceptions since it was so critical for him.
Many people have told me to keep busy and fill my void... for me it's just the opposite. First I need to find a quiet space ... a place to be still.. a place to be 100% in my surroundings without the distractions of phones, texts, and voices.... a place where I can breathe and find my own inner voice. A place where I can find a new way of feeling Pop around me. There is still the "rolling grief" where I tear up but I've found that the best way for me to deal with it is to feel it and let it pass over me. I am strong and I always come out the other side OK. If I fight it, it becomes stronger. I have the capacity to feel strongly and live deeply. Nothing is closing off but opening to greater depth.
Live.....laugh.....Love.....
Monday, April 14, 2008
Gotta Love This Guy!
Is this the best son-in-law in the world? Anyone that would let the two new additions to the family crawl all over him when he was trying to put together the new table is a champ. Of course the cats are named Jerry and "What's His Name" because no one can think of a neat name for the other kitten. The dogs love the kittens and I love the pictures I keep getting on my computer.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Stan & Larry
Stan and Larry followed Natalie home from the grocery store last night. I was sooooo excited to have more Gnomes in the house. Not sure how this little obsession started but we have Gnomes sprinkled everywhere. The painters remarked when they saw a Gnome holding Christmas presents that I had forgotten to put him away... I politely let them know that he lived here and stayed out all year. Now I'm the crazy lady with the garden Gnomes around the house. Just Chillin with my Gnomies!
Q: How come you don't see any female Gnomes around?????
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Flower
We celebrate the bloom of the flower. As with life... let's celebrate life and accept the passing when we are faced with it.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Fully intending....
I was fully intending to put up a picture but somehow I didn't get that far. Biggest news here lately is that grandpa woke up the other day only speaking Polish. Now that was interesting. He hasn't spoken Polish for many, many, many years and the other day that's all he could speak. Took about a half hour to get him back to English. The mind is a funny thing!
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