Two Years and Counting

It’s been two years since you left us here on earth. It’s been two years since my phone rang on that Sunday morning and I heard the words that you had moved on – just after sunrise. I knew that you would never leave us while it was dark outside. You hated the dark, hence the reason I still sleep with a nightlight at almost sixty-years-old.

I think it’s important to let you know what we’ve been doing since you left; even though I know that you see, hear and watch over us. To honor your memory is for us to have learned from you while you were here on earth. We all did and here are a few things that you would be proud of if you were still with us.

Bobby & Cyndi are both doing fine. In addition to losing you, Cyndi has lost both her parents now. Bobby lost his bio-dad (Pops) too. Phil and I drove over to see him a few weeks before he passed. I told him that the best thing that he ever did on earth was to give us Bobby. He was grateful to hear my words, Mom. Can you imagine what our lives would have been without Bobby? Me neither. Bobby is working too hard but I am hopeful that he won’t continue to travel as much and will slow down. I mean, he’s getting old!

Phil & I are also fine. Phil works too many hours but that’s not a new thing. What is new, Mom, is that I left my job with Homeward Bound. I know that would make you happy because you always worried about my hours and stress. I’m working as a freelance paralegal – back to my roots, as they say! I’m helping take care of Grandma. She turned 90 and is still living independently. We spend lots of time with Colton. Just today I had a memory of the video that we made of him walking around your yard and dancing like the chickens. I heard your voice in that video and I loved that part. I also want you to know that we survived the pandemic really well. As a family, we just hunkered down. I figured out the food storage part pretty quickly (I mean, I did actually listen to you). I took time to make bread from scratch, meal plan and we do have a storage pantry. You always said that we could eat for weeks – even if it wasn’t exactly what we wanted. You were right.

Josh, Laura, and Colton were here for supper on Monday. The kids were worn out after spreading mulch all weekend. They take good care of their property and Josh hasn’t cut all the plants, bushes and trees down (I think he secretly fears that you will haunt him if he cuts too much). Josh has another promotion at his job and is rocking the world. He meets all challenges with a can-do attitude. You were so proud of him and he continues to be that man.

Colton just finished 4th grade. He made straight A’s all year, scored at the very highest point of his EOG in math, and still finds time to play outside and be a kid. He loves to skip rocks in the creek, and he loves to collect sticks to use as various props in his playtime. You’d be proud that we have a decorative pot to keep all his sticks in – so that he can collect them at will. During the pandemic, I helped him with virtual school. He has a gift for writing, Mom, just like you. He is so smart, so loving and is truly an amazing human.

Caitlin and Deacon moved to Portland, Oregon, and they seem to love it there. Janelle is still in Florida and she misses them terribly. I know that if you were here you would be reminding Caitlin and Deacon to call her often because we never know how much time we have. You would be proud of Caitlin – she loved you so very much. You may not realize this but she took the last picture taken of you.

Glenda Ann is working long hours and still delivering babies like a champ 🙂 She loves the office that she is in and doesn’t have to take near as much call. She is still active in church – even though mission’s opportunities have been scarce since the pandemic. Like Mona and me, she is working on getting healthy. We hope in a couple of years she will retire.

Ramona Jean finally retired, then decided to work for a year, and has now retired again. I think I’ve talked her out of going back to work. We are enjoying spending time together and some mornings we walk at the park. She is headed to Cleveland Clinic before long to get her heart checkup. Watch over that trip and visit, will you?

Tina Marie and Freddie are still in California. Last year they had fires very close to their place, which was so frightening. They have finished their fire preparation for this year, clearing around their house and such. Watch over them and keep the fires away. Mom, it’s so hard that they are such a long distance and we can’t just run to them when they need us.

Lastly, Bobby talked to Steve a few weeks ago. I haven’t talked to him in a couple of months but I had a long conversation with Paul a couple of weeks ago. Steve still won’t drink as much as he should. Could you send down a shower or leak over him – maybe it would be a sign 🙂 I know that he misses you and will never move on but he is doing okay.

That’s the update for this 2021 anniversary of your death. We miss you, Mom. We never thought you would leave so soon but we understand why you made the decisions that you made. I think about the fact that you are pain free in heaven and it gives me peace. I think about the fact that you and Aunt Betty are hanging out and it gives me peace.

I love you, Sharon