Full of Grace

Back when I was in therapy for PTSD, my therapist suggested that I start a gratitude practice.  I would often post Full of Grace posts here, trying to include at least 5 things I was particularly grateful for.  It is a practice I still continue, although more privately these days.  But today I want to write about over 50+ things I am grateful for.

Last week I attended the funeral for my son-in-law’s uncle.  He had been a heart transplant recipient 20 years ago and spent all of those years encouraging and supporting other transplant patients.  I only met him a few times, but each meeting was like an encounter with joy.  He was a grateful, compassionate soul.

At the funeral home, next to the casket, there was a large display dedicated to the young man who had been his heart donor, along with information about becoming a donor.  I sat next to a woman who then told me she was the donor’s mother.  She had flown in from Michigan to attend the funeral, as she continues relationships with every recipient of her son’s organs.  Personally, I can’t imagine experiencing the death of a child, over and over but she seemed to have more pride than sorrow.  She also told me that between his organs and his tissues, he had given over 50 people the gift of life.  

Over 50 people given the opportunity to live longer or better lives, to love and share with their friends and families.  

Amazing. 

Today I am so very grateful for organ donors who give the gift of life, recipients who share their gift to help others, and particularly mothers who embrace and endure this bittersweet miracle. 

What Happened to Summer?

 Holy Moly, what happened to summer?

We spent most of July finishing our camp kitchen renovation.  It was a project that was supposed to be done in April but a huge snowstorm, babysitting emergencies and a few construction mistakes (putting a screw through a water line while hanging a cabinet, oops)  delayed the completion.  Hoisting cabinets and installing new lighting, painting and trim work.  Not a day went by when we didn’t say “we’re getting too old for this”

We did manage to gather the whole family for a short beach vacation at the end of July where I got to stroll along the ocean at daybreak and eat seafood every night 

Just as we thought we could relax and enjoy August, our Florida daughter had a number of commitments in Boston and we had her infant son for 2 weeks of wrestling an incredibly strong, mobile baby into diapers and clothes, more food on the floor than in the mouth, and constant anxiety because of a not-fully-child-proofed house.  Exhaustion ensued. 

Then we were all in wedding mode.  My oldest daughter finally got to have her wedding reception - on her 2nd anniversary.  The reception, twice canceled because of Covid and once because of pregnancy, finally happened.  Of course, not before a handful of crises - photographer canceled 2 days before, the display showing table assignments smashed, 3 people canceling due to Covid,  2 people canceling due to family deaths, a person doing a reading threw her back out the morning of and canceled, and, of course, it poured rain all day.   Meanwhile we were juggling two babies, airport pickups and rides for out-of-towners, final dress alterations, and pet sitting.   All this while first hosting a birthday party for 30 people in our backyard for my first grandson celebrating his 1st birthday and stressing over a surgery (successful) for my younger grandson.

Phew.

Labor Day is over, the youngest daughter is back in Florida, the older daughter is back to work and her son is starting daycare, and I can finally relax and think about winterizing my gardens, closing the summer camp, and doing things in my own sweet, lazy time. 

Nope.

My youngest daughter just called to say her husband got a promotion and they will be moving back to the northeast.  They have to pack up and sell their house, buy a new house, find a job for her, find childcare, etc.  - all within the next three months.  

We are thrilled that she will again be within a reasonable drive instead of a flight away.  But my dreams of a quiet autumn are quashed.   Martha has already flown to Florida to help clean before they show their house.  I will be dog and baby sitting while the daughter is interviewing and house shopping.   Then spending much time in Boston to help unpack and babysit until childcare can be found. 

I keep reminding myself that this is all good stuff.  Everyone is healthy and happy and moving towards their dreams.  Still, I wouldn’t mind a week where I could put my feet up, sip my tea, nibble on a cider donut and enjoy the quiet of a fading summer.

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