Monday, May 6, 2013

From my experience, it just doesn’t seem to make sense

I had a weekend that was full of ups and downs. I went to Baltimore with my son on Saturday morning in a rented U-Haul to pick up a sofa that I purchased from my niece. It’s a nice piece and only a couple of years old and I had hoped to replace our old one, the one my husband uses as his favorite resting spot.

Unfortunately, he did not like this idea but I stuck to my guns and the new sofa is here despite some ruffled feathers. Suffice it to say that Saturday wasn’t so great.

On Sunday, I had one single goal and that was to clear out the back plantings, and re-edge and mulch under the dogwood tree. This was a huge job for me because of my stupid knees, but I got it all done.

 

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I wanted to take a before picture and used my cell phone for this. I had already completed the edging when I thought to do this, though.

 

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I took several breaks. This is looking up from my chair under that beautiful dogwood.

 

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I had to go out for more mulch but had it all finished by 2 pm.  It looks much better now that all the weeds are gone, the hostas are coming up, and the edging is neat.

It was time for a shower and a cocktail on the patio with my husband in this gorgeous spring weather. It felt like Maine in the summertime.

 

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I took photos of the beautiful johnny jumps in the planter. Such a cheerful little plant.

 

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Everything just felt right, and for some reason my husband’s words came easily to him.  And he told me he wants to go to Maine one more time and that it’s the only thing he’s looking forward to.

And I am going to do my best to get him there.

 

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Have you ever experienced a moment in time when you stopped and said to yourself, “I’m going to remember this day forever”?

That’s how it felt yesterday afternoon on the patio with my husband. And then I realized that May 5 marked 9 years since his first surgery and the diagnosis of a brain tumor. That night, the neuro-surgeon told me that my husband had maybe 3 to 6 months to live.

Sometimes I can’t believe 9 years have gone by.

 

I am thankful for so much.

Thanks for stopping by, my friends ~

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For some reason, this old Emerson, Lake & Palmer song kept playing in my head the whole time I was working oustide on Sunday. I don’t know how it got in there, but it’s a pretty tune nonetheless.

57 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

Beautiful post my friend!

Gail said...

What a gift...that moment.

May there be many more.

Connie in Hartwood said...

A nice crisp edge and some fresh mulch can do so much for a landscape .... and for the laborer. Stepping back and seeing the clean bed with emerging spring plants feels great. A fresh start for the upcoming yesr. You did well, my dear.

The viola photo made me smile. Have a good week.

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

You did a great job! And the flowers are soooo pretty. Glad you had one of those moments:-)

Low Tide High Style said...

Your handiwork and plantings are all beautiful, and I'm glad you both had a good day! Glad you won the battle for the new couch.

Kat

Sabrina Steyling said...

What a blessing that your husband is still here with you to enjoy times like this!

Hilary said...

I want you to go to Maine, I want to see pictures of your husband with George looking out at the sea.
We don't know, no matter what anyone says, when our time here is over. Which is why living in the here and now means everything.

JaneK said...

Awwwwww, Kate! I'm so thankful you cherished that moment and relished it thoroughly! Look forward to the pics from Maine :)

Cheryl said...

I remember having days/moments with Kenny that I just wanted to never end. They were simple moments. His words came easily. His spirits were good. His sense of humor on....
I certainly would never want him to suffer, but I do miss him terribly!
I'm happy I appreciated those moments, no matter how fleeting.
~Cheryl

Mary said...

I'm a faithful reader, although I do not comment often. You are in my prayers. What a wonderful memory day for you! We never know what life holds, but you always find a way to count your blessings!

Kacey said...

Such a moving post. I pray you and your husband do make it to Maine again. I know you love it there. Such pretty photos too. I love johnny jumpups! They are just so hopeful! (we call them johnny jumpups...you call them johnny jumps?)

Think of you often, my friend.

becky up the hill said...

Proud of you. Lost for words.

Deb said...

Very thoughtful post. I hope your trip to Maine turns out to be wonderful. Deb

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Unbelievable. What a gift.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hilary said...

Beautiful post, Kate. I love the photos of your colourful flowers and the glimpse into your moments. Hugs to you.

Carolynn Anctil said...

I love it when the dire predictions are wrong. So glad you had a good day. I'm in the midst of digging out grass to put in a flower bed around our house...it's a hellish job. I can commiserate with you. For me, its my back that gives me grief. It sure looks good when it's done though. Nice job, there.

Carolynn
A Glowing Ember

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DesertHen said...

Beautifully written words! Lovely pansies. They made me smile as a memory flicked across my mind. One year I planted an entire bed of pansies. They were so pretty. A few days later, they were gone! They deer liked them too and ate them!

Annette Whipple said...

Love and hugs....

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The Weaver of Grass said...

Soldier on my dear - there is no other way. lessings on you.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

The big and most magnificent pieces of life are lived in those small moments. What a beautiful day indeed.

I look forward to tales of your next Maine adventure together.

big hair envy said...

I have no words, so I'm sending you a big ((HUG)). Miss you!

Debra R said...

Beautiful post, Kate. And - yes - I have had moments where I thought I would remember them for ever. We went sailing (my hisband, daughter and SIL) over Easter. We sailed from St. Lucia, past St. Vincent, and played around the various islands in the Grenadines. One particular evening the sunset was spectacular and I felt I would always remember that moment and how I felt. I told my daughter that long after I am gone, she will remember that moment also and we would be together. So happy your weekend was lovely.

Jeanne Walker said...

Our life and times are in God's hands...make the most of them. Praying that you get the opportunity to spend some time in Maine! I am so thankful that you, DH, and George get to live in the Manor House instead of in some tract home or an apartment. You get to spend these days in solitude and enjoying nature and its flowers...especially since you all love the outdoors! Hugs

Daryl said...

lovely post ... johnny jump ups? new to me ... they look like pansys/pansies

RURAL said...

That moment...when it happens we do need to stop for a moment and mark it...

And you did.

Beautiful post.

Jen

Lisa Gordon said...

So glad you had this moment, Kate.
All of your gardening work sure paid off.
It looks wonderful.

Christie - Fine Lines said...

Just think, 9 years and another time in Maine to look forward to. Life can be so unpredictable with so many moments to savor. Your mulching really made a difference!!

thecatalanway said...

Others have said what I was feeling but I will say it again - lovely post - and each time I take a peak into your life I love you more - even though I don't really know you at all. Strange isn't it?

Lovely to have this dream of Maine - I hope you both get there and after that - may there be more dreams and plans.

Also, I love how you stood your ground about the sofa - it sounds like it was forgotten by Sunday! Good for you girl!

Kate x

beth said...

i'm hugging you....just saying :)

andy said...

Everything looks great ! Have a great day

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Mental P Mama said...

WOW!!!!!

Nellie said...

Beautiful post, Kate! It is important that we treasure moments such as these.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Miracles happen.

I simply love johnny jump-ups. <3

Thought about you all day today!

sharon said...

I haven't heard from Emerson, lake and Palmer in a long time. Good song. Go to Maine, touch the sea, eat some lobster and run barefoot on the beach! Breathe in the moment and thank God for one more day on this earth.

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Em Parkinson said...

Nine years is amazing - you must treasure every day, but I do know what you mean about remembering special moments. I felt like that last week when my son had an unexpected day off school and we did all the things we did when he was tiny....stream, sticks, stones; innocent pleasures. I'm sure the sofa incident will be forgotten very soon!

The JR said...

Oh lady, I've crawled and crawled around int he flower beds this year. Pulling hundreds of saplings and other weeds out.

The hubby's shoulder has a torn rotater cup and it's driving him insane to watch me work and he can't help.

Dawn Gross said...

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mrs mediocrity said...

Yes, I have had days like that. And I'm so glad that you had this one. xo

Donna S. said...

Sounds like a good day! Get back to Maine! Love the Johnny jump-up photos!

spindrift,maine said...

gratitude is magical, and it heals so very many things. xo

Reena said...

Taking me a while to get around here ... some of the most precious memories are in the small moments. And you're going to Maine!!!

Anonymous said...

I have those moments every now and then and I look at my husband and wonder if he is having the same moment that I am.

Your edging looks super nice. Always so nice to freshen things up in the springtime. Knees be damned!!

Caroline said...

3 months to 9 years...pretty remarkable! I love days like you described. Really, it's the little moments like that...that matter.

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