Hello all...

Well its been a while since we had an update.... slackers.. hee hee just kidding.  Well all is well with me, getting anxious for spring Patrik, Aunt Clara's grandson, David's boy got me all inspired by with his blog, then I have visited and we talk about plants and such.  So just waiting for the snow to melt.  Steve, Dave, Shannara and I just got back from Dad's.  We when for his birthday, we celebrated one day early cause Dave, Shannara and Steve had to leave so on his actual birthday, Sunday I spaced doing something... poor guy! But the next day we had pie with some friends... He is doing well, went to the doctor on Monday for a follow up on a cold he had.  She confirmed that he has Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or in Normal terms emphysema.  Not surprising but that sucks.  So we got that news 2 days before the anniversary of mom's passing... so double sucks.  I gave Dad all kinds of reason's why he needed to stop smoking badgered the hell out of him, again poor guy.  After thinking about it for a while, he can do what he wants, he doesn't really smoke that much maybe 2 little 'home rolled' a day.  What is it going to by him a year?  a couple of months?  What do you do huh.... Well on Febuary 3rd was one year without mom..  So hard to believe, I know others have lost parents, siblings and children so I don't mean to ramble about the loss of mom.  I am not rambling I am processing, you are all welcome to process or ramble to me  :0).  Anyway, it was a rough night, the daytime I was busy with work, Shannara was at Dave's so I was alone with my thoughts... not good!  I did think about her quality of life prior to her passing and was relieved she was over that now. You know Dad was with her thru it all.  No matter thier past relationship mom and dad did love eachother.  I have really got to know Dad better and he had so much respect for mom and loved her very very much.  We are all products of our upbringing.  When she first started to go down hill, dad helped her wash herself, clean up, go to the restroom, fed her.  After a time she got worse and he didn't feel steady on his feet enough to do it alone and Nancy and her girls helped him.  Not alot of men would do that ya know.  He prays for her every morning, night and with his meals.  Her picture is in the living room where he can see it from the table, one in the TV room, his room, and her bedroom is like a little shrine.  Anyway, thought I would share that... You don't have to do the blog thing lets just keep in touch via this email at least.  I miss the updates on my aunts and uncle, and your families. Love you all, Take care. Anne