Brian lost his long battle with illness on February 23. 2010. We are all deeply saddened by his passing. He was such a bright light for so many people... family members and so many friends.
His funeral on February 27th was an amazing experience! So many mourners came with stories of so many things that he done for large groups of people and for individuals as well. He made a difference in so many lives. Although his life was short it was well-lived and there are many who can tell you that.
Since retuirning from VA last Monday I needed a period of reflection by myself. Perhaps it will sound strange, but I flew into good old fashioned spring cleaning! It's a very therapeutic activity.
Today I played for the church service at Christ Lutheran in Starview and was amazed to discover that one of the hymns chosen weeks ago was "Great is Thy Faithfulness." This was Brian's favorite hymn and was sung at his funeral service. This is not a coincidence, I'm certain.
Tomorrow I begin a busy week in which I will see many friends and re-start my life. I'm certain that God will give me the strength I need to do this. I wish all my family well during these difficult time. I love you all..... Jacquie, Mom, Grandma
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Update on Brian
Dear Family, Most of you know that Brian has been very ill for many weeks. He had his gall bladder removed in mid December and what should have been a simple operation turned into a nightmare of health problems which are still going on, but are getting better. He was on a breathing tube for many weeks. That has recently been replaced with a trach which allows him to breathe on his own at last. It will be removed at some point. He has lost at least 100 pounds of weight which is a good thing but has created a problem for his kidneys so he is on dialysis, again on a temporary basis . Vicki has stayed in Washington the entire time and Abby and Robin have
run the business working many extra hours weekly but with good success! We are all very proud of them. We are hopeful that Brian will be able to go to a rehab nearer home but that has not yet been decided.
I have been down twice to see the Virginia clan and plan to go down on December 12 for the weekend. In the meantime, I am serving as choral director and accompanist for the spring musical at Northeastern H.S. which is "Footloose." It's a very difficult show, very energetic and full of tricky rhythms but lots of fun!!!
I had a nasty spell with vertigo a few weeks back, but I have medicatio which seems to have brought it under control. When I lie down at night, I sometimes have a bit of dizziness but basically it seems to be under control.
I am having my annual "Souper Bowl" party on Sunday unless this monstrous storm hits us.
We serve soup, salad, sandwiches and dessert and play cards for the sfternoon. It's always fun for the the twelve of us who are here.. all widows!!!!
I've been pondering the fact that I am now pushing on toward 82 and that my doctor is saying slow down. I'm certain it's good advice but it's very hard to do because I enjoy the activities in my life. However, I do intend to pull back a bit from the non-music duties in various organizations to which I belong and be a "helper" rather than "chairperson. Of course, I plan to spend lots of time in VA with Brian where I can be helpful and free Vicki up a bit. It will be so good to be with him!!!
So I hope 2010 is off to a good start for the rest of you and our main thrust now is to get our Brian back in good shape once again. V icki says we are going to have Christmas in July and celebrate with a big party! ..... Love, Jacquie
run the business working many extra hours weekly but with good success! We are all very proud of them. We are hopeful that Brian will be able to go to a rehab nearer home but that has not yet been decided.
I have been down twice to see the Virginia clan and plan to go down on December 12 for the weekend. In the meantime, I am serving as choral director and accompanist for the spring musical at Northeastern H.S. which is "Footloose." It's a very difficult show, very energetic and full of tricky rhythms but lots of fun!!!
I had a nasty spell with vertigo a few weeks back, but I have medicatio which seems to have brought it under control. When I lie down at night, I sometimes have a bit of dizziness but basically it seems to be under control.
I am having my annual "Souper Bowl" party on Sunday unless this monstrous storm hits us.
We serve soup, salad, sandwiches and dessert and play cards for the sfternoon. It's always fun for the the twelve of us who are here.. all widows!!!!
I've been pondering the fact that I am now pushing on toward 82 and that my doctor is saying slow down. I'm certain it's good advice but it's very hard to do because I enjoy the activities in my life. However, I do intend to pull back a bit from the non-music duties in various organizations to which I belong and be a "helper" rather than "chairperson. Of course, I plan to spend lots of time in VA with Brian where I can be helpful and free Vicki up a bit. It will be so good to be with him!!!
So I hope 2010 is off to a good start for the rest of you and our main thrust now is to get our Brian back in good shape once again. V icki says we are going to have Christmas in July and celebrate with a big party! ..... Love, Jacquie
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Another Ferrell Photo

It was wonderful to read about everyone's Thanksgivings. Myra, I enjoyed reading about all of your family. We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home with the girls home from school and a few friends. Amelia spent the entire weekend in the basement studying, emerging just to eat and go to the dentist. She is preparing for exams. When asked if she had any work she needed to do, Lucy replied, "Oh no. We just have exams coming up." Viva la difference.
I am posting this priceless old photo of Grandma Ferrell and her children. It must have been taken in 1930. Mother had the original, and I recently had it restored. I also am going to be sending copies to all of you--an early Merry Christmas from the Siegmund/Mathias clan!
As you all make your trips up and down I-95 over the holidays, please feel free to stop and see us. We are trying to arrange some visits to see you all, too! Please email me if you need contact information (address and phone). Email is lesiegmund@aol.com.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
END OF THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND...BRING ON CHRISTMAS!!
OK, let's track the weekend. We drove up to Mom's house on Wednesday afternoon so that we could enjoy a marvelous turkey dinner with the family on Thursday. We were there with Mom and her friend, Al; Gary and his wife, Deb; Robin and her son, Chris; Vicki and I, along with our daughter, Abby and her husband, Joey and Joey's sister, Melody; and our son, Andy; and Bev and her mother, Lucy. After dinner, we all sat around talking about past Thanksgivings and family reunions and telling stories about our loved ones who were no longer here. It was wonderful to have so many family members together again and to remember all the past get togethers in Philadelphia or York or Frederick. I, for one, hope that we can continue to gather as cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters or whatever and maintain the bonds that make us a family. Maybe this blog will help with that.
On Friday, Vicki and I drove home, since our son, Scott and his fiance, Tiffany, were coming to visit. They did not have much of a Thanksgiving themselves, so Vicki decided to cook a turkey dinner for them, which we all enjoyed on Saturday. After dinner, Scott and Tiffany decided they wanted to decorate the house for Christmas, so they got busy around 4 PM and worked until close to 11 PM to put up all the outside lights and other decorations. The picture is posted above.
I spent most of yesterday and today in bed with a chest cold, but I did manage to have leftover turkey and stuffing for lunch and then again for dinner today. A couple days of rest like that are all I need to get over my cold and I am feeling pretty good tonight.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration and now it's full speed ahead to Christmas and New Year's and then the ever dreaded New Year's Resolutions. AAAAAIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!
I wish each of you a wonderful Christmas celebration, as we recall and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the blessings of the Lord and this season be with each of you.
On Friday, Vicki and I drove home, since our son, Scott and his fiance, Tiffany, were coming to visit. They did not have much of a Thanksgiving themselves, so Vicki decided to cook a turkey dinner for them, which we all enjoyed on Saturday. After dinner, Scott and Tiffany decided they wanted to decorate the house for Christmas, so they got busy around 4 PM and worked until close to 11 PM to put up all the outside lights and other decorations. The picture is posted above.
I spent most of yesterday and today in bed with a chest cold, but I did manage to have leftover turkey and stuffing for lunch and then again for dinner today. A couple days of rest like that are all I need to get over my cold and I am feeling pretty good tonight.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration and now it's full speed ahead to Christmas and New Year's and then the ever dreaded New Year's Resolutions. AAAAAIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!
I wish each of you a wonderful Christmas celebration, as we recall and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the blessings of the Lord and this season be with each of you.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The voice of the liberal from New York
Greetings from New York and "thank you" to Brian. I will make this short becaue I'm not sure that I have figured out how to add to the website. If this actually posts, I may attempt to post pictures of my family.
The pictures are great. Aunt Jacquie looks so young and healthy, and the picture of Aunt June and Uncle Paul are just the way I think of them. I'm so sorry I couldn't make it down for the funeral and don't have Leslie and Susan's addresses. I would very much like to contribute to Uncle Paul's school, so if anyone could post that, I would be most grateful.
Our family is well. Tom is retired and handling a good portion of the cooking. We're planning to redo our 33 year-old kitchen, but can't agree on exactly what we're doing. It could be awhile.
Our oldest son Tom is a county executive assistant and frequently travels to Albany on behalf of the county executive. He is also involved with the county legislature, working as a liaison for his boss. He and Jeanine have been together for nearly four years. We keep hoping they'll announce their engagement, but they seem very content with their lives.
David works in pest control on Long Island's east end. He has some high end clients. His girlfriend is a special ed teacher who hasn't landed a permanent position, but keeps busy as a sub and working as the night manager for a local restaurant.
Tricia likes her new career as a radiology technician. She has a permanent part-time position in one hospital and works for three others. Her boyfriend went back to school to get certified in special education. He coaches football and does a number of other jobs to survive while he's going to school. They've been together for 2 1/2 years. He's a really great guy and we're so grateful that they have found each other. We never thought we see her happy again.
Jonathan is heading back to school soon, we think. He took a break after he finished his associate's degree. He has a great summer job working for the owners of three restaurants on Long Island east end. The jobs run from April to Oct. From Nov. to April, he works at a deli. Hopefully, that will end soon and he'll be back in school full-time. His girlfriend is in her senior year at Quinnepiac in Ct. She's studying to be a physical therapist. She'll do a fifth year to complete her masters.
Tom and I are most fortunate to really like our kids' significant others. There have been times...
I retired after 25 years as the director of public relations for a large school district in June 2008 when Tom retired from 35 years of teaching. I took a job with the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association as their communications director. It was a great job. I did a lot of writing and some lobbying. I went to Albany and Washington a few times. It was great. Unfortunately, funding ran out. I am now "unretired" and back working for the school district. The good thing is that they really missed me and have cut back considerably on my responsibilities. I somehow keep picking up more pieces, but it's still enjoyable.
Since we are temporarily not paying tuition, we've been investing in the house. It really needed it. Unfortunately, there never seems to be a good place to stop. This could go on forever.
We had some fun weekend visitors two weeks ago. My mom, sister Marilyn and Melanie brought Alex and Jayna Lin to meet the rest of the New York family. They were really amazing. They seemed very much at home from the moment they walked in. Tricia introduced them to the toys I've been saving for my grandchildren and we were off. It was the weekend of the nor'easter, so we were confined to the indoors most of the weekend. But we did manage a quick trip to the beach between raindrops, and a visit to our local aquarium. Mom went with us. We pushed her around in wheelchair so she could enjoy the outing with us. We had a houseful for dinner both nights. On Friday night, Tom made shrimp scampi for the adults, and I did my homemade mac and cheese with a side of hot dogs for the kids. The shrimp was a special request from my Mom. She loves Tom's cooking. On Sat., the house was overflowing. My kids, with the exception of Jonathan who was up in Ct., were all here with their significant others. We brought my mother-in-law over to join the chaos. David and Tricia's boyfriend Matt had a good time playing pirate ships with Alex, while Jayna shared her stickers with everyone...literally! David's girlfriend had the most stickers plastered on her - somewhere aroudn 110. I think Mel has a picture. I hope she contributes it. I have one, but it doesn't show the full effect.
I'll be headed down to Md. after Christmas. I promised my mom I would take her up to York. I hope we time it right so we can visit Aunt Jacquie.
Tom and I have just completed our reservations to visit Marcy and Matt in Brownsville in Feb. We had such a great time last year! I loved being in the tropics in the middle of winter. She has a beautiful yard with tropical fruit and exotic birds. They are going to take us to San Antonio for the last two days of our visit. Marcy always knows the most interesting places to go. I love to travel with her...well except for the haunted B & B, but that's a story for another time
My brief message has turned into a novel. I'm so happy to reconnect with all of you. Thanks again to Brian.
Myra
The pictures are great. Aunt Jacquie looks so young and healthy, and the picture of Aunt June and Uncle Paul are just the way I think of them. I'm so sorry I couldn't make it down for the funeral and don't have Leslie and Susan's addresses. I would very much like to contribute to Uncle Paul's school, so if anyone could post that, I would be most grateful.
Our family is well. Tom is retired and handling a good portion of the cooking. We're planning to redo our 33 year-old kitchen, but can't agree on exactly what we're doing. It could be awhile.
Our oldest son Tom is a county executive assistant and frequently travels to Albany on behalf of the county executive. He is also involved with the county legislature, working as a liaison for his boss. He and Jeanine have been together for nearly four years. We keep hoping they'll announce their engagement, but they seem very content with their lives.
David works in pest control on Long Island's east end. He has some high end clients. His girlfriend is a special ed teacher who hasn't landed a permanent position, but keeps busy as a sub and working as the night manager for a local restaurant.
Tricia likes her new career as a radiology technician. She has a permanent part-time position in one hospital and works for three others. Her boyfriend went back to school to get certified in special education. He coaches football and does a number of other jobs to survive while he's going to school. They've been together for 2 1/2 years. He's a really great guy and we're so grateful that they have found each other. We never thought we see her happy again.
Jonathan is heading back to school soon, we think. He took a break after he finished his associate's degree. He has a great summer job working for the owners of three restaurants on Long Island east end. The jobs run from April to Oct. From Nov. to April, he works at a deli. Hopefully, that will end soon and he'll be back in school full-time. His girlfriend is in her senior year at Quinnepiac in Ct. She's studying to be a physical therapist. She'll do a fifth year to complete her masters.
Tom and I are most fortunate to really like our kids' significant others. There have been times...
I retired after 25 years as the director of public relations for a large school district in June 2008 when Tom retired from 35 years of teaching. I took a job with the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association as their communications director. It was a great job. I did a lot of writing and some lobbying. I went to Albany and Washington a few times. It was great. Unfortunately, funding ran out. I am now "unretired" and back working for the school district. The good thing is that they really missed me and have cut back considerably on my responsibilities. I somehow keep picking up more pieces, but it's still enjoyable.
Since we are temporarily not paying tuition, we've been investing in the house. It really needed it. Unfortunately, there never seems to be a good place to stop. This could go on forever.
We had some fun weekend visitors two weeks ago. My mom, sister Marilyn and Melanie brought Alex and Jayna Lin to meet the rest of the New York family. They were really amazing. They seemed very much at home from the moment they walked in. Tricia introduced them to the toys I've been saving for my grandchildren and we were off. It was the weekend of the nor'easter, so we were confined to the indoors most of the weekend. But we did manage a quick trip to the beach between raindrops, and a visit to our local aquarium. Mom went with us. We pushed her around in wheelchair so she could enjoy the outing with us. We had a houseful for dinner both nights. On Friday night, Tom made shrimp scampi for the adults, and I did my homemade mac and cheese with a side of hot dogs for the kids. The shrimp was a special request from my Mom. She loves Tom's cooking. On Sat., the house was overflowing. My kids, with the exception of Jonathan who was up in Ct., were all here with their significant others. We brought my mother-in-law over to join the chaos. David and Tricia's boyfriend Matt had a good time playing pirate ships with Alex, while Jayna shared her stickers with everyone...literally! David's girlfriend had the most stickers plastered on her - somewhere aroudn 110. I think Mel has a picture. I hope she contributes it. I have one, but it doesn't show the full effect.
I'll be headed down to Md. after Christmas. I promised my mom I would take her up to York. I hope we time it right so we can visit Aunt Jacquie.
Tom and I have just completed our reservations to visit Marcy and Matt in Brownsville in Feb. We had such a great time last year! I loved being in the tropics in the middle of winter. She has a beautiful yard with tropical fruit and exotic birds. They are going to take us to San Antonio for the last two days of our visit. Marcy always knows the most interesting places to go. I love to travel with her...well except for the haunted B & B, but that's a story for another time
My brief message has turned into a novel. I'm so happy to reconnect with all of you. Thanks again to Brian.
Myra
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thanksgiving
Dear Family, It was a real joy for me to have Thanksgiving dinner here at my house! We had 14
family members... Gary and Deb... Brian, Vicki, Abby, Joey, Melody, Andrew... Robin and Chris...
Cousin Lucy and Beverly... friend Al Conte and I. We enjoyed a true feast... a 15# roasted turkey and a 10 # smoked turkey.. both delicious. Everyone brought lucious side dishes and dessert and we also celebrated Robin's birthday which is actually on the 29th.
This morning, at Gary's request, Robin was an on-site reporter for Gary's show. She was to interview customer at the Mall stores beginning at 6:00 a.m. Her reports over the air were well-received and both Gary and partner, Jim, were well-pleased.
The times when we are able to be together are too few and always too quickly over. Every one has a busy schedule, so I do treasure the times like yesterday, when we can sit around the table, as we did and share fun remembrances from the past.
This was actually my 82nd Thanksgiving... I was only 6 months old for the first one... but I was up very early on Thanksgiving Day, stuffing the turkey, etc. and I thought of so many past
Thanksgivings when June and Paul, Connie and Gerry, Ken and Lucy, Joe and June, and Chuck and I always celebrated witha sing-along after dinner.....such lovely memories.
I realize more and more that we are all mightily blessed in so many ways.... wonderful kids of our own who went on to raise grandchildren of whom we can all be proud.
My own personal blessing (in addition to all the rest) seems to be my robust health and energy
which continue to allow me to do all of the things that make me happy.
I'm certain that Mother and Dad would be very proud of the family they started so many years ago.
This blog is such a good idea to help us all stay connected as time passes.
So on to the Christmas season and let's stay in touch!!!!!
family members... Gary and Deb... Brian, Vicki, Abby, Joey, Melody, Andrew... Robin and Chris...
Cousin Lucy and Beverly... friend Al Conte and I. We enjoyed a true feast... a 15# roasted turkey and a 10 # smoked turkey.. both delicious. Everyone brought lucious side dishes and dessert and we also celebrated Robin's birthday which is actually on the 29th.
This morning, at Gary's request, Robin was an on-site reporter for Gary's show. She was to interview customer at the Mall stores beginning at 6:00 a.m. Her reports over the air were well-received and both Gary and partner, Jim, were well-pleased.
The times when we are able to be together are too few and always too quickly over. Every one has a busy schedule, so I do treasure the times like yesterday, when we can sit around the table, as we did and share fun remembrances from the past.
This was actually my 82nd Thanksgiving... I was only 6 months old for the first one... but I was up very early on Thanksgiving Day, stuffing the turkey, etc. and I thought of so many past
Thanksgivings when June and Paul, Connie and Gerry, Ken and Lucy, Joe and June, and Chuck and I always celebrated witha sing-along after dinner.....such lovely memories.
I realize more and more that we are all mightily blessed in so many ways.... wonderful kids of our own who went on to raise grandchildren of whom we can all be proud.
My own personal blessing (in addition to all the rest) seems to be my robust health and energy
which continue to allow me to do all of the things that make me happy.
I'm certain that Mother and Dad would be very proud of the family they started so many years ago.
This blog is such a good idea to help us all stay connected as time passes.
So on to the Christmas season and let's stay in touch!!!!!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thanksgiving 2009
I posted this on my facebook page, but I wanted to share with you all as well. Here are my thoughts on Thanksgiving this year... Happy Thanksgiving!
******************************************************************************************
So here we are, a few days before Thanksgiving, and I am pondering what it is I am thankful for. I find myself going to the usual list of my kids, my family, my health, etc. And yet there is so much more than that. I started thinking about lots of things in my life and found that when I look at things a little more deeply, perhaps my annoyances are really my blessings.
I am thankful for not sleeping through the night. There is a little boy in this house who has problems sometimes sleeping through the night. He calls out sometimes several times a night for his mom. How thankful I am to be that person. Adoption is very random. He could be in another home calling out for someone else. How fortunate I am to be the one woken several times some nights to comfort him!
I am thankful for arguing with my daughter. For a little girl who can be one of the most stubborn people I have ever met. We go head to head many times a week over what she will wear, what she needs to eat, or why she needs to give something back to her brother. Her stubborness will serve her so well in the future. I am so thankful that I have been given the gift of being able to guide her through her life. It could have been anyone else whose file was in a stack on someone's desk. I, however, was the one chosen to be her mom. My God! What did I do to be so lucky?
I am thankful for a husband who is my complete opposite. I am thankful for his neatnic ways, for how he gently asks, for example, if I will have time to get to the vacuuming tomorrow. I usually answer him in an annoyed tone, telling him I will get to it when I get to it. I am so fortunate that he accepts me the way I am, my annoyed tone, the way I can't look at him when I am mad at him, the way he asks me what's wrong, the way I tell him nothing, and the way he says I know you better than that, what did I do. How unbelievably lucky I am to have someone who takes the good with the bad, even when I sometimes the bad is much more than the good.
I am thankful for a grandmother who will call me and ask if I have select-a-size paper towels, and if I wouldn't mind coming over to call in her prescription because she can't read the numbers on the bottle anymore, and by the way, can I stop at the store and pick up some bacon on the way. I get to listen to her complain about how she doesn't like where she lives, her eyes are failing, and she can't hear much of what I say if I don't yell it. My grandmother lives close to me, tells my kids that she loves them, and lights up when she sees them. She spoils them with lollypops and allowing them to use the controls on her automatic chair while she is sitting in it. I have the gift of getting to know my grandmother when I am old enough to appreciate her.
I am thankful for a 14 year old dog who pees on the carpet and a 12 year old dog who barks too much. The 14 year old is a good, good dog who just can't hold it anymore. She is stubborn, but sweet. The 12 year old is loud, but makes me laugh. I am so lucky to have had the companionship of these two dogs for so long.
I am thankful for a dirty house, laundry that never stops piling up, and a sink full of dishes that seems to multiply. I have a house to live in, clothes to wear, and food to eat.
I am thankful that money is tight. I have the luxury of choosing to stay home and making that money tight.
I am thankful that I am terrified to put my child on the school bus next year to go to kindergarten. She has the opportunity to attend school in a world where many children don't have that luxury.
I am thankful to live in a country where the government drives me crazy and I disagree with many of our policies. How lucky I am to be able to say that!
I am thankful for complaining that I never get a minute to myself, that my kids are driving me crazy, that I am sick and tired of never getting to sit down for a full meal without having to jump up and get something for someone. I have beautiful children who are healthy and full of life.
I am thankful for feeling sad when I miss my dearest friends, for knowing I can call or email them and just say I miss you, what are you doing, I can't wait to see you again.
I am thankful for feeling embarrassed about how I treated others in the past. I have the opportunity to reconcile and ask forgiveness, and, through the kindness of others, have been forgiven. I have been able to re-establish old friendships. Is there anything better than being given another chance?
So, what do I have to be thankful for? I think the better question is what do I have to not be thankful for. I can't think of one thing.
******************************************************************************************
So here we are, a few days before Thanksgiving, and I am pondering what it is I am thankful for. I find myself going to the usual list of my kids, my family, my health, etc. And yet there is so much more than that. I started thinking about lots of things in my life and found that when I look at things a little more deeply, perhaps my annoyances are really my blessings.
I am thankful for not sleeping through the night. There is a little boy in this house who has problems sometimes sleeping through the night. He calls out sometimes several times a night for his mom. How thankful I am to be that person. Adoption is very random. He could be in another home calling out for someone else. How fortunate I am to be the one woken several times some nights to comfort him!
I am thankful for arguing with my daughter. For a little girl who can be one of the most stubborn people I have ever met. We go head to head many times a week over what she will wear, what she needs to eat, or why she needs to give something back to her brother. Her stubborness will serve her so well in the future. I am so thankful that I have been given the gift of being able to guide her through her life. It could have been anyone else whose file was in a stack on someone's desk. I, however, was the one chosen to be her mom. My God! What did I do to be so lucky?
I am thankful for a husband who is my complete opposite. I am thankful for his neatnic ways, for how he gently asks, for example, if I will have time to get to the vacuuming tomorrow. I usually answer him in an annoyed tone, telling him I will get to it when I get to it. I am so fortunate that he accepts me the way I am, my annoyed tone, the way I can't look at him when I am mad at him, the way he asks me what's wrong, the way I tell him nothing, and the way he says I know you better than that, what did I do. How unbelievably lucky I am to have someone who takes the good with the bad, even when I sometimes the bad is much more than the good.
I am thankful for a grandmother who will call me and ask if I have select-a-size paper towels, and if I wouldn't mind coming over to call in her prescription because she can't read the numbers on the bottle anymore, and by the way, can I stop at the store and pick up some bacon on the way. I get to listen to her complain about how she doesn't like where she lives, her eyes are failing, and she can't hear much of what I say if I don't yell it. My grandmother lives close to me, tells my kids that she loves them, and lights up when she sees them. She spoils them with lollypops and allowing them to use the controls on her automatic chair while she is sitting in it. I have the gift of getting to know my grandmother when I am old enough to appreciate her.
I am thankful for a 14 year old dog who pees on the carpet and a 12 year old dog who barks too much. The 14 year old is a good, good dog who just can't hold it anymore. She is stubborn, but sweet. The 12 year old is loud, but makes me laugh. I am so lucky to have had the companionship of these two dogs for so long.
I am thankful for a dirty house, laundry that never stops piling up, and a sink full of dishes that seems to multiply. I have a house to live in, clothes to wear, and food to eat.
I am thankful that money is tight. I have the luxury of choosing to stay home and making that money tight.
I am thankful that I am terrified to put my child on the school bus next year to go to kindergarten. She has the opportunity to attend school in a world where many children don't have that luxury.
I am thankful to live in a country where the government drives me crazy and I disagree with many of our policies. How lucky I am to be able to say that!
I am thankful for complaining that I never get a minute to myself, that my kids are driving me crazy, that I am sick and tired of never getting to sit down for a full meal without having to jump up and get something for someone. I have beautiful children who are healthy and full of life.
I am thankful for feeling sad when I miss my dearest friends, for knowing I can call or email them and just say I miss you, what are you doing, I can't wait to see you again.
I am thankful for feeling embarrassed about how I treated others in the past. I have the opportunity to reconcile and ask forgiveness, and, through the kindness of others, have been forgiven. I have been able to re-establish old friendships. Is there anything better than being given another chance?
So, what do I have to be thankful for? I think the better question is what do I have to not be thankful for. I can't think of one thing.
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