It's been a year.
Technically, it's not even been a half year, but it still feels like a whole, full, 12-month year, and I'm ready to be through with it! Is that wrong?
My daddy passed away late in January.
He'd been in hospice care since December of 2021, so it wasn't a complete surprise, but I still wasn't ready for him to be gone. I'm glad he's no longer suffering.
He was witty and clear-minded right to the very end, making us laugh with his quick sense of humor. Such a good dad. I miss him.
Todd was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer late in December. He started chemo on the last day of January, and has had seven rounds so far. We're taking a break now, and waiting on PET scan results, hoping that it hasn't spread anywhere else, and he can have surgery. His oncologist is treating to cure, but it's aggressive and grueling for Todd. I'd take the burden for him, if I could.
Have I mentioned it's been a year?
All that being said . . . it's been hard to write. Even now, as I wrote the above paragraphs, it was hard to not shed a few (hundred) tears. But that doesn't mean there hasn't been good things, happy times, and sweet accomplishments. We've enjoyed loads of sweet family time and celebrations . . .
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Lots of family gathered for my dad's funeral. So happy to see my James!
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| My oldest grandson holding my youngest grandson. Sweet capture! |
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| Celebrating my mom's and my sister's February birthdays at a new tea house! |
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| Craft fair with my mom. |
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| Ballet recitals in May -- in the books! |
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| End of school year program. |
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| Playing in the creek at the Camp! |
I've enjoyed sweet time with friends . . .
I've created (and even completed some creations) . . .
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| Todd's Alabama quilt! He's toted it to every chemo treatment he's had so far. |
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| These little "stuffies" were made from a dress that all three girls wore and loved. ♥ |
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| Stuffable fabric Easter eggs! |
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| Finished Primitive Blessings, designed by Kathy Schmitz. |
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| This is my most proud accomplishment of the year so far. My version in wool of the Hospital Sketches BOM that Barbara Brackman offered on her Civil War Quilts blog in 2019. |
And we're making it. God is good. All the time.
:)
