Time to Say Adieu

Our middle daughter, Leslie has been here in Texas for the past two weeks. We got to spend a few days away with her, then a few days at the lake. While she was here I asked her to go through every single room in our house and, being completely honest, tell me what needed to be changed. Some of the changes she suggested were small, but will have big impact. Some are bigger, will take longer, cost a bit but overall she was right about every single thing she suggested. Somehow Leslie just makes everything better everywhere she goes. You don't get a lot of sleep when she's in town, but being weary to the bone is absolutely worth it.

Nothing new, but I'm working on changes - to our home, and to life. It includes getting more pedicures and enough sleep, slowing down to 30 mph from the 60 I'm usually traveling at. Getting a facial now and then, taking more walks, and writing the memoir that absolutely cannot ever be published as long as my parents are still living; going gray (another step on the path to becoming who I want to be.) To living a more authentic life. Keeping more pages on our calendar white, and really focusing on about twenty people. They're the ones on my organ donor list with no questions asked, the ones I'd go to in the middle of the night.

And it includes not blogging anymore. My first little blog, "Blessed Beyond Measure" started over five years ago. I've had about five different ones, with five different names, but they've all had the same theme - making life count. I'm realizing I don't have the time to put into tending to this place, and still truly connect with those I love the most. I tell my grandkids they're McDonalds grandkids - out of the billions and billions there are, they are my favorites. That goes for my children and their spouses, my siblings, both of my parents, and finally - but actually first - my dear, sweet husband.

I've appreciated every single comment, every single person who took the time to stop for a visit, to share their heart with me. Some of you have been with me since the very start, and I'm so very honored.

Everything has a shelf life - even blogs, and it's time to take this last one and put it to bed. I have been blessed beyond measure. I AM blessed beyond measure. If you stop, now and then, and wonder about what I'm up to, you can be confident I'm out there living the daylights out of every single day God gives to me, loving on those I treasure most.

P.S. thanks, Sarah, for suggesting I start blogging in the first place. You are by far the best writer in the family, I hope you'll continue. Thanks, Leslie for the house switch tips - the kitchen table does indeed look better turned the other direction, and thanks for being quirky you.Thanks, Dan for knowing that real connection rarely happens via Facebook, but instead the same, old-fashioned way it has for centuries on end - face to face. Love, Mom