here we are......it's the week end!

hi!!!!!

Got to attend the Memorial Service for Grace......able to pick Helen up so we could go together.  She is such a nice lady.......we arrived, Bill (her widower) was greeting and hugging everyone.  I could see how touched he was that everyone had come to pay tribute to his dear wife Gracie. 

He was having a hard time staying still.......it hurts the heart to see someone in such grief and bewilderment.  It hasn't fully hit him.....and how could it?  Someone by your side for so long and then an empty house......an empty chair.......a bed with no one on the other side of the mattress.  No good night kiss......no more private jokes that no one else understands save the two married people. 

We celebrate the circle of life, but it's sad too.  Loss of loved ones......our mayor spoke, read from the scriptures.  Some fellow council members and friends spoke.....very personal, so touching.  A female police officer sang "How Great Thou Art".  They also played a song that George Burns used to sing to his wife aptly titled, "Gracie."  Then closer to the end they played "I Can Only Imagine." 

It was really nice.....poor Bill......he got up mid service while someone was at the podium to make sure the Angel he had brought in her memory was placed on the table just right.  He couldn't seem to find an angle that suited him.....but then he finally seemed satisfied with it's placement.....next to her beautiful lavendar & silver urn......the heart was silver.  Very pretty.....and a really nice photograph of his Gracie.  The program featured a collage of Gracie and friends from the Owls, the Lion's Club and City Council Meetings.....I'll be keeping Bill in my nightly prayers for a good while.  He seemed so lost...the service was so genuine and sincere.  It wasn't lavish......it was simple, elegant , homespun and heartfelt in all the right ways. 

I hope he has a family member that will check in on him.......be able to spend some time with him in the days to come. 

As usual the food was delicious....the conversation good.....and I had Helen home by 4:00.  She invited me in so we sat and talked for a bit......she has the most beautiful plants.......they are HUGE!  Her home is reminiscent of my last home.....big rooms, lots of space....high ceilings.  Very comfortable, sometimes I get these little twinges of jealousy....but then I come home and Sparrow Cottage is just right for me and for my life now.  Wish you could have seen those plants.......the two largest ones were 7' or 8 feet wide.......seriously HUGE!  I have little plants in keeping with a smaller space.....it makes me chuckle just thinking of them.....the land of the giants vs. my little plant babies! 

After I dropped Helen off I completely forgot to go pick up my meds and rode along on  autopilot while my car headed to Ingles.  I really wanted to go to Walmart, but I didn't feel like fighting for a cart.......  Not on a Friday or week end day, it's too hard!  I got a perfect sized roast ......sprinkled herbs over it, finished prepping it - slid it into the oven.  In an hour I'll add carrrots and red potatoes.....maybe some onions.  A lovely roast beef dinner around 4:30......wish you could join me!  We will sit at the English pub table, listen to music......and dine! AHHHHHHH.......wish you were here!

Time to finish up my chores and find a good movie to watch.......!  Hugs, Ruthie