something extraordinary.

Something kind of extraordinary is in the works......but can it work out?  My dear friend Ruth (uh huh, a good friend also named Ruth....life is funny!)

I got a note from Ruth and she has extended an invitation to take off on December 23rd and return on December 26th.  Here is the overall plan from her letter below:

This year nobody will be coming for Christmas so George, Devon, our dog Sadie, and I decided we would have an adventure. We’re going to Savannah, one of our favorite cities. Devon and I love to see different cities at Christmas. The past few years, we’ve seen New York, London, and Paris dressed up in their holiday finery, but not Savannah. We’re renting a beach cottage on Tybee Island and have reservations at Paula Deen’s restaurant one night, the Gryphon Tea Room one day, and the Olde Pink House on Christmas Eve. Then we are going to Christmas Eve services at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which I think is more beautiful than the cathedrals I’ve seen in Europe (haven’t seen that many actually, just a few!) because they are so dark and this one is light filled with beautiful colors everywhere. Want to go? We’ll come pick you up! No, I’m not kidding. I miss you. We could talk for hours and hours! I am serious. You wouldn’t have to do anything you didn’t feel like doing. We would be as flexible as you need us to be. We are going Friday morning and returning Sunday afternoon. If you want to go on an adventure, let me know!

below:

I'll send Ruthie a note in a minute......feel a happy bubble rising up.......could this actually be possible?  I don't want to ruin any of their plans in any way.....due to my health stuff......and I don't know if I can afford these restaurants......but to get to stand by the water is pretty irrisistable......to spend time with my friend, her hubby and her grand daughter is soooo powerfully compelling. 

Ruth's daughter died way too soon and they raised Devon ever since.  And George always refers to Ruth as HIS BRIDE....he's such a sweetie.  She was very certain that she never wanted to marry again.  Her first marriage was to an abusive bully.  But George was a loving patient kind man.  They attended the same church, he would notice that her yard needed tending so he took over tending her yard...he would leave her little books of poetry in her mailbox and other little tokens to show his caring nature.  That was many years ago now, but it does my heart good to see someone as wonderful as my friend Ruth led to marry a good and loving man. 

This is another part of her letter I want to share with y'all:

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned George’s problem to you. He has been seeing a neurologist for a few years for worsening short-term memory loss. It has caused some definite changes in our life. He doesn’t drive anymore, so I try to get home as quickly as I can and – because he’s stuck at the house all day – we usually go out. Sometimes to shop, sometimes (too often, I’m afraid) to eat. I feel he needs the stimulation of being around people. Health wise, he’s in good shape. The neurological problem is not diagnosed as Alzheimer’s or dementia, but as cerebrovascular disease, probably caused by small strokes, but in some ways it’s like dementia. He has such a good attitude, though, that’s what makes this manageable. I’ve told him, “George, you may have lost your memory, but you haven’t lost your personality!” He told me today that he used to say a prayer of thanks every day but lately he’s been saying one about every 15 minutes. He said, “We have so much to be grateful for.” I agree.

it's a lot to think about huh........it would mean packing and finding a caregiver for the kitties.......and trying to not get overly excited and wound up.......but oh my to go on an adventure sounds too good to be true.......

i'm worn out from today...the Owls Christmas Luncheon.....wish I felt good enough to go to Bible Study.......and I got a message from a lady at Midway inviting me to an event tomorrow at 11 am.  huh........is this God working on a spirit lift for a wonky ol bird????  feels like it........