2018 Joy Journal

October 9, 2018 The most physically and emotionally exhausting 22 hours of my entire life - and yet the most rewarding. I’ll never forget the emotion behind these photos and the immeasurable amount of love I felt for Brandon in all of these moments for loving me and being so gentle. I still can’t believe our baby boy is here and that we get to love him forever. @ Springhill Medical Center

October 26, 2018 It has been a few days, so I hope I can remember everything.  We'll start with this morning. I discovered a couple of days ago that I could send voice texts, so I sang happy birthday to Angela, and sent it. She said that her car reads her her text messages, so my song came out over all of her car's speakers. That kind of tickled me, and we got to visit for a minute, and I got to hear her laugh, and that was lots of fun.  Beverly called yesterday evening, and we got to visit for just a bit. She told me about getting to see a little girl that just made her day. They are making great progress with Phew! We have ceilings painted and color on the walls and lights installed. There's a distinct possibility that the rooms we're working on now will at least be happily livable when the kids come home for November Second Sunday Supper.  Brittany called me while she was on her shopping trip to let me know how much fun she was having, and to thank me, and...

October 29, 2018 So on Friday, I just cut loose and gave myself the day in the writing shack. I wrote thank you notes for my birthday presents. I wrote letters to Beverly, Daddy, and Marianne Hudgins and mailed them the Kennedy brochure that I'd promised. I wrote the joy journal pages for Morgan that I'd promised her and put them in a Welcome Baby greeting card that she can save.  Barry and I went down to Firefly Saturday morning. He didn't have anyone working Saturday, so we didn't have to hurry. The beach is still wide and sandy and pretty.  I came home and did my Saturday chores, which went along without much of a hitch, and then drove across the bay to visit with Beth. Morgan and Davis were sleeping, but Brandon came in mid-way and then his brother Zach, and we all just visited and had a good time. Then Morgan and Davis were up, and after he'd eaten she brought him out, and when I stood behind her and talked to him, I think I saw a flicker of recognition ...

November 2, 2018 I heard back from Zak, Vivian, Noah, and Andrew.  Kennedy's text said, "and in the meanwhile I am always happy to be busy with what I love (even though they should all just let me go get my Grannie hugs!) Texted with Angela a little bit, and got to talk to Morgan. Davis was having really bad gas pains, so they ended up spending the night at Buffy's --- he started screaming as soon as they put him in the car seat.  Tori said that our being at Zak and Viv's for Halloween reminded her of all the years going to that neighborhood to go trick or treating. 

November 2, 2018 I heard back from Zak, Vivian, Noah, and Andrew.  Kennedy's text said, "and in the meanwhile I am always happy to be busy with what I love (even though they should all just let me go get my Grannie hugs!)" Texted with Angela a little bit, and got to talk to Morgan. Davis was having really bad gas pains, so they ended up spending the night at Buffy's --- he started screaming as soon as they put him in the car seat.  Tori said that our being at Zak and Viv's for Halloween reminded her of all the years going to that neighborhood to go trick or treating. 

November 13, 2018 When Zak and I walked over to look at Phew! he said that he loved the path we have from our front door to Phew! Now, when I walk over, I smile, remembering that.  Brittany and I had a sweet text conversation last night.  Elaine sent me a sweet thank you for having the luncheon at my house.  Barry has Mike and Shawn working on the bedrooms at Phew! I was taking my evening walk on the porch (rain) and Shawn came out and asked me if I was all right. Then he fell in step and walked with me for twenty minutes.  I got to visit with Kim for a minute, and got to see Tyler.  Andrew is coming home Saturday, and is supposed to be here through Thanksgiving weekend.  Second Sunday Supper was sweet --- Davis' first. Annette was the only big kid here, prompting Brittany to ask, "Where are all the grownups?"  Annette, enjoying a quiet few moments with Davis. Skyler took pictures for me. I need to remember to get the camera charge...

November 15, 2018 Got to visit with Morgan and Davis yesterday. He gave me lots of coos and smiles and Morgan got to sit and just visit. He fusses some before going off to sleep, but we knew how the bottle worked this time, so that was good. ;-)  Got to text with Kennedy a little. She had just gotten back from work, but said she'd had a good day.  Little text with Beverly yesterday. I was holding on to Davis, so we didn't text long.

October 26, 2018 Front porch (or is it the back porch?) of Morgan's house. I'm doing something age appropriate: rocking a baby and talking to him about the colors of the sky and the bay, and how they are both nearly the same gray today. I am gently stroking his chest with the tips of my fingers, in slow, rhythmic massage. A butterfly (who knew they flew up to second- story porches?) surprises me, interrupting my monologue about the shrimp boat and the gulls and the crane. Somewhere in all that, I feel the tips of fingers move on my hand, mimicking the motion of my hand on his. I know what the skeptics would say, so I just won't invite them to my party. It felt like he was loving me back, and no one is going to tell me any different. 😘