Never Grow Up

I've heard  that with change comes growth, and if that's the case, my family and I should all be 10 feet tall.

My son  finally got a job and moved out, which make us officially empty nesters, but I think I've seen my son more since he's moved out.  Hubs told him it was OK to come home and do laundry.  I'm OK with that, as long as he does all his own laundry. 

We bid a long  farewell to my husband's father.  The services did not take place right away, but about 8 days later for the rosary, followed by the funeral service the next day, then two days later a trip to a very cold and bleak Griswold, Iowa for the burial.  This was a bit taxing for my mother-in-law, but when it was all over we could sense that she was relieved.  I didn't make the trip to Iowa because I needed to be back at work, but I kept in touch with hubs through texts and nightly phone calls. 

My dog, Logan, had slowed down over the past year. Around the end of November we thought we were going to put her down because she had a couple of days where she couldn't get up, but she bounced back to her usual nose-y self.  Mid January her health suddenly took a turn, and the vet advised us to make her as comfortable as possible.  The day finally came where I had to take her to the Humane Society for euthanasia, but by the time I had filled out the paperwork and paid, she has passed away on her own.

Logan 
1998 - 2013
 

The rosary for my father-in-law was that same evening, and, for whatever it's worth, the circumstances made it OK to grieve for both George and Logan.  People understood.  The hard part for me was seeing how heartbroken my son was, losing his grandfather and dog within such a short time.  My son was one of the caretakers for my in-laws and spent a lot of time with my father-in-law, and Logan was mostly our dog together. 

I never expected to be an empty nester and not have a dog.  Yes, I miss my kids and grandson, but I see them all at least once a week, if not more.  It's way too quiet. We still have Lumpy the cat, but he's super quiet until he comes out to eat.  I miss the click-clack of doggy toenails on the hardwood floors in the morning, when the dog would look to see why I wasn't up yet and come to give me a big wet kiss. I miss that she barked at certain noises -- and that made me feel secure. I loved my girl.  I'm already inquiring at dog rescues and at the Humane Society.  Applications have been sent and I've talked to a few people.  Now I just have to be patient and wait. 

My daughter announced that she will be graduating from San Diego State University in May 2013 with her Bachelors Degree. She plans on going for her Masters right away, if she can get in to the program.  When I find out, exactly, what the degree title is I'll post it. It has something to do with theater production arts. 

There are other changes on the horizon, but I can't discuss those until they actually happen.  It's time to grow.  There are good things ahead.  Really.


Song from January 20, 2013
Your Long Journey - Alison Krauss and Robert Plant

PEACE

Your Long Journey

The beginning of  2013 starts with a good-bye.  On January 13, 2013, my husband's father passed away peacefully at home.  George Sr. was quite the dynamic guy in his day and always had simultaneous home projects going.  He was either applying decorative tile to the front steps, installing solar panels, refinishing hardwood floors, or planting new trees, amongst other projects.  George was a regular at Home Depot.  One of his most cherished projects was the wine cellar located in the sub floor of his split level home.  The wine cellar had air conditioning years before the rest of the house did.  George worked for years  as a civil engineer for the City of San Diego.  He worked on many projects that we drive on or drive past on a daily or weekly basis.  In his last years he slowed down quite a bit.  It was hard for my husband to see his once very active father slow way down.  His last year was spent seated close to his wife of 62 years, Carlota, holding hands while watching television, or just sitting together. 

At our last track club run, hubs pointed out that we ran on the Ingrahm St. bridges just adjacent to Sea World, a project his father worked on.  I think it was somewhat cathartic for Hubs to run on those bridges. 

"God's given us years of happiness here
Now we must part
And as the angels come and call for you
The pains of grief tug at my heart

Oh my darling
My darling
My heart breaks as you take your long journey"

RIP George R. Morton Sr.
July 14, 1923 -  January 13, 2013

Song from Saturday, December 22, 2012

Merry Christmas, Baby - Charles Brown

PEACE