They say time heals all wounds, but I rather think that time just passes by. The gaping hole left in our hearts is still there, but it’s hidden behind the life that we’ve lived~the experiences, the joys, and the sorrows~ that have kept us occupied since that day. It’s a little less prominent in the landscape but still there, nonetheless.
Happy birthday Dad. Miss you still.
A candle flickers out of sight, but in your heart I still burn bright. Think not of sadness, that I’m not near, think of gladness and joyous cheer.
Today marks 18 years that I’ve lived without my Grandmother.
She kept me rooted with sound advice like “mind your own bee’s wax” and “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
She drilled into me the idea that you always pay your debts first then buy things you need, if there’s anything left, buy the things you want.
Save for a rainy day.
Stock up when things are on sale.
Keep your pantry full.
She encouraged me to branch out. She & Grandpa helped me find and pay for my first car. When I moved out on my own, she was there to help. But always allowing me the space to pay her back-earning my own way, not charity. I never felt deprived but I had to make hard choices sometimes.
Today marks the ninth anniversary of my Father’s, of blessed memory, passing. As is our custom, we spend this time at the cabin to remember the man the best way we can, in his element. We will lift a glass of rhubarb wine around the bonfire and tell tall tales. Hopefully a friend or two of his will stop by and join us.
I usually plan some sort of project to do while there. Two years ago it was his memorial scrapbook. This year, I’ve got a couple of projects in mind. I’ll put a new wreath up too, of course.
My memorial project is a memory box for Fritz. Dad kept his collar and of course lots of pics of his best friend. I made a dog tag for Fritz and bought some pet themed scrapbook supplies to finish the shadow box frame I picked up for this project. I’ll be able to display it on the wall. Something that was important to Dad, in honor of both of them.
My other special project is going to be updating the 12v lighting. I purchased some light sockets to convert the 3 propane lamps to battery/solar power. Everything I do will be reversible as I don’t want to permanently alter them. If need be, I’ll be able to pull the sockets out and replace the mantles and use the propane again. I also got a switch so these will be able to easily turn on/off.
Over the years I have installed a hodge podge of 12v lighting, over the sink, stove and sun room. I’ll be replacing the lights over the sink and stove with these nice RV lights. Easy single or double light switches for adjustable brightness. Then I’ll update the sun room with one of the lights I took down. That way the kids will have a light over their bed. Every light downstairs will have a switch instead of alligator clips! 👍🏼
In addition, I want to make a hanging light for the center of the cabin. It will be something like the one I made for Jake’s cabin. I just have to finalize a design. I want it to be dual power, AC & DC so either way we can have the light on. But this project will probably be done at a later date.
Jake’s moose Antler light on display at the annual Home Show.
My cousin by marriage, Dana, of blessed memory, was a petite, sweet, fiery, passionate woman who shared many of my own likes & dislikes. We were the same age as well. We lived far apart but whenever we were together there was no shortage of conversation.
Today she would be 50 years young.
She passed 15 days after her 38th birthday, far too young.
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways. Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; of happy memories that I leave when life is done. ~Afterglow, Anonymous.
Alaska on my mind... 