Category: Family & Friends

The Disney trip is over and I drove down to Port Charlotte to be with my dearest friend. She is quite ill and seems to be fading fast.

I know deep in my heart that I am right where I should be.

Mostly I sit quietly. Occasionally, my friend wants to talk. But not for long.

I’ve been given a great gift. The chance to really be with my friend.

Life can be so complicated some times,  but right now it is plain and simple.

I am sharing and caring for this special person at a time when she really needs it the most.

I am so grateful!

Growing up I was very lucky to have a big sister who took care of me. She loved me, nurtured me, and made sure my needs were met. And she was just 5 and a half years older than me.

Yet, all my life, she has been there for me, as a sister, substitute mother, and best friend. How lucky I am!

So today, on her birthday, I want to make sure you all know what a wonderful sister I have and how much I wish her a very Happy Birthday!!!

Mel’s Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

First I will apologize for not getting pictures yesterday. But from the time we hugged hello until the time we hugged goodbye, we talked and talked and somehow forgot.

It was amazing how time seemed to melt away, as the three of us sat talking about, life, past, present, and future.

I could recall the days when we were kids and had playdates. We ran across the grass near the chapel and parsonage. We sang int he children’s choir, and we played silly games. We also sang fun songs and just plain enjoyed being friends at such a young age.

Both women are teachers. One teaches music to little ones in Preschool to 3rd grade. The other teaches High School Latin! Which brought up the subject of our much loved Latin teachers in High School. Mr. & Mrs. Phillips. They not only taught Latin, but I actually had Mr. Phillips for US History. We all agreed that these two were very special people.

The time flew by. It really did and before I knew it two hours had gone by and it was time to say farewell. Since they do get up this was from time to time, we agreed to do this again.

I can hardly wait!

Today I will be meeting up with two women I have known my entire life. They are twins. Their Dad was the minister at our Church, and we went to school together from Nursery School until Graduation.

We found each other, after a long hiatus, on Facebook. And then we discovered that they come to my neck of the woods pretty often. Thus lunch today was planned.

I haven’t seen these two women since we graduated. But we have sent texts back and forth. I am so excited about this!

Back in the day, people had trouble telling the two of them apart. I never really had a problem, because both of them are very different people.

Oddly enough, I have had several sets of twins in my life over the years. I have never had trouble telling them apart because of personality. I’m sure my nephew and his wife would agree. They have twin sons, who are amazingly identical, and yet they have no trouble at all telling them apart. Neither does my sister. Personality is everything.

Two of my closet girlfriends are twins. My local Twin and her Sister are also identical, but I can easily tell them apart. I can even hear the difference in the tone of their voices. And my Florida Twins are also as different as day and night. I can also hear differences in their voices.

Many people look at twins and just look at the surface. They forget to look inside at the people they are.

Pictures to follow!

The most wonderful thing happened to me yesterday.  My daughter, who is vacationing with her family at Disney World wanted to Facetime with me. So, I called her, and I discovered that my grandson, Quinn wanted to talk to his Oma! I cannot tell you how that warmed my heart.

We talked for a bit and Mandy showed me around their room at  The Polynesian Resort. I also got to say hello to Savi and their Daddy, Matt.  I felt so loved!

‌Meanwhile, I am in Falmouth with my sister and cousin, and despite the rain yesterday, we are looking forward to a pleasant day today. Except that it is 4 AM and I am wide awake writing this, while my lovelies sleep.

Last night we went out to The Bear in Boots Restaurant and had a great time. We shared a huge Charcuterie Board, and Steak Tips and a Korean Dumpling. Like my friend Krista, who loves Proseco, that is what I ordered! It was so nice.

We came back to the room, watched a little TV, but mostly played Words With Friends with each other. I knew I should have brought the Scrabble game.

Today we’re off to shop, go to the gardens and tonight go out to The Landfall for dinner. Seafood, fresh off the boat is in our future!

Have a great Saturday, everyone!

‍Today we had a Memorial Service for my brother in-law’s mother, Nancy. All our family and friends gathered to say our farewell to this remarkable woman. The church was beautiful, and the service and music lovely. My sister and brother-law’s two sons, daughter and daughter in-law all spoke. They  each provided a loving tribute to this incredibly strong, resilient and loving woman.

As I said the music was lovely and I found myself listening while silent tears streamed down my face.

Nancy was fun, kind,  energetic, encouraging, and as I looked at her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren I realized what a positive legacy that she has left this world. She loved so much, and she was loved deeply!

Nancy loved to paint and had many framed scenes. Mel and Ron offered many of the paintings to family members. Her work will now be with her family to hang in their homes and remind them of this incredible woman.

The luncheon afterward gave us all time to visit, exchange stories, catch up on life and at the end, I felt such peace in my heart.

Nancy is now with God in Heaven. Her pain is over and her spirit is restored. She is with those who have passed before her, those she loved with all her heart, who welcomed her home.

God Bless you, Nan. May you rest in eternal peace.

I drove through four states, in four hours and fifteen minutes. The first two hours found me driving through a winter wonderland, as a fresh few inches of snow had fallen, and the trees were all coated, giving them a lacy appearance. It was gorgeous!

The second half of my drive was just bleak midwinter, with bare ground and cloudy skies.

I arrives and spent part of the day playing with my grand niece, April. She is two and a half, and a fun baby girl, who was happy to spend time with her old Auntie!

We had lunch out, before April took her nap and my sister and I got to sit and chat. This is just the best!

Growing up I was very lucky to have a big sister who took care of me. She loved me, nurtured me, and made sure my needs were met. And she was just 5 and a half years older than me.

Yet, all my life, she has been there for me, as a sister, substitute mother, and best friend. How lucky I am!

So today, on her birthday, I want to make sure you all know what a wonderful sister I have and how much I wish her a very Happy Birthday!!!

Mel's Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Today is my sister, Melodie’s Birthday. I am so lucky, because she is not just my sister, but my best friend too. We love our cell phones because even though we live far apart, we talk every day, at least once but sometimes more.

 

She is not only a wonderful sister, but a great wife and mother and grandmother.

 

Melodie Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Melodie’s Birthday

 

Love you so much, Mel! Happy Birthday!!!