Good Monday, Everyone!  So, the children are all settled into their school routines.  Calm has returned, once again, to the old homestead during the daytime while they are away.  This is ‘MY’ time!  LOL  I raised my family, dutifully, and lovingly, encouraging them on to adulthood.  I looked forward to it!  Of course, being a parent doesn’t end the day the child moves out.  Nope!  Once a parent – always a parent!  Still, I think every parent ponders what their life will be like when the children are no longer the central focus of their day.  I didn’t expect much.  I had some things I wanted to explore – spirituality, knowledge, relaxation.  But, I had spent twenty some odd years catering to my family’s needs, I couldn’t imagine anything else.  So, when life suggested things would be better if my youngest child moved in with her two children, it wasn’t a far stretch.  Having the g-kids around is certainly a treat.  Just not all the time!  LOL  So, though I love my family desperately, I look forward to everyone leaving each day.  As I say, this is ‘ME’ time.

Now, I wrestle with my health.  It hardly seems fair!  LOL  If I would have known I’d make it this far, I would have taken much better care of myself.  LOL  The worst part is just not knowing.  How long do I have?  Will it be enough to complete all I want to do?  Will I become a burden to my family?  There are loads of questions – few answers.  I guess, like everything else in life, you just have to hold on and roll with it and see.  But, I admit it – I’m scared.  Scared and saddened by it all.  My illness sure wasn’t planned.  It’s not something I even considered.  But, there it is.  All one can do is keep pluggin’ away, hoping for the best.  Hope.  That one word that keeps me going!

I created something that kind of reflects my life.  You may need to enlarge it to see the detail.

Sources:

I don’t mean to drag ya down.  This is my reality right now.  It’s hard not to think of these things.  I think that, by facing my fears and disappointments, inadequacies and strengths, my ‘human-ness’, it makes me stronger.  No, not stronger, but, more able to accept things.  There is a little prayer, I guess it is, that says:

Grant me the Serentiy

To accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And, the wisdom to know the difference.

It has become my mantra.

It is the final week for ‘Chicken Anyone?’  This week you will get the last two parts, more for you to create your own layouts.  Parts 5 and 6 are each download-able by clicking on each of the previews below.  Then, click on Miss Edna’s preview to go to her blog for her two final parts.

Part 5

Part 6

Miss Edna’s Place Preview

Be sure to come back every month for Miss Edna’s and my freebies.  In October we have another kit rolling and ‘getting there’ for you.  Also, all of my previous links are still active.  If you missed anything, you can still get it.  I hope you enjoy!

Til next time,

Hugs,

Su