sunshine on a rainy day

1.31.16 ~ Essex, Connecticut

It’s been a long while since I’ve posted much of anything besides quotes and paintings. That’s mainly my way of coping with stress, distracting myself with beautiful images and wise words.

Tim has been ill with recurring bouts of diverticulitis for several years now, getting more frequent and more severe this fall, and so the decision has finally been made to proceed with surgery, a sigmoid colon resection. Friday. My sister is coming to stay with me and sit with me during the operation. Larisa and Katie will be coming up after Tim gets home from the hospital. Recovery time is expected to be 4-6 weeks.

1.31.16 ~ Essex, Connecticut

We had our basement renovated this fall. I’m thrilled with the results — we now have heat in the guest room and the powder room and two new closets for storage and updated lighting and electrical outlets and fresh paint on the walls. But being the way I am it was stressful for me having noisy workmen in and out of the house at unpredictable times. I had to give myself a pep talk every morning for several weeks to keep my wits about me. But it was worth it in the end.

My aunt Lil died on October 27. She was 101 years old. I still have unresolved and complicated feelings about our relationship. She had a hard life, becoming a widow at an early age and then losing both her sons, one in a car accident at the age of 29 and the other from a fatal heart attack at the age of 48. Perhaps understandably, she became a very bitter person, and I had sympathy for her at times but it was so difficult spending time with her.

1.31.16 ~ Essex, Connecticut

And then there is the dark cloud hanging over our country now…

But…

1.1.17 ~ Larisa and Katherine enjoy taking selfies for the grandparents, even on rainy days. They’re coming to visit soon!

I am full of gratitude to be living so close to many places where I can go and find grounding and healing in the natural world. And when I cannot get outside I hear the song birds singing, the gulls calling, the Canada geese honking — I love that sound — and enjoy the lovely water-reflected light that flows indoors.

There are many blessings we continue to enjoy, including our darling granddaughter. We’re looking forward to having her puttering around the house while Tim is recovering. Like her mother, our amazing daughter, she is a sweet ray of sunshine, even on a rainy day. ๐Ÿ™‚

And our wonderful son, the computer wizard, who lovingly keeps things running smoothly here on my blog. I couldn’t maintain a presence here without him funding and watching over the many things that I fail to understand in the technical world. We had to cancel a January trip to Georgia to see him and his family, because of the surgery, but will reschedule as soon as possible. ๐Ÿ™‚

I am surrounded with love and present moment awareness. Life is here/now.

13 thoughts on “sunshine on a rainy day”

  1. I’m sorry about Tim’s health problems and hope the op goes well. And I understand the tresses you’ve been and are under. Hugs, Barbara.

    1. Thanks, Val. The typo is wonderful ~ I immediately thought of days gone by when being “under” my long wavy locks of hair was a pleasure. ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. I am so sorry to hear that Tim has continued to have trouble with diverticulitis. Sending you hugs, and I will keep him (and you) in my thoughts and prayers.

    1. Thank you, Robin. *hugs* โ™ก

      He gave lots of non-invasive treatments a good try, including a year on the pro-biotics and pre-biotics you and others had suggested, but it’s time to remove the trouble spot. He’ll be so glad if he never has to take another round of flagyl again!

  3. all heartfelt wishes for tim to be in better health: God willing and you are so great Barbara to have such patient and life-giving soul… you are alo one of natur’s inspiring treasures for us all.. thanks and prayers

  4. god bless you and your beautiful family Barbara, love and best wishes to Tim for a good recovery after the op. great photo of Katherine and Larisa

  5. Barbara, I love the ways in which you count your blessings. This post is in itself a blessing for those of us who read it and then apply its perspectives to our own lives. Thank you. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. You’re so welcome, Timi! ๐Ÿ™‚ The recovery from surgery is humming along with no complications, for which I am so relieved and grateful. And the trip to visit our son and his family has been rescheduled for March – yay!

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