My Dad

Today I'm reminiscing about my dad.  It was a year ago today that he passed away.  This year I've been flooded with emotions, memories and love as I've thought about my dad throughout this year.  I cannot express how much I've missed him...his laugh, his smile, the twinkle in his eyes, his stories, his jokes and going out to lunch with him.  I will always cherish these memories of my dad!

 Dad I love you more than the stars in the sky!

Christmas Eve

Sabrina and Josh took the kids sledding in Sundance.

Getting ready for bed,
excited to see what Santa brings them!

Vincent 7 and Lillian 3

Last Chemo Anniversary and Christmas Caroling

Five years ago today was my last chemo treatment...making it my 5 1/2 year mark!  It seems like a lifetime ago when going through this life altering experience. Today I went to do my 6 month blood work...unfortunately the lab tech was not able to get a vain AND I was not hydrated enough. So, I have to go next week to try again.

This afternoon I took my Activity Day Girls, along with three other leaders, to go Christmas caroling at the care home where dad lived the last 3 months of his life.  It has been an emotional time for me this week and to go back where dad was for the final days of his life brought back a flood of emotions.  The girls were so excited to sing to the residents and it made my heart swell with love and sadness at the same time.  While singing, I had a hard time keeping myself from bursting into tears as I choked during the songs.  It was especially tough when we approached my dad's room.

It was a bittersweet day...thinking about all that I had gone through over 5 years ago and reminiscing about dad...his twinkle...his smile...his jokes and his love.

Vincent in his Christmas Concert

Vincent loves to sing and is so animated!
(Just like his mother). 

Lillian and Vincent with Santa

Sweet Ruth

On Monday I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth at a local resort.  Ruth is 88 years young and as cute as can be.  She was having a rough day, as her health has not been good lately.  I could tell she was feeling down and that her eyesight was not as good as it probably once was.  She asked if anyone made "scrubbies" and I wasn't sure if anyone at the event made "scrubbies".  I told Ruth that I had seen them before and that I would look for some "scrubbies" for her the next time I was at another one of my events.  I asked her how many she needed.  She said she would like 10 or 12 in all different colors.  Well today, as luck would have it, I came across a lady that makes "scrubbies" and she had them in all different colors.  So I purchased 12 different colored "scrubbies" for Ruth.

I called Ruth after I bought the "scrubbies" and she was thrilled.  I told her I would be to her home in about 10 minutes.  When I arrived Ruth was sitting on her patio waiting for me.  As I pulled up, she looked so cute sitting there.  I showed her the "scrubbies" as she peered into the bag.  She beamed and grinned from ear to ear.  Who would have thought that a bag full of  "scrubbies" would bring someone so much joy.  She expressed how her son loved the "scrubbies" and that her daughter-in-law asked that she not tell her son about them so she could have some for the kitchen instead of him taking all the "scrubbies" out to the garage.  After I handed her the bag, she gently put her money into my hand and gave me a little poinsettia.  

Oh how sweet this day had become.  Here I was out doing my Scentsy business not knowing I would encounter the most precious gift, a friend named Ruth!