It's a pain getting old!

The past several months have been both physically and emotionally painful. I lost a good friend, an older man with severe lung disease. 

   Paul Box

My best friend lost her father, other friends had losses and Thomas Aquinas College lost their President in a car accident in Ireland. 

Not to make light of human losses but I had to help my old dog, Carmel, cross to the other side. She was in pain and with much love and tears I held her as she peacefully left this world.  She hiked many mountains with me and I'll take her on one more hike next month to the top of her favorite mountain and bury her ashes and tennis balls at the top.  

Those were her tennis balls and she made it known to any other dogs who tried to get one.

Carmel

On the emotional front, it's difficult when all your children leave home.  After so many years of caring for them, always putting their needs above yours, it's hard to let go. Even if they return to live in the same town it's not the same because they are adults and have their own lives. Yes, I'm invited to participate and many times I do but I really enjoy being in my home, putzing around, doing nothing in particular except maybe walking (or being walked) by my young dog, Baylee. But I do miss the fun of being a Mom.

So, two nights ago my oldest son asked me if I would babysit a 9 1/2 month old little guy while his Mom and Dad went out and celebrated the Dad's birthday.  Sure, how hard could that be! I took my camera and for about the first 30 minutes I had fun chasing him around taking pictures. I got some really cute ones but oh boy, he's an active kiddo. He's going to be walking within a month, he can already stand by himself, he just doesn't know it yet. And he'd fall down and get up, down and up. I did too so I could take his picture. Around 8 he started getting fussy and I wrapped him in his blanket and rocked him until he fell asleep. Then I sat down and enjoyed holding a sweet, sleeping baby!  Precious baby but I was so sore the next day!  Although I would do it again because he was a sweetheart!

                                            Baby's Night Out!

Jay and I celebrated our 30th year of wedded bliss by taking a cruise to the Western Caribbean. A great time, 3 Margaritavilles, lots of food and plenty of water. We swam with dolphins, climbed a waterfall, saw sea turtles and lay in the warmth of the sun. An enjoyable way to celebrate 30 years of ups and downs. 

    Margaritaville in Cozumel, Mexico

Now it's back to reality! Elizabeth graduates the second weekend of May with a BS in Psychology, with honors. We are very proud of her, just praying for a good job. We stopped over in Houston to see Kathleen and she hasn't changed much, still bubbly and ready for fun. 

Kelly is busily involved at Notre Dame, going to classes and peacefully protesting the invitation to President Obama to speak at ND's commencement.

Mike and Emily entertained her Mom, one of her sisters and her little boy this past week, showing them around Gallup. They tried to get to the Grand Canyon but the Interstate got shut down because of high winds and blowing dust and then we had a small snow storm. Patrick is busy being a lawyer and I think pretty happy with it. He's also putting a new floor in his basement and painting the walls.

Life goes on whether we want it to or not! I'm getting older which means everyone else is too! Next week the Catholic Diocese of Gallup will ordain their 4th Bishop, James S. Wall. Our small choir is singing for Vespers on April 22nd and on April 23rd we will watch as our new Bishop begins his new calling .

God is good, he blesses us in all things, the good, the bad and the sad. 

Praise be to God and Happy Easter! +