Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Seasonal Changes

On Monday, the first day of school here, the 107 degree heat tied the record for hottest day set back in 1952. We've had I don't know how many days in a row of 100-plus days, and even we natives were longing for a break. Sometime around the end of August, we usually do get a heat break or good rain AND a heat break.

Yesterday afternoon we got both, a little rain and a little heat break. I was able to sit on the porch last night at a bearable 86 degrees, and this morning promises to be in the low seventies. It hasn't been below 80 in way too long. My active, hearty 8-year-old granddaughter actually was able to ride her scooter in the street a little while. Unlike her mother, I am not the least crafty, and that makes long terms in my house a bit dull. She watches a little television, reads her books, and then is ready to Do SOMEthing. As we spend more days together, we will find those things for both of us.

I wrote last week of my friend with lung cancer. On Friday, her breathing worsened and she was approved for home hospice care. She got home Saturday, and her sons invited everyone over. It was a great party, with 30 or 40 friends and family. We all had personal time to visit. She was so content to be home. On Sunday, she slipped into sleep. Her breathing became lighter and lighter, but not labored. And shortly before 7 in the morning yesterday, she slipped mercifully, peacefully, away, with her family around her. About as good as it gets.

I was so happy yesterday, knowing she wasn't hurting, that she was really with God.
I am saddened as well. She was cremated, and the memorial service is Saturday. Next week, the three of us will play Yahzee again, for the first time at my house. We will visit and talk, as we always do. We will laugh.

We will go on.

4 comments:

clairz said...

What a beautiful thing, to have a good-bye party. I am glad that your friend is at peace and that she had what sounds like a nice farewell.

Cooler weather here in the Mesilla Valley, too. Last night was the first in a long time with no fan or swamp cooler running. Such a good sleeping night with a cool breeze.

Fay Akers said...

my your thought and memories keep her always in your heart.

Hugs

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

A peaceful end, surrounded by family. When it comes down to it, no matter how much or how little we have in our lifetime, that's what we all want, isn't it?

God bless and may your sweet memories bring comfort.

charlotte g said...

Fay, your blog is one I will pass on to my DIL, an artist in many mediums. Thanks, Clair and Deb. You two are becoming real friends. I was trying, with this blog not so much to emit sadness as to talk about life, and how the simplicity a really good life can end. I want it for myself. In the course of my friend's last week, I ran into two other scenarios, and I will talk about it later. This is important. Life is, basically, simple. We complicate it, with competition, who has the most rocks, holding on to life no matter what the cost. I am beginning to realize how much I disagree with that. Today, my granddaughter and I found some cheap earrings for her sister's birthday. We got home and she fixed a PBJ and got really muddy out in the yard. She was happy. I was happy. And I really think that is what it all is about. She overheard me tell someone on the phone my friend had died, and told me she hoped I lived many years. May not happen, but I treasure the words. I intend to live as long as I am alive. Capice?