When we finally got my parents out of their house (it took years, but it had to be done), the day they packed up & were driven away by my sisters…I sat on the floor in the middle of an empty bedroom & just bawled. I felt so guilty…like I had failed them…now they had to move away & it was all my fault.

It was hard, hard, hard…but honestly, it worked out for the best. They got to spend time with family that had never had the opportunity to be around them on a daily basis. (One of my nieces told me that she had no idea that her grandmother was so goofy! Well…yeah. lol) And, at the end, they were exactly where they needed to be. God knew what He was doing. Imagine that!

I refuse, though, to go by the old house. It’s too different now – and I prefer to keep my memories of the place untarnished.

Anyway…I’m glad you all got some needed R&R with Bill & Gloria. I mean, a ride in a red convertible? What beats that for a good time? Not much!

I love that raspberry cake. The smell of it baking is HEAVEN.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!!

I LAUGHED OUT LOUD WHEN I READ THIS. Still giggling…

I understand completely cleaning out your Mom and Dad’s house and moving her into an assisted living place. Been, there, done that. No Fun! And it’s so hard when you know this is the right thing for her – and she might know it in her head – but her heart hasn’t caught up yet. So many memories — and they seem to grow even more when you “can’t go back”. My mother-in-law still says (after 2 years) “I wish I could go back and…” But she knows she can’t. And I guess the reality is the really hard part of it all. New routines, new friends, new everything. It’s hard for an old person…and it’s hard to watch as their child (and in-law child). But just know Tori — and all your siblings — you did the right thing! You did. You saved her from herself – what she could do to herself, thinking she still can do everything she used to do at 72! Another chapter…

Bill G – what a hoot! Looks like you guy had fun

From Barbara M. Lloyd – “and he has this unbelievably star-struck look on his face gazing at a huge ball of paint. It’s kinda the way Russ looks at a fruit cobbler.”

Thank you all for making me laugh today! Happy 4th everyone!

It hurt me, too. Lately I’ve had many homes that were a part of my childhood before leaving California for Europe re-visit me in numerous dreams. I miss those places, times and the people who were around then that were dear to me. You and your family will SO be in my heart and prayers the next few weeks because of this, Mrs.Tori !!

“It’s kinda the way Russ looks at a fruit cobbler.”

That there is snort-worthy!

But it hurts my heart thinking about you and all of your wonderful family having to go through and make decisions on the contents of that home where the walls are filled with echos of laughter, tears, and so many, many memories down through the years. I’m praying you will be able to let the sadness fade ….and will be able to embrace all of those memories by moving them deep down into your heart….never to be forgotten.

Our God was so thoughtful to take you from such a sad time in your life….smack dab into a fun world of swans and signets, a huge paint ball, a cake baked by Gloria for our Madi, and a ride in “the” red convertible. But then, that’s just the kind of things He does.

bettyrwoodward–Have a lovely, lovely holiday and kiss that talented daughter of yours for us!

When you’ve seen the word’s largest paint ball, you’ve pretty much seen it all.