Party Time Across The River ~ June 24th

A little party never killed nobody...

Over the weekend we had more great times on the balcony.

It was party time across the river from us. What a fun time.

The party was in full swing.  The boys sure
know how to live it up and how to have fun.
Was good to see people having fun 🌈.

Life is not always what it seems.  Sometimes
you see someone laughing, smiling, but you don't
 known the story behind the smile.  Yesterday
we received some very devastating news 💔.

Be kind to everyone you meet because you don't
 know what they are going through.  Behind every
smile there is a heartache you know nothing about.

Life is full of surprises.  Not all are good.

The moment when you have to take a deep breath
 before speaking because you're so close to crying...

~Nadiya~

March 31st ~ Life Is Changing Everyday

Grief is in two parts.  The first is the loss. 
The second is the remaking of life...

Saying farewell to a loved one.  Today because of  

this virus pandemic many cannot say their final goodbyes

 to loved one.  You can see them through glass,

 but you cannot give them one last hug.

This family had a death of a loved one.  Because of the

 virus they were unable to say goodbye or have a funeral.  

They did the best under the circumstances.  It was a farewell

 by the river.  Red roses were scattered and something 

was read from a book.  I am guessing the Bible.

As we did our walk yesterday afternoon, we came

 across the roses floating along the river.  I stopped and

 for a moment I was very sad thinking of what's happening

 today.  I can't imagine not hugging the ones I love one

 last time.  This family did not have that chance.

Life goes on.  Little differently that what we are used to.

Everything is still.  It seems as if life just came to a halt.  Eerie.

Our neighbor is in New York.  She was supposed 

to be home over a month ago, but unfortunately 

she fell, broke her pelvis, and now because

 of the virus cannot get back home.

From her home she saw the US Navy Hospital Ship

 along the Hudson River as it made it's way to be docked in

 New York City, the epicenter of the US coronavirus outbreak. 

 These are a few of the pictures she sent to me.  Impressive.

Comfort Hospital Ship

This ship has 12 fully- equipped operating rooms 

and 1,000 hospital beds on board.  Help is here.

Happy news today: pet adoptions are way
up amid coronavirus crisis, even with shelters
closed to the public.  I just hope that after this
crisis people do not give up their pets🙏

Back to basics is not so bad at all.  Hours on the balcony.
 Long walks, and drives.  Pretty relaxing and quite enjoyable. 
Life is full of surprises and you never know where
 it will take you and who will cross your path.

Uncertainty is life's way of saying that there
 are only a few things you can control...

~Nadiya~

Life ~

Just take one step at a time.  That's really all you can do...

Jesse turned one year old today.  Her mom and dad were 

not able to be there with her.  As I have mentioned

 before, her dad, Phil is in the hospital battling 

for his life.  Mom Liz is by his side.  

Yesterday I visited Phil in Springfield.  What I saw is 

heart breaking to describe.  From the man we all knew less

 than 2 weeks ago this "new" Phil was NOT him.  Heart 

wrenching is mild.  What Elisabeth is living right now

 is a nightmare no ever wishes to have to live.

Even in all of her grief Liz asked me if I could 

please get Jesse a treat for his birthday when I got back 

to Almost Home.  How could  not?  Jesse feasted on salmon 

in a gourmet sauce.  Not her usual according to her mama.

Look at Jesse eating.  The bowl she has once belonged to Brutus, 

then Shadow and then Sniff.  Sniff did not want t use it so Jesse

 now owns it together with a few other bowls belonging to Brutus.  

We all go on with our lives.  It is what it is.  Though we say 

someone else's tragedy touches us, we don't actually think 

of it once we "leave"  What I saw at the hospital yesterday

 is firmly an image that won't leave me in a long time.  

Phil was slipping in and out of consciousness, but 

when I spoke to him and touched him on the arm he 

turned his head toward me.  He tried to speak to me.  

You see at Almost Home we are a family.  Phil and Liz

 are dear to me.  Phil recognized my voice.  Phil wanted 

to talk to me.  That's the image I have right now.

Another day begins. No one knows what it hold.  None of us.

So whatever you do always live life to the fullest.  Enjoy 

each moment.  Make memories that will last a lifetime.  Be kind

 to each other and always make room in your hearts for compassion.

On a little lighter note.  Our nephew Max Dyal now to be

 known as Dr. Dyal, graduated from Duke University with 

a doctorate in Physical Therapy.  He passed the Boards already. 

 As soon as that was done he had 2 interviews last weekend in Florida.

Max was interviewed on Friday.  Before he even left the building

 he was offered the job.  Yes he was offered both jobs!  Dr. Dyal 

will soon be heading the Physical Therapy Department in his job.  

I am forever proud of all my nieces and nephews.  

Their accomplishments is nothing we are not used to,

 but every so often I find the urge to brag.  

Unlike many, Max and his family do not advertise their lives

 on Facebook.  You will NEVER know where they are or what they

 are doing if you base it on Facebook.  Unlike so many of us, whose

 moves can be tracked all day all night long just by a little click.

Another proud moment for our family.  CONGRATULATIONS 

Dr. MAXIMILIAN RAVI DYAL!!!!!  YOU DID IT!!!!

And suddenly you just know it's time to start something 

new and trust the magic of beginnings...

~Nadiya~