Just a Quick Hi

Hey hey. I know it’s been over a month since I’ve blogged, forgive me, please. Things have been busy as usual and so I’m chuffin’ along and taking one day at a time. I’ve been wanting to blog but just haven’t because well, life gets in the way.

First things first, we are in contract to sell our home. Yes, our first home. While it still hasn’t sunk in, probably because I’m sort of refusing to take my art collection off the walls just yet, I know it’s coming… the day we close the chapter on this house. But more about that from our temporary home later this month.

Next, potty training. Yup. We are in full swing of that (since the little nugget is going to Nursery school in September) and while it’s going so well and I’m super proud of my big (little) boy it’s a lot. We will get there 100% soon enough.

So… late May was a rough month. We had a death in the family that just shook everyone. My beloved Tio (that’s Uncle in Spanish) passed suddenly and left everyone shocked and devastated, including my precious Grandparents. Seeing them so sad has just broken my heart. I hope a week with us and their great-grandkids this week will brighten their spirits a little bit.

I know this isn’t a post I normally do, but I need to get it out so bear with me, I do have a point to this sadness.

You see, my Tio was one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. He was always behind me in anything I did, especially my burgeoning business. He was one of those people who I confided in and asked advice from. And while that advice was about boys a lot of the time while growing up, so much of the advice he gave as of late, was how to do this or that. He was the ultimate handy-man. I could call him and ask just about anything, and he knew how to fix it or at least rig it so it would work. If you remember, I once stripped a dresser for my first One RoomChallenge . I was terrified to try it, but I remember calling him up and asking him how to go about doing it. With his advice in hand, I went to it and it turned out better than I had expected. And he was proud when he saw it in person.

In the days and weeks after his funeral, I have found myself going to dial his number either just to say hi and chat like we would or to ask him how to do this or that around the house. I miss his voice, but I miss his giant hugs and his beautiful smile and funny nature (just like my grandpa). I know that when we find our dream fixer upper that he’ll be right beside me, guiding me (and Craig) on the work that will need to get done. That will give me the greatest comfort out of his death.

The month after his death proved to be a tough. But time really does help. Slowly, the sting was subsiding. And then we got a call from my dad that his sister had passed away after having been hospitalized for a short time. My Zia (Aunt in Italian) was such a special soul. She had the warmest nature and an equally warm smile. My fondest memories were of her dancing at every wedding or family event that had music. Although distance kept us from seeing one another often, it was apparent in the photo album at her wake, just how much she loved us.

So here’s my point to this and it’s pretty cliche– but listen. This is what I’ve learned. Life is short. Duh. One day you’re here and the next day you may not be. What I’ve learned from these two deaths, is that I don’t want to take life for granted. And with kids, even less. I want and hope to be here long enough to enjoy them and watch them grow up into men with families of their own. I want to grow old with my husband just like my grandparents have and God willing I will. But I’ve resolved to take one day at a time and enjoy life and all it has to offer. Stress will come. The shit of life will come. That’s for sure. But hopefully the beauty and joys will make the shit suck less. Profound, I know.

Until next time Buttercups.