Love is different now

 I once asked my mother if, after six decades of marriage, she still felt in love with my father. She gave me a gentle smile instead of words, as if to say, “How can I explain this so you’ll truly understand?” Hours later, her answer arrived in a message on my phone:

“You wonder if I still love him. I laugh softly — not because your question is foolish, but because love is hard to describe after so many years. Yes, I love him, though not in the way it began. It’s not fire in the veins anymore, not a storm of emotions. It’s roots that grow deep.

Love at this stage is not a thrill but a foundation. It no longer races through my chest, but it steadies me. It no longer makes me blush or tremble, but it gives me courage to rise each day.

We don’t have surprises now, but we share rituals: our morning coffee, our small disagreements, the way we pull the blanket over one another at night. These tiny habits may look ordinary, yet they are the essence of everything.

I no longer wait for roses or poetry. I wait for him to notice when I ache, to comfort me when I fall apart, to remain by my side even when I’m lost in myself. And he does — quietly, without display, simply by being constant.

To love after a lifetime is not romance from a novel. It is a language only we know, a silent glance that carries years of pain, fatigue, and the will to go on.

So yes, I still love him. But differently. I love the world we built, the peace he brings, and the shelter he is to me, even in the wildest storm.”

That, to me, is LOVE’S TRUE LESSON.

Oscar Advent Calendar 2024

 

Poppa and I love having our Canadians come home every summer.  It’s always the highlight of my summer, along with working in my flower garden.  I hope you will always remember the fun times with your family as a warm memory of your childhood.                    Diva and Poppa

  

Oscar, Warning!!! Bad joke coming up.    Do you know why the gates of heaven are always left open?     Answer:  Cause Jesus was raised in a Barn.

 

 Oscar, what Christmas song do they sing in the psychiatric hospital?  Answer: “Do you see what I see?”

 

Oscar, I’m so glad you love Poppa’s basement and all the wonderful things that it contains.  I’m okay with being number 2 in your life as long as I still get hugs!  Diva

   

This picture makes me laugh, as long as you don’t actually do it.  I do know that younger brothers can be a pain sometimes, but you know both of them love you…..Right?  Diva

Oscar, this is still one of my favorite pictures of you and Charlie.  I loved that he called you “Audgee ,“. You are still the big brother he looks up to. Thanks for holding his hand when he was scared of Santa (Remember to set a good example for him.)  Diva and Poppa

 

Oscar, thanks for treating your mom like the wonderful, amazing person that she is.   You know how much she loves all her boys.  You were the first to “break her in”.  Be extra kind to her  cause you'll also be the first to leave and it will break her heart .  Diva

 I love the annual summer “dye your hair “with  Aunt Becky and Emma.  I look forward to  it every year .  Most of my friends just laugh and I’m sure others question my sanity.   It’s good to make a bold statement with your hair every now and then.  Diva 

 

This picture makes me laugh.  I call it the “get along shirt “ as you are all three inseparable..

I know I used to have a lot of boys sitting in separate corners for a time out.  I hope you will always remain close to your brothers.  Diva and Poppa

I miss making graham cracker houses with you and your brothers.  All of you are quite creative.  We love being able to celebrate Christmas with all of you.  Diva and Poppa

 

 Oz, thank you for being my “all things technology” guy.  Thanks for helping me sync my watch to the internet. And also getting rid of the 10, 000 emails I accumulated.   One thankful Diva

 

 Oscar, I know this sounds silly, but I really like watching the “Bomgardner Backyard Fire Works the best!”  I love to see the excitement and how close you all can come to not blowing each other up!     Diva

 

Letters to your Great grandmother Watson

 Dear Mom,                                                                                    May 6th,2021

Happy Mother’s Day.  This is your weekly memory letter from your Tennessee daughter Kathy.  My favorite recent memory of you was being able to come to see you last month.  It made our day to see you, hold your hand, kiss your cheek and hug you. It also made my face light up the second day when they brought you into the living room and you said to the assistant, “Oh look, it’s my Girls!”  My heart danced and I’m sure I had the silliest smile ever.  I know you don’t remember that day, but    Momma I will never forget it.  I think it’s what we call a “God Wink”.

Mother’s Day was always special at our house.  Dad would always get us girls' corsages.  On Mother’s Day, the carnations would be red because you and your mother were living. Dad would have a white carnation boutonnière because Nanny had passed away.  We all went to church and because it was Mother’s Day, (Not Kid Day), Dad made it a point that we all sit together with you.  We always went out to eat so you wouldn’t have to cook that day.  Bobbie and I would make you a gift like the beautiful cork earrings we made from a kit.  We took a straight pin and put colored beads on them and Bobbie would press them into the cork. She glued the decorated cork to earring backings. They probably weighed a ton and were tacky but you told us that they were beautiful and wore them anyway.  Dad would buy a special dessert from the grocery store and always had a gift for you.  He made Bobbie wrap it.  We always had Mother’s Day cards for you too.  You had a variety of homemade cards and gifts from your adoring girls. I miss not being able to s
it beside you in Church.  I know that   Bobbie and Joe will be so happy to be able to take you again.

Charlie and I always enjoyed going to your Ladies Sunday School class at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church in Virginia Beach.  Charlie always said he was just one of the girls.  The other ladies were so gracious and made us feel very welcome.  You were a greeter at Church for 25 years Mom.  You would go early, and welcome visitors to the church and take them to whatever Sunday School classes they were looking for or to the Nursery.  You always had a warm inviting smile and would welcome everyone as they came through your door.  I also remember the deacons would come out and hold umbrellas over the head of the ladies and kids if they were dropped off at the door during the rain.  We would leave after Church when we came to visit because Sunday was always a special time of the week.

When we came to visit you. You always insisted on giving us gas money which was always way too much and made us promise to call you when we arrived safely.  It was such a special way to say I love you.

I love you, Momma.  You have blessed my life in more ways than I can ever express.  Your memory might fail you but your stories are safely tucked in my heart and being passed on to your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Love You….Kathy

Oreo's Odyssey Day 4

 Oreo's Odyssey..day 4

There's no place like home.

Dear Grand pups 

Today we are heading home. I like this thing called "Road Trip".  I have the whole back seat to nap.  I can curl up in my bed, or rest on the seat. I have on my safety vest and seat belt that keep me from getting into the front seat with Diva and Poppa. I miss sitting in their laps!  Diva pets me when I get restless and sometimes gives me a treat.  I tend to sleep a lot on long drives. The rhythm of the road rocks me to sleep.

We stop frequently for something called gas for the car.  However, Diva doesn't like it when I pass gas.  She makes Poppa stop and walks me around.  So far I've peed or pooped in every state we been through. Poppa says I have marked my way to get back to Uncle Joe's house. 

 

We stopped at a gas station called Love's.  They had a pet park just for dogs.  It is fenced in so an old boy can run, stiff, explore, or relieve himself.  Diva and Poppa ate their lunch and gave me my lunch.  I couldn't eat though as I was too excited by all the noises, and smells.  I did get a long drink of water though which was really good as I was a thirsty dog.

I can tell that Poppa is tired and grumpy about something called a detour.  I think he is ready to be home.  I will be glad to be there too, so I can cuddle up in Diva's lap for a snooze.

I loved being at Uncle Joe's house but there really is "no place like home" cause I am the center of my little universe there.  I love my pack, my Alpha, and especially my mom.  I do make exceptions for grand pups, come visit any time, I will share Diva's lap with you.

Your old pal Oreo.

visit with great grandmother

We had a wonderful visit with Mom today.  Yesterday she was a little overwhelmed by all four of us. Today she was all smiles and glad to see us. She had moments where her face would light up as she remembered certain events or people. She cried when we left but then so did I.  We prayed with her let her know how much she is loved and prayed for every day.  Thirty-minute visits are just not enough when it comes to your loved ones.  We know that she is being well cared for and our trip to see her has been a bright spot in our year.  We are so thankful for my sister Bobbie and Brother in law Joe who watches over her and visit frequently.  We are blessed and extremely thankful for the opportunity to see her twice during our visit.

Bobbie mentioned Charlie Bear talking to her on the phone about the fish he caught in Uncle Joe's lake.  It was the first time he had ever caught a fish and was so excited about it when he talked to her.  She remembered that conversation and really smiled at the thought.

She also remembered Emma as the sweet little girl who likes me and wears princess dresses.  She remembers she came to visit her in Virginia Beach.  She said, that little girls really liked me.  I don't know why but I"m so glad she does!

Oreo's Odyssey Day 3

 0re0' s Odyssey; day 3

Dear Grand pups, 

Hi, this is your old pal 0re0 the wonder dog.  Wow, this morning after breakfast Uncle Joe gave each of us dogs a Biscotti.   I have never had one before but I could get used to it very quickly.  I wonder if Diva and Poppa will start this tradition with me?  It sounds like a delightful way to start the day.  I wiggled my tail for all it was worth to make sure Uncle Joe noticed me too.  He laughed and told me I was a good boy before he gave me my treat.  I sure hope we can stay here for a long time.

Everybody left to go visit the great grandmother in the nursing home. They didn't invite me or my cousins to come.  I was sad cause  I like old people since I'm an old boy myself.  I  could look cute and cuddle up in great grandmother's lap to keep her nice and toasty warm if they had only asked. Instead, I took a long-overdue nap in my kennel.

It rained really hard today and I found out cousin Annie doesn't like lightning or loud noises like fireworks or gunshots.  Auntie Bobbie assured me that when the weather got better Annie would be her own sweet self again and she was.

Diva and Poppa let me run out of the ungated front yard to go potty. What freedom!  They never let me run loose in the city.  You know I came back for a treat. I sure am going to miss all this v.i.p. treatment when we go home.

Guess who got stung in the neck by a hornet?  Poor darling Diva, that's who. Poppa and Aunt Bobbie were so sorry but Diva was very brave and didn't cry.  I cuddled up with her and so did my cousin Tabby.  We looked cute and adorable to make her feel better.

After dinner Uncle Joe called us dogs over for cookies.  I hope we never leave!

Here are some pictures of our adventures.  See you tomorrow. Your old pal 0re0.

Oreo's Odyssey...Day 2

 Ore0's Odyssey

Dear Grand pups,  Welcome to my second day of my great adventure. 

 Yesterday I met my big girl cousin Annie and my little girl cousin Tabby.  Annie has a big bark and scared me. Tabby is deaf so doesn't hear Annie barking. They came over to me and sniffed  me all over and sat down next to me. 

 Annie was much calmer when Great Auntie Bobbie invited us into the house. I guess Annie decided  if we were invited  in we must be friends.  She sniffed me also before wandering off.  

Uncle Joe has a big house and fenced in yard.  It has wonderful smells of flowers , trees, deer. turkeys, possums, cats and fish and turtles from the lake.  This must be heaven.  I may never go home.  Uncle joe also slips all us dogs cookies, lemon ones and gingersnaps.  I like that a lot.  Today Diva and Poppa went to see great grandmother at the nursing home. It must have been a good visit cause Diva hasn't  stopped smiling since  she got home.