The weekend has arrived

And none too soon. Last week and this week have been extraordinarily long.

Two sad farewells for me within a week, though of different types.

My Aunt Lydia passed away last week. She is the aunt I visited this past August. She went to sleep the week before last and never woke up. We knew her time was close at the beginning of last week. She passed away quietly last Thursday morning. She would have been 91 today.

It's was especially difficult today because it is her birthday, but I know she is at peace. She wanted to be cremated and my cousin, Mark, who has taken care of all the arrangements-including memorial services and burial plans, will bring her remains back home to PA to rest beside my uncle.

It was long morning at school today (I finish up early in the afternoon on Fridays), and I left the campus after my last class feeling a bit unsettled. As I walked out of the Cathedral of Learning and headed to my car, I thought about my Aunt Lydia, and several other things that have been weighing on my mind. My heart was heavy.

Life doesn't always go as we hope and pray it will, and when it doesn't, it can take a huge amount of strength to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Some days are harder than others, but I know there are bound to be good days ahead too. It's this thought that keeps me going.

Days will come and go, broken hearts will heal, my aunt and other special people will live in my heart forever, and life goes on. This is what my aunt would have said. She was one of the most sensible, level-headed, and practical people I've known (much like my mother-her sister).

I was lucky enough to spend time with my Aunt Lydia in the summers while growing up. She was always fun to be around. She was a very upbeat lady, with a kind heart and a wonderful sense of humor, (also much like my mother). At the risk of sounding dramatic, the world just doesn't seem the same without her. I will miss her dearly-- we all will--but I will remember her smile and the twinkle that was always in her eyes, and know that I was blessed to have her for my aunt.

The next farewell was tough also, but in a different way.

I took my daughter to the airport this past Tuesday. She and Dan boarded a plane to Sasebo, Japan. That was difficult. They will be there for three years. Dan's Navy orders will have him in and out of port, and Rachel is hoping to put her RN degree to good use on the base. She might even teach some English, she's not sure yet, but she'll be looking into it.

I didn't cry until we hugged for the last time, and I managed to pull myself together quickly. I know this will be a wonderful experience for them, and they're excited about it. They're going to be fine.

Tuesday November 13, 2007 --5am and tearful, but excited.

Rachel called Wednesday morning, very tired, to say they'd made it safely. They are getting settled in and finding a place to live. I have their two kitties here with me for now. The airline made a last minute change of flights and the two little darlings weren't accepted on the new flight. Now we're trying to make arrangements to get the cats over to Japan.

I'd heard that the Air Force might honor Dan's orders and fly the cats over for them, but we're (myself and Rachel's step-mom) still not sure where to confirm this gem of information so we'll keep digging around for a way to get them reunited. Between the two of us and those we know, maybe we can figure this out. For now, the kitties are safe and sound with me.

If anyone knows of any info in this area, please feel free to share. :)

Btw, I'm having a bit of trouble with my new host for my website. The pages are not displaying quite properly, and I've not been able to access my e-mail, lee at leemorrison.org, for some time now. I'm working on getting it settled--one way or another, but for now, if anyone would like to reach me, please e-mail me at leemorrison1630@yahoo.com

On the agenda for this weekend...

One more tweak from my editor on Accidental Fate. My, oh my! This process is sometimes never-ending. The good news is, once this last tweak goes out, the story will be released (finally) very shortly.

Also, lots of reading and work for my classes. It never ends there, but what can I say? That's how it goes. :)

It seems my life has been all about changes lately. Some planned, some unplanned. After I left school today I met with a friend I hadn't seen for a while. Bless her heart. She always knows what to say. She lifted my spirits and helped me pull some thoughts together. Thanks, Darla.

Life goes on.

I'm heading off to get another hour or so of homework in, and then I'm taking some time to curl up in bed early with a book I just bought. It's purely leisure reading for me. I haven't done that in a long time. Ever hear of "The Secret"? Or how about "The Law of Attraction"? Both books are sort of self-help books. (I know. I'm weird.) They both echo thoughts I believe are true (to a certain extent) and I feel ready for a refresher on the ideas.

There's always room to grow and learn if you keep an open mind, right?

Have a wonderful weekend.

Lee