Mrs. Loretta, like no other...

Over a year ago, Boo took me to visit a lady.

No, I don't know if lady is the right word....

A matriarch, a classy woman, or maybe her name

stands alone with no subtitles,

Mrs. Loretta Beech.

It was one of those beautiful cool days where we

rode around Gonzales without me knowing where we

might be going next. 

Finally the truck pulled up in the driveway of this

huge home, I would say a Louisiana Mansion.

"I used to work with this lady and her sons"

He explained.

No other words were needed for the encounter I was

about to meet.

He rang the bell of this front door that seemed to be

as large as the whole front of the cottage.

When the door opened, there she was, 

a miniature lady with a cast on her arm who I had

now remembered meeting at Mrs. Barbara's memorial.

Her size meant nothing when this woman began

to speak and talk. The reason for our visit became

apparent when she led us around the home to a painting

she wanted Randy to have because he had given it to her.

As he looked at the huge, ornate framed painting of a bird.

she insisted he had given this to her and she wanted to return it

as she was selling and moving with her son to Mississippi.

He was almost speechless as she insisted this was his.

You don't argue with a woman like Mrs. Loretta.

From that moment on, the painting was his

"because she said so".

It is how she was, that little firecracker of a woman spoke 

and you listened. After she gave us the most awesome tour

of the Louisiana mansion that stood with a "For Sale" sign

in the yard, we sat in her family room

and did what we just don't do enough of

anymore, we talked. There was no rush in the visit. Although

the broken hand she held upright must have been hurting

she was going to command when the visit was over.

Then the stories began and I found out more about Randy

that I may have never known had it not been for this beautiful woman.

She and her first husband had began a boat business that Randy

worked for back in the 80's. When her husband died

she took over his duties along with her sons and became

like a second Mom to boo. 

Even with that said, she was a tough cookie back then.

They talked of old times,

the great work boo did along with some mistakes he made in life.

She said things like the way they were, but she also 

 made it clear that she saw the man he could be and

kept him close to her through the business.

 I believe Boo chalks up his work ethics and the man

he is today partially to this woman, from the way he speaks of her.

It was evident the way she spoke of him and to him that

she adored and loved him and the feeling was mutual.

There were a few times when her words put tears in Randy's eyes

making him choke up. This does not happen often with boo,

yet she was able to bring him to this point more than once.

She didn't care. If she had something to say, she was saying it

whether you were choked up, crying or laughing.

Funny, a story teller, I admired her, fell in love with her the first

time I met her. The type of Mother/woman figure you hope

to become when you are in your 80's.

Let me give you another glimpse of who this woman was.

Boo's mom had been cremated and although she was in 

a very sturdy jar she loved from Spain, it was not to be her

final resting spot. Boo was always looking for a better urn

to place her remains in. He questioned Mrs. Loretta about

one of her many beautiful things that surrounded her dwelling.

He explained his dilemma questioning where

he might be able to find one of her pieces to buy one.

  Without even thinking about it she tells him to get it.

He picks it up and brings to her and she says simply,

"It's yours"

He tried to protest, but her commanding voice again made me

realize, no one questions Mrs. Loretta.

After about a two hour, maybe longer visit, we begin to

say goodbye. As we leave I know I will never forget this 

little lady, no this woman.

Her body may have been frail but her commanding presence

reminded you she was still "the boss".

We may have left her beautiful home, but boo still had lots

of stories to tell. He shared of how this woman molded him,

never gave up on him, even when he didn't deserve it, she

gave him chances that not everyone who worked for her got.

Of course, she also was not afraid to chew his Arse if he needed it,

but she saw the man he was to become way before he did.

I know this visit meant so much to the both of them.

It even meant so much to me.

After that visit, we spoke many times of going back and visiting

her again. Because the beautiful painting hangs in his living room,

we think of her every time we look at it.

  Just as life seems to do to us, it got busy and complicated and

we never made it for another visit.

Yet, we spoke of her many times

and each time, just how much she meant to him/us was

present in every story.

This morning, Boo with a heavy voice says he got some

very bad news this morning.

His beloved Mrs. Loretta passed away at 88 years old.

We do not know of the specifics but we are both so very sad

to hear this news. We talk for about 15 minutes about what a loss,

and how we wished we had made it there to visit with her.

As much as I wish we had, one visit was enough for me to know

I will not only never forget her but her impression on my heart

will be there forever. RIP you beautiful little woman.

Many prayers for her family who I know are feeling a huge loss

this morning. I will end this extended blog, that still does not

seem like enough to try and put her character into words, with the words

of a song that I hope gives comfort to all those who loved her:

JUST 'CAUSE I'M LEAVIN'

IT DON'T MEAN THAT 

I WON'T BE RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE

WHEN YOU NEED ME

AND YOU CAN'T SEE ME

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SAY A PRAYER

IT'S OKAY, I AIN'T SCARED

I MIGHT BE HERE

BUT I'LL ALWAYS BE RIGHT THERE

EVEN THOUGH I'M LEAVIN'

I AIN'T GOING NOWHERE

                                                    Luke Combs lyrics

AUNT JEANNIE, THE LOVE OF SONS

I am so very saddened to write that my Daddy's baby sister,

his last living sibling, JEANETTE COLLINS ESERMAN,

 passed away on Saturday, July 4th 

due to complications from a fall at her home.

The last of my Aunts and Uncles on both sides of my parents.

A generation ended.

Let me share a bit about my thoughts during this time.

Just a few months ago, we buried my Uncle Roy, her husband.

It was before the quarantine and such a beautiful tribute to his

life of Catholic service. Now Aunt Jeannie has joined "Daddy"

which is the only thing I ever remember her calling him.

This couple, married over 55 years, were simple yet such

hard workers. A funny couple, always lovingly fussing with each 

other but there was no doubt of their love.

They never lived above their means, raised their two sons,

Reggie and Jude to be smart, caring men who have

contributed so much to the World.

How proud they both were of these boys and their families.

Aunt Jeannie, given the chance, was going to tell you all her boys

had achieved and what their children and daughter in laws were

doing. She was a "one of a kind" kind of aunt.

I loved going to her home when Reggie and I were young.

I loved old homes even back then and their home always had

things to admire. I know she is free from anything that ever

hurt her in this world.

Now I want to take a little bit of space to brag on my cousins.

First, Jude, their oldest, although lived away, did what he could

stayed in touch, came down when either of his parents needed him.

Good Sons...

and Reggie, oh my dear cousin, Reggie.

The epitome of a good son. 

Because Jude lived so far away, most of the care of their 

parents lay on the shoulders of Reggie.

Working in Golden Meadow Middle School and living in Raceland,

every day he stopped in to check on the both of them.

After his Dad died he found himself the soul caregiver for his Mother.

She did not want to leave her house to go to a nursing home or 

assisted living. She was always a home bound type of woman and 

he was going to do all he could to respect her wishes.

Pay bills, fill meds., doctor appts. Upkeep of the home,

all of this rested on him.

So I want to share what I shared with him as we spoke on 

the phone on that Saturday morning as he sat near his

deceased Mothers hospital bed.

I reminded him:

"You have nothing, not one thing to feel quilty about.

you have been the best son to both your parents and

even more so since your Dad passed away. When it would

have been easier and probably better for her to be in a 

nursing home, she did not want that so you made it possible

for her to stay in the home she loved."

I know Jude would have done all the same things had he

been closer. I say to my dearest cousin Reggie,

"AS I CONTINUE TO THINK OF THE LOSS OF SUCH

A BIG PART OF OUR CHILDHOOD I THINK OF YOU, 

REGGIE AND I AM COMFORTED BY THE THOUGHT THAT

WHEN MY TIME COMES THAT I NEED HELP, IF MY SON 
AND DAUGHTER ARE HALF

 OF WHAT YOU WERE TO YOUR PARENTS, 

I WILL HAVE DONE A FINE JOB. YOU ARE THE

EPITOME OF WHAT A GREAT SON LOOKS LIKE.

MATTER OF FACT, IF YOU LOOK UP THE

WORD SON IN THE DICTIONARY YOUR NAME MIGHT 

JUST BE THERE. LOVE YOU DEAR COUSIN"

...and I do, always have, loved both my Eserman cousins,

but because Reg and I were the same age,

we were close and continue to be.

So as her life, like this blog comes to a close, I understand

that his Mothers funeral will be so very different than his Fathers.

Very private, closed casket and immediate friends and family only,

I think how appropriate for Aunt Jeannie as that is who she was.

She quietly stood behind her Husband, never wanting the spotlight

on her, private and loved spending her days in her home.

RIP Aunt Jeannie, I know it was some type of reunion up in 

Heaven with all the Collins Clan together now forever,

and I am more than sure there was a choir to meet her

and Uncle Roy was waving his hands directing that choir

to be the best for his beloved "Momma" wife.

The Shire

" I paint home portraits on slate covered with old music sheets"

Is usually my short answer to what I do as a retired nurse

who now finds herself with this new found talent of painting.

Most of my paintings are so much more as something 

beautifully odd or almost miraculous comes about more

often than not. This brings me to the story of THE SHIRE.

I have young friends I call the Barker twins.

These girls, I swear remind me of myself when I was 

their age. They both are little momma's and animated 

and we have great conversation when we speak/text.

Kristen has ordered quite a few portraits from me and

says she loves my work. Each time she picks up a piece,

she puts her name down for more portraits. Kayla,

likes to talk about as much as me but just maybe

one notch lower than I. I call them my Barker twins.

So here is the story:
A few weeks ago, Kristen' name is up once again for a painting.

I text her, "K, your name is up and I have written that it is for

your boss."

She excitedly explains that she wants that spot!
 Her Mom has lost one of her best friends just days
before from a horrible tractor accident while working on his master piece.
THE SHIRE
Yes, he owns a home he calls the Shire. He also was a single

parent for many years to his one child who now lives in London. 

In the middle of a global pandemic, she was able to get a private plane

to get as close as she could to her deceased Daddy who 

was everything to her childhood.

Then the "miracles" or coincidences started happening.

I did not know this man, he was a retired lawyer who

had his Shire moved to his land in three pieces and put his carpentry 

work to use as he was bringing the Shire back to its beautiful beginning.
With the twins history, they say after he finished law school he traveled
the World by back pack and fell in love with Paraquay and Uruguay.

He built a guest house in the image of a cajun home from the 

ground up. He tore down an old barn and gave most of the wood

to Kayla twin so she could build a stand for her baby's birthday.

From the minute I got the text, and then the photos, I was deep into 

this project. I studied all the most beautiful photos of the home  

and felt like this man was with me from the beginning.
I even felt like I could see his shadow in the windows of the photos he sent.

Along with the photos I used to paint the Shire, I also taped up a photo
of himself, and his daughter, Jessica when she was young for inspiration.

Yet, as I began, I felt he was making sure I got it right as it was going

to be a gift for the woman he loved, his baby girl.

This home, this estate was beautiful, the work he

was doing here was phenomenal.
Sometimes I felt his hand led my work.

I love every home I paint and as I have said before, because I pray

for the family I am painting for and asked many questions,

many special things come to pass my work. it is far more than

just a painting. However, this one had me feeling I was not

the one in control of this piece.

As I was finishing up ideas began to come into my head,

"Add a very small photo of he and his daughter when she was young."

"Wood burn a piece of the barn wood to say 'THE SHIRE'"

Paint his dog in the front of the house,

"Paint a carving in the tree that says Papa loves J".

I looked at the songs I picked, two hymns about love

and the middle one I tore out of a Led Zepplin music book

"STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN"

A poem I had called  THIS IS MY FATHERS WORLD

and it was so fitting to this man I never met that I had to add 

it along with a love letter to the back of the slate.

It was then time to show the Barker twins my finished project:

Just like they always do, they praised my work and could not wait to

gift it to this grieving daughter, Jessica.

I was nervous, I was excited, I could not wait for her reaction.

Yes, I cried watching this, yes I want to meet this daughter

whose Daddy loved her to pieces.

Yes, I'm saddened that I never got to personally meet her Father.

But I cannot say I feel like he is a stranger as 

like i have said, he has been with me from the beginning of this project.

It was one piece, maybe the only piece I was actually saddened to finish.

As I sealed it, took down all the photos I had taped all over my work

station, I was sad about it being done.

I cannot thank the Barker twins enough for trusting me with this 

most precious gift to an only child who must be hurting in 

ways she can't even yet begin to comprehend.

I pray that as she travels back home to London, with THE SHIRE

accompanying her, she places it in a place where she can be

comforted on those hard days. I pray that it is comfort it brings

always. I ask that you all remember this story and remember this 

family that did not loose their loved one to Cover-19, but to 

something that he just loved doing, remodeling his beautiful 

Shire. May he rest In Peace.

Thanks again, Barker twins, I love you two to pieces!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Bringing back a 1974 memory....

Almost a year to the date, a friend of mine, Tina Leger

sent me a text:

"Would you consider remodeling my childhood dollhouse?"

Whether she reached out to me because of my house portraits 

or of other crafts I have done, or if she knew I had a love for miniatures

and have a wide collection and a history of mini building,

I am so glad she did.

I almost immediately said, "I would be honored."

Last June I picked up her childhood dollhouse built by her 

GodParents when she was 5 in 1974.

Right away I was excited, loved the build, knowing it was not built 

by any kit I had worked with before.

Tina had made notes for me of things that she would like to have

me add to the home but other than that, she gave me free reign

saying "I trust your judgement, your talent."

I did not work on it for almost a year.

It was protected in my back yard shop.

The shop however, was a small mess. 

Not an area I was crazy about working in at the time.

It was filled with things I had made and was more storage than shop.

Even though I was not working on it, my mind was thinking 

of things I wanted to do with it, looking at miniature magazines again,

looking at on-line sites, storing ideas in my head.

Window boxes, shingled roof... but I still did not start it.

Then the pandemic started, Quarantine began, I still had over

90 home portraits to do but I felt it was time to get my shop in order

as well. I knew my friend, Tina was like me, missing her little grand girl.

She was this sweet girls every day sitter as her Mother taught other

people's children. When schools closed down, this little Momma

was able to be a stay home Mom for a time and she had to be so 

glad for that aspect of quarantine. Not so much for her Lovey.

I am proud of her son and his little family as I am for

my son and his family, taking this quarantine serious,

but has us grandparents lonesome.

So, in that aspect I needed to start the dollhouse for myself as well.

So the shop got put back in order, I primed the whole house and 

began an old craft that I had put on the back burner a time ago.

I split my days partly doing the dollhouse and the other part painting

my  home portraits. Yet, was getting drawn into this house.

As I worked on it, adding shingles, wall papering the inside,

building and filling window boxes, I thought

of the little girl who had loved this little house

and that same little girl, now a grandmother, Lovey, and the

memories she would be making with her sweet Grandgirl.

I remembered my own little dollhouse I had as a child,

nothing home built such as this, just a little plastic house

that I absolutely loved. I remember putting the little house

in sunlight so the light would come through the windows

and my little family had sunlight to live in.

I prayed for Tina and her family as I worked and 

enjoyed this project.

The inside of the home had never been more than white painted walls.

So I began doing all those things I used to do,

wallpaper, make wood floors, moldings,

I was finding another love that I had put on the back burner

for too long.

I put all Lovey's ideas she had sent with the house on sticky notes

and incorporated them into her house.

She wanted me to also do something I had never done before, 

that was to merge my dollhouse reconstruction  with my

painting.

I could not wait to complete the inside, paint the outside,

add roofing shingles so I could start painting trees, shrubs, etc.

A dog house was needed I made one and added it to the side.

window boxes were filled with little flowers I had been saving

for years waiting for a project that needed them.

I made curtains, sealed walls and floors so that

a two year old sweet pea could play with it to her

hearts content.

I began sending photos to Lovey and with each photo

came a compliment or admittance of tears being shared.

A text saying,

"I am so happy with my dollhouse. You brought it back

to life and its much prettier than it was from the day I 

got it. This was enough to now make me shed tears.

This was a challenge of the heart. I wanted to give

Lovey all she wanted so she could share many years with her 

Sweet Pea....

And as I always try to do, I pick up things

at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. I save them because

I know a time will come that it will mean something

big to someone else. One of Lovey's notes were

to add something like the flower, sweet pea or 

something to remind Sophia that she was her Lovey's 

Sweet Pea. Then I remembered and I hunted...

for a pure silver small top that had a sweet pea

on it......

... and when I finally found it, it was perfect! 

A perfect fit behind the dollhouse right below the chimney!

Not only are there two little peas that move around in the pod 

but the saying was perfect for Lovey and her little Sweet Pea.

"SHALL WE STICK TOGETHER AS LONG AS WE LIVE?"

Yes, with every piece of work I do, there is at least one

of these small miracles/coincidences that are hard to explain.

With that the dollhouse was finished and delivered to 

my wonderful friend. What an honor to be such a big

part to such a wonderful piece.!

Thanks, Tina!

Addendum:

"What so ever you do for the least of your brothers, that you do unto me"

It has taken me some time to write this blog.

I was missing my grand girls as Tina was missing her Sophia

so it was hard to find the things I wanted to share here.

As I took upon this project another dear friend,

JoAnne Kauffman, was looking for someone to gift 

her miniature collection to. Another friend, Gloria

told me about Jo's post and I immediately sent her a message.

I am the chosen and I am overwhelmed that as I finished

this project, having me follow my love for miniatures once 

again, here was someone who I have known since her daughter

and I were friends in middle school, who I then worked with for

many years at Lady of the Sea who wants to gift me her 

collection! Saturday the boo and I will pick up these 

kits, and tools, and books all about Miniature world

and I am just so very excited! 

When you do for others, things come to you.

I don't know how I will ever thank JO enough...

This time in our lives...

I was not going to blog about Corona Virus.

I feel like everyone is worried about it, it 

has changed our world and continues to bring havoc

to our Nation. Yet, in the midst of this Viral War,

I feel like maybe blogging some thoughts may help me

and in turn help a few others.

Being a retired nurse, we were taught about Pandemics.

However, I don't think any of us long ago believed

we would actually see it happen...

And then. it happened.

Preparation went rampant and now, in week three,

it has become real to so many of us.

We all know at least one family who is suffering from the 

virus and we all know at least a few people on the front lines

trying to not only keep this virus contained but putting

their own lives at risk to care for those who are already ill.

Every day there is news of just one more person I know

and love who fights on one of these fronts.

Our World has changed and like all fears,

the worst one is fear of the unknown.

I think of my three little grand girls that I miss so much

and how very glad I am for FaceTime and texting even

when I try to keep it to a minimum when they are here.

I am grateful that their Dad is home to be with them

and keep them busy. Their Mom, i am proud to say

goes every day into her nursing profession working in 

hospice care to make her difference. To have to 

strip and shower before she can love up on her babies.

Then there is my gypsy baby, Jesi and her wife, Del.

who are working very little with fine dining being 

Jesi's specialty. Not many out there needing fine dining

or catering of private parties.

Boredom is beginning to settle in for many and I am

thankful for my artistry work to keep me busy.

Today I decide to post, because yesterday I actually went
somewhere. I had a test at the hospital that could not be
put off any longer. (It all turned out fine, no worries)
As I drove to Thibodaux, another beautiful day made
me aware of how few cars are on the roads.
Is the air clearer because less pollution or
are the days more beautiful because they are not being
taken for granted right now.
Having worked in a hospital or in the medical profession
my whole career life, it was odd to be able to pick my parking spot.
Tape along the floors showing the distance of 6 feet, reminding
us of where to stand. I was at the Wellness Center, so not
many ill there, but a table was set up to check your temperature,
ask you questions all to make a decision as to whether you could
enter the building or not. No one asked for money, no one
checked me in except for making a copy of my insurance card.
Odd as usually they ask for money before a test.
It is just so different, the world we live in at present.
Last post was about making home made cards to send to
people. I never imagined just a few weeks later, we would
be quarantined to our homes, making home made cards
needed a whole lot more. I am so very thankful that
I can bring joy to people through my art and remodeling a doll house
for a friend. I stay busy but to say this has stopped me from missing
my family would be wrong.
I do have a belief in a Higher Power I choose to call God.
I also do not believe he cause this virus as some are believing.
Yet, I do think he may be behind all the changes in our world.
I don't think He loves us any less but sitting closely and watching
how people are beginning to think more of how we have been living,
taking family's, loved ones for granted, taking our world for granted.
He may have gotten tired of seeing all the hate in the World,
the pollution, etc. When someone dies because of complications
from Covid 19, some may ask
"Where is the God who could take this all away?"
I believe He knows that those who pass, who believe
in everlasting life in Heaven, are now with Him.
Yes, we are sad here but he knows these we love
are going to Him. I believe when this is all over,
when the young children of the world even forget this
time in their lives, we will not forget. I hope that we shall
all have more love for our fellow man, we will visit more,
relax more, work less. Tell those we love that we Love them,
not just assume they know. Our hearts are making big changes
and The Big Man, well he likes this I think.
When a pregnancy has always been exciting, now when
i hear of a new pregnancy I am over the top full of happy
for this miracle. such wonderful news when most we hear of
is death. MY godchild/great niece and her sweet "baby daddy"
Brendon are due to have their sweet Theo any day now...
Yet it will be different from before as only them two will
be allowed in the hospital. For some, this is a negative.
For her Mom, my niece and Brendon's Mom,
to not be with them when they welcome their grandchild into
the world, it has to be hard. Yet, as Tedi posted a writing
about how some of it is good, where for a few days it will
be just them three bonding, no visitors coming all hours
at a time when they may be overwhelmed. I have
no doubt that these two will do fine and little Theo will
be kept safe from harm.
One day, hopefully soon, this will become a distant memory
but let all hope that we never forget how lonely life
could be without those we love being close by.
Stay safe my friends, stay safe...
Oh, and if you do venture out....
Don't forget your mask!

Importance of snail mail.

Some of this blog may be repetitious from posts I have made

on this blog or my old blog, but some things

are worth saying more than once.

I am a lover of snail mail. 

Our mail carrying system, here in the Garden District

has lots to be desired yet

it has not stopped me from sending love via

a stamp and a post office.

I paint a lot, I paint daily, I paint because it is now

what I do for a living, painting home portraits.

That being said, I do little of what I used to do before

the painting gift, scrapbooking.

This weekend, I needed a thank you card

and I realized I was depleted on my homemade stash.

WHAT????

I will not buy a card.

One, they are way too expensive and two, it's not what I do.

I make greeting cards and have often thought before the

portraits that I would like to start my own greeting card line.

So, Saturday, I dedicated two hours to making hand made cards.

Nothing fancy, just set the timer for two hours and went at it.

I realized just how much I have missed making them.

How much a handmade card says to someone.

I always write personal love notes in any card i send

but the receiver has to know just how special they are to me

when they see "Mumsie's Cottage" stamp is on 

the back side. 

I know when I get a card or letter in the mail in the middle 

of bills and trash mail, I smile, i want to open it first.

I keep each letter or card I get because I know the person

spent time thinking of me. If a love letter is with it,

not just a signature, well that can change a life......

So go for it, make someone smile, if you are not a card maker,

they are two for a dollar at the dollar tree as well as

at Dollar General. If you want me to make you a bulk

for a lower price than Hallmark, let me know.

Whatever you decide, use snail mail, USPS

to send some love to a person who least expects it.

It does wonders for a persons day!

A time in my life...

I have always been blessed, for as long as I have lived,

to have nieces and nephews in my life.

Being born the baby of 7 children with 24 years between

the oldest in myself, I was basically raised with the

sibling offsprings more like siblings to me.

This post, however is not about their generation 

but their offspring, the next generation.

As I was looking for a photo to send along with my 

birthday love to Owen on his 16th birthday.

I have 25,000 photos and not much organization 

to it, so I knew that feat could take a while.

I also knew I would enjoy some of it.

This photo that I had forgotten came across and

although I did not remember the photo,

every memory of the day came flooding back.

It was a low point in my life, the end of a 30 year marriage.

 I was going to Thibodaux to meet up with family

 but I was not in the mood for a birthday celebration.

 That changed quickly as my niece, Rebecca not only makes 

the best cakes ever, but they also taste terrific, had made a special 

one for me. I walked into her home and there were her 

four children along with her two sisters, Tiffany and Tie, and their offspring.                                                                                                                                                                                                 I can still remember this small act of kindness                                                                                                                                                                                  toward their Great Aunt Lil and how it

changed the outlook of not just that day but my life.

I was uncertain of what my future would hold.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Each one of these seven children had made a difference to

who I was along with others that called me Aunt Lil.

That day I began to see a future and it was not so scary. 

I hoped each of these children would remember

 who I was to them as they grew up.

I always tried to spend time with the Greats,

a week with Auntie Lil during the summer, trying

to make as many of their extra curricular activities,

spending nights at their homes. I was always just 

a phone call away, and as I love saying so very often

I tried to be a "part of all their villages"

to the best of my ability.  

That day, the day they were still young but 

they made it a point to be there for Auntie Lil's birthday.

All of them now are between young adults and teens.

One a Mother, another soon to be a Mother.

One experiencing her first love, and one more

living in his own apartment attending college.

Still another, away in Alabama for college.

One in high school where his name is known 

and one more, the baby of the bunch, making milestones

as she acts and plays a musical instrument that is very rare.

My sister, Veronica's family.

Yet, I have many others with whom I could say are just

as special as these seven.

This day, I believe I probably should have been celebrating them,

they were full of love for me, with new outlooks that my single 

life would be okay and that I was loved by so many.

Wow, all of this while I looked through many photos

just to wish one a Happy Birthday!

Maybe another entry for the book.

Happy Sunday all!

                    (sorry for the typeset, I can't fix it)