Holidays 2018

Enjoying a nice Holiday with Alison and Austin at their new, lovely home in Senoia, GA. It is so peaceful here. Their house is located on an acre of land, I feel like I am in the country, yet so close to civilization. Peachtree City is close by and has all the conveniences necessary. It is so cozy and comfortable, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, a nice cottage feel to it. The kitchen is gourmet and so easy to navigate around. The detached garage makes a great work shop. Alison and Austin 2018, they complete each other surrounded by a loving indoor and outdoor space, the place that they call home. So proud of them, I am looking forward to spending my Holidays here with them.

Christmas 2018

Spending Christmas and the Holidays with Alison and Austin at their new home in Senoia, GA. It is wonderful here, magical even. I am grateful and happy that she is doing so well. The house is beautifully trimmed, weather great, animals, Lily and Jefferson happy and healthy. Alison and Austin made a fantastic Christmas breakfast and dinner. Rob joined us as did Austin's parents, Chip and Cheri and his brother, Grant. Also got to meet Memaw and Granddaddy last weekend. Feeling warm and positive looking ahead. Happy Holidays 2018!

November 14, 2018, Kauai

At the Kauai Beach Club since last Saturday. By myself for the first time ever. Alone but not lonely. Walking, reading, writing, etc. I do not have a car. Staying here on property. On Friday, Alison, Austin & Dylan will be here with a car. Eat breakfast in the villa. Mainly toast, oatmeal & pineapple juice. Had a couple of meals at Dukes. First time Cesar salad and glass of wine, fruit fly in wine, no charge. Next meal hummus dish, never again and 2 glasses of wine. I met a couple, Darlene and Pete from Vancouver, BC. They invited me to join them and share their Hula pie. Lovely people. They even paid my bill. They are staying at the Sheraton in Poipu. Best meal of all, happy hour at Kukui's, fish tacos, hit the spot. That will be my go to spot for the rest of this week. Shopping done at Lamont's on property, no need to go to ABC for anything. This week, they have been ditch digging, landscaping to remove plants, improve view and put in sod. They should be done by Saturday. I am happy with the remodeled villa and location, very comfortable. I am connected to streaming video on my laptop, check stuff online. Electronically all set, thank you, Dick. Will donate to Camp Fire in Butte County, California, via Salvation Army, channeling my beloved. Butte Strong, they will rebuild. Such a tragic loss of at least 50 lives. Proud of my family for stepping up big time to help out and keep us all informed.

Charles Richard my love, my hero

https://www.dropbox.com/h

Will's 9th

Will died 9 years ago on this day, the 19th of October. This time every year since then has been difficult. The love in me for Will as his Mom breaks my heart over and over again. He was a great son. I am grateful that he called me his Mom. He is now up there among the stars with his Dad, both watching over us. Oh how I miss them.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

It is 4:12 am, I have been up for a couple of hours. I have to force myself to stay up later in the evening so that I am not wide awake in the middle of the night. It is quiet, surrounded by my lovely animals, Billie, Millie and Ginger. I am starting to read a book about Shakespeare called Time's Fool. Still figuring out what it is that I want to do with my life, it will take a while. Planning trips for the next year. Mainly visiting family and friends. Writing and as Kent said at Dick's Celebration of Life, stay social. I am grateful to have had Dick in my life, his way of solving problems, keeping sharp, planning and implementing projects. Yesterday, when I was taking a shower, I was thanking him for putting the grab bars in the shower. I would say only the best for Dick, how true and translated to mean only the best for me too. We made a home here, it reflects both of us and I am happy with it. Reminded of our many years and wonderful times building a life together. I loved and will always love Charles Richard Dickens. He called me his Gardener, the garden is beautiful with its roses, hydrangeas, Japanese maples, lantana, gardenias and much more. Reflecting on life and living, today is a new day.

July, August & September

It is October 1 and I am here in Carmel Highlands, alone, calm and at peace. Summer 2018 was hopeful at the beginning, emotional and tragic. My husband, Dick, got very sick and fell a couple of times. Hopeful because we thought that he would recover and be able to make it Kauai for our 22nd year there and our 30th wedding anniversary. Emotional and tragic because Dick did not recover and died on July 14. Alison, her boyfriend, Austin and son, Rob were with me and so supportive of us during this time. We were all with Dick on the day that he died, telling him how much we love him and how grateful we are to have shared our lives with him. On his way to heaven, he saw birds, what kind of birds, Bluejays, he said. Will was waiting for him. After Dick died, the rest of the summer was spent planning arrangements, settling the estate and all that goes along with that. We planned a memorial service at St. Augustine's in Rocklin, CA for September 29. Still planning our trip to Bakewell, Yorkshire, England in June of 2019 to have him interred with his parents. His Celebration of life was last Saturday. It was perfect. Joined by family and friends the service was beautiful. Children and Grandchildren participated by delivering readings, reflections and the making the oh so awesome video presentation. The whole family participated. The simple reception at the church with coffee, tea and cookies was wonderful. He would have wanted it that way since we did coffee hour for so many years at our old church, St. Bede's in Menlo Park, CA. Finally, the reception at the house was beautiful. Extended family, neighbors and out of town friends came to share stories and fond memories of Dick and our family. People gathered outside and enjoyed the weather, each other, the view and the breathtaking sunset. People inside also shared stories and enjoyed each other's company. Sharing all with love for Dick/Chuck/Richard. Yesterday, I drove to Carmel via San Jose , CA to visit with my Mom and sister, Sheila. Today is October 1. And off to the ocean I must go to lose my mind and find my soul...

June thoughts

Changes are inevitable. Taking care of my husband, Dick, as he has many medical challenges. Lack of mobility, sleep, pain, etc. It is awful. So emotional for me. Just talked to Mom, she says she wishes she lived closer. Me too. The morning went well this morning. Helped Dick get ready with his compression socks, get up from the recliner chair, the one that he does not sleep in. He can't sleep in bed either so he stays up all night watching television. Soccer World Cup mostly. Got him comfortable at his computer desk. He went on-line and started calling the clinic and ordering pills. I took Millie for a nice long walk after having my coffee outside in the back garden. It is so peaceful in the early morning. Today, we go to the Dr., a follow-up appointment for Dick's DVT in his left leg. Wednesday, we see another Dr. at the clinic about lack of sleep and possibly getting a hospital bed and other medication to help Dick sleep and regain his strength. Alison is a wonderful daughter. She called yesterday, Father's Day, and the night before. Great catching up with her. Next week, we are supposed to go to Carmel. I hope we can. We had to cancel our May trip to England. Dick can't fly with the DVT. I hope that it is better by November, otherwise Kauai may not happen for us. You never know what life has in store. Taking it day to day. Fortunately, Dick has a positive attitude and keeps smiling, his mind is good too. Praying for miracles.

Will's Story Update

Had a major breakthrough on Will's story. Thanks to my research and brainstorming with Friends and family, decided to use Word. Consolidated pictures from 3 computers. Excellent session adding pictures and editing.

April 1, 2018 Happy Easter

Visiting Alison & Austin in Senoia, GA for several days. On Saturday before Easter, we met Rob, Dayna, Cheri & Chip, Austin's parents at a new place in Senoia called Bistro Hilary. It was a perfect day so we ate outside. The menu was limited but the food was excellent. We then said our farewell to Rob & Dayna and walked around Senoia with Cheri & Chip looking at the shops. We ran into 3 zombies on the street. Senoia is where they film The Walking Dead. It was so fun. Back at home, we relaxed on the deck. On Easter Sunday, Austin had to work so Alison & I went to church where we met friends, Dylan & Danielle. The Anglican Church was beautiful.

Spring - April 2018

It is a beautiful Spring Sunday at home in Lincoln, CA. The garden is lovely. I am so happy and inspired working in the garden this morning before heading to church. Did some weeding before I left, then after church, stopped to fill the garden in with other plants. I am excited to see how our garden grows this season.

Stuck again trying

I have been trying to live up to my commitment to write positively about Will's life. Today, I hit a wall and am stuck again. Grateful for the Alison, Dick family, the animals and my life. Trying a new tactic, I will be over it soon🤞 One step in front of the other, keep moving on👣. He was just like any other kid, happy, full life, engaged, what happened? The more that I write about Will, the more that I get to know him.

Reflections Carmel Highlands March 4-8 2018

I am finally unstuck and writing Will's story focusing on all the positives in his life and our lives. For many years, my mind has been cluttered with all that has happened. It can be so sad and overwhelming losing him and negative with anger that the police did such a horrible job investigating his death. To prepare the binder containing Will's memory artifacts, I had to sift through many painful reminders and other artifacts through this journey living without Will in our lives on Earth. Although, reread the notes from my meeting with Mark Hernandez, the Medium, and was really glad I found that file. I shared it with Alison and we both connected very closely about its content. Was he murdered? Now, almost 9 years later no matter what caused his death, it will not bring him back to life. Richard inspired my to do a memory book of his life. That did it for me, it cleared the cobwebs, finally. And what a place to reflect and write about Will - Carmel Highlands, with a beautiful ocean view. No matter where I write it will be great because it is about memories with Will.
The first story is about his love for our annual trips to Kauai, next his love for his cat, Nora and his love of nature. My goal is to write 300 words every day and attend writer's group meetings to get feedback until the book is published. I am renewed that I am finally able to move on in such a positive way.

February 2018 rolling into March

March 1- February has come and gone. Thankful to have spent several days with my Mom at her house in San Jose. Alison and Austin had had birthdays in February. Lily, their new Plott Hound is now part of their family. She is a really sweet dog. She and Jefferson , their cat will make a good team 😻We hope. March has much in store for us; a trip to Carmel while stopping to visit Christine, Mom and Sheila on the way. Teaching Facebook. Visit from Rob. St Patrick's dinner show to see the Irish group Molly's Revenge. End of month through Easter visiting Alison in Senoia, GA.

January 2018

First, reflections back to the end of 2017. Dick met Rob in New Orleans for Jerry's AGU award as a Fellow. They drove to Alison and Austin's in Senoia. I was already there. We had a wonderful time, meeting Austin's parents. Alison & Austin's house in Senoia is darling and perfect for them and visitors. We had a BBQ and an early Christmas with Alison and Austin and Rob. We drove from Senoia to Raleigh, NC and flew home from there.

On Christmas Day, we had breakfast with Christine, Alex and Victoria and Lily at Christine's house in Palo Alto. We had a very nice visit, it was so great to see them. Christine did a fantastic job making and serving brekkie. Her house was trimmed beautifully. Next we went to San Jose to Janet's Mom's house for presents and dinner. House trimmed beautifully, too! Great to catch up with dear family and friends. At the end of the year, we had a tea with friends Sloane & David and Judy & John at our house. Dick did a fantastic job with tea sandwiches including egg salad, cucumber and salmon! Went with Millie to Dick's dental appointment on January 4, then visited with Mom in San Jose. Met her caregivers, Akata and Ana.
Alison is happy and thriving. She is doing well at work. Trips planned for this year include Carmel, England and Hawaii as well as visits with family. As always, missing and loving Will.