Nine Years Ago...

It was a Saturday. I had been single and on my own for about a year. The weekends are always tough when you're single, and all of your friends are married.
I decided to spend the day cleaning out some stuff in my scrapbook room - always an ongoing project. I remember sitting in the middle of the floor, saved memorabilia in piles all around me. Pieces of my life scattered on the floor.
I found a love letter from my ex-husband.
I read it.
I had forgotten all about it.
When did this love die?
I called my daughter-in-law and read the letter to her.
We cried together.
I held the letter in my hand for a while.
Not really wanting to keep it, but not really wanting to throw it away either.
What to do with the pieces of my life?
What to do with the pieces of my broken heart?
A few hours later, I decide to go to the Spa in the apartment complex.
I sat there for several minutes still contemplating and wondering about those pieces of my life...
Then came you.
I wasn't looking for you.
But there you were anyway.
That smile. Those dimples. That southern drawl. (sigh)
Who knew then that you would be the one to put the pieces of my life and the broken pieces of my heart back together again.
Happy Meeting Day, Spa-man! I love you...

Voices on the Phone...

Today is my granddaughter's 5th birthday. I know that because I asked her how old she was going to be when I talked to her on the phone yesterday. I had to ask because I didn't really know what year she was born (though I thought it was 2008). To her I am just a voice on the phone once or twice a year and random Christmas visits to my office. She says thank-you and I love you ... but just because her mom reminds her to say those things. To her I'm just a voice on the phone.
I have spoken to six of my eight grandchildren on the phone in the last 2 weeks. That is amazing. That. Is. Wonderful. Four of them live in Oregon and they know me and I know them very well. But I hadn't spoken with them in a few weeks. I miss them. I called hoping to find them at home and I hit the jackpot - all four were home. I spoke to each one for a few minutes. Just checking in to see how school is going, and to ask what else is happening in their lives. Bevan is looking forward to Dragon Boat Races; Trevor just finished Basketball (his team won the championship) and he's in a new play, "Peter Pan;" Julian, who along with Dawson was recently baptized, said - 'you know you're my sister now, too.' Oh, cool, I said. A sister and a grandma. That. Is. Awesome. And ... Dawson, was on page 183 of an 185 page book he needed to finish and do a book report on. He's also going to a State Chess Competition this weekend. Lots of good stuff happening there.
I spoke with Eric, who just turned 14, when he called to thank me for the birthday card and gift card. He does know who I am - more than just a voice on the phone, because I did get to babysit him and spend more time with him when he was a baby and toddler. A couple of times he said something, then chuckled and it sounded so much like his dad. I miss him, too.
Voices on the phone...I loved hearing each one. They are all different. Their personalities come through the line and I smile and wish I could see them face to face...not just a voice on the phone.