It’s been a year since I have been here.
I’ve been wanting to write. To continue to document memories. They mean more now than ever because my Mom passed away this August after a long battle with cancer. I learned that it was hard to be everywhere and everything for everyone. She was in the hospital July 11 and she never did go home again. She passed away on August 17. It was a hard summer for the girls. They wanted to see her but it was hard for them to see her like that. They still wanted a summer full of lake time and spending time at our friends cabins and to take the trip we talked about. It was hard on them because they didn’t quite understand everything that was happening even though we did try to prepare them. They struggled this summer, no question. My Mom wasn’t a loving Gramma the last months of her life (for good reason – she knew she was dying) and that was exceptionally hard for the girls to understand and accept. Davilyn and Quinn stopped sleeping through the night and were in our room on a regular basis. This continued on for months after her death and it just now seems like they have settled down.
We talk about her a lot. And all the Facebook memories through the years that pop up have taken on a new and special meaning.
I went for my screening last week.
So it’s been a life changing year here at The Rumour Mill. The type of change that no matter how much notice or no notice you get, catches you off guard, takes your breath away and sends you flying. We are trying to shake the cob webs from it all.
Christmas is my absolute most favourite time of the year. Especially so since we moved back to my home when I have been afforded the opportunity of shutting down my office for the two weeks and spending that time with just my family. Craig has to work a bit over the next two weeks but, for the most part, is afforded the time to spend with us as well.
We start off the festivities on December 23 with our annual Festivus party. It’s my favourite party of the year. I’m just as excited for the arrival of Santa as Quinn (who is now 9) and we continue the parties and festivities over the two weeks, complete with some New Years Eve shenanigans.
The girls are getting older and bigger but they still want us to have our family parties and gatherings and spend that time together. I love it. I love that we have friends with children that are the same age as ours and we can all get together (when time allows) and celebrate.
Life doesn’t get any easier as they get older it just changes and the challenges are different. We are so busy running them around. Piper continues to ref hockey games and they all play. Davilyn took up babysitting this past year and has two little girls that she just loves to spend time with. Quinn looks forward to the day that she can make some of her money. As do I. They all do well in school and work hard at it. Both Piper and Davilyn (Quinn isn’t old enough yet) are working towards their lifeguarding credentials. It all keeps us very busy. I had a very busy year at my office as well. I completed the Restorative Justice course that I started around this time last year. There were times when I didn’t think I could do it. Especially in the peak of my Mom’s illness. I struggled with balancing it all.
I’ve been thinking a lot about coming back to this place. Let’s see what 2020 brings.
