It’s been a long and challenging few months, and while we’re no longer in the grip of the bleak mid-winter, as I write this, snow is blowing like mad outside, but the green golf course out behind our house is so far refusing to let it stick.  It’s actually a pretty accurate picture of life since my last post–hard times and endurance, death and new life, sadness and hope, endings and beginnings.

Babies have been born* and parties have been enjoyed, but also an unusually large number of really hard things have happened to so many we love and to many around the world. My heart goes out to the many friends who have lost parents or spouses in recent months–or been told that time is near.

Dear Mariann, Tom Glossi’s mom, is gone from us . . .

. . . but not before hearing the amazing news that her great-grandson Sam was cancer-free and didn’t even need chemo.

Very shortly after that, I learned that my dad was suffering from congestive heart failure, reduced lung function, and a few other things and not expected to last long. I was very grateful that David and I were able to jump in the car and head down to Albuquerque to see him in the hospital. You’ll excuse the lack of photo of him in his hospital gown, I’m sure! Dad has stabilized a bit for now, but we headed back down a second time a few weeks later for an important meeting about his care needs. Good to see him smiling occasionally, but it is not easy for him–or any of us.

Albuquerque soothed my grieving soul a bit by being beautiful and warm and further along with spring than Colorado.

After one particularly emotional visit, David drove us out to the prettier parts on the edge of town and we found ourselves back at the beautiful Casa Rondeña Winery. It seemed fitting, since we had discovered this place on our first Albuquerque visit to Dad, so we pulled in, bought a little picnic for out back and raised a glass in honor of my dad. Just what I needed, soaking up the peace, watching the blossoms drift and dance in the breeze around the stone ballerina.

The day after we got back to Colorado, it was off to DC for a much happier event, Chelsea and Will’s engagement party.

 

 

 

 

 

Courtney was able to bring Bailey and Felicity along. Here they are giving you the completely erroneous impression that it was both warm and uncrowded. NOT true. Felicity is just a tough Minnesotan! And we grabbed a tiny break in the crowd to shoot this photo. But they were troopers, walking all day both Thursday and Friday without complaint, except when lunch was a bit late and we hadn’t yet settled on a restaurant!

But even on the brisk, wet days, the blooming trees reminded us that it is actually spring, and warmer days are ahead.

Saturday, the women went with Chelsea to Georgetown to watch her try on wedding dresses. Will’s mom, Ellen, took the beautiful shot below.

David stayed back to babysit, a bit longer than he expected. HOURS later, he texted Courtney, “I’m DONE.” Fortunately, we had already finished at the shop, stopped for a celebratory drink, and were nearly home!

Short break to get ready, then on to the party!

Chelsea kept teasing David that he was going to confuse everyone about which one of them was the bride!

Are you exhausted yet? We are! David and I flew home Monday and almost immediately came down with some flu thing that so far will not leave, so my apologies for being out of touch. You are in our hearts, as always, especially if you are one of those in the middle of a tough season.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die . . .  a time to weep and a time to laugh . . . a time to mourn and a time to dance . . . . 

                                                                                    ∼ excerpt from Ecclesiastes 3

The snow surprises us sometimes, even in the middle of spring, but fortunately, some flowers bloom even up through the snow.

Wishing you good news and celebrations, and in their absence, flowers, warmth, comfort and peace.

*Welcome, Case French, brand new grandson of dear friends Tom and Christy French!