Monday Dog Blog: When Mommy and Mom Go Away

Mommy and Mom traveled to Ellicott City last week so Mommy could go to PT as well as meet up with Dr. Rowe. 

Dad and Abbie took such good care of us! 

They also have really nice views of the mountain and a big deck for us to hang out on.

They even let us hog the bed!

Thanks so much for taking such good care of us, Dad and Abbie!

We really appreciate knowing we have somewhere to go that we like--and you know exactly what we need.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Tovah Rose and Gershwin

"You Can Never Have Too Much Mothering"

Mom, Me, Abbie

"You Can Never Have Too Much Mothering"

I wish I could remember who said this to me many, many years ago. 

I've thought of it so often over the years.

At the Arboretum

This Mother's Day I'm thinking about the blessing of all of the mothering I've received throughout my life. 

A Night Out With Dad, Abbie and Mom in February--To See "Sister Act"

I have a stepmom who loves me and whom I love. She has seen me through all the years of my illness and oh, the joy she takes in my new life! It brings me to tears.

I had grandmothers who mothered me. I have aunts who are like second mothers to me. I have a tribe of women of all ages who mother me. I attend the Hadassah Hanukkah party each and I'm the youngest person by at least 20 years--and everyone mothers me. 

Yes, Even Goofy Lisa Mothers Me :)

All of these women who mother me teach me what it means to mother, the many ways we can mother, that being a 'mother' can take many forms, and that it really does take a village to mother human beings (and our fur kids).

My Beloved Aunt Jeanette

I cannot post a picture or make a list of all of the women who have been part of the tribe of mothers in my life. But you likely know who you are. You listened to me, you helped me learn how to sew or another skill, you cooked food for me, you cared for me, you lifted me up when I needed it most, you gave your love without expectation of anything in return. 

With My Mom

I wonder if we ever outgrow our need to be mothered? I know, at 40, I still need and want mothering. 

And I am fortunate enough to find myself FULL to the brim.

Thank you, first and foremost, to my mom for her selfless love. Thank you to Abbie for accepting me as her stepdaughter. Thank you to my Aunt Jeanette for being a second mom to me since I was a baby girl. Thank you to EVERYONE who has mothered me in any capacity. 

Whether we are the mother of a child is not the only definition of motherhood. We can mother in so many capacities. 

So, this Mother's Day, I thank all of the women who have helped to 'raise me up right' these past 40 years. I hope I'll find ways to pay it forward in the form of my own mothering as the years go on. And for now, I'll go on mothering these fur kids of mine. :)

Blessings,

Emily

Thanksgiving at D and A's

Monica, Bill, Me, Tovah Rose, Jon, Meredith, Riley,
Reese, Abbie and Dad

As has become Thanksgiving tradition now, I joined D and A at their house for Turkey Day.

The Mountains Surrounding D and A's

It was still a winter wonderland out where they live.

Reese Reads!

Reese, who is only in kindergarden can read books all by himself. And I mean, like, chapter books. Like the Magic Treehouse!

Dad and Riley

Dad likes to play with the boys. He's a big kid at heart and fits right in. Here he is hanging out with Riley.

Riley and Reese

A moment with the brothers together. Reese is too absorbed in his book to take time for a silly photograph from Aunt Emily.

Bill and Monica Strike a Pose

A great pic of my stepsister, Monica, and her husband, Bill.

Sisters and Twinkies

Meredith and Monica claim that they did not plan to dress as twinkles today, but aren't they cute together? 

Dad, Tovah Rose, and Me

Daddy and Daughter (and Tovah Rose too).

Francine and Abbie

Abbie with her longtime friend, Francine, who joins us every year for Thanksgiving.

The View

Abbie asked us each to go around the table and say what we were thankful for this year. She spoke first, saying that she was so happy to have all of her family together and healthy...and healthier. :) The light in her eyes when she looked at me as she said 'healthier' melted my heart. 

Gorgeous!

It was wonderful to be able to participate in the holiday fully--easily sitting at the dinner table, helping to clear the dishes, reading a book to Riley, carrying him to the dinner table, taking photos, chatting with Meredith and Monica, and interacting with the boys. And did you notice who is standing in the family photo?! Tovah Rose joined us this year, since Mr. G had gotten to go last year. 

She came home just as pooped out from all of the activity as I did! :) According to Mom, Gershwin wandered around the house while we were gone acting lost and confused. My poor little guy.

No Complaints From Me About The Snow!

Mom and I topped off the day with a light dinner of soup and salad, and settled in for the first half of Forrest Gump, which I have somehow managed not to see since it was in the theaters 20 years ago!

Thank you, Abbie, for the huge spread and warm loving embrace of all of us.

Blessings,

Emily

39: Best Birthday Ever?

I know, I know. I've been talking about my birthday a lot. Maybe too much.

As I look back on it though, I have to say: it really was perhaps the best birthday I have ever had. Okay, no, Wynton didn't show up at my door, but otherwise this one tops all. This isn't about bragging about all the things I 'did', it's about how I felt.

I mean, perhaps it is a little sad that Wynton didn't show up...but you get the idea. :) He and Lisa showed up when I needed someone to show me how to find joy again, and that is what made those meetings so impactful on me.

Birthday Roses From Sarah, Bob, Lana and Buffy. :)

The top reason this birthday was so fantastic:

I spent the entire month of October celebrating LIFE. So many of my birthdays over the past few years have been tinged with sadness--sadness over not being married, over not having a child, over not being healthy, over not having things I so want in life.

This year, I felt fully able to celebrate all of my incredible blessings. My life feels full and vibrant. It feels full of love and stability in relationships. It feels full of family that loves me and friends who are amazing. It feels full with two puppies that I adore.

I didn't focus on what I 'don't have'. At all.

That, in and of itself, was a huge victory for me.

I just embraced the dancing light that I do have.

Gorgeous!

But then, the joys just kept piling on.

I dyed my hair blue and made my 39th birthday wish to raise $3900 for Dr. ANS. I felt energized, alive, passionate, and empowered by this impactful campaign. I felt humbled and overwhelmed by the donations and support that came flooding in. 

I Am Spoiled

On my birthday I took phone calls; I opened mail; I received gifts and flowers; I went OUT to dinner with Mom and Jeannine; I ordered a glass of wine for the first time in 17 years; I got carded at the restaurant. It was a wonderful day.

We went for a Fall drive.

We went out to brunch as a big family--Dad, Abbie, Mom, Jeannine and me. Together. All of us. Dad and Abbie spoiled me with special gifts. Abbie even dyed part of her hair blue too.

I got boots. The big tall kind that make me feel like a million bucks.

I savored every moment of being with those I love, hearing from those I love, and enjoying the activities I could engage in that I hadn't been able to do before. And wearing my boots with a dress.

I had a Celebration of Life party at the Spa with a group of fantastic women. One of my friends surprised me by secretly paying for my spa treatment. We had food and wine and pampering and laughter.

I felt alive.

And just as I thought the month was a wrap, that really, things couldn't get any better, we travelled to Hopkins and got the news that Dr. ANS expects me to get better and better and better.

Besides the love in my life, that is undeniably the best gift I could have received. 

The next day, my best friend won a caregiver of the year award. 

And scattered in between all of these big, huge moments I had a birthday lunch with Rebekah, a concert outing to see Brian Stokes Mitchell (and Lisa and Brianna, of course!),  a lunch out with Mom and Barbara, and dinner out on the Inner Harbor with Jess. My friend, Emily, adopted a baby on the same day I got my news from Hopkins. I'll never forget Kai's Gotcha Day!

Love the Vase and Butterflies Too!

I suppose it's no wonder November finds me feeling a little bit tired. October was a pretty busy month--physically and emotionally! But oh, so very worth it.

I'm starting to plant the seedlings now for how I most want to celebrate next year. How can I make it the most meaningful? Mom will be turning 70 and I will be turning 40, and I want us to make sure we take time to pause and celebrate LIFE again.

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday such a wonderful one in so many ways! 

I have my pile of cards ready to read. Over and over. Whenever I need a reminder of what really matters in this world.

Blessings,

Emily

A Blended Birthday Brunch

Our Blended Family

On Sunday, Dad and Abbie treated our whole blended family to brunch at a place that has a wonderful view of the mountains. 

The View

It's such an amazing testament to Dad, Mom and Abbie that we are able to be together--all of us--and truly enjoy each other's company. We care about each other, we watch out for each other, and we work very hard to make the best of having an adult child with illness in the family. Since Jeannine and I grew up together, she fits right in with both of my parents and with Abbie.

When Mom redid the basement, Abbie kept telling her how happy she was for Mom for doing this for herself. In these moments, I tear up because I know how very fortunate I am that all three of my parents are able to put aside their differences in order to have the best relationship with me.

Solidarity

Abbie surprised me with an awesome birthday gift: she dyed part of her hair blue too! She is supporting both breast cancer and dysautonomia this month. Such a meaningful gift! And she rocks the look too! 

Making My Same Wish!

We celebrated my birthday again--this time with Dad and Abbie singing--with the other half of the gluten-free pumpkin cake. 

All of this good food over the weekend may explain my post-birthday gastroparesis flare which has been a major bummer this week.

Perfect Day

We decided to take advantage of the perfect weather and scenery to snap a few pics of our wonderfully blended family.

Thank you Dad and Abbie for the birthday treat! I had such a special birthday this year!

Blessings,

Emily

New Christmas Traditions with Dad and Abbie

Abbie Has the House Decorated Beautifully

We celebrated Christmas tonight at Dad and Abbie's. And it just might be one of my favorite Christmas celebrations ever.

Dad, Me, Jeannine

I grew up celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah. After my parents divorced, we never really came up with new traditions for Christmas. Many years I've been too sick to go to Christmas with all of the family at Dad and Abbie's, and in general it's a little overwhelming for me physically.

So, we decided to try something a little different. Dad and Abbie had Jeannine and I over for a steak dinner. Afterwards we exchanged meaningful gifts that everyone was excited about. (I'm most excited about another year of audible membership, a Golden State Warriors sweatshirt and some new 'tunes.)

Dad, Me, Abbie

Just being able to go over to Dad and Abbie's for an evening, share a meal together, and celebrate the holiday made this year so special. What made it extra special was how much we all laughed and enjoyed being together.

A new Christmas tradition has been born, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Blessings,

Emily

Thanksgiving

Winter Wonderland

I have been resting all week so that I could go to Dad and Abbie's for Thanksgiving. It was a winter wonderland out where they live--with all of the trees covered in ice.

Back Row (Left to Right): Jon, Bill, Monica, Francine, Abbie
Front Row (Left to Right): Meredith, Riley, Me, Gershwin, Dad, Reese)

Dad and Abbie had quite a crew for the noon meal: my stepsisters (Meredith and Monica),; their husbands (Jon and Bill); Meredith's two sons (Reese and Riley); Abbie's long time friend, Francine; me and my 'date',  Gershwin. 

Reese Reads to Pop Pop

Reese adores his Pop Pop, which is absolutely adorable. I sometimes feel a little wistful watching my dad with Reese and wondering what it would have been like to see him as a grandfather to my own children.

Abbie and her daughter, Monica

Abbie is looking at the camera and smiling! 

Gershwin, Dad, Me

I was really grateful to be able to go and see everyone, especially Reese, who declared that he has changed in hundreds of ways! :)

Riley is Worn Out from that Big Meal!

Abbie goes all out for the holidays and made a wonderful meal.

Meredith and Riley

I really enjoyed being able to bring one of the puppies along--this year Gershwin got to go. Maybe next time Tovah Rose will get a turn.

Bill and Gershwin

Bill and Gershwin became fast friends.

Dad, Gershwin, Me and Tovah Rose

Mom snapped this nice pic of Dad and I with the puppies when he brought me home. Asher was right at our feet. 

I think I am still full from our meal. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Emily

Birthday With Dad and Abbie

Love This Pic of Us!

Dad and Abbie came over this weekend to celebrate my birthday. Here I am with my new purse, book on CASSETTE (yes, this book only comes on cassette and I still have a cassette player), and Emmylou Harris CD. 

My friend Ellen has been encouraging me to listen to the book of letters between Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning as an example of a love story between a woman who is very physically ill and her husband to be.

Abbie and Tovah Rose

Twinkle Toes is a bit over exuberant in her greetings sometimes and Abbie has fragile skin, so she comes prepared with a pair of socks! This always cracks me up. Tovah was so settled in on Abbie's  lap she cold barely keep her eyes open.

Dad and His Buddy Gershwin

Dad loves to be with the pooches.

He and I are having a daddy-daughter birthday date on Saturday at Barnes and Noble to do a little shopping and have a cup of tea together. I'm so excited to be able to go on an outing!

Thanks for starting off my birthday week with a nice visit Dad and Abbie!

Blessings,

Emily