TheDogwoodBlossom: So Blessed

Just before bed tonight Google sent me a "one year ago" in photos reminder. It was pictures of my dear sweet man and I celebrating our anniversary in Key West and snorkeling at Dry Tortugas National Park, a truly spectacular place. Then I crawled into my plastic mattress cot that is a little too short and a little too narrow to spend the night with my mom on day 14 of her hospital stay. I felt a little sorry for myself. Then I decided to consider what all had transpired since those Dry Tortugas photos were made.

We lived in Palm City, Florida. We had a condo I really liked with a pool I loved. One of my favorite nieces spent 2 or 3 weeks with us before we left.

In August we were able to visit my parents in Alabama and our daughter in Arizona. That trip included hiking in Sedona and Kartchner Caverns.

In September we moved to North Augusta, South Carolina. While there we were able to get to know Augusta, Georgia a bit; spend 3 days in Savannah, Georgia; 2 days in Charleston, South Carolina; and tour the Biltmore House decorated for Christmas.

In October took a road trip with my youngest son from Alabama to upper Michigan for a special wedding. Then a trip to Indianapolis for granddaughter's first birthday.

In November we went to the SEC Championship football game in Atlanta.

We left North Augusta at the end of January for a 3 month sabbatical for my husband. In those 3 months we spent quality time with my 88 and 84 year old parents; spent 3 weeks helping our pregnant daughter get her house in Arizona ready to sale while her husband had to be out of town on business, go to Rocky Point, Mexico with her and her husband, help them move to Colorado and set up their new home. We were able to go to Indianapolis for a week and visit son, daughter in law, and precious grandbaby. Spent many good evenings playing Rook and Sequence with my brother and sister in law.

In May my husband started his new year long job just outside of Atlanta. As our apartment was not available till June 1st, I stayed with my parents AND took a 10 day trip to Spain with my daughter and friend.

Since last year, I have been able to design and finish some of the most complicated quilts I have done, moving from just pieced quilts to learning how to applique.

I moved on June 1 but also helped plan, coordinate, hostess and complete an awesome weekend with a surprise baby shower for my daughter last weekend. Friends from several states flew in and she was completely shocked and overwhelmed. All this while my mom was in the hospital with serious issues.

So as I lay on my cot and looked over what has transpired over the past year, how can I feel low? My mom is the one sick, not me. She seemed to turn the corner this afternoon and I see some improvement.

So I lay on my cot and feel deeply and profoundly blessed.   When I consider these things, my discouragement turns to joy. I can hardly believe all I have been allowed to do this past year.