octolilly [through the years]

The movers are supposed to arrive any minute. Drew is sound asleep in one of Mom and Dad’s guest rooms, Daniel is walking through the Moho checking things out, and I’m crashing on the couch at Mom and Dad’s for a few minutes.

We said goodbye to Mom and Dad this morning and goodness, too many tears and hugs. I am going to miss them so much. These past few days have been extra special as we’ve spent a lot more time together, talking, laughing, crying, and just reassuring each other that even though miles separate us we are close in our hearts. We are hoping they will come visit in the next few months.

One thing that concerns me time-wise is that the movers are having to use a shuttle truck because an 18 wheeler won’t fit down the driveway into The Valley. So, they are parking the 18 wheeler nearby and using a shuttle truck to ferry things back and forth. That will make things go a bit slower, I imagine. But, they are professionals and it will take much less time than if we were doing it ourselves. Once the moving truck is loaded and out of here, we will be hitting the road for Virginia where we are spending the night tonight.

So, farewell for now and I imagine I’ll write next from a hotel in Virginia. Please pray for sanity and traveling safety.

I also promise not to throw any cheeseburgers if things get stressful. 😉 I’m learning patience through all of this. I am even SMILING a lot this morning. Goodness. 😛

While my lovely Grandma Betty has been visiting us from Florida, we have snuck over to my parents home and spent time talking, laughing, and watching Drew enjoy the precious rocking horse she and my Papa Toot (cute name, huh?) bought for him. But tonight we chose to go downtown Greenville and walk the streets, eat dinner, and enjoy spending time with family. Sweet Betty seemed to enjoy it all and she put up with our walking very fast and rushing here and there.

My Dad and Daniel talked through the history of buildings we kept passing and Mom and Betty kept a check on all the cute shops we passed (most were closed because it was a Monday night). It was such a great time spending time with Mom and Dad.

While eating at Bellacino’s, I attempted to keep Drew entertained with juice, snacks, toys, and books (I’d already fed him before we left). He really thought this ice cream toy was hilarious.

It was fascinating to see Drew’s absolute LOVE of being outside. I felt almost rebuked as I suddenly realized that my son is a nature baby and I haven’t really been giving him a chance to enjoy it all lately. The overwhelming heat has been the reason I haven’t been taking a daily walk with him (and um, I can tell because walking downtown tonight was more difficult than it should have been) but I need to creatively work around the heat and make sure he gets a bit of time outside each day.

I shared this thought with Mom and she encouraged me to start planning some creative/outdoor outlets for Drew (and me! and Daniel!). Hey, most of it can be free, right?

After dinner we walked down to Reedy River and on the way down the embankment, I stopped to take pictures of the beautiful flowers and greenery. I’d love to see the garden plans for the area. It is gorgeous and designed so well.

If you have been downtown Greenville, and walked on the Liberty Bridge, you have more than likely felt the slight swaying of the bridge. Betty kept squealing that the bridge should NOT be swaying and it took a please, please to get her to pose with Mom.

Drew LOVED being on the bridge and looking at the waterfall. He kept playing with the tiny ropes as though they were guitar strings (he spent quite a lot of time playing with Daniel’s guitar this afternoon).

There were a lot of animals in the park, too. I’ve been teaching Drew to say dog and when we saw lots of dogs, he tried his best to say DAH each time. These cutie pies were frisking all over the place and their walkers assured us that THEY were the ones actually being walked. I feel like that whenever I am holding Drew’s hand and he’s running as fast as he can. 😉

The leaves fascinated Drew. He kept checking all about for big leaves and when he’d find them he would bat them back and forth and shriek for joy.

While Drew played in the grass, a couple nearby (who had a PRECIOUS little boy) kept watching us and smiling. The father walked over finally and asked how old our son was and we started sharing thoughts on children walking early. Their son is 9 months old and as we told them that Drew started walking at TEN months old, they both shared a laugh and said they wondered if they were ready for that. Drew started leaning towards the little boy and whining so they got their son out and introduced him to Drew. It was hilarious to watch and Drew just LOVED it. He started quickly towards the little boy and I thought he might just love him to death so we tried to intervene but then he just wanted to play with his new friend’s stroller. 🙂 When we finally parted ways, Drew SOBBED as his new little friend left. Daniel had to take him down to the water and calm him down.

Another leaf helped too.

And when Grammy found THIS leaf, well, you can imagine. Drew was squealing with delight.

We then met a LOVELY family with a bundle of children. We were so enthralled with their large family (they had two others at home!) that we stopped to talk and take pictures. The children were precious and gathered around to see the pictures we took. I told the mother I’d email her the picture as soon as we got home. It was just another reminder of how wonderful it is to bump into folks in your community and really connect.

As we walked along, I discovered beautiful artwork along the sidewalks. It was so inspirational to see such art. It made me want to rush right home and paint, draw, or cut things out of paper. Instead, I’m curled up in the green chair, resting my feet. But hey, maybe I’ll cut things out of paper tomorrow.

On our way back to the car, we passed Bellacino’s again and we went in to get a drink to quench our thirst. While inside, I noticed the beautiful molding and asked the guy behind the counter about it. He told me it was original and took me around to show me how this cozy cafe used to be a pharmacy in the 1930’s. The original pharmacy drawers are still in the restaurant. We pulled them out and laughed at how times change.

So, it was a WONDERFUL evening and after my poor, sweet, darling husband’s day of constant stress, I was very grateful that we had the chance to get out of the house and relax with those we love most.

My Granny has been in rehab in a nursing facility for almost two weeks now. She is slowly regaining her strength and mobility as well as her wry outlook on life. Each time I go to visit her, I’m not sure if she will encourage me with a bit of spiritual insight or fuss at me because I didn’t get the ice cream out of her fridge yet. And while we are on the subject, she is going to FUSS when she comes back home to discover that I have “gone on a diet.” Real southern women never go on a diet, you know.

Our visits to Granny are still sweet though, and I am so thankful that she is gradually getting better. The worry that she’ll take a turn for the worse and we’ll have rough days ahead is ever present but I must remind myself that the Lord knows the path ahead and also will give us all grace and strength to tread it.

While winding through the halls, you cannot help but see aching faces, missing limbs, sad eyes, and hear quiet, yet desperate moanings. It is creepy. And the smell when you first walk in is enough to make you stop and turn around and head right back home. Thankfully, Granny is on the good side and her hallway is relatively normal. Well, except for the lady who presses the nurse call button over and over and over. Each time we bring Drew by, the wheelchairs start heading our way in a freakish zombie-like way and they mutter, “baaaaby!” There is pointing. And they always ask, “What is it?” Um. A baby. Oh, you meant is it a boy or girl?

And even though I am repulsed at times, I cannot help but feel so terribly sorry for the folks who are there. Some are merely there for a short-term stay, like Granny. And others are there always. And not all of them have family stopping to see them. Such loneliness.

I walk through the halls and try to smile and whisper hello. Some catch my eye and their smile grows wide and they catch their breath. And others have a blank stare. Already gone.For sure, the Lord hears many prayers from this place. Some are for healing and some for visitors. But many must be in the form of “Oh, Lord, please help me to never end up here.”