MLK

HBD Chrissie (yesterday)

Ordered these:

Cousin Edie turns 90 on the 14th

So I organized these FarmGirl Flowers to be sent to her:

For Karin

January 12, 2024

I ordered this for Karin today:

Karin and Jarlath

Jan 10th

John sent me this link in the morning:
https://www.mansfieldnordic.org/remembering-jarlath/



It's Karin's Jarlath. The man she told me about when she stayed here in December. She told me how they were introduced and how quickly things were progressing and that they were falling in love. Such a sweet love story.

And then this.

So I texted her and let her know that I was thinking of her and sending her love and support.

Within an hour she called, devastated and I'd say, still in shock. How could she not me. He was supposed to come and stay with her today and through the long weekend. They were two peas in a pod (sound familiar?), love notes, etc etc. All so beautiful.

Later that afternoon I picked up my mail. And got this:

Such a tragedy - and how could it be that this all came my way IN THE SAME DAY. Her card arrived on the very day I learned of his death (not yesterday, not tomorrow, today) and she mentioned that she can't wait to introduce me and that he's a keeper.

Heartbroken.

Still Roadworthy?

January 9th, 2024

Dad emailed this to everyone with one comment: "Still Roadworthy?"

Uncle Sydney replied:

You and he are both Scorpions. I don't know about him, but you are in good shape!

I replied:
You are DEFINITELY Roadworthy in '24! 

and Skiworthy too!

To which Dad replied:
Actually, Louisa, I hope I don't sound too pedantic, but I do think the word corresponding to "Roadworthy" should be "Slopeworthy" rather than "Skiworthy" whose parallel would obviously be "Carworthy". 

He cracks me up!

Bailey

Found this in my notes this morning. Oh how I loved her. I still miss her everyday. When I think of her my heart hurts. Physically hurts.

My beloved Bailey is now sniffing her way through endless grassy fields finding all the angel bunnies she never found. I know she's also so happy to be reunited with with her old pals - Philo, Rudder, Astro, Rosie, Carlos and Wally. Those are just a few of the names that she remembered and put up her ears and cocked her head whenever she heard them.

She was with me 24/7 and helped me get through some very difficult years. She knew I needed her and gave me that look of support and you can do this when we locked eyes. She gave me endless love, snuggles and understood, not only me but also a lot of my words. I could almost have a conversation with her. Really.

If she knew you she greeted you with her excited wagging tail and the cutest little hello-I'm-so-happy-to-see-you-sounds. She'd expect you to say hello, give her ears a rub and then she'd swing around and expect you to give her a little butt rub. She was no fool, she knew the power of a good massage. She also had the best smile.

As we drove back home this morning in silence, I was sitting in the backseat with tears streaming down my cheeks. Not 2 minutes later the sun found its way to my face. I could feel the warm - she sent me those rays. She knew how much I love and need the sun and how much I've been missing it lately. It felt so good. 

We walked Thompson's Point in her memory, a walk we must have done together hundreds and hundreds of times. It was cold but sunny and beautiful and we shared our favorite Bailey stories. 

Back at home, the wood stove is roaring but the house is cold and empty even though there are 4 of us here. Everywhere we look we see her. Our hearts are heavy. Our souls are aching. Oh how we miss our Bailey girl. The void is palpable. 

Rest In Peace #mydogbailey