Canada Day Weekend

Dear Mom,

The laundry is backed up beyond belief, the house is a mess, and Sue is coming in about an hour.   I'm trying to release the need to have things perfect, remembering that she is here to help.

Last night I had Dad and Uncle Henry over for dinner, we had spaghetti with garlic bread and the strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert with was great, btw.     Speaking of Uncle Henry, his house is up for sale and he's moving back to Guelph soon.   Oh mom, I hope dad will be okay.  He seems fine.   Dad always seems to be able to roll with the punches but it will be hard on him I think.   They walked together every morning and watched some games together and had hot tub nights.  Not to mention working together.   Dad says he will continue to work by himself, but I worry about him a little.  It's going to be hard for one person to do and lift some of the things he will need to do.  Not to mention, it's a bit boring working by yourself.   But he says he'll take jobs that he can manage, I just hope he doesn't overdo it.   Sort of sad, Uncle Henry moving back to Guelph, eh?    I'm sure this is not how dad imagined his retirement years turning out.  First you, now Henry in Guelph.   But he's such a positive guy and he's moving forward and making new friends and spending lots of time with us.   He's really the best grandpa mom, you'd be so proud of him.  You'd love to see what buddies Cooper and him have become.   And Everlie lights up when she sees him too.

Today we might go to the beach.  Amy is now in town for the summer, and I hope to spend a lot of time with her.   She lost her mom too early too.   So it's nice that we have each other.    Dad says he might put up a tire swing for Cooper today and we got a little swing for Everlie as well.  I think Cooper will love it.   

It'll be nice for Sue to be here and spend some time with her.  The kids love their nana, and it's nice that she makes such an effort to come to see them.    And it will be even nicer that Dave and I will have a date night tonight -- which is much needed and maybe we can both sleep in tomorrow.  Dave really needs it, he's been working hard to hold things together.   I'm so lucky to have him as my family.

I'm pretty lucky all around when I stop and notice what I have in my life.    Sometimes I want to cry that you are not here, maybe I always will.   But I'm blessed.   And I feel you with us.   I feel you looking down on all of us, saying, it's okay Lisa -- be happy.  Let yourself be happy and enjoy every minute.  I am watching and I will never leave your side.    You can do it.  You can do anything.

I love you mom.  Thanks for the pep talk.  
xo