Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Back to real life
I have one more full day on Siesta Key. This has been perhaps the most relaxing vacation in a long time. Just Jan and me, hanging out together for a week with no real distractions, has been such a pleasure. We were certainly not busy travelers and not frequent visitors of the beach due to cool and windy conditions. Nevertheless we enjoyed the time together. And, here is one of the best parts: Jan feels so good that she has opted to stay in Florida for at least another 10 – 12 days. She will stay in this little apartment for another week, then drive to Naples to see two wonderful friends for a few days. Then she will start the drive back home, taking as long as she wants to accomplish the drive. That she can do this is quite the surprise for both of us.
If you have kept up with these blogs I have written several times about the health challenges she has faced for at least a decade. Her illnesses drained her of any energy, and sometimes she slogged her way through the days. When I say that becoming a diabetic has been a miracle for her I am dead serious. Sometimes the Universe delivers a twisted message, and a person’s reaction to the twist determines their fate. For Jan, it has required her to make changes in the way she lives her life. My wife, who I have missed for years, is back. She is determined to be the best diabetic she can be. This goal includes drastic changes in food intake and a commitment to walk every day.
Yesterday she told me that feels alive again. She’s also just a tiny bit worried that this is too good to be true. I have advised her to simply ride this gift horse.
Mollie Dog and I will keep the home fires burning. Sabrina, who has been house and dog sitting for us, sends an occasional picture of Mollie being comfortable on the couch. That is quite a relief for both of us, who dearly miss our canine companion. However, Mollie will have to learn to spend a few hours alone when I resume my normal schedule. That is the only disadvantage since Jan won’t be home to wait on her…
I will be back at work this coming Tuesday. I wonder how much mail will be waiting for me at work. Mail from Immigration Services is a precious commodity. Sometimes it is few and far between until a treasure trove about a particular case arrives in the mailbox. I am always so hopeful as I approach my mailbox and so often disappointed to see nothing in my assigned slot. Sometimes Immigration mail means a lot of work if they are questioning some aspect of the case. Letters called “Request For Evidence” are never fun to receive and sometimes don’t even make sense, but answer them we must!
Meanwhile, Christmas approaches faster each day. I’ll be getting our little tree out of the storage locker and setting her up in the living room. I have little stocking presents for the boys to wrap. I’ll be visiting Harry and David to order gifts for family and friends. I will not miss avoiding the crowds of shoppers. Anyway, I’m sure December will fly by as the rest of 2023 has done!