It's so quiet here!

It's so quiet you can hear a pin drop, or an animal outside that makes the dog bark. I am not accustomed to such quiet, it will take some getting use to. The family was here, of course not all of them but quite a few, and now they are gone. I loved the noise, the hustle and bustle, being woken up by little ones peeking in my bedroom door and asking, "Are you awake Grammy?". Oh yes, the house was a constant mess, the TV was seldom turned off and the wet towels went on forever. But it was good.

Yesterday Jim and Mike left for their week long High Sierra backpacking trip. So it is now just Betty Boop and myself. To make matters worse, Betty Boop is depressed. Yes, she is moping around as if it's my fault everyone is gone. First thing in the morning she runs from bedroom to bedroom to see if she's missed anyone. Then she comes and flops down by my feet and gives me the sad eyes which is suppose to get my sympathy. I think it is working.

It is now 9:00 and no one has gotten me my Big Gulp. That is next on the list, right after get dressed. I am grateful to have people I love in my life. It is wonderful to know I will never be alone. It was difficult many times to try to raise 8 children, but I am now reaping the rewards of that choice. I look at dear friends who are not married and their children come seldom to visit or stay in touch and I see a loneliness that I will never experience. I think the greatest blessing I will ever have is my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and Jim.

I am also grateful for this week of solitude to reflect on how rich my life is because of the family I have. We are often loud and opinionated but with that comes deep love for one another and oh so much fun! We can't be together and not laugh. Who could ask for more?