Laughing in Grapevine ...

     I am in Grapevine, Texas.  For those of you who pay attention to the news ..... or weather alerts, this is the same place that at least one tornado whipped through today, damaging the Cowboys' training facility.

     My friends and I were blissfully unaware of this until the lights started going out in this massive hotel.  I think they only went out a couple of times while we were downstairs, walking around the shops and taking in the sights.  

     We are staying at the Gaylord ...... and you should totally google it.  I'd never heard of it but it's over 400 acres under a dome.  There are restaurants, a "river walk" throughout, shops, a spa ..... and tons and tons of plants and flowers.  It's beautiful.

     We arrived yesterday around 5:30 or so.  We went to our rooms and unloaded our stuff and then met in the one bigger, "party" room, where we had snacks and wine and laughs.  We had a great time.

     When we arrived I texted Son #1 to let him know that I was in his vicinity.  He expected that the 7 of us would get back in the car and go meet him on campus.

He was wrong.

So he showed up here and hung out with us.  We ..... and he ..... had a blast.

We all went down stairs for a late dinner (read: free dinner for him).  I loved having him come and visit.  Even if he brought his brochures and pros and cons list for apartments for next year, and wanted to talk business.

The boy is his father's son ..... it's amazing.

     This morning I slept in, which was wonderful, and then we all met for breakfast.  We then headed back to the "party room" and hung out some more.  A few people ventured forth into Grapevine, a few of us stayed behind to just relax and talk.

It was a very, very nice afternoon.

     When the adventurers returned we headed downstairs to investigate the shops and flowers and that's when we heard about the tornadoes when the lights started going out.

     We walked around for a while and then disbursed to our rooms to rest before meeting to go out for dinner.

It is now time to meet.

     So, even though you are hearing from me ...... still know that I am having a blast.  

I am relaxed, I am with friends who love each other, and I am not feeling sad, stressed, or pressured by anything or anyone.

I am happy.  

     I am also realizing that, for the first time in over 490 days, I am starting to look forward to things.  My heart, although grieving and sad, is adjusting and feeling lighter.  My heart can be sad, but my mood does not have to match.  Not always anyway.

     I am grateful.  I love my family.  I love my friends.  I love my job.  I love playing tennis.  I miss Jim, but I love him and know that he will always be with me.  And I know that he is feeling happier for me, too.  I love my God and know that He's with me ..... that He's always been with me, even when I haven't feel His presence.

     My hip hurts ..... it does not like to travel (so it should be SO happy when I go to Moscow!), but I don't care.  It just has to adjust.  

     I am moving forward.  Not "on" ..... but forward.  I know that I will still have tough days ahead of me ..... but I am beginning to see light.  In spite of my hip.  In spite of the "big C".  In spite of not always being able to please everyone.

In spite of so much.

So.  Very. Much.

I am blessed and I am thankful.

And very thankful for you, my Peeps, who have been with me on this roller coaster.  You've stayed with me in the valleys ..... and encouraged and lifted me up out of those valleys with your prayers.

Thank you for staying with me.  Thank you for praying for me.

Thank you for being sad with me .... and happy with me.

Thank you for being constant.

The roller coaster is not over ..... but it's getting less scary.

Especially with so many cheerleaders on the sidelines for me.

I.  Am.  Blessed.

Now please keep discussing the discussion question from yesterday ...... your answers have been great!!