All Good Things Must Come to an End

Despite my mom being sick, I've enjoyed quite a few weeks of relatively upbeat spirits. That's over, though, and I feel a wave of sadness overtaking me, and as much as I'm trying to fend it off, I can't.

And what stinks is that I saw it coming. There have been a couple of developments over the last couple of weeks that have combined to make me feel so blue. And I suppose all I can do now is just ride it out. These things always pass. The only question is, how long will it take?

Phanatic Around Town, Lloyd Hall/Boathouse Row

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Photo of the Day, 7/4/2010

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Photo of the Day, 6/30/2010

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More Phanatic Around Town, Philadelphia International Airport

I've had these photos for a couple of weeks, but I hadn't gotten around to posting them. Many thanks to Jaime and Tara who were kind enough to photograph the Phanatic (separately), since it was inside the concourse. Without further ado...









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Photo of the Day, 6/25/2010

Posts stuck in the sidewalk from old parking meters put to good use (Walnut St).





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What Are You Grateful For?

I just saw that question asked on a blog that I read, and it really made me think. Health emergencies and difficult personal times always make one think about life, etc., but I have a really hard time remembering or reminding myself of the things that I'm grateful for or that make me happy.

Of course, I'm thankful that my mom's getting better. There's a long road ahead of us, but she's getting better, so that's all that I can hope for. I'm also realizing that it'll take her a long time to fully recover, so every bit of progress is an accomplishment.

And I'm also thankful for the time that I spent on Saturday taking pictures. I've been neglecting the things that bring me joy lately, but I've realized that if I let myself indulge in them a little bit, All of the difficult things that I have to deal with afterward so much more manageable. I didn't take any phenomenally good photos, but that wasn't the point. It was to get out and about, and spend a few minutes paying attention to my surroundings rather than my mom's health or other things that stress me.

So those are the things that I am thankful for. I've tried unsuccessfully before to keep a gratitude journal, but I'm going to try to refocus on remembering these things even if I don't necessarily write it down every day.

Edited to add: One thing that I'm going to get back on is my Phanatic photo series. One pic to come soon...

Mom, an Update, Part 3

Mom came home yesterday. They performed a procedure on Monday called a kyphoplasty, in which they inserted a balloon into the area of her spine with the compression fracture, expanded the space, and then injected some sort of cement into it. Other than some minor ache-y-ness from the procedure itself (they performed it laproscopically), she felt a million times better just 2 hours after the procedure. She may need some physical therapy, since she's been on her back for over a week, but that's pretty easy to deal with. She'll also start treatment next week, and we'll see where it goes from there.

I don't know why I can't put it into writing, but I can't. I can say it, I have no problem saying that word, but seeing it written in black and white is still a little too much for me right now.

Photo of the Day, 6/8/2010

I stole this idea from Tracey.

Baby H feet!





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Thank You

It's been a difficult week for me, and there will be more difficult times to come, but so many people have been so incredibly thoughtful, supportive and kind. I never realized how much a call, email, text, or a walk could make me feel so much better. So to all of you - and you know who you are - THANK YOU.


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