When Mr. FixIt had his first stroke in February, It was cold and we spent the next few weeks curled up in our respective recliners binge-watching the entire seven years of West Wing. I baked and cooked and tried out new things. We started mowing again in April, then he had his second stroke on May 16th. This time, there aren’t long days baking pies and watching good shows. Now there’s mowing and trying to keep up with the housework and garden and PT and doctor’s appointments. I don’t mind a bit doing whatever I need to do to help my sweetheart. I’d just like to have one kinda slow day. 

Yesterday wasn’t it. I got bit by a deer fly on Sunday then got in that yucky pool to tighten the screws on the new skimmer. By yesterday, I had cellulitis on my arm and had to make a quick run to the local walk-in clinic to get antibiotics. As soon as I got home, I jumped on the tractor and mowed holding a huge golf umbrella over my head to ward off the sun. At 1:30, I had to jump back in the truck and get Mr. FixIt to PT then run errands, a quick take-out supper picnic in the shade of a tree then home to another socially distanced family visit.

I got to see my sweet little Boo…he’s ten months old now and he remembered me as soon as he saw me. (Well, he smiled really big and he probably smiles at everyone really big, but I prefer to think he remembers his Gigi.) My stepson tilled the garden for me again and hoed the tomatoes then we all sat around and talked till dark. It was so wonderful to see them all. I’ve missed visiting with my peeps.

I don’t know if I’ll get to go to Colorado this summer or not. I’m just having to play it by ear. I won’t leave Mr. FixIt at home by himself and I won’t do anything that puts us at risk for getting sick. This virus won’t last forever and we will be able to travel again. We just have to be patient.

The peonies are blooming. I love them! Grandma called them “pineys”…with a long “i”. Ours here on the Ponderosa are pale pink. Grandma’s are white. And, out at the cemetery, there are some deep magenta blooms. I was told yesterday you can split them to thin them out and share. I’ll do that in late summer when I thin out the irises. 

When I’m busy like this, it’s hard to reach deep insights to share with you here. When I was riding the tractor yesterday and mowing the field, I had my headphones on and listened to my Christian playlist on my iPhone. Doing the most mundane thing can offer you profound closeness to God. When I am out mowing, I am being of service. The mowing needs doing and Mr. FixIt can’t do it right now. But I can…and it is humbling to serve someone you love. Ever circle around the field, I thanked God for the opportunity to serve in whatever capacity I can. And, isn’t that what we are here for? To love…deeply.

❤️

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV