What makes a marriage great? Love of course, but I believe two elements, trust and respect must be in place to make it long-lasting. Perhaps, the other important element is a degree of independency. This fosters a sense of self, freedom, and keeps conversations rolling. Well, these are just springtime thoughts and as old as I am, I find myself very much in love and wondering how I can be so lucky.

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Easter was great. Started out with daughter Krisit arriving early (around 7:30 in the morning). She brought her rescue puppy, Bailey. Bailey was reluctantly welcomed by our doxie Sammi and snarled and growled at by our Yorkie, Annie. I think Bailey is the first Basset Hound either of them have met. What a delightful little dog and so wanting to please everyone. Kristi, Bob, and I had time to drink coffee, watch the dogs, and catch up a little on each others lives before others arrived.

Son John and daughter in law Rhea along with their golden retriever, Cara came by around 9:30. Meanwhile our extended family members Lidia and Dan called and invited us to a Purim Celebration in the park. So off we all went for lunch and Purim activities with the Jewish Congregation.. So much fun…..then back to the house for an hour. Kristi had to leave to finish the day celebrating Easter with Linda and her mother. Rhea and John headed out to Lidia and Dan’s to go hiking. Bob and I stayed home, relaxed, and I made a salad for dinner after the hike at Dan and Lidia’s. Bob and I picked up their son, (our nephew) Mitchell from Basketball practice and headed out there for a great dinner with the best tostadas I have ever tasted. The four of them were very tired from hiking, but it was a wonderful evening. I especially enjoyed the conversations with Herman, Dan’s father. He is such a bright, funny, and quite the 98 year old handsome and dapper gentleman.

I am one of those never satisified Moms. While I was enjoying the kids that came home for the holiday, I was missing my son John and his wife Kym, and of course, my daughter Dawn and her family. Now that every one has gone, the house seems empty and quiet.

I found this poem in the Air Force Village West Newsletter. As a widow supported by many terrific women, particularly those in my widow’s group, it touched me deeply. It made me realize how many amazing friends were there for me eight years ago when John died and how those same dear friends cheered me on as I found and then married my wonderful Bob. I guess this is just one more opportunity to say thanks and I am so glad you are all in my life.

Now I Know
By Ella Mae Singley

I never knew, when you lost your spouse,
What you were going through.
I wasn’t there; I stayed away.
I just deserted you.
I didn’t know the words to say.
I didn’t know the things to do.
I think your pain so frightened me,
I didn’t know how to comfort you.
And then one day my spouse died.
You were the first one there.
You quietly stayed by my side,
listened,
And held me as I cried.
You didn’t leave, you didn’t go.
The lesson learned is…
Now I know.

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These wonderful photos came in an early morning e-mail the day after St. Patrick’s Day. It tells the story better than I could by paraphrasing it. So here is Dawn’s e-mail to us:

Hi Mom and Uncle Bob

Happy green day to you both! Hope you are well. Here are the pics of our Jade in her beautiful green outfit from her Nana Maria! The little poser just loves this outfit. You can see Tinkerbelle got a green collar as well. She doesn’t look impressed.

Please dont’ laugh too hard at the one with me with my bra on my head. This was totally our Jade’s idea and well, how could I resist that laugh, even though I knew I’d regret the photo…. It was worth the embarassment.

Love you guys and Mom, good job on the clothes. They are winners!

Love,
Dawn and our Jade!

Bob says we should call Dawn “Erin-go-braless” after he saw the wonderful photo of her wearing the bra on her head. I love the photo too because I see the old Dawn, the clown, shining through. I see her happiness and it makes warm, wonderful tears come to my eyes. Our Jade just gets more beautiful with each passing season and well, who would think that a Mexican Chihuahua could look so Irish!

St.Patrick’s Day came and went, and I hardly knew it was there. Bob and my concentration was on getting the house ready for sale. I drove down to Lancaster that morning and our grandson Dave drove up from Simi Valley. He borrowed his room- mates truck to pick up the Korean chest for his mom. As always. seeing Dave was a high-light for me. The three of us headed to a Chinese Restaurant for lunch. (Well, so much for the traditional corn beef and cabbage.)

Back at the house, Dave pointed out that I was not wearing green. Both Bob and Dave were sporting green shirts. Something I hadn’t noticed until it was pointed out to me. I had totally forgotten the “wearing of the green” while getting dressed. This after sending a green dress to my grand daughter Jade to wear on St. Patrick’s Day so she could avoid the nasty pinches. I even sent her a number of St. Patrick’s Day e-cards. (All of them cutely annoying.) One of them was a reminder from Sammi and Annie to put a green ribbon on Tinkerbelle’s collar. Did I remember to do the same for my dogs? No of course not. There they stood in basic black and red.

Well, Bob apologized to Dave for my breach of Irish etiquette (much to my chagrin) because after all, I was only “half Irish”. It doesn’t matter how long your family is in this country, there remains that Irish Pride. Anyway, I hope you all had a great St. Patrick’s Day.