“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
― Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer

My beautiful 88-year-old mom, with the flowers she got from M.

Hi Friends,

Things have been crazy busy.  Since last post:

I went to Brazil to pick up my mom for her biannual visit to the US.  While there, I was hoping to be able to relax for a couple of days.

Instead of resting, it was a very tiring trip.  I left on Friday night and arrived at my home Saturday early afternoon. By then, I had found out that I would have to work on Monday. I scrambled to try to get my desk set up.  I had to go out and buy 2 monitors. 

On top of working remotely, I had a lot cleaning to do.  Mom was having some repair done to a kitchen and bathroom in the little house in the back.  The workers were careless and there was dust everywhere, including on top of all the appliances. They barely covered some items.  

For the 4 days I was there, I always either on the computer or cleaning.  My only break was a trip to the hairdresser. By lunch time, on Wednesday, Mom and I were already on the way to the airport.  It takes anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, to get to the airport from my city.

I got back to NY Thursday morning and dove right into work.  My assistant/co-worker is out dealing with cancer again.  She had to have a mastectomy, but is doing well.  It will be a few days before we know if she needs Chemotherapy, or just Radiotherapy like last year. 

This time I had already mentioned to the partners at work, that I needed someone to step up and do her job.  Currently, a couple of the partners are doing some of work.  I still have to do the bulk of it.  It is already getting to me and it has been only 10 days. 

I worked Saturday so that I could take Monday off.  Mom turned 88 years old on Monday.  On Sunday morning we left for the casino.  It has been a tradition to celebrate her birthday at Foxwoods Casino every year. It was a quick trip. By Monday evening, I was home already and back at the computer.

It was fun!  We had a celebratory dinner at The Red Lantern.  Everything was delicious.  They brought a slice of cake with a candle, champagne and a display showing her age.  She was pleasantly surprised.

Now, back to work again.  First Republic Bank is gone, so we have been setting up a couple of additional banks, which involves a whole bunch more of work.  The more I wish a time with less work, the more work keeps piling in.  As they say, it is always the darkest before dawn, or something like that. I certainly hope so.

M remains the sweetest! He sent beautiful roses for my mom for her birthday and sent her $100 to spend at the casino.  He will be coming to town tomorrow, Friday, to meet her. Hw will be staying at a hotel a couple of blocks away.  While here, we will work on his itinerary in Brazil, and get his ticket.  He will probably get there a couple of days after I am there. He is talking about surfing, but I am talking him out of it.  Surfing locations are very far from my home, and I have a lot to do. There will be still some more repairs to mom’s house being scheduled to start as soon as we get there.  He has been warned that this will be a work trip 😊

So much excitement, and busy times ahead. 

Wishing you all a blessed weekend!

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness — just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder, Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder: On Wisdom and Virtues