Flying Home Tomorrow

I know some people have wondered why I’m not posting and where I am these days. I have been in Bethlehem, PA since late February, first caring for my dad as he was dying and more recently, supporting my mom and getting her moved out of their old house and into the 55+ community where my dad had purchased a home for them just before he passed. It has been a mammoth task, since my parents lived in that house for 30 years. It was quite the sorting and downsize project!

I’m happy to report that my mom’s new home now looks more settled than homes of many people who have lived places for six months (or even years). I wanted her to feel comfortable and at home since everything else in her life has changed so much these last few months. I also wanted her home to include as many little details that she loves as possible. I sent photos of my interior design work in progress to some friends and relatives, and one friend summed it up with, “Very classy! Though I sense a touch of ‘Hogwarts’ness –lovely!”

The “Hogwarts”ness would be from my mom’s pared down but still very substantial collection of owls, combined with my parents’ now 48-year old colonial furniture from Ethan Allen and the colonial architecture and colors of her new house. In any case, my mom and everyone who visits or sees photos feel very pleased with the results, and all my mom’s plants love the huge windows and a great deal of Eastern exposure.

After a six-week whirlwind of caregiving, hospital visits, managing hospice and long term caregivers, funeral preparations, updating and managing the influx of relatives, financial and legal meetings out the wazoo, and this move, I’m finally returning to Goshen tomorrow. I’ve managed to fit in a much smaller load of sessions during this time, usually in marathon blasts in the early morning or on Sunday’s, but after Monday, April 12, I will be returning to a more normal flow of sessions, classes, finally finishing my permaculture course, and beginning my own writing in the unused new writing office.

I’m so glad I could be here for my family during this time. Thanks to everyone for your love, support and patience with scheduling limitations and reschedules as events moved at their own speed and timing. Although with very few exceptions I’ve spent all day, everyday with my mom since coming here, we’ve had no arguments, no irritation with each other, and no “I need space” moments. That’s not surprising since she and I normally get along well, but given the circumstances, it’s still quite amazing and blessed! David and I look forward to visiting her again at a much more leisurely pace.

And now … after a week of unpacking, I need to pack again and fly, fly away.

Love and blessings,

Laura