I’m back. And I appreciate the thoughts, prayers, and support from those who read my blog and knew nothing except that I was going out of town unexpectedly, and would not be posting any blogs for a few weeks.

The suddenness of our leaving town was due to a medical emergency with my mother-in-law, who was in and out of the hospital – and back in again – in the time we were there with her.

That trip led directly into another one that we had planned earlier, to celebrate our nephew’s high school graduation. He has enlisted in the Army, and will be leaving very soon for basic training, so the party was both a celebration of his accomplishments so far, and a chance to wish him well as he prepares to leave for this next chapter of his life. It also gave us the opportunity to tell him – on both counts – how proud we are of him.

As you might guess, the last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for us. A bit disorienting, too. But things are starting to settle down now. My mother-in-law is out of the hospital and recovering slowly, day by day. My nephew is transitioning from a high school senior into a member of the military. My sister – his mom – is going through her own transition, one I remember well from when my own son went into the Marines shortly after his high school graduation.

We’re back home now, catching up on mail, email, and other things that piled up while we were gone. And we’re offering whatever help and support we can give everyone from a distance.

It’s times like these that I miss the days when families – immediate and extended – lived practically within shouting distance of each other. When those who needed help and those who provided it were no more than a phone call and twenty minutes away.

These aren’t the times we live in today, however. Family members are spread far and wide across the country, so when anyone is in need, we do the best we can. In emergency situations, we drop what we’re doing and get there as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we pray, we call, we hope for the best. And we cherish family and friends who offer – from near or far away – their thoughts, prayers, and support.

June 7, 2019
©Betty Liedtke, 2019

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