Two Sides of the Coin

Yesterday afternoon I attended a memorial service for my friend Eileen. As I drove home, I thought about the curious balance of life and death.

I had just said goodbye to an old friend, departed after a long and well-lived life; I'd just received pictures of my new nephew -Asher Andrew Walton, new born Friday, with all of life awaiting him.

Sunrise . . . sunset -- they follow one another in a never-ending round.

And how perfect that the Great Blue Heron -- my personal symbol of eternity (he lurks in the river of Elizabeth's world in the present and the past) -- should be waiting for me when I crossed the river on my way back home. . .

Hello and Goodbye.
Go in peace; Arrive in joy.

6:15pm on a random Tuesday

This child gives me five hugs in the morning before I leave the house for work.

Then he follows me out of the house to give me one more hug at the car.

Remy really loves his mama.

This photo makes me smile.
Because Texas Homeboy and Donny are both wearing Longhorn burnt orange...
and watching Remy play baseball.

Donny is 12...and just as tall as I am.
His feet are bigger than mine.
He beat me at chess the other night...which has NEVER happened before.

I can claim exhaustion because I'd just finished working a 12 hr day.
More on that later...

This photo captures my family in a normal moment.
Remy packing up his bat bag after baseball practice,
Texas Homeboy chugging his Gatorade,
and Donny checking Annie's collar.

And me at the camera.

Sweet Annie dog loves her boys.
And we try to take her wherever we can.
She's a full member of our family.

A slobbery, hairy member of our family who snores.

NO, not ME!!

ANNIE.

Try to capture a normal moment in your routine...it's fun!

Did I tell you that I made manager at work?!
more on that later...