Parallel Lines - Springtime

This is an update on a previous post, I think!!!!
My poor old blog is playing tricks with me, probably

 because I'm not here often these days! 

Life doesn't always remain on the straight and narrow.
Curves are thrown.
Corners insist on making turns.
Lines spread wider, or narrower.  
Collisions occur.
Predictions don't always come true.
Life is not always how you want it.
Youth is precious.
Aging is not always fun.
There's no place like home.

Growing old takes courage. A lot of courage. Older adults can be overwhelmed by uncertainties.The future sometimes looks bleak. 'Live and let live' is not easy when all around seems to be falling apart and one feels that the end is perhaps nearer than once thought. It may be you, your spouse or partner, a family member, your best friend or neighbor. Eventually we each are faced with circumstances that we may feel unable to manage. We may struggle to adapt and move forward. We help in many different ways best we can. We don't lose hope. We encourage with words and deeds. We smile, laugh, pray.........and sometimes cry when nobody can see us. Life is so unpredictable. We don't plan to get old. We have to learn to adapt, to live one day at a time, and be grateful for kind family and friends. We do what we are still able to do no matter how insignificant those small things are, or how different they may be from what we were used to doing in those magical younger years.

The sun came up this morning and the first thing I noticed was its warmth and welcome in the upstairs hall. I took this photo, came down to my laptop, flipped open the cover, grabbed a cup of coffee and knew this was the day I would at last come back here.

Sadly, it's been far too long since I posted here but as my eighteenth year of blogging popped up recently I'm doing this quick post before this becomes another crazy day and the laptop remains closed down.

Update on Bob:  Bob's health issues continue. He completed the 2.5 months of chemo following major surgery, but the follow up scans show the cancer has reared its ugly head and spread. Following another mini-surgery we are now several weeks into a new treatment plan, immunotherapy. Two weeks on for infusions with one week off between. Lots of labs - he had a chest port inserted as his arm/hand veins are shot. Oncologist and assistant meetings are often. This will continue through early June followed again by CT scans and exploratory surgery.  The cancer center has become our second home. Appointments eat into our time and prevent any travel but we are grateful that the medical staff are welcoming and kind. We will continue to fight together in hopes we can beat this damn cancer.......and continue with gratitude for any years yet to come.

Please keep Bob in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you dear friends and readers. I'll try posting a more upbeat story soon.......on flowers, trees, blooms, the usual springtime notes bustling with garden stories.  We've been busy outdoors with re-painting projects, pruning and tidying up. Some paid help required but we don't mind as long as the garden looks lovely..........we spend a lot of time out there now!