Pat Edwards with Jim and granddaughter Calliope. Photo provided
LORANE – The holiday season seemed to come swooping in this year. It seems that once I passed 50 or so, the days, weeks, months and years have taken on the speed of an express train. Once the Fourth of July is over, summer seems to fly by, and before we have time to complete summer projects and take the trips we hope to go on, fall has arrived and right on its heels, winter.
This year was no exception – in fact, it seems to have taken on more urgency. But, for some reason – maybe the fact that I am feeling so much better physically since my recent surgery, or maybe because I decided to forego sharing a booth at the Holiday Market this year with Joe Blakely – I have felt more relaxed and less stressed.
I signed up for tables at the Creswell and Fern Ridge Holiday Bazaars to sell my books on two different days; I’m still rehearsing with the Fern Ridge Community Choir each Tuesday night; and Jim’s last epidural injection seems to be working (knock on wood!) and his back and leg pain has diminished considerably. So, I have much to be thankful for this year.
I was able to prepare for Thanksgiving in small increments this year. Our family is quite large and we usually host a gathering of 20-plus family and friends to feast on turkey, ham and all of the salads, sides and desserts that go with it. I was really looking forward to seeing our two little 1-year-old great-grandchildren toddling around the house. Both Sawyer Scott Haxby and Shiloh Kate Furlong, who are only two months apart in age, have just learned to walk.
Our two older great-granddaughters, Harper Lorane and Hayden Rae Furlong were going to be there, too. Harper and I have a special bond whenever she visits, putting together her jigsaw puzzles which she loves as much as I do. I had new puzzles and activity books ready for both girls and we were able to sneak off and work on them during the day.
The most exciting part of our Thanksgiving, however, was the news – at 5 a.m. that morning – that our newest little great-granddaughter, Calliope Jean Stevens, was on her way. Our grandson Kevin and his partner Jazmine were at RiverBend, ready to deliver this beautiful new addition to our family.
I wasn’t able to greet her in person that day, but my heart was with her mom, dad and grandmas, Gloria and Karen, when she arrived that afternoon.
The next morning, instead of joining the hordes at Black Friday events, Gloria picked up Jim and me and we headed to the hospital to meet our little girl. She’s beautiful and healthy and will be the one toddling around our house next Thanksgiving. There’s so much to look forward to.
I am truly thankful!
You can contact Pat at allthingslorane.com.
