10 years married for some.
10 years at a job.
10 things off a bucket list.
The toddler counts to 10.
Losing 10 pounds.
TEN seems to be a good number with so many possibilities.
#thenumber10#abirthday#losing10pounds#10offabucketlist#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Death of a spouse. COVID-19. Humidity.
The summer was different. Not fun. Not many outings. Mostly around home.
Family time was good. Lots of dinners and barbecues and a couple of grandchildren sleepovers.
And birthdays.
Working on 16 more masks for me and family.
Some fun photos. Some symbolic ones too.
So with September and the demands of the Fall, time to gear up and get busy.
If I have some schedule then it seems some things will get done. I pace myself as the energy is just not there.
It is easier to write and journal and get ideas out of my head.
How about you? How was your summer?
#summernotfunthisyear#COVID-19putadamperonlife#tryingtogearupforfall#needascheduleformylife#writingiseasiertogetthingsdone#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
COVID-19 nightmares for parents to say the least. All parents need to step up not just the Moms.
As a grandparent, I am hoping to be the backup needed for my children, spouses and grandchildren.
To say it is overwhelming is an understatement.
To say it is stressful is an understatement. So many Moms I know have been feeling it in their bodies. The anxiety is paramount.
Decisions. Back to school. Online. Home schooling. Tough decisions are an understatement.
So let's dive in and face September together. With all the Public Health protocols.
Let's be there for the Moms in our lives. Let's hope the Dads are stepping up.
No judgement.
No criticism.
Let's keep COVID-19 away.
Let's be there positively for our little ones. Let's help their back to school be a good one.
#backtoschool#notjustthemomsmakingthedecisions#dadsstepup#stopjudgingeachother#bethereforalltheparentsandchildren#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#nanasays#covid-19
In a variety of colours waiting for a meeting in a field.
I love Muskoka chairs.
#muskokachairs#avarietyofchairs#manycolours#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
#natureandquietreflections#eatinginthewoods#enjoyingthesolitudeofnature#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Being in a grieving process, the avoidance is loud and clear.
Call me if you need anything. True friends and family call you.
Sure COVID-19 has made things different. Hard to go out and visit. Or have someone just drop by.
Some neighbours were very kind. Others waited weeks to see me in a public place to say anything. Some that knew about Adolph, said nothing.
My immediate family is my lifeline and I am theirs. My daughters and I can talk anytime. My grandchildren can express their feelings too.
The tributes on the funeral home website and facebook links were sweet. But like someone said many people feel a little condolence in comments is more than enough. Easy. Done with it.
Reaching out means a lot. It means effort.
I have sent emails to relevant people who cared and receive good messages back. I reach out to those I can trust. I do not trust everyone at all.
In many ways I am not surprised. Many people avoided us during Adolph's illness. Again it is common to be dropped by people. To feel uncomfortable to have to see someone. Those that did phone or come for a visit are lifelong gems in my mind.
I realize too that over the years when I would offer support in various ways that maybe I was one of the rare ones. The kind one.
So I try not to judge but I do take note of it all.
#grievingprocess#peopleavoidyou#noteveryoneiskind#peopleavoidyourfeelings#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Using little clusters of purple wool. Crochet and knitted items.
So sewing along the edges to make each piece ready to be joined on the larger hanging.
This project has been laid to rest for now. It will be part of a new room one day. I am working on a blanket and bedspread with purples, orange/coral and hints of green.
Orange and purple are healing colours. So I guess I gravitated to those colours as part of my healing process.
#COVID-19wallhanging#purpleandorangearehealingcolours#usingdifferentmediumstomaketheproject#buttonsaddinterestingtexture#sewingaprojectthroughCOVID-19#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
To stand and embrace the moment. To find solitude. To know there is a quiet place.
#nature#ababblingsmallwaterfall#findingquietspace#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Learning to adjust to my new status during the summer is a blessing. Enjoying the beautiful August days with my loss makes it bearable.
Organizing little corners of my life slowly. That is good for grief. No pressure.
A couple of grandchildren sleepovers brought lots of noise to the home.
Garden is still a jungle that may be a September job.
Family history stories are coming along.
COVID19 limits how much travel can occur. But family took me on some short day trips as well as a day out with friends. Of course several lunches with daughters as well as a dinner or barbecue.
Day trip to Port Perry. A favourite place for Adolph and me. Now it is popular with the grandchildren
A beautiful Lavander farm near Milton. TerreBleu!
A day downtown with friends. Eating at La Vecchia- Quatro Stagioni pizza.
The walls move and merge with the mastery of Vincent.
Family and friends make life enjoyable and bearable. Of course with my friendly camera- my norm- it gives me a chance to take some pics.
Coming home and no one to tell about the day is my new norm. I miss Adolph!!
#dayout#gettingthroughgriefwithfamilyandfriends#vangohnimmersiveevent#sleepoverswithgrandhildren#portperryontario#lakescugog#missingmyhusband#griefsucks#Ifeeltired#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
