I spent the last two weeks in Florida. I had planned to go to attend Women of Faith with my good friend, Peg. I left on the Sunday before Labor Day on the auto-train. Arriving in Bradenton, I spent a few days with my father-in-law and a few more days with Mary Jane, a friend whose sons I taught in Haiti. And then I spent a couple of nights with my friends, Don and Elsie. I got to see a lot of people, got the last bit of stuff out of storage, and then I went to Orlando and went to Women of Faith to attend their farewell tour. It was a busy two weeks, and while I loved being there, I was glad to come back home.
When I made to decision to move finally from Florida to Virginia, there was no looking back, and I have not regretted at all the move. I have a lovely home. I've found a warm, loving church, and I'm getting to know some of the locals, as well as a lovely lady down the street who has moved here to be nearer her grandchildren. I've had a young woman staying with me since the middle of August. She is here, interning in our church for a year and working in the community. We've had a good time together. I've been "living history" to her...since she's so young, and I'm older. I will not say "elderly."
The air is beginning to be crisp. I had to close the back door this afternoon because the air coming in was a bit cool. I posted a photo of a tree beginning to turn yesterday, and someone said, "You know what follows fall, don't you."
Anyway, back to today. I went over to Chick-Fil-A this morning for breakfast, and I saw a poster advertising a senior trip to Sight and Sound for the Christmas program. I had called a travel agent about a similar trip, and it was all sold out, so I was thrilled to see this and make a reservation to go. Later, I had a doctor's appointment with an endocrinologist, and I mentioned to her that I had not had my A1C checked since January, and she said that they could do it right there in the office. It was the lowest that it had been for a while. That made me SO happy. The doctor said, "If we could only see more of those..."
While I was there, David called to see if I could pick Ella up after school and take her to get her glasses adjusted. Of course, he didn't have to ask twice. I love being close by and being able to help out whenever needed, or just to be with her. After going to the optician, I took her with me while I had some blood drawn. While there, a nurse who had worked in her school clinic came into the cubicle and saw Ella. She was so happy to see her again. We mentioned a little boy who accompanied Ella to the clinic to get her meds before lunch, and the nurse said, "When you see H., give him a hug for me." Ella said, "Well, now, that would be awkward." So then the nurse said, "Well, tell him hello for me."
After David and Ella left, I went to Ruby Tuesday to get my birthday hamburger, and the server said to me, "You're a teacher, aren't you. Did you get your air fixed?" It must have been three months since I had seen her. I told her how much it meant to me to be recognized by someone here. Those of you who know me well know what I mean by that. Coming from a town where I lived all my life and knowing so many people to a place where I know so few, her comment to me meant so much.
All the little things that happened today were big things for me. I know every day won't be like this one, but I'll welcome them.
