Isn't she lovely!

I've just returned from spending three weeks in Virginia with Ella and her family. When I was there in April for Easter, there were some tulips and daffodils, and the dogwood was just beginning to bud along with the other trees and shrubs. Four weeks later when I returned, everything was in full leaf and flower. We grow so accustomed in Florida to having flowers all year around that I don't appreciate the newness of spring when I see it, although I must say that it is so refreshing to see the earth awake after the barren winter.

Some of you have commented on my photography. Most of the photos that you see of Ella were taken by either David or Sabrina, and I've just "borrowed" them. The photos above were taken at Easter. It is so neat to see how much Ella has grown and developed each time I visit. I cherish each visit with her. I continue to be amazed and amused by her vocabulary and some of her antics.

This past week when I was there David was away at a conference, and so I requested that Ella go to her sitter's for part of that week since I was rising early to do her treatments with her and get her ready for the day. On Thursday when I went to pick her up at Ginny's, she was happy to see me and said to Ginny and Phil, "Here comes my best friend, Grammy!"

I arrived home on Sunday after a very smooth trip down I-95. Traffic was not heavy, and there were no backups or accidents. I made it all the way to mile marker 3 in Georgia around 6 Saturday night and then came on home Sunday morning. It's always good to be home, even though I love my time in Virginia.

Today I was at my church, volunteering in the office, answering the phone while the staff had its weekly meeting. One of my "jobs" is to do a mailing to some of the seniors in the church. The pastor writes a weekly letter to them and includes a fun sheet with a word search and other interesting facts. As I was putting the address stickers on the envelopes and thinking about some of the people that I know, I thought how much they must look forward to receiving this letter each week. Personal mail is almost a thing of the past, isn't it. I remember someone complaining about all the junk mail they received, and the elderly person commented that junk mail was the only mail they received.

One of the ladies who receives this letter is now 101. I have known her since I was a young girl. Her husband has been gone for many years. One of her daughters who looked after her here got cancer and died a few years ago. Now she is living with a granddaughter in the Tampa area. She was at our church not too long ago, and I had the opportunity to speak with her. Her mind is still sharp, and she's in pretty good health, and she has a loving home to be in.

Another lady who receives this letter is 96 or 97. Her husband was the first pastor of the church I belong to now. Breathing difficulties make it hard for her to get out, but she has this connection with her church family.

It's a little thing, but I'm glad that I have a little part in brightening these folks' day.

I hope that something happens to you today to brighten your day.

In Virginia

I flew up to Virginia on Sunday. Landing in Richmond right on schedule. I went to the car rental to pick up a car that I had reserved. I had filled out the paperwork online, and when I went to the counter, the young lady said, "Oh, I love to see these forms already filled out." I was glad I made someone's day. She asked me if I would like a PT Cru*ser. I responded, "Oh, why not." It's a cute little car, but I wouldn't want to take a long trip in one.

I arrived at my son's home around 8:45, so Ella was already in bed, and it wasn't until Monday morning that I saw her. She wasn't sure who I was. Her daddy is home with her this summer, so she is VERY attached to him. He is a wonderful daddy. He's doing some cleaning out of some shrubs in the front yard, so after she went down for her nap, he went out to work. When Ella woke up, I went in to get her. She didn't want to have anything to do with me...pushed my hand away, and walked to the other end of the crib. I finally took her out. We talked for a while, looked at some of the photos in her room, and then went out into the living room to play.

After a while she heard her daddy working, and so we went outside and watched him work for a while.

I seem to have hot weather follow me wherever I go. Yes, it is hot here. The humidity is nothing to compare with that in Florida, but I wouldn't want to be out running a race. Ella's parents bought her a pool to splash in. David said that he wanted one big enough that he could get in and cool off too, so after working in the yard, he changed into a swim suit, and he and Ella got in the pool for a few minutes. She was so cute trying to catch the water out of the watering can.

Today has been totally different. She has a big grin when she sees me. If I pick her up and her daddy is nearby, she doesn't fuss, so maybe she is remembering me from before...whatever it is, it makes me one happy Grammy.