Monday, September 6, 2021

Labor Day 2021

Another Cornwall Rose Garden rose

 Ah, the weather could not be much more perfect outside than it is right now, for me anyway. It's cool and sunny, not even reaching 70°F. I just returned from a nice walk in Cornwall Park, since the buses are not running today, meaning I needed to just go out by myself and walk. I went to the coffee shop as usual but ended up with lots of extra time to decide how to spend my holiday. They aren't the same when you're retired.

Now it seems that the only thing I get out of a long three-day weekend like this is a disruption to my daily routine and the need to find alternate ways to exercise. It was lovely to be outdoors, in any event. And I managed to close two of my three exercise rings on my iWatch. Not too bad.

It occurred to me yesterday that it would have been my ex-husband's 80th birthday, if he had not died at the young age of 51. I wish I could have had a conversation with him about how it feels to get old, but he never had the chance to get there. I guess I'll have to wait until I'm on the other side to have that talk with him, since I got there without even trying.

Me, surrounded by Chris, Mama, and Derald

This is the only picture I could find that I have of Derald, along with my son Chris and my mother. It occurs to me that I am the only one in the picture who is still alive. It was taken at a Thanksgiving long ago at my sister Norma Jean's home in Michigan. I'm not sure of the actual year, but it was sometime in the eighties, I suspect. The mullet hairstyle I'm wearing, and hair that actually has color, sort of tells the tale. Now I'm older than Mama!

:-)

17 comments:

  1. It's possible that I'll get past the age my mother was when she died. I wonder how that will feel.

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  2. I have past the age my father and my brother reached before they died but I've a long way to go before I get anywhere near Mum's. It is so true what you said about holidays and being retired.

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  3. That's a nice picture of Derald. He looks handsome and intelligent. Too bad the marriage ended. My mother died at age 99, and I don't think I'll ever outlive her.

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  4. Our holiday weekends often disrupt my caregiver schedule too.

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  5. Fun to see an old photo! The rose is so pretty, glad you had a nice walk!

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  6. Your son was a handsome dude. I always find it difficult how a young person can have a fatal heart attack.

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  7. A very nice picture of a happy time. It will live on forever.

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  8. I don't normally visit DJanity as I'm more a fan of your Sunday blog, but I sure am glad I came here today. So nice to see your son & husband & mom (and yourself of course) all together, DJan. That is a good looking family.

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  9. I sometimes wonder whether I will outlive my parents. Aging is not something we do is it? It is something which happens to us (if that makes sense?).
    I am glad that you got your exercise. Cool and sunny is just about perfect isn't it?

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  10. Wow!! This was a huge surprise!! It was super of you to share about your life before D Janity with us,tho somewhat tragic!!

    And D J? Your smile is still just as strong & lovely as always.

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  11. Love all the smiles in that picture. It is heart stirring when we view old pictures and realize we are the only ones left. Still remembering the good times can be comforting.

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  12. I have outlived my father and I noted the day I became older than he was when he died. It felt strange. Would he recognize the older me?

    That is a great photo of important people in your life. The memories sound sweet now. Take care, Jan.

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  13. Love the picture. Treasured memories.
    Pretty rose, too. Have a great day. :)

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  14. Thanks for sharing the photo. I have read your biographical posts but seeing people helps put it all together.
    Three day weekends just make it harder to know what day it is. Tuesday, right?

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  15. In retirement, holidays are almost an inconvenience.

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  16. Nice photo! I too feel a little lost over the weekend since our usual activities take place during the week -- and I guess we don't need that break from the work week! I HOPE to live as long as my dad, who passed away at age 91.

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  17. You all look so happy. But wow! He died at 51? That's so sad and even sadder that you lost your son as well.

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