Today is my birthday. I was born in a small town in the Delta of Mississippi, the youngest of four daughters. When you get to be THIS old, you become a little nostalgic about your life: your family…what you’ve accomplished – or didn’t accomplish – and whether or not you should just toss the proverbial bucket list. I’m blessed. I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. I have a wonderful husband, amazing children and grandchildren. I have precious family and friends scattered throughout the states.
We are happily settled in our apartment in the Chicago neighborhood of Ravenswood. My youngest son and his family is a short 3 block walk away from our apartment. Tonight, we will be there for my birthday dinner. Quaint shops – and a Starbucks – are just a short walk away. Thanksgiving dinner was here in our small apartment- all eight of us. Doug and I cooked the ham, turkey and cranberry salad and everyone else brought the sides. My three and five year old granddaughters decided they would rather be at the “grown-up’s table”. We moved them there and everything was perfect.
Doug’s ninety-seven year old mom went home to be with the Lord on October 10th. It was a beautiful service in the Lutheran church where Doug grew up. She would have loved the amazing blanket of Autumn flowers – accented with yellow roses – that covered the casket. We miss her.
I’m in the process of taking photos of our small apartment and will be sharing them soon. In the meantime, we are enjoying our time with our family here before we head back to Iowa for a few weeks.
ewest adventure??? We have leased an apartment in the neat little neighborhood of Ravenswood in Chicago!!! We will spend at least half-time there and half-time in Iowa until we’re just too old to travel and that should be a long time since the Mega Bus is always an option! We will actually be able to WALK a few short blocks to see these two precious granddaughters in the photos! With two sons and their families in Chicago, we think this is an awesome idea and we are so excited about it! Our new apartment is on a tree-lined street and in what is rated as “a walker’s paradise” – which simply means we will be a short walking distance to the train, Starbucks, many quaint little stores and restaurants. The apartment is in a vintage, gated U-shaped set of buildings that were built in the 1930’s I believe. We’ve purchased a few antiques for the apartment in keeping with the vintage theme. The buildings and lawn are well kept with trees and flowers. It’s just down the street from the mayor’s house so, hopefully, that’s a good thing. There is so much to see and do in Chicago – including a host of museums we’ve yet to visit. Most importantly, there will be more time with our big family in Chicago and we are thrilled about that!
