When Alain passed away,

I decided I needed to make the room next to the bedroom

into

 my retreat!

It's taken these 21 months to

put together a room that is

starting to be

ME.

(but it is far from finished I must add...dreaded painting!)

I have collected things that make me happy!

Wire baskets, a farm table, twinkly lights and my latest creation...

POM-POM garland!

I know Alain appreciated my creative side,

and this very room lends itself to that.

He was amazed when we got married 

at how much I loved to decorate our home,

especially for the holidays and seasons of the year.

I went away last Christmas...

I couldn't bear to decorate and not have him here.

He was the tree putter upper...

the light maintenance man

(all things electrical),

box getter and box putter away-er...

placer of all tall ormanemts,

and reminder of the 

baby whose birth we were celebrating.

He loved to listen to Christmas music

and sing at the piano.

Alain loved me for who I was,

and I believe he would want me to continue to be that person,

SO...

I am finding room in my heart

and feel the energy coming back more and more

to continue on life's journey,

with a grateful and happy heart!

I think he's proud of me!

The gathering...

 Thanksgiving has past,

But not the grateful feelings

that are like the 

"left-overs"...

...still in our hearts reminding us of

 all we have.

Jamie & Aaron, 

and Aarons parents,

Gary & Lynette,

 joined me for a really grand Thanksgiving meal.

After our Thanksgiving Feast

we gathered in the "Sitting Room"

to listen to Anna

perform her very first piano recital.

Applause was giving 

and autographs signed

following her debut!

 My I-Pad is the first thing my grandchildren want to play with 

when they come to my house.

(Whah...I thought they loved ME?)

Carter (2) can navigate it like nobodies business!

Following, are just a few hundred of the pictures

they took that day!

Hope your day was as smashing as ours!

Well, I don't know what to say....  Here I go anyway!  

This is my sweet Alain a few summers ago.  

Memories are what I have for my reality.  Dreams even fill a big void at times. 

 He was just the most hard working, loyal, true, kind person I have ever met. 

 Because of who he was/is, our short years of marriage here on earth are "golden" to me 

as if we spent a lifetime...

 but I am so "thankful" that I know we will be together again 

and continue on happier and stronger than ever before.

The months are marching by without him.

I find myself more private about my feelings.

 I loved this quote....

& I try to have empathy for the many things 

that "haven't happened to me, but have happened to others.  

This one though.... 

I truly understand!

There are lot's of things I miss about Alain,

 but there are more things that I appreciate about him now.

So thankful for the time that we did have together!

(time does heal....but just a little!)