I’ve never been a purse sort of gal. Oh sure, I have always had a couple of tiny, tiny purses (you know the kind that only fit a few bills and a tube of lipstick) for my occasional grown-up nights out, but for everyday use I’ve stuck with what I refer to as a large wallet. If you look at the pictures I’m sharing, you’ll see how unorganized the large wallet option can be!

After Hetty died, her daughter came in and went through all of her things to prepare much of it for donation. Hetty’s husband, Jack, insisted that I have a few of her favorite things, like the black purse that you see below. I didn’t have the heart to tell Jack that I don’t do purses, so I took it home. Once I got it home, I contemplated giving it away but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it…it was one of Hetty’s favorite purses, after all. It made me think of her fondly when I looked at it.

So I decided, “I guess it wouldn't hurt to give the purse a try.”

It didn't take me long to transfer the contents of my large wallet into this purse and take it out for test drive.

It also didn't take Oronzo long to start teasing me about carrying a "little ol' lady" bag.

Come on now! Even at 85 years old, Hetty was one stylish lady! Does this look like just another "granny" bag to you? Having never owned a real purse before, I'm a bit fashion challenged in this area.

No one ever clued me in as to what cheap entertainment a purse can be for a toddler. This purse kept Snuggle Bug distracted in a restaurant last night for nearly 30 minutes. He pulled everything out of my bag, examining each piece as if it were a hidden treasure newly discovered. He put everything back in the purse, rearranging items with zeal. He was quite fascinated! It was if he'd never seen a purse before. Come to think of it, he probably hasn't, at least not a mommy purse.

I realize now that, if I'm going to keep using this purse, I'll need a small billfold for my money and credit cards, rather than leaving these things floating around in a jumbled mess in one of the three large pockets. Who knew that purses would need accessories?!

Does anyone have suggestions on where I might find a nice black billfold? Are there any companies out there reading my blog that would like to donate a black billfold in exchange for some linkage love!

Anyone? ((sound of crickets chirping))

Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to take my "little ol' lady" purse and go shopping!

Labels: handbags, Hetty, shopping

It's time to reflect on the good things of this past week in another "Grains Of Gratitude" post. Grains of Gratitude was started by Christine at Brady's Bunch.

1. Our sweet neighbor, Hetty died earlier this morning, at 3:30 a.m. We got the call from her husband, Jack, at 6:30 a.m. I'm thankful that we were given the opportunity to know this wonderful woman. Over the past 2 years, she became like a grandmother to me and Oronzo and a great-grandmother to Snuggle Bug. We will miss her fiesty nature and her kindness. Prayers for Jack and their 2 children and grandchildren would be much appreciated. They will miss Hetty most dearly, as will we!

2. I'm thankful that so many bloggers are offering up prayers for Kelli and Heather. Both need prayers now more than ever! The power of prayer can work miracles, so please go to their blogs and offer them enouragement and prayers.

3. I'm thankful that we finished our huge stack of adoption paperwork last night! I'm sure more will be required to be filled out, but for now we're caught up. We'll turn it in on Monday to the state agency we're working with. Oronzo's responses for his foster/adoptive father profile were quite brief, but I don't care. He did them, that's what matters. If they need clarification from him, they can ask him. Later this coming week, I'll post some more of the questions we had to answer, since many of you expressed an interest in seeing those.

4. I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet Jessica, the midwife, this past Friday. She loved the photo scrapbook that I put together and said she'll be sharing it with her other midwife associates and will try to spread the word with doctors here in town. Perhaps we'll get our next match through Jessica. It could happen!

5. I'm thankful for the Family Day that's being hosted by the military base that I work on! It hasn't happened yet, so I'll come back and post details later today, but I'm really excited. It's going to be a lot of fun for Snuggle Bug and one of his toddler friends that we've invited to join us. Stop back and take a look at the pictures that I'll post!

Happy Sunday to you all!

Labels: adoption #2, adoption paperwork, Grains of Gratitude, Hetty, neighbors

Last night I got a call from my neighbor, Jack. He wanted me to come over with a pad of paper and a pen, telling me he had a task for me.

When I arrived, he teared up and asked me if I'd write Hetty's obituary. No, Hetty has not yet died, she was napping when I arrived, but the hospice social worker had given Jack a pamphlet Tuesday that listed the symptoms of an actively dying person. Jack read it carefully, highlighting those symptoms that Hetty is experiencing (not interested in eating solids, only interested in drinking liquids, tired all the time, etc.). I think it was then that he finally understood and accepted that Hetty isn't going to get better and that she won't be here with us much longer. I think this is what prompted him to call me.

You may wonder why he's asking me, his neighbor, to write his wife's obituary, rather than his son or daughter? Truthfully, I wondered the same thing. Jack simply said that he didn't want to burden his children with this task but, for his own peace of mind, needed it taken care of in advance. He did ask me to contact his daughter and let her have final approval on what was written for Hetty's obituary.

So, I sat down at their kitchen table with Jack and dictated facts from him about Hetty, when she was born, when they were married, her career, her retirement, surviving family members, and things she'll be remembered most for.

Last night I typed up an obituary for my neighbor, Hetty, who hasn't died quite yet. What a surreal experience.

Now I have to call Hetty's daughter and somehow delicately broach the subject, asking her to read her mother's obituary and approve it ahead of time. How does one do this exactly?

**Edited to add**

Thank you all so much for your supportive comments and prayers! I do appreciate it.

I spoke with Hetty and Jack's daughter over the phone today. I stumbled over my words in the beginning, not sure how to explain the purpose of my call without causing her pain. I decided the direct approach was best.

She took it well and we talked for over 30 minutes. She cried a bit and opened up and shared some of the family dynamics. It was actually nice learning more about her parents through her experiences.

So, the conversation went well. I emailed her the obituary and she's going to review it, possibly make suggestions, and send it back.

Whew! I'm glad that task has been completed!

Labels: dying, Hetty, Hospice, neighbors

Yesterday, I had a nice visit with my neighbor, Hetty . The nurse had her up in the wheelchair and wheeled her out in her backyard during my visit.

While we were outside enjoying the beautiful weather, we examined the various flowers and plants that she and Jack have been growing. They're both gardeners and take great pride in their efforts.

Right now, they have beautiful African daisies (orange and yellow) growing wild. Hetty shared with me that at one time their entire yard was covered in these daisies and that strangers used to drive by their house and take pictures of all the flowers.

Last September Hetty took some African Daisy seeds and scattered them around her yard. She watered the area once and then let it go. This Spring, the flowers have bloomed bright and beautiful.

Hetty explained to me that her African daisies will dry up and go to seed, not long after blooming. Some have already done this.

Hetty gave me a plastic container, the one she's used as a gardener year after year, and encouraged me to gather the dried up seeds of her African daisies in the hopes that we can grow some at our house. I managed to get quite a few seeds this afternoon.

This September, there's a good chance that Hetty will no longer be here with us on Earth. I'm keeping the seeds I've collected from her flowers and when the time is right, I'm going to scatter them throughout our front yard. I'll lightly water them and then pray that, come next Spring, I'll see new blooms.

I can't think of a better of way to honor Hetty than by sharing her love of African daisies. And each time I see these flowers, I'll keep the memories of Hetty near and dear.

Labels: friends, gardening, Hetty, neighbors

It's time to reflect on the good things of this past week in another "Grains Of Gratitude" post.

1. I'm thankful for the fact that my blogger friend Stacey and her husband were chosen to be the adoptive parents of a little boy due at the end of May. Oh how I remember the excitement (and nervousness) of being chosen and matched! Stacey, your family will be in my prayers!

2. I'm thankful that my neighbor, Hetty has been granted her wish to spend her final days at home. She was moved from the hospice facility to her home earlier this week. The hospice care provided her with a hospital bed and Hetty and Jack's two children hired round-the-clock, in-home nursing care for Hetty because Jack just can't take care of her on his own. It's a tough time for Hetty and her family, so I'd appreciate it if you'd keep them in your prayers.

3. I'm thankful for the opportunity to get to know my next door neighbor a bit. Mary & her husband (Bill) have a little girl (Nan) who is 2 years older than Snuggle Bug. Despite the fact that they live right next door, we don't see them often. This Thursday Snuggle Bug saw their car in the driveway and made a beeline towards their house, dragging me behind. He wanted to play with Nan. Mary welcomed us in and we spent about an hour there. The kids played while Maria and I talked. I learned that she doesn't have many friends yet in this city, so I'm determined to make more of an effort to include Maria and her family in fun activities when we can.

4. I'm thankful for the opportunity to take Snuggle Bug on some fun outings this week. We went to a spring training baseball game with some of my co-workers and we also went to a semi-annual street fair. Snuggle Bug had a great time!

5. I'm thankful that Oronzo is still taking Snuggle Bug to swim lessons. Those lessons started this week. Snuggle Bug had lessons last year (the kind where we were in the pool with him) and this year he's started the kind where he's in the pool with an instructor and not us. The past 2 lessons, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he's cried nearly the entire lesson. Oronzo has felt discouraged and wants to pull him out. I'm encouraging him to stick it out a while longer, in the hopes that Snuggle Bug will get past the crying stage and move into the learning stage, as he has in the past. We have a pool in our backyard so I really feel these lessons are important!

6. I'm thankful for the rain we got this week. It was nice to be able to cozy up to our fireplace a couple more times before the summer heat prevents this. Our plants and flowers appreciated the rain too. They're stretching out and growing!

7. I'm thankful that Snuggle Bug slept in long enough this morning to give me time to write and post this list. :) I hear him stirring now, so I'd best be going!

Happy Sunday to you all!

Labels: Grains of Gratitude, Hetty, neighbors

Our 85 year old neighbor, Hetty, has been referred from the hospital and admitted into the Hospice facility, as of Sunday. What this typically means is that her doctors have determined that she terminal cancer and has a life expectancy of 6 months or less and therefor qualifies for the Hospice program.

Labels: dying, faith, friends, Hetty, Hospice, neighbors