I took three pictures this weekend.  Here they are.  The first one was of Rara’s sweet arms when she and I had finally gotten comfortable in the hospital (as much as we could) and were about to try to go to sleep.  I stayed with her until about 3:30AM, then my Dad and I switched out.  He was up dealing with the crisis the night before and I’m a night owl, so it worked out just right that I was able to take the first shift.  The next day, we got to come home from the hospital and get adjusted to a new life at home.  Off and on, Mom has been hurting pretty badly.  Of course, she’s so independent, so it’s really hard to get her to slow down and let us help her, but she’s asking as much as she knows how.  Aunt Joe and Uncle Jim arrived on the scene and helped Dad and I tremendously as we were losing steam.  Aunt Joe can do the tasks that I was doing, so after I gave Rara a mani/pedi (that was seriously so pretty, I must admit), Anna Kate and I decided to head home to help Mike start our school/work week.  We have help lined up, and it will be an uphill battle for a couple of weeks, but we are already thinking ahead to the summer and making fun in the sun plans (well, she is, with all of her chickens, lol, and I will say Florida and Mexico are in the works for our Ra).  That’s important, ya know, and no one will deserve it more than her!!!

The other two pictures are scenes on my drive home today as I was struggling with my heart in two places at once.  There is so much symbolism in the teal door, but I’ll let you make up your own.  I’ve seen this “Far Away Meadows” sign all of my life, but I never felt so far away as I did today on the drive home.  Rainy, overcast, and far away from a sense of normalcy… that places this day about right.  I have a difficult dentist/jaw appointment on Tuesday.  Mom was going to come up for it (as she always does for the big appointments), but we have excellent care for the girls with their teachers, thank God.  Toward the end of the week, we’ll see how things are going for Poppa and Rara and be where we are needed. 

Thanks for all of your well-wishes, phone calls, emails, texts, thoughts, and prayers.  They mean everything during this difficult time for our family.  Rara is soo soo good to everyone, I just can’t even begin to tell you!  It’s time for her to feel a little bit of all the love that she’s given to so many! 

We love you with all of our hearts, Rara!  Please rest up and get well soon!  The sun is about to call your name!  XOXO forever and ever, ThePondFam5