Valentine's Day

Today I am sad. It is Valentine's Day and most people celebrate it with cards, candy, flowers or jewelry. I will do none of that. One year ago today, my mother was well. My father bought her flowers and a card and they had a nice dinner. I wished her a happy day and talked to her a few times as usual. Little did I know that later that evening my world would fall apart. She didn't feel well when she went to bed and when I called the following morning, I knew something was wrong. I left work and when I arrived at their house I saw that she had a stroke. From that moment on, life would never be the same. If I knew what the day held, I would have talked to her for hours. I would never have wanted to say goodbye.I know we can never go back in time for "what if's" but I just wish I knew then what I know now.

Big Green Box

Where have all of the big green boxes gone? Maybe it is just my neighborhood, but the green boxes have disappeared. The boxes I am talking about are the mail boxes that used to sit next to the blue mailboxes. They contained the mail overflow that the mailman was supposed to deliver that day. It was a holding box. I can't remember when they left. They just disappeared and no one seemed to notice or care. I am sure there are dozens of other old fashioned items that have gone by the wayside that no one has noticed. I guess that once something's usefulness is phased out, no one cares about it. Out of sight, out of mind.

John Hancock

Years ago when a document had to be signed, people used the expression, "Put your John Hancock on it". That referred to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. This generation would probably not know who he was or what his name meant. Any signatures we have to do are mostly "e" signatures. Unless they have to be notarized, a monkey can hit the keyboard letters, as no one has a real signature. This morning I have to "esign" a document. All I need to do is type my initials and be edone with it.

Lost Weekend

It is Monday and I have no idea where the weekend went. It is one big blur. I thought weekends were for relaxing. Now I am beginning to think that work days are for that. In work I do not have to think. After being at my job for so long, it just flows by itself. Nothing earth shattering will happen if I solve a problem with option A or option B. I am up and dressed and soon my car will navigate its own way to my job.

Marking The Week

I mark my week by my routine. Today I take my father back to Brooklyn, so it must be Sunday. Years ago there was a movie, "If Its Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium". That is how I feel. Each day has a responsibility attached to it. If it is Friday, it must be the day I pick my father up in Brooklyn. If it is Sunday, it is the day I return him home. The weeks go by and the routine remains the same. I hope it remains the same for a long time, as that means my father is doing okay.

Different Stages

Last night I spent time with my grandchildren. Even though I see them often, each week I see changes. My granddaughter is growing so fast. She is over a year now. She is a very happy, smiling girl. She was crawling all over the place and followed me upstairs when I left the room. Since there is almost a five year age difference with her brother, they are at opposite stages. We are waiting for her teeth to come in and waiting for his teeth to fall out. We looked in both mouths to see the progress. She has four teeth and more are on the way. He has one loose tooth that is days away from falling out as the new one is coming in behind it. When I face time with my two granddaughters that are not in New York, I see how they are growing by how they converse with me. The conversations might not be long but they are sensible. Time flies and I am trying to be in the moment with all of their changes.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf is the great American food. You either love it or hate it. It depends on who made it and their recipe. I have made great meatloaves and I have made terrible ones. Tonight I will make one using my son's recipe. It is precise down to the internal temperature when cooked. The ingredients are the traditional ones with one or two extras. His family loves it. I hope I make it as good as he does. They will be coming for dinner so they will be the judges.