Posted in Moments and Musings

Summer 2025

I’ll never understand myself. Why would I plan to write monthly posts only to never write monthly posts. I don’t get why consistency is so hard for me! I think there’s something wrong with my wiring.

To be honest, outside of my job and crochet, it’s hard for me to finish anything. Sometimes, I think it’s because there’s a neurodivergent part of me that just finds certain tasks overwhelming at times. It’s what I like about crochet. Your only focus is the next stitch.

But I digress! This is about life updates and there’s been much to talk about since February!

Personally, I’ve been basking in the glow of being a grandmother. I still can’t believe it! I’m a grandma! I say it over and over again to myself. I feel like I should feel older than I actually am but little Miss Sophia makes me feel so young. She’s a happy, healthy, squirmy, curious 4 months old now and what a beauty she is!

I know most grandparents will say that about their grandbabies but in this case, it’s true! She’s got kissable cheeks. Her big, beautiful eyes miss nothing. Her feet never stop trying to take her somewhere. Her smile is as big as the ocean and lights up her whole face. I love how her eyes smile when she does. Already, I see joy and wisdom growing in her. She’s special; set apart. She will do great things for the Kingdom of God. It’s my privilege to watch her grow.

If you’ve actually gone back and read any of my posts, you’ll know summer is my least favorite season. Hot and humid aren’t my gig. I like being cool. I like being able to put a sweater on and some socks and crawl under a blanket. I like hot drinks with something foamy on top, soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner and twinkling lights. If I have to have summer, I prefer a gradual increase leading up to it instead simply being put in the center of the fire.

That’s what this summer has felt like. One day we were in the 70’s with low humidity. The next day, we had heat advisories, temperatures nearing 100 with dew points in the upper 70’s. The humidity has been relentless and I’ve been thanking God every day for my air-conditioning and ceiling fans. They’ve been my mainstays during this long, hot summer. In previous years, we’ve had heat and humidity but never with such consistency. It’s been consistently hot and humid with no end in sight.

67 days until the official start of Autumn.

Creatively, I’ve been motoring along. Check out here for details on my recent crochet projects. I also did a yarn-reorganization moving my yarn from the lowest level of my house to the highest level. It took two days but it was worth it see all my yarn in one happy place.

Scholastically, I’m in the process of studying for my math placement test in the hopes of not having to repeat a remedial math class. I have decided that if I do, I’m just going to work through it and do my very best and not be upset. Already, preliminary studying has gone well and I’m very encouraged!

That being said, I’m praying to find a balance in all this. Work. School. Crafting. Family. Myself. I want time for it all and I don’t want to miss any of it!

So, let’s get the rest of this summer over and done. I can’t wait for fall and school and all the ‘ber months!

Posted in Moments and Musings

My Compass

Today is my mama’s 83rd birthday. While we celebrate here on Earth, she’s celebrating in Heaven. 

We lost her 4 years ago. It seems strange to say “we lost her” when truly, she was never lost. We were at times, and like any great mother would do, she always managed to bring us home to her. 

In her home, there was so much! So much love. So much support. So much patience (Lord knows, we put that to the test time and time again). So much of everything we needed…at the right time…in the right amounts. 

She wasn’t always perfect. She made mistakes. With each one of us. It was ok. She learned. Then we learned. 

From her. 

I had this life before “we lost her” which was full of so many things – like her hugs which were always waiting for me after a difficult day. She didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t need to. She would just envelope us in her arms, dry our tears and then point us to the one who did have all the answers. 

Jesus. 

My mom was a Catholic. She defined and personified fierce faith. She didn’t pray to Mary or the saints. She didn’t have to. She knew the One who held her in His arms. She knew Who had all the answers. She knew where her help came from. And she relied on that like it was her very breath. He was her breath. And her heart. And her song. Her comfort and her wisdom. 

When didn’t know the way, she’d go to Him. Then she would wait. That was hard because she was a survivor, a fighter, a fixer and our mainstay. She was our port in any storm. 

We didn’t “lose” her. She transitioned. I know. I was there. I watched and I held her hand as she took leave of her earthly body. I’ve dreamt about it. I’ve mourned it. We all have. 

She left behind a legacy. A quintet of fighters and survivors. We’ve each had our struggles but we’ve found our way. Some of us are still looking and that’s ok because we’re on a forward path and in a forward motion. We won’t give up. Because she’s part of us and she never gave up. 

Neither will we. Because we are hers. And ultimately, we are His. Bought with His blood. 

I’m so selfish. I wish she was here. I wish she could not just see all I’ve accomplished but share in it. I would love to hear her opinion on `the little things’ like my job, how I’m thisclose to being financially independent, the home I’ve built for my girls and I, and so much more. I want to show her all of it. Then I want to sit on my couch and have a long, long chat. Just she and I. Then I want her to hug me. One of her famous hugs. The ones that never end. The ones that encourage me and give me hope. 

So Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mama! And thank you for everything you gave me. But most especially, thank you for being my compass and always pointing me to Jesus. 

I love you forever.

Photo by @songkat