We borrowed our family history center’s photo scanner and I enlisted help from our oldest kids and Richard to scan hundreds of photos one evening this week. It is the most amazing thing to suddenly have digital copies of photos taken before we had a digital camera. It makes me happy and it was so easy.
Here we are on Easter. There is Richard who spent the day preparing food in his smoker, wearing one of his many blood donation shirts. I rushed into the day without thinking about doing my hair (typical), but tried to set the table beautifully and have a clean kitchen. Mark wears his favorite color and will go on to eat more than anyone sitting at this table. Tim teases us with the BYU shirt and remains mysterious about his plans for the future. I’ll add that he is so strong from his landscaping work. I notice that Daniel is wearing a new version of the teal and white shirt he loved and wore all through high school and his mission. He’s almost finished with his first year at BYU, and his friend, the lovely McKenna joins us at the table. Paige is effortlessly elegant and happy, and has spent the last year since graduating from BYU settling into working as a freelance illustrator. And there is handsome, hardworking, and smart Michael, who changed jobs this year and is enjoying more sleep (even in April… he’s an accountant).
The blog is less about our children than it used to be, but they remain the ones who occupy our thoughts and conversations. They are still the focus of our energy and time, and when they linger at Sunday dinner as they did this week, I can draw from that happiness for a long time.
Some of you have read this blog from the beginning. There are 1,919 posts in the archives. I owe you a diploma or something, not that I have anything figured out except perhaps how to muster a tiny bit of faith. To each reader, whether you have read for years or months, I send my love to you.
Mondays are the definition of possibility. Sundays are about rest and vision and goals, but I set my feet on the path on Mondays. I haven’t met my mistakes of the week yet, so there is less to carry. My boys get back to their routines and I don’t have to wonder where they are. I have a lot on my mind, but it’s manageable in steps. Take courage now, let’s get started.
It’s all there: the old family van, Mark is barefoot, Tim avoids the shot, and we are enjoying the warmth of St George in February as we did each President’s Day weekend. Good memories.
This is Rebecca’s house and it is also where Richard proposed. 🌹
Richard is on the 9th or 10th day of his bout with COVID-19. We don’t know where he was exposed. The illness has a new character each day, but his oxygen levels have been fine, so I am grateful for that. He has stayed isolated from us, and no one else at home has tested positive. The worry I have felt is a small thing compared to what others have gone through with this illness so I hesitate to even mention it. I will say that although Richard’s case can be termed as “mild” and he has not complained, this is a different kind of illness and unpleasant at best.
What is helping us get through quarantine? Entertainment. Empathy from an employee of the attendance office at the high school. Dedicated teachers who make education happen. Surprises left on our porch from friends. Sunsets. For me, it helps to have routines I can do without thinking and something to look forward to each day. On Tuesday, it was the arrival of our 2020 photo book. I wrote before that creating this album helped me see that 2020 was a great year for the Ross family. God gives us eyes to see sometimes.
The words you speak become the house you live in. -Hafiz
This borrowed wisdom is what I have for today. ♥️
Richard and I were able to cheer for Tim and the other Sterling Scholars this week. Tim performed Valse Romantique by Debussy at the assembly, attended only by parents and the scholars. It felt good to be back in the auditorium again.
Senior year is intense, pandemic or not. I am making efforts to avoid the indulgence of crying about the end of Tim’s era at home, because that would take away necessary energy to press forward, as that is what we must do. We are so proud of him!
Reading: Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
Thinking about: some failures in my leadership; my grandmother, my parents, my kids.
Celebrating: 5 consecutive weeks of health.
Looking at: ideas for displaying some art.
Embarrassed about: a video I made for all the Primary children in my Stake. I forgot to put on my shoes, and the camera caught it. I am all dressed up, but have only stockings on my feet. In my Mr. Roger’s moment of making programming for children, I forgot the importance of SHOES.
Wishing for: some snow or some sunshine, just not this gloom.
Praying for: that’s personal, but our nation is high on the list.
Smiling about: Timothy’s piano performance coming up today that Richard and I can attend.
Eating: I have no idea. It’s time to go grocery shopping.
Thankful for: working machines to wash and dry the laundry so I can focus on other things. And for the chance to be alive at this important time.
I’m at the phase of pandemic living that I wish for a baby Yoda doll just to sit in a barstool and watch me work.
There are only 80 rolls of toilet paper left in the house…That feels a little edgy to me.
Nope, the outdoor wreaths are not coming down today.
Ooooh, someone just drove into the culdesac! I will stare at them and learn their secrets.
Maybe if I place these cleaning supplies in the middle of the floor, I will be more likely to scrub this bathroom after I check my email and Instagram…(Four hours and many distractions later) Nope.
I need to finish listening to this Christmas album before the boys come home and wish they hadn’t.
(Leveling two picture frames) I think they’re level. Are they level? Yes! *Snap* go the Velcro Command Strips. (Standing back and noticing I have hung them backwards) Noooooo!
So many towels. So many dog hairs. So much glitter on Christmas cards this year.
I love this house, especially after I mop. ♥️
The real joy and triumph is finding happiness when things are difficult.
(Taking a trip into the spare bedroom where I have hidden the chocolates) Maybe I will just open them and see how many are left. (The better angel of my nature takes control) Stop. Now! (Me, backing away from the chocolates, issuing them a knowing look) Later, girlfriend. Sometime later, but really soon.
