Day 208 - Ole & Co.

Yet another uneventful day... of sorts. I am thoroughly enjoying the ample rest & my body is too. My neck is slowly beginning to calm down & I am very happy about that. The swelling is decreasing & the lumps are feeling smaller. The itching is still there, but I'm learning to live with it. 


Today we had a house full of guests for a short period of time. Mom's friend, Ole, passed away in April & his service was a few days ago. Mom didn't find out until the service was over. She was quite upset. 


Ole came from Norway & loved photography & the outdoors. He would often visit the ranch & spend time away from the city & enjoying the solitude out here. I didn't know him very well, but every time I saw him, he would share his photography with me & the last time I saw him, he brought out a beautiful coffee table book filled with stunning panoramas of various nature scenes. He had asked me to go with him to Wellspring, but I never took the time to go. 


Mom had told me that Ole had been through cancer treatment before, but it had been successful. When I returned from the ship after Christmas, she mentioned that he wasn't doing well, but I thought it was just an illness in passing. Unfortunately, it was the cancer. It was back & in his bones this time. I am amazed that it took him so swiftly. He wasn't very old & what a wonderful man we have lost! Grrr! It is so frustrating! I know we can't all live forever, but gosh darn it! This sucks! I remember when I was little - I had no concept of death & illness, but for a headache or tummy ache. Now, the reality of death seems to be something I face on a far too frequent basis. 


Ole's wife, Sue, came out to the ranch to visit Jim & to stop in & see Mom. She brought with her some of her relatives - her parents, brother, son & sister-in-laws. Oh boy! They were fun! They loved the wiener dogs & Adios! The brother was a dopple-ganger for Bruce Willis! Wow! The sisters-in-law were brilliant! It was great to hear the accent! They were enjoying their time in the area & Sue was having quite the time to keep everyone on track! I can only imagine! Mom passed around some of her day planners & they were very excited to receive them! Ole had been sending his sister one every year for the past several years. Mom & I have relatives in Norway, so if we EVER make it there, we're going to stop in & visit Ole's sister. 


The rest of the day was spent cleaning & tidying. Still. Does it ever end? Have a great night & here's to Ole - another Angel up above - sending us great light to get that perfect shot! We'll miss you!


Love & hugs & gratitude for the time I've been given,
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxox

Ole's family

I am so impressed! This many people & no body blinked in either photo!!!

Poor lonely Adios finally sneaks in for a snooze!

Day 205 - Crazy Day In May

Today was nothing like I expected! At all! I was off to Cochrane to surprise my dear friend Jenn at her birthday party. She turned 30 this week & her best friend, Cindy, was hosting a little soiree for her. I hadn't seen or spoken to Jenn since I'd been back, so I thought it would be fun to surprise her! 

As usual, I was late. I stopped to get fuel & then an ice cream cake. Cindy had asked me to bring an appetizer, but seeing as I was late, I thought I might just as well bring dessert instead! Jenn was very surprised to see me & I was excited to see her. She's been training hard for her triathlon & it has had an impact! She looks fantastic! I'm so proud of her! I only wish I had half that dedication! Wow! 

Jenn had a baby girl in December & I am always amazed at how much Heidi changes every time I see her! I also met Stan & Heather, Jenn's triathlon coach. (They were also Cindy's coach, but Cindy had serious emergency surgery not too long ago! She's healing well, but obviously triathlon training has been put on hold!!!) 

Heather is an OB/GYN Nurse & works across the street from the fertility clinic & had a lecture from Dr. Foong yesterday! Small world! Apparently they were discussing infertility in gorillas. Apparently acquiring semen from male gorillas is a bit of a task, as they aren't that into porn! :o) We had quite the chuckle! Heather's husband, Stan, started asking me questions about my health. At first I was a little stand offish, as I am not used to people being quite so direct, especially strangers! It took me awhile to warm up, as I wasn't sure what his intentions were. Sometimes people are interested in the 'gory details' & not too much else. But clearly Stan's intentions were true. He shared stories of a friend who was helping a couple in Cambodia, he encouraged me to pursue my photography career - he shared an inspiring website of a photographer he knows - Noah Fallis - Wow! Stan offered to help my Mom & I out in any way he could, which was most kind of him. I told him I wasn't sure what the next 6 months would look like, but we'll take it as it comes! After we had chatted for nearly an hour, covering various topics from cancer to photography to cruising, Stan excused himself & I chatted with Heather for awhile. 

I brought Valentina in to introduce her to Cindy's family & the kids loved her. (Of course!) When it was time to leave, I was saying goodbye to everyone & hugged Stan & Heather farewell & told them it was nice to meet them & I was sure we'd see each other again - if nothing else at Jenn's triathlon! As I hugged Stan goodbye, he put a wad of bills into my purse! I started to stammer right away, but he insisted that he wanted me to have it, just take it & don't say a word! What? Huh? But? I am still in shock! Speechless, humbled, flabbergasted, shocked & incredibly grateful! Crazy! I came for a birthday party for a best friend & certainly didn't expect something like this!

Looking back, I can remember the light & twinkle in Stan's eyes as he asked about my health & how I was doing. He had also just given Jenn a road bike for her triathlon, so I'm gathering he finds great satisfaction in helping people. I am so shocked by his generosity. What an unexpected gift! Angels come in all shapes & sizes! 

Needless to say, I drove home with my jaw on the floorboards & a lot on my mind. Dear ol' Contemplate was fulfilling her namesake tonight! 

With gratitude,

Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxxoxoxo

I love birthday cake!!!

My Best Friend Jenn - Isn't she gorgeous!?

The Look of Love!

The Burnett Bunch are mostly May birthdays!

Lil' Miss Heidi

How cute is that smile!?!