Rough Month, The Power of Thank You

January is historically a month where I work a ton due to inventory and I barely see my horses. This year our schedule was lighter, so I had hope to get more barn time. Unfortunately I did not realize just how much I would get. During the biggest inventory we conduct, my uncle called to say my Memere had been examined by hospice and the news was not good.

So my parents left for Florida to be with her. She had less than a month to go. My Memere is one of the strongest women I know. She has had MS for awhile, developed Crohns, but she kept going. Just before Thanksgiving, after one too many falls, she made the decision to move in with my uncle. That was the beginning of the end. My independent grandmother lost heart with the decision. My Mom got two weeks with her before she joined my grandfather to dance again. I am so glad we got to see her every year for the last decade.

Her strength helped my sister and I get through the month my parents were gone. Weird work schedules, snow storms, reactivated UC and animal issues made for stressful times. Peggy and Larry helped where they could. I melted down more than once. Sometimes things were just too much.

Fortunately life goes on and all the animals survived. Rosemary is dealing with slight heaves thanks to all the wonderful mold we had last year. So far giving her phosphorus has helped the best. Of course she was better when the vet  came. Dottie's digestive issues have greatly improved since Mom found Succeed. And after dealing with my UC flaring since I was sick in October, it is finally improving after a course of steroids.

Amidst all the crazy a little envelope came in the mail. I nearly cried when I read the card. Memere always had a cross stitch project she was working on. Sometimes she made it for herself and other times she gave them away. Visiting her got me back into doing cross stitch and you all know what my sister and I do every year. The blogger gift we make is something I normally share with Memere once I finish. This time one of the last texts she sent me was to ask me why I was not with her to pull out her threads. I told her I was pulling out my own. I did not get to share the finished project with her this time. So when Amanda sent me a thank you card it reminded me why I started making them in the first place and who inspired me. As long as I cross stitch I have a link to her.

The power of thank you at just the right time can bring happiness when someone is down. Memere was also a big one for the written thank you, so Amanda you certainly showed why she did.