Tag: UK

Changes?

Well, here we are in 2023. I thought it would never get here. How was your year, dear readers?

For me it seemed like a very long, slow moving year. And that’s fine with me. I’m in no hurry. A surprise came to us about half way through when we found ourselves purchasing flight tickets to the UK to visit with our kids and meet our grandson for the first time in person. It pops up in my mind everyday.

The wee lad was born in England right before the shut down of the world so we had to wait. He was two and a half years old when we hugged him and fell more in love for the first time. He has added us to his friend’s list. We are honored.

Twenty-seven days of visiting and going to the meadow and parks. There are so many parks in Cambridgeshire. There are cows in the meadow and hanging around the walking/bike paths. There is great food everywhere not to mention the history of a land older than ours. It was magical. But the most magical was time with our kids. We couldn’t be prouder of all they accomplished and still are in a foreign land during pandemic and school and job pressures. Oh! And the pregnancy and birthing of a perfect lad to welcome into our family!

Now I have to tell you of a special thing we did while there. We hopped a train in London and went up to Glasgow, Scotland. Did I mention magic before? Scotland does it to me. We were first there in 2017 when these very kids of ours went to Edinburgh on a fantastic adventure. I had longed to go to Scotland since I was a young girl so when it came to pass I was beside myself. But the first trip did not completely satisfy me. I would dream of the streets of Edinburgh at night and in my day dreams. The highlands would call my name. So I was more than ready for this second trip. And it did not disappoint. The people were more warm and friendly than the first time we went. We had the best conversations with cab drivers and people on the street. We spent a few days in Oban, a lovely fishing village and a ferry ride to the Isle of Mull that was just so relaxing and again met the nicest couple that shared their hardships during the past few years. We laughed and hugged and enjoyed the ride even more.

All this to tell you that the year, slow as it was, was fantastic. Except, everyday I dream of Scotland and visiting out kids again. I feel this was a rambling post but am getting my feet wet in the blogging world again. I haven’t felt like writing much but have done more pondering than anything. I don’t think I am alone in these feelings. The world has changed and many of us are watching and pondering and waiting to see where it goes. I am solidly sure of one thing, and that is that my Lord and Friend, Jesus Christ, is still alive and cares deeply for all humans. He is always with us.

Till next time, Enjoy!

Cate B

Always A Mom

I am a grandma five times now plus one great grandson. Not too bad. I love it. But I will always be a mom.

In the back corner of my mind I thought that once the kids grew into adulthood and had their own families going, when their careers and schooling and such were all in tact, well, I thought somewhere in the crevices of my brain that I would be done being a mom.

Silly, I know. Because I think I am more a mom now than ever. What I mean by a “mom” is that my heart is bigger and more soft and vulnerable than when I spent many hours feeding, cleaning, burping, guiding, etc.

Now I have more time to look at what my children have become and are still growing into who they are. I give myself and my husband a great big pat on the back for who these kids are. And who their kids are becoming.

But as I watch, I cry. I cry tears of joy and silly sadness. One of my boys and his lovely wife is moving to the UK in just a few weeks! The UK!!! I live in the USA!!!

The good things are……. they will be there for a year (could be longer, who knows?). The better thing is that this is a dream come true for our son and his wife…..an opportunity to study at the University of Edinburg!

The BEST thing is that my husband and I will take our dream trip this Christmas and spend two glorious weeks in Scotland and a bit of Ireland! I’m beside myself with excitement! The child rearing years have paid off.

Then why the sadness you ask? Just knowing they are not and hour and a half away makes me cry a little. I actually feel a little lost. I go through that with our oldest and his family being twenty hours away by car.

I’ll make it. I couldn’t be more proud of all my kids.

But being a mom is hard.

Cate B

Here is a “seed” a friend sent me… my first spending money:

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