Time for some updates about life here at the cottage;
Riley: Life revolves around my boy for the present and that’s just fine. Often, I am awakened at 4 or 5 in the morning by his bark. I run downstairs, lift him up and help him make his way outside where he takes care of business and then gets a nice drink of water. I put him back on his bed, go upstairs and usually, not always, go back to sleep for a while. Since I never had babies, I think this has become my time to experience middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes.
This weekend, on Saturday, he got up by himself 4 different times and walked around the room endlessly. It must have felt so wonderful to be able to walk on his own after being bed-bound for so long. On Sunday and Monday he got up one time. Today, he’s already been up twice!
This is good news. He’s still frail and needs to be carefully watched but the fact that he was able to use his weakened muscles to get up is heartening.
He’s such a stoic, determined boy and I’m proud of him.
Don: Don came home for a few days and it was so nice to have him here. He goes back to the Berkshires this morning. We had a really wonderful weekend together.
I know some people scoff at the idea of a husband also being a ‘best friend.’ Sorry. I’m here to tell you that my husband is my best friend. I’m not just repeating some Hallmark card sentiment because it sounds cute. As you know, I’m careful with my word choices. The fact is, I am extraordinarily lucky to have found a life partner who is the person I most want to be with, the person I most want to talk to and feel safe enough to confide in, the person who makes me laugh and who I trust completely. We have a really healthy, solid marriage and I don’t take it for granted. Remember, I waited until I was in my mid-forties to marry.
And, boy, did that patience pay off.
Mom: Today is my mom’s birthday. She is 85 years old. Mom, I know you’re in a nursing home, but no matter where you are or what your circumstances, you are still the same wonderful person you’ve always been. I celebrate you and all you’ve given to our family. I am grateful every day of my life for you. I love you. Happy Birthday!
Happy Tuesday.
A somewhat bittersweet but very beautiful post Claudia. First, Happy Birthday to your dear mom. Although health-wise life has changed for her, the love she is receiving from her family and friends is still being felt I’m sure.
Riley is amazing – he IS your baby, as is Scout, and they couldn’t have better ‘parents’ than you caring, loving guys.
Don – a guy I would like to meet, just as I would you. I think we’d have a ball – and Don would provide the music, what could be better than that! I’m with you on the best friend feeling – I have the same luck with my old guy……….hopefully we’ll have many more years of experiencing this good feeling together.
Love all you write – hope this day you are blessed with happiness.
Your friend – Mary
A very Happy Birthday to your Mom, they are so very special to us.
Great news that Riley is able to get around a bit by himself.
And for those that scoff, well most likely they don’t have what you have…a wonderful friend, who just happens to be a spouse. I have that also, and yes it’s so worth waiting until you are older to find that person. I did too, and I will never regret it. There is such a thing as “meant to be.”
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I too married my very best friend. We are so blessed. Happy birthday to your mom!
I know it must so lighten your heart when Riley’s able to do some moving on his own. How can you NOT feel the joy he’s feeling himself in those moments?!! It’s so wonderful that he barks to let you know he needs out, that he understands he can depend on you to be there for him in that way. How is your back feeling, by the way?
My hubs is my best friend, too. I feel very strongly that if we were not, we would not have survived the “for worse” we’ve experienced.
A very Happy Birthday to your mother!!
Glenda
Happy birthday to your dear Mom. And hooray for your Riley….such valor!!!
And hooray for solid marriages! We celebrate 33 years this September 1st!!!
XO Kris
May your mother have a truly good day today –
My husband is my best friend on many occasions, can’t say I feel that way ALWAYS…lol..you are truly blessed and were wise to wait for the right man.
A big Happy Birthday to your mother…I hope she has a wonderful day! And Riley, too. He sounds like he is doing well. Your “Mothering” him surely helps.
I am in agreement with you on the best friend thing. Why else would I be married to my wonderful guy? We have been married 26 years and I can’t imagine life without him!
XO,
Jane
Wishing your Mom a wonderful birthday! I hope she has an amazing day! So glad Riley is doing better. yes it’s like having a child and doing for them, out of love! You are Blessed to have married your best friend. Not all of us have had that and it’s something I will always miss. Mr ALC is a great friend (we are not married) and I am lucky to have that! Wishing you a good week. Hugs, Linda
I am so glad that Riley is having a better time of it.
I don’t think it is silly to call your husband your best friend. My husband is my best friend. I don’t think that is the case all the time but like you and Don, we have a lot of common interests and I think that does make a difference.
I hope your Mom is doing okay. I know what a difficult time your family has had over the past year with her illness and I do hope it has gotten a little better.
Have a lovely day,
Sue
In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.
Brother David Steindl-Rast
Austrian-American Author and Benedictine Monk
Brother David’s Books
Happy birthday to you, Claudia’s Mom!
You and Don are extremely blessed, Claudia. So many people go a lifetime without ever finding what you two have.
So happy for sweet Riley! What a good boy he is… Sending ‘behind the ear scratches’ to him (and to Scout, too! haha)… Donna
Such a lovely post…I wouldn’t have married anyone but my best friend…nearly 40 years now. I am glad to hear Riley is getting around some…dogs just get in your heart, don’t they? Happy birthday to your sweet mother…
I know what you mean! My husband is also my best friend. I waited until I was 46 to get married. We will be married 10 years this friday. I know so many “kids” that are “desperate” because they are in their 20’s and haven’t found the right one yet. I am so glad that I waited as I found the right one ( even though I could smack him sometimes. luckily not often though. lol). What do they say, good things come to those who wait.
Riley is such a wonder. I am glad that he has days where he can get around.
Happy birthday to your mom.
Happy birthday to your Mama!
I know what you mean about being married to your best friend. I love the fellow I married too. He’s as good as they come and the best Daddy for our children. And I wouldn’t trade him for anything. You and I are lucky.
Claudia-
Absolutely NOTHING you write sounds like a Hallmark card. You write from the heart.
Like you, I married my best friend.
So glad to hear that Riley is up and about. Sorry, you’re not getting to rest like you’d like; but I know you wouldn’t have it any other way (as long as he needs you)
Pat
Happy Birthday Mom..Welcome back Don..Things are good!!!
I do truly believe that Don is your best friend. He’s one of a kind!
Brenda
So pleased to read that Riley is doing well, and a Happy Birthday to your Mum.
My husband, Ted, is my best friend too. I married him when I was just 21 and we will have been together 31 years come September. So I actually do know exactly what you mean. We are both blessed, you and I :D