Too too long

Some of you might be wondering where I have been for the last few years. Well, I am still around, just not as clever or smart as I used to be when I posted on a regular basis, then an irregular basis, which then degraded to not posting at all. 

I will have to rely on my often-faulty memory to briefly re-cap the last few years.

In 2019, Ken, Laura, Charlie, and Clara moved to Chadds Ford, where Laura grew up. Full circle! Ken is working for COPT which is in Columbia, MD. After a short stint at another job in Newark, they persuaded him to come back in a remote capacity. He only has to go there once a week. Laura got a job at her old alma mater, Wilmington Friends, and both children started there in the middle of the year. They bought a great house but wanted to re-model, so stayed with us for a few months until the work was done. Crowded but fun.

Then there was 2020, a time no one will ever forget. I had knee replacement surgery in January and wish I never had. Broke my back and it also is still not right. I am still having pain, years later. Walking for me was difficult at best. Then COVID arrived and everyone's life changed. 

Laura bought a huge inflatable pool when she first heard about COVID. The local fire company filled it with 4,000 gallons of water! So the kids spent hours every day in the pool. We saw them at a distance every week - had dinner on their decks or watched them play in the pool and yard. Nothing better than hearing their laughter. Laura and Ken were amazing at finding things for the kids to do within the confines of the new way of life.

We occasionally spot the Secret Service rushing Joe from one place to another. He lives just 5 miles away. The kids saw him going into church on Election Day and Clara said they were seeing history. She is so funny!

2021  a year of learning to never plan anything and to miss those we cannot see. And to realize how many things we can do without. No travel, few visitors, masking up, remote everything, and vaccines. Lots of reading, TV, and Netflix. Hands down, the best show of the year was TED LASSO on AppleTV.

The grands were busy with school, sports, and their friends. They loved Wilmington Friends and thrived there, both worked very hard at everything they do. Clara played soccer, ice hockey and basketball. Charlie played ice hockey and soccer. We went to as many of their games as we could. None of us got sick, thank goodness. We were all VERY careful. I was amazed at how the children uncomplainingly adapted to this new way of life. Adults should be so good about it! 

2022 was yet another year of having trouble walking (not related to the knee or back). Saw several neurologists who did nothing for me. Our local hospital system and providers leave a lot to be desired. Three new babies in the family this year...my nephew Ryan (and Samantha) welcomed Liam in January and my niece Devin (and Jordon) had identical twin girls, Margot and Nora, in May. Most grandparents have one grandchild at a time, but my sister Debbie had 3 in 5 months! 

I had horrible emergency surgery in July to remove/untangle adhesions from 7 previous abdominal surgeries in 13 years. Recovery was long and awful and I lost even more ability to walk. Thank goodness for my many helpers! And who says you cannot teach an old dog new tricks?....Bob did the grocery shopping AND cooking! 

We had to put our 22 year old cat, Isaac, to sleep. Very sad and we vowed that we would never go thru it again. But months later, we got a new kitten! He is full of vim and vigor and it is exhausting to watch his antics......if only I could teach him to do chores around the house!

So far, 2023 has been kind of crazy. Summer at the beach was not great due to my health issues and having to rely on others to get anywhere. I could not drive because I broke my arm in February and driving was ruled out. This fall, we decided to sell the beach house and our house in PA and buy a property in Chadds Ford with Laura and Ken. We need people nearby and are not into communal living aka retirement communities. It has a main house, a carriage house, 3 acres of land and includes a pool and a chicken coop! We will live in the carriage house but it needs extensive work to make it a home. It has been used as an AirBNB. But it will all be great when we get settled there permanently. Laura, Ken, and the children will move in January and we will move in the spring. Brendan settled into a townhouse near Bethany last month and is awaiting the sale of our house so he can have our furniture! I cannot wait to live next to our grands who truly are the lights of my life!

Also, I had brain surgery in September to put in a shunt to remove fluid from my brain. I had it done at Penn, an amazing hospital. The fluid was pressing on ventricles in my brain and causing my horrible walking problems. Yet all those neurologists in Delaware did nothing! I am still trying to get over my anger because multiple MRIs identified the problem. I can now walk without a walker, just using a cane for balance. It truly was a miracle.

Will try to stay current....nudge me if I am slacking off!

 

 

 

Comments

[Eloise]

Love this update, JoAnn! I’m impressed at how much you remember! So glad the doctor at Penn figured out about the fluid on your brain and had a fix! I look forward to more posts. Sending love across the miles and years.

[Jolynn Haley Burke Parnham]

I love hearing from you via your Blog and even though you've been through hell, I think you're back. The new living arrangements sound wonderful. To be closer to Charlie and Clara, not to mention Laura and Ken, is going to be the best for all of you. I will follow you often. With love. ❤️

[Linda]

So nice to see a blog post from you. After over twenty years I have stopped blogging-Frenchless in France-as I found myself repeating the same things although my photos were always new. I divorced my French husband and am back in Dallas. I thought about staying in France but decided that I don’t want to be old there but be in the familiar. I have some health issues too. I had a knee replacement in Paris and it was very successful. Anyway, nice to hear from you. Linda

[JoAnn Kirk]

Thanks my friend.

Read anything good lately???

L
J

Sent by magic

[JoAnn Kirk]

Across the miles and years! Such a nice way to put it.

Please keep me updated on the wedding plans. I love love love that stuff.

Sent by magic

[Lynn M. Smith]

Walk On! Write On! It is beautiful!!
Love You,
Lynn. "Roomie"