May's Sunset

My heart is scattered on the floor of May.
If I were to sweep it up, I wouldn't know where to store it.
What a month it's been.

And now as I leave it behind, I have indelible impressions stitched on my memory.
I hold to a bit of grief like a security blanket, though it is not at all secure.
At the same time, I feel a bit more compassionate, I love a little deeper, and I appreciate life a little more.
I clearly understand that the relationships we foster are worth more than anything else.

Farewell May,
    You broke my heart and taught me some of life's signal lessons.  No thanks are in order here.
I am sure we will continue to visit and you will continue to teach me and remind me of those heart pieces strewn across your floor.

Good Morning June,
    Can I look forward to something better?

Pookman Drives a Car

The handiwork of my son and his father...

Frosted and Sprinkled

We're expecting a weekend full of gooey cookies!

The kind of Thursday that feels like a Friday

Today we are:
Making "shape cookies".  Heaven help us... it's 20 degrees too hot to be using the oven, but Nolan's been asking for the past 10 days and I don't see cooler weather in the near future.
Watching Jungle Junction ...as I type this.
Playing in the pond.
Adoring baby ducks.  (pictures forthcoming)
Digging in the garden.  I'm addicted to digging and boys like dirt.
Feeding some missionaries.
Putting up a wall.

I think it's going to be a good one.

Cheer From the Archives

I'm trying to get back to this -"normal".  If anyone could ever call us that.

continuing on

My kitchen table

Love... brother style

the two lollipop clutch

There are good, beautiful things.  There is always something bright, even in the midst of the darkest day or week or.... (heaven only knows how long this darkness will press on).


At least a little bright.

It's almost more difficult to reconcile myself with the light than with dark.  After those bright, shining moments pass; after I have laughed a good laugh, or smelled the sweet bouquet on my kitchen table, I am left to wonder how life just continues on.

Work to do, boy giggles, hummingbird buzzes, new blooms, meals to cook, laundry to wash, plans to be made and fulfilled.

I drift through it all; I even enjoy the bright moments, but a persistent heaviness looms.  A persistent emptiness encroaches.  I trust that eventually this will lift and be available only for occasional visits, that  sometime it won't be so persistent.  --I cannot reconcile this understanding either.

Grandpa Borden

This is my grandfather ...an amazing man.  I have never missed a person so much.  I have never felt sad so deep in my bones.  My subconscious still waits on sunny afternoons for him to stop in after working in the field.  The boys still talk about him, his tractors and his barn like nothing has happened.  My mind is spinning out memory upon memory. Tears still come without warning --wish someone had given me a warning.

Delano R. Borden 

    

Delano R. Borden , age 68, of 6504 Route 89, Ovid, NY passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, May 12, 2010.

Del was born in Colon, Panama on July 26, 1941, a son of the late Madison and Elsie Borden. At the age of six he moved with his family to Colebrook, CT. He graduated in 1959 from Trumansburg High School, holding many records in baseball and basketball. He received his Master's Degree in Health and Education from Ithaca College. Most of his 33 years of teaching were spent at Trumansburg. As an elementary Phys. Ed. Teacher and a coach, Del went beyond teaching skills, and tried to instill good values and sportsmanship. Del was a hard worker, a dedicated teacher and coach, and a fearless advocate as Teacher's Association President. Following retirement in 1996, he and Kaye moved from their family home in Trumansburg to their present home on Cayuga Lake, and wintered in Punta Gorda, FL.

Besides excelling in sports, Del was a great dancer, had a beautiful singing voice, and enjoyed being in Booster Club plays. After retiring he enjoyed, boating, fishing, and swimming at his cottage. He liked country and Gospel music, camping, and playing cards. Del enjoyed using his backhoe and built many beautiful homes for his family. He loved nature and animals, his kitties, his children and grandchildren, and making family home movies. He was funny and a lot of fun. Del was a faithful Christian and avid Bible student. Most of all, Del was a wonderful husband, brother, uncle, and friend. He was the best father and grandfather a child could ever have.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kaye (Kelley); son, Aaron (Patricia) Borden of Canandaigua; daughter, Laurie (Kenneth) Murray of Trumansburg; grandchildren, Lindsay (Patrick) Mitchell, Jordan (Diana) Murray, Olivia and Elise Murray, Noah, William, and Charles Borden, and great grandchildren, Nolan and Gerret Mitchell; siblings, Charles (Jane Weeks) of Geneva, Joseph (Cheryl) of UT, Mary (Alan) Jamison of Trumansburg, Elsie (Edward) Smolarsky of MD; sister-in-laws, Jean Greenwood of AL, and Ruth (Wayne) Doane of Trumansburg; brother-in-law Douglas Kelley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Del was preceded in death by his brother Page Greenwood and sister, Dorothy Cole. 

The family will receive friends from 3:00- 4:00pm on Saturday, May 15, 2010 followed by a memorial service at 4:00. Both will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Pennsylvania Ave. in Trumansburg.

Published in Ithaca Journal from May 13 to May 14, 2010

Having a Hard Time

Grandpa and me at my first birthday.  1985.

My heart keeps breaking and breaking.

I miss my dear grandpa in a way that there are no words for.  Knowing the separation is temporary doesn't fill my current emptiness.

Chin up, little heart!  He's not far away.

Back for May

I am the mother of two brown eyed boys.

They say, "Mama, you so pretty"

and they pick me flowers every day.

I may be the luckiest woman alive.