The Friday before Memorial Day

I have to apologize to you.  I just about forgot that I had this blog just sitting there, waiting for me to come and write what's on my heart and mind.  I'm going to try to write more than once a month as big things (and little things) happen.

Today's blog is just a little bit of reminiscing about the last year.  A year ago, my life started changing and leading to where I am today.  The Friday before Memorial Day, I was standing on the curb at the Portland airport waiting for someone to pick me up.  That someone was my cousin Chuck - a cousin who I don't ever remember meeting.  A cousin I had only talked to on the phone a couple of times.  I was asking myself why I was going to get into a car and spend the night at the house of a stranger and his wife.  (Sorry Chuck and Molly!) 

Before I could go into a panic and run back inside for the next plane heading back to Phoenix, Chuck pulled up to the curb and I was getting in the car.  From there, the weekend was a whirlwind.  I met family I hadn't seen in 20-plus years and family I had never met before. I fell in love with Scott and Frances' daughters, Rebekah and Sarah and Chuck and Molly's son, Cole.   I also met Jenelle, who would become a friend and her kids, Reagan and Dawson. 

Most important of all, I fell in love with Frances.  I admire her strength and her resolve.  I also admire the love she has for her family.  She is the reason why I left everything that is familiar and moved 1300 miles to a place I had only been twice.  She has become my hero.  And that means that I will continue to love her and take care of her until she no longer needs me. 

More later on the recent things going on, including this summer, my birthday, and my recent run in with the law...