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Whip The Public Plan: Putting The Public Back In Health Care Policy

A Note Of Thanks

For more than a year, our family life has been a little chaotic. Between multiple parental hospitalizations, the passing of my mother-in-law last October, and then the home health care we took on for my father-in-law shortly thereafter, it’s been a wee bit crazy here, to put it mildly. 

My writing and research time has suffered for it because family had to come first. 

For that, I’m sorry, but it is what it is.

And yet?  You all have stuck it out with me through thick and thin, and I wanted to take a moment this morning to say thank you.

So many of you have sent little notes of encouragement and greeted me in the comments with a cheery howdy on even the most abysmal of days.  And some of you have given me profound insights into how you and your families have dealt with similar circumstances.  

It has meant the world to me, and I wanted all of you to know that.

All of the bluster and travel of the last few weeks has been a family process to prepare a sort of "grandpa timeshare," as it were, so that my FIL could move to live with my brother-in-law’s lovely family for a few months. 

We’re at that stage in life where time is precious, and the other grandkids deserved time to love him, too.  We miss him here, but we know how much love he’s getting there.  That makes a world of difference.

So much of what we all do every day is to hope for something better for ourselves and our families.  Knowing we have all been walking that path together, reaching out a hand when it was needed? 

Makes it all the sweeter when things have gone well, and more cushioned when they haven’t.

I’ll need a bit of recharge time to get my old, snarky writing sea legs back — am, understandably I think, exhausted.

But, rest assured, I’m itching for some snarky action.  If there are topics I haven’t covered that you’d love to see more in depth, please let me know.  It feels as though I’m emerging from a bit of a fog and I’m sure I’ve missed something substantial along the way that I really need to tackle.  As always, your comments and thoughts are important to me, and I’d love to know what you want me to dig into here.

A big thank you to all of you. 

  Spotlight
12 Responses to "A Note Of Thanks"
spacefish | Wednesday June 24, 2009 07:43 am 1

Christy, we all go through these times at some point. You have a much larger “family” here to support you than most, something I know you are grateful for. Our lives, though often cut off by technology, can also be brought together by the very same technology. You and all the proprietors at FDL have done an amazing job creating this community (I almost wrote “online community’ – but it really is much more than that), and it has become a support system for many of us, as well. Just knowing that there is someone out there feeling like we do can be a huge boost, instead of feeling alone. Thank you!


Christy Hardin Smith | Wednesday June 24, 2009 07:50 am 2
In response to spacefish @ 1

Thanks muchly. We sure do try, anyway. I remember way back when it was just me and Jane and how nice it was to know that someone else was as obsessed with the inaccuracies of the Libby/Rove mess as I was. *g* I had no idea where this would lead…but I’m sure glad it led me here.


Lindy | Wednesday June 24, 2009 07:59 am 3

Morning, Christy. You’re the best.


msmolly | Wednesday June 24, 2009 08:00 am 4
In response to Christy Hardin Smith @ 2

So are we all, Christy. Wishing much success to your family as you “share” your FIL with the others. I hope I never need it, but if I do, I hope my family will love and care for me in my last years as gently as you all are doing for your FIL.


Christy Hardin Smith | Wednesday June 24, 2009 08:17 am 5
In response to Lindy @ 3

Hey back at you, Lindy. Good to see you. :)


Christy Hardin Smith | Wednesday June 24, 2009 08:18 am 6
In response to msmolly @ 4

We’re trying our best to make it as loving and easy as we can. It’s been a tough year for him, and that’s really an understatement — losing your wife of more than 50 years of marriage has been such a tough blow, and getting old just isn’t for sissies. He’s doing really well, under the circumstances, and that’s the most we can hope for, I think.

I’m just happy to be able to help. It’s what we do for family.


Lindy | Wednesday June 24, 2009 08:28 am 7
In response to Christy Hardin Smith @ 5

I’ve been reading, but not commenting much. Changing positions at work. Steep learning curve and much to do. Then there’s the house. Then there’s the garden. But I always read. And your last post on health care rocked. Sent it to everyone I know. Winner of the Golden Whip.


Lindy | Wednesday June 24, 2009 08:32 am 8
In response to Christy Hardin Smith @ 6

Christy, my brother in law is going through a lot right now. My sister had a series of strokes. We took care of her at home for over a year, but he’s 81, I had to return to New Orleans, and they just couldn’t manage the 24 hour care she needs. He had to sell everything, but she’s in a place where she gets the best care (in both meanings of that word). But he misses her. They’ve been married for over 50 years. We cry together sometimes.


Christy Hardin Smith | Wednesday June 24, 2009 08:36 am 9
In response to Lindy @ 8

I know how much your sister means to you — hugs, hon.


diablesseblu | Wednesday June 24, 2009 09:00 am 10

Have mostly been lurking of late….due to family issues also. However, Christy, I have been astonished by the postings you have done and I haven’t noticed any “fog”. Also, you have been very clear in a most positive and proactive way about your schedule and priorities. You’re a great role model for the rest of us.

Of course it does seem like your day must have more hours in it than mine. *g*


Arbusto | Wednesday June 24, 2009 09:10 am 11

Redd: As has been stated, you are a pillar of FDL. We all get our time in the grinder, it’s unavoidable as is the grieving and hopefully, recover. Take care of you and yours first.

That said, remember always Mah Nà Mah Nà


RevBev | Wednesday June 24, 2009 11:11 am 12

Christy, We know you have had full plate. Speaking of fog…at 2 different times recently, I really felt as if I could not recall where the time had gone. First we were all so involved in the election; everything was focused on the issues, the race, the damage in the wake of W, and the excitement of new hope. Then, abot 6 months have passed in the New Year. Where does that time go? Thank you for walking with us, making the trip more exciting. FWIW…I lost some family 2 1/2-3 years ago. I swear recently I has mostly felt as if I have come back to life…a sort of physical healing. Much that your family has been through. I hope you find a way to rest, enjoy the time, replenish..This little shelter here has been such a blessing to me…to share and to learn when I have been bereft of my own family. Count that comfort as one of the gifts you have shared….


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