Deerfield Beach, Florida

I left Titusville on Saturday morning and headed back to Deerfield Beach where my mom lives. I arrived about 4 p.m. and mom had baked stuffed chicken for us to eat for dinner. My mom is a great cook.

I’m currently parked in the parking lot at my mom’s condo, but I’m planning to move elsewhere.  I will decide this week, but I will probably get a spot at the RV campground where I spent February and March. This morning I went to several motels along the beach thinking I may get a room there for a week or so before things get too bad.  I will decide in a few days what I want to do.

Meantime, I took some pictures of the Hillsboro Lighthouse in Pompano Beach, and the pier and beach in Deerfield Beach. I thought that those of you who don’t live in south Florida might like to see pictures of our beautiful beaches. I posted more in a photo album.

So many of you have sent me text messages, emails, posted entries on pages of my website, and called me expressing such touching thoughts and your love.  Words alone cannot express how much I truly appreciate them, and how much they are deeply touching my heart.  I know this isn’t easy for any of us.  I understand the feelings of sadness and loss.  If you didn’t care so much about me, and our lives had not meant so much to each other, this would be easier on all of us.  But what a special gift that we have this type of friendship, and that we have really care about each other. I know I’m a much better person because of all of you.

Here’s something I heard years ago … I thought you might like it too … I was listening to a speaker tape, someone motivational I don’t remember his name.  He said that instead of spending time with someone, he thinks of it as investing time with someone. He said when something is spent it’s gone. When it’s invested, it grows (usually).  So when he has time with someone, for example his son, he thinks of it as investing time in his relationship with his son, rather than spending time with his son.  I like to think that way too. We have invested time in our relationships together, we have shared and grown together, and our lives are enriched because of it.

I had a serious talk with my mom last night and I know it’s hard on her.  I think it still has not sunk in with her yet. I’ve prepared her for it the best way I know how and have tried to talk with her about it, but, I’m sure it’s never going to be enough.  Over the years, I’ve heard that children are not supposed to die before parents, but unfortunately, so often it happens.  I’ve lived so many more years than I ever thought I would and I’m grateful for all of them, even the challenging ones. They helped me become who I am.