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may flowers

Today marks fifteen years since my sister passed away. In that time, I’ve struggled with all manner of tears and emotions and conflicts left in the wake of her death. But that time has also allowed me to heal and accept and better understand myself and others. Honestly, the grief never goes away. I’ve simply learned to live with it. To balance the unbearable sadness of that day, I get flowers every May 1 to celebrate Kris.


freesias for kris

she was my big sister, she was my everything



Jeremy and I just returned from visiting my parents in Virginia. It had been three years since our last trip and there were a few boxes of (my) stuff they needed me to sort – the final stages of their massive house cleaning endeavor. Dad and I sifted through a box of photos and viewed several 8mm home movies to determine which ones to have digitized. Thankfully, I’ve been engaged in this konmari-esque activity for months, so it went quickly. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper visit to one of our parents’ homes without Jeremy fixing somebody’s computer. The rest of the time was spent dining out, cooking, and eating. And running (Jeremy and me) to counter all of the eating.

mom and dad at the neighborhood resort

catching the tail end of the dogwood bloom

pink dogwoods are one of my favorites

one of the many home-cooked feasts



It felt so nice to step off the plane in Denver and breathe that cold, thin Colorado air. Our first stop was the kennel where Yuki and Neva reportedly had loads of fun and made friends with staff and fellow pups. They were clearly exhausted on the ride home because Yuki curled up and dozed off while Neva fell asleep perched upright in her dog bed.

toweling off after the post-doggy-camp bath


I wanted to let you all know about a silent auction being held right now through Sunday, May 5, 2019 (8pm MDT) by RezDawg Rescue. Yuki is a RezDawg. She was rescued by this amazing organization in May of last year and brought to a foster home in Colorado where she was cared for and socialized until we adopted her five weeks later. I love RezDawg Rescue for bringing Yuki into our lives, but I love them even more for their unwavering dedication to saving (saving = rescue, transport, treating, fostering, homing) thousands of unwanted cats and dogs in the Four Corners area. That’s why I donated three of my fine art prints to their silent auction. There are over one hundred products and services being offered in the auction to raise money for RezDawg Rescue to save more lives. Please visit the auction at https://www.32auctions.com/rezdawgspringauction2019. If you bid on anything, THANK YOU and good luck!


SOLD: golden aspen canopy and blue skies

SOLD: autumn aspen stand

SOLD: autumn meets winter


10 nibbles at “may flowers”

  1. Kristin says:

    So true about the grief never going away…but why should it? The love doesn’t. Sending love your way. I love the freesias for Kris.

  2. Heather says:

    Thinking about you today. :) XOXO

  3. Diana says:

    Sending you and your sweet parents my thoughts and love on this difficult day. ❀️

  4. Marissa says:

    Your love radiates.

  5. Jill Hyde says:

    You’ve come a long way in your grief journey. You are right. It never goes away, just somehow becomes more tolerable. There’s no place like home.
    xoxo, jill

  6. D says:

    Thank you by helping many of us with grief and trying to find understanding/acceptance.
    In Divine Friendship

  7. Tea says:

    That picture of you and Kris says it all, doesn’t it? Such love and devotion (and those cute pigtails!). I can’t imagine the depth of your sister bond, or the depth of your loss. Sending huge big hugs to you, Jen. XOXO

  8. hungry dog says:

    I love the picture of you and Kris. My heart breaks for you, Jen–I have an older sister who has always looked out for me, even when we grew up–and I can’t imagine the pain of losing her. Sending hugs your way.

    Glad the pups enjoyed the boarding. Leaving our dog is the the only part of traveling I hate!

    xoxo

    hungry dog

  9. Lisa says:

    So much love to you and your family. No, it never goes away. <3

  10. jenyu says:

    Thank you, everyone! Your kindness and sweet words are so appreciated. xoxo

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