I've had 3 more eye surgeries since my last post. Seven in all--think I'm done. The weird thing was twitching corneas, which made me have to lay down. This stopped about a month ago & I got new lenses last week. And a working computer to boot (literally). Your donations to the family account have helped to pay for my eyes. THANK YOU seems so inadequate, but THANK YOU!

I talked with Tom's 93-year old mom last night about remembering this time last year and about not remembering this time last year. When I remember Tom slipping away, I sink & can barely move. I snap myself out of this funk by seeing so many of you in my mind, either visiting him or writing or singing or sending stuff, and I again become so very grateful for the way he was ushered out of this lifetime. I feel good about being able to love and care for him (my friend for 34 years & husband for 30) all the way through. I'm proud of Aeden & Irene for being so strong and loving and helpful. And I'm grateful to our amazing local community for taking care of the farm & visitors so that the kids & I could focus on Tom.

We've almost made it through a year of 'firsts' without Tom and have been told that things will get easier. I think it's true. Have found myself feeling like playing music again & quoting him lately. I've also wondered out loud what his nickname for my puppy, Oakley, would be. He would have thought she was a pain in the butt, which she is - an extremely intelligent one at that- but he also would have played with her and noticed things that I likely haven't picked up on yet. Damn, I miss him....

Anyway, I know that you have also experienced Tom's loss and want you to know that I love you.