Oh, my poor eyes! And I have a headache now, too!

Only five o'clock and already I have been boo hooing around here! Make no mistake, I started a bit earlier with Judy J. as we spent the late morning/early afternoon together, speaking occasionally of our loved ones gone before us. It is easy to think about them at this time of the church year, Easter, when the victory was won and we rejoice in the sure hope of eternity with Jesus, and our family members already enjoying the bliss....

*

I digress: Joanne and family left here early, with Richard in tow, which I found out quite by accident as I once more went flying into the kitchen from my room and found him standing there...ooops, back for the bathrobe! Especially since he was trying to eat something, poor guy! Judy was coming for me around 9:30 a.m. and even though I had lots of time to ready myself, something electronic with a monitor caused me to run behind schedule. I was, in fact, ready when she got here, as she found me by the car, pulling the old bouquet from the backseat and placing it on the curb as directed by Connie, the maintenance lady, Connie. She was pulling weeds nearby and told me put them there and she would collect them on her way through. Even though there are bins at the cemetery, usually I end up bringing the old bouquet home with me.

*

Both of us ladies had items to return to Coldwater Creek so Judy drove, wanting to be there as the store opened, to ensure good parking. There is no recession at the Town Center Mall, that is for sure! We got our items returned and then each reinvested some of our refunds, this time after trying things on. Only two items came home with me, however, because I just was not happy how things fit once on me. Judy found and bought a magnificent jacket, which I lust after, for wearing to a commissioning ceremony coming up. The colors are red, white, and blue, flowers and blotches, right up my alley, and hers, too!

*

We walked to Artsy Abode and I stood by the cocktail napkin display and laughed my head off, just like Lori and I did one day at Cook's Corner in Manitowoc. Oh, some of them are just so darn funny. Judy got herself a couple tops there, a clothing line called "Fresh Produce", which I had never heard of before today, and I got a couple books and wall hanging for the upcoming wedding.

*

Mimi's was our diner of choice, located on the perimeter of the Mall itself. I had the grilled meatloaf and mashed pots, real ones this time! Judy had her favorite turkey salad served on raisin bread and a cup of corn chowder. We left room for bread pudding which we shared and yet could not finish. Mental note: tell Justin about the bread pudding....

*

We talked about how sometimes a person must simply force themselves to get out and do something, or it would be too easy to pull the blankets up over our heads and stay in bed. We know a lady who really has no other social outlet than Judy and it gets old fast. I am all about widening the circle of friends, not only acquaintances, so there is always someone to call upon whether you have a flat tire or deflated spirit.

*

Judy told about the time about a year after her young son died at the age of 12 from leukemia, how she looked up from the kitchen sink to see a group of his friends passing by, wearing their uniforms, on their way to play ball. Her son wanted nothing more than to play ball, and this was a deal breaker for Judy. She stopped what she was doing, got her purse and coat, and went for a ride to see a friend. Judy commented, though, when she wants to cry, she cries. But, then, you get up, brush yourself off, and move along.

*

Once dropped at my door, or elevator as the case might be, I came upstairs with my purchases and got a can of soda. No sooner had I made myself comfy at the desk did I hear the doorbell ring. As I dashed to answer it, I saw a FedEx lady at the elevator and I yelled, "Happy Easter" to her before the door closed. No one escapes! A box of flowers was sitting at my door, from ProFlowers.com, and from my Justin!!! He sent me tulips and irises, which are absolutely gorgeous. More tears!

*

Justin wanted them delivered by Easter and have the blooms open, which will take 8-10 hours, which is why they were ordered for today. Thinking he was in class, I sent him a text message to the phone, thanking him for the flowers, but he called me back, saying there was no afternoon class today. According to him, the professor is lazy and did not even have an assistant take the class for him. Hmmm....He about talked my arm off, talks more than I do sometimes, and was anxious for me to see and hear a singer from American Idol. He told me the song and singer gave him goosebumps and he got some while telling me about it, so I had better get to it...

*

Warning:

But this was not to be the end of the tears....I watched "Pay It Forward" again today, not the entire thing, but enough to get myself into quite the state of upset. The child, played by Haley Joel Osmet, encouraged people to do one good but difficult thing for three other people and spread the word, so the movement went out from his social studies project into a huge event. He ends up being knifed to death while trying to save his friend from bullies on the playground, only moments after doing an interview telling all about his project. The part that really tears me up is when the ER doctor comes through the door to where his mom is waiting to hear how her child is doing, and without hearing what he says, we see her collapse into the teacher's arms.....I've done that, but at least I was already in a wheelchair. My heart aches for the mamas and daddys who have ever gotten news like this.......