Falling in love once again...
Copyright © 2025
By Ralph F. Couey
A lot has happened since the last time I checked in here. Cheryl and I got sick in March, which stretched well into April before whatever it was finally released us from its vile clutches. It left us both sapped of energy, and it's been a slow road back. Then, about the same time we put that behind us, My Urologist decided that my continuing struggles with prostate issues had come to a head, and last Wednesday, I had surgery. It wasn't major, as surgeries go, but, sparing you the details, my plumbing system is already improved. I was out for about 2 hours, and it's taken another huge effort post-anesthesia to regain my stamina.
Now, some good news. Through one of our daughters, we were introduced to a wonderful lady who has been suffering for years from crippling chronic pain. She was looking for someone to adopt her dog, a cute little Bichon named Pickles, as she wouldn't be able to care for her any longer. We love dogs but haven't had one since we lost our beloved Tweeter in 2016. He had been with us for 17 years, and that loss was sheer heartbreak for both of us. We avoided getting another one because of that. As one wise person said, a dog's only fault is that they don't live long enough. Long story short, we agreed to adopt Pickles and will take her in late May after I return from Virginia. The circumstances are sad, but we are happy to once again have a furry, loving companion back in our family. We met with them on Monday and had a wonderful, meaningful time together. This will involve some changes in our lifestyle, but none that will cause us any regret whatsoever. It does leave us with the feeling that, as ecstatic as we are to get Pickles, we could feel the lady's heart breaking because of this necessary choice.
Our brother-in-law is near death. He has been sliding backwards for some time now, and his health is at a critical juncture. He has decided to give up and is impatiently waiting for the end. This is, of course, very hard on the family, particularly since just over a year ago, they welcomed their first grandchild. It has been a very sad, stressful time for us all.
Last year, a big trip to Japan and Okinawa was planned, and Cheryl and a number of family members are leaving on May 8th. This will be Cheryl's first trip to her ancestral homelands, and she is looking forward to the trip. As part of it, they will be attending the Rose Festival there. The few days in Okinawa should be amazing. Her mother's family is originally from Okinawa, and I hope she can do a little family research while there. I know that once I better understood my family's history from Ireland and France, many questions were answered for me.
Her mother hasn't changed much as she creeps ever closer to her 99th birthday in October. She still recognizes us, and remains the sweet, loving, kind person she has always been, but dementia has taken away so much from her.
Once I return from Virginia, I will be on my own for a while until Cheryl returns from Japan. Hopefully, all the bills will be paid on time, and the house won't become a disaster. I do have a couple of projects planned. Hopefully, they will be successfully accomplished. We still have a lot of stuff in the house that belongs to other people, but I'm getting to the point that, since they don't seem to want it, I'll just get rid of it. I also have to make some decisions about the accumulation of my own stuff that needs to go away. That means that, <sigh>, I have to go through my book collection again.
I leave the same day, but for Virginia. Our son contacted me after the dates for Japan were set and invited me to visit them for a couple of weeks. This visit coincides with the championship rounds for Ian's NFL Flag and his travel team. I am very excited to watch him in person. His video highlights have been nothing short of amazing, and the reports of his performances have been incredible. I'll get to spend time with their youngest, Sophie, who is such a joy to be around. In addition to piano, she has picked up a brass instrument called a baritone, kinda like a miniature tuba. As I used to play one, I am so looking forward to watching and listening to her. The oldest, Diana, should be coming home from her first year at college about that time, and I can't wait to hear her stories. They should be epic.
Life at the USS Missouri has been a lot of fun. I enjoy every tour I lead, and listening to the stories of people from all over the world never gets old. I gave a tour to the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, and a lion-hearted soul if there ever was one. I continue to get positive comments from our visitors, and I'm a little squeamish to admit that never gets old, either. A colleague is getting promoted in her Army Reserve unit and asked me to do the promotion. I know how important this is in a servicemember's life, and I was surprised and humbled to be asked to contribute. Oh, and she also wants me in uniform. So, this Friday, I will once again don my khakis, pin on the anchors, pull on the hat, and be a Chief Petty Officer again, even if just for a couple of hours.
So much of the last two months has been a reminder of how quickly life can turn, from good to bad, and back again. The time when days were repeatable is long past, even for us in the silver hair set. That life, despite the most careful planning, is patently unpredictable. It requires fewer charts and graphs, and more nimble feet to dance around the things that barrel into our lives so unexpectedly. And rudely. But dance, we will. And hope for good outcomes, and pray for the strength to survive the bad ones.
And cherish each day, no matter what comes.
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