Around the Whirlwind in Eighty Days

It's been 80+/- days since I last made an entry to The Mercy Finder. I think I've been too overwhelmed with trying to find mercy, extend mercy, and receive mercy to write. But today, inspired by an article I read in The New Yorker, "Middlemarch and Me," I have committed to at least try to catch up on the last 80 days in a very speedy way--with photos. (However, something's wrong w/ my computer and everything about Blogger is currently goofed up)

Rebecca Mead, the author of the article, stated that the well-known maxim, "It is never too late to be what you might have been," although long-attributed to George Elliot (aka Mary Ann Evans), apparently has no historical bearing with reference to her. Nowhere in her letters or writings can it be documented that she said this. In fact, it seems to be more in keeping with her writings and lifestyle that, if anything, she believed that just being who you are is enough. Unheralded, unspectacular, unnoticed. If you should think of doing something grand, and don't do it, so be it.  In her journal entry she wrote, "The difficulty is, to decide how far resolution should set in the direction of activity rather than in the acceptance of a more negative state." Perhaps in my comings and goings, I would much prefer to have this second quote painted up, lacquered, and hanging on my kitchen wall rather than the first.

However, so as not to acknowledge my merciless/merciful state without deep gratitude,  I submit the following photos of the last 74+ days.

I flew to TX for the funeral of Krista Ralston Oakes 

Lynn Ralston Molohosky and me

Christmas Eve

Mom with Eli, very excited for the next day

   

Dad deciding which of Sawyer's Hot Wheels he wants

Sawyer thinking of Santa coming

Christmas Day

Santa made one little boy very happy



Jim, Sawyer, and Chelsea



Carrie, Eli's girlfriend



Mickey Blue Eyes



What do you get your Dad who needs nothing?  Books!


The Day After Christmas

Celebrating with the Munns

Second cousins, Samantha and Sawyer

 Joyful and triumphant



Guess it should be over 'cuz the fat lady's singing!

My "eh hem" birthday



Nancy Metcalf joined me for a grand day

Gallachers came for a few days in January



An early birthday celebration with Dad

Dad's 96th Birthday

 

The party was so wild that no matter what I do this will only post sideways



Disneyland with the Archibalds

So happy to be out of Minnesota

 

Nannie Joy with her munchkins





It's a world of laughter



My Annie Jane



My Jake Jordan



My Sawyer Daniel




My Juliette Joyce

Chelsea Married Jim Flanagan

The Aftermath

Jordan's 33rd Birthday

Saying Goodby to Part of My Heart 

Jim Got Baptized

A very wonderful day

Okay, that's it. I'm done.