Touchy-Feely, Week 17

Happy Memorial Day! This weekend we celebrate the life of David MacDougal, Doug's Gramps, who passed away on Thursday. David died on the date of his wedding anniversary to his wife, Elizabeth, who died 6 years ago. While we are sad to be so far away from Doug's family in Australia, we smile knowing that this D reunited with his E on their anniversary. We know that both Doug's Gramps and Gran, his Grandad, and my PaPa will celebrate the birth of our baby this fall. Such is the cycle of life...Slash must be growing at a healthy rate, because I'm sure growing at a healthy rate. Now that I'm visibly pregnant, friends and strangers feel entitled and excited to rub and pat my belly. Good friends and family know that I'm not a touchy-feely person, so I'm forced to adjust to this side effect of pregnancy. I'm adjusting to many changes, actually!

Doug and I have the same routine on weekday mornings. Every morning as I leave for work (5:50 am), I go into the bedroom and say goodbye to Doug. For 6 years, he's always said the same 3 sentences to me: "Have a great day, sweetie. I love you. Drive safely." (On a side note: I knew I loved him when he correctly used the adverb safely even in his semi-awake state.) Another side effect of pregnancy: Doug's morning conversation has changed since Slash entered our lives. Now, Doug actually lifts his head off the pillow to inspect my new maternity outfit and my growing belly. He tells both me and Slash that he loves us and hopes we both have a great day. While he wishes us a safe drive to BHS, he rubs good morning to my belly. This is the kind of touchy-feely that I have easily and joyously adjusted to!!

This weekend in our backyard, we will lift our beer and/or water to toast those who have died serving our country. We will also toast those we've loved who have passed away and the one we love who hasn't yet been born.

Love you all.

E