Good morning and welcome everyone to today’s prompt. I was happy to provide it, although it wasn’t my first choice. Somehow that one got lost in the shuffle and then I couldn’t recall it. Welcome to the 60’s, lol.

I’m sitting here, wrapped in a blanket and wishing another cup of coffee would magically appear, because it’s in the 40’s again here in South Florida. I came here to avoid this kind of weather, but thankfully, it’s temporary.

We overly enjoyed the warm weekend we just had, and I took advantage of all the time in the pool that I could. But now it’s cold and very windy outside, so pool time is over for the time being.

I picked the word “family” today because I’m missing them. I always get this way when we are about a month from going home. Or when we are watching football, as well as – you know, most of the time…especially at the holidays. All I have left of my immediate family is my brother and my boys, so when they are hurting, so am I.

My youngest son is going through a very rough patch right now, and I feel so bad for him. He did it to himself, but that doesn’t make me feel any different.

When your child hurts, you hurt. It’s a mom thing. Whether they hurt from physical pain, or mental anguish, makes no difference. I think he just needs a hug from his mom.

We talk on at least a weekly basis, as I do with all of them, or I feel like I can’t breathe. Any other moms out there feel like that? I can’t talk to my mom, and I know how much that hurts. She is gone though, and I’m still here. At least we have the phone, and other methods of communicating, but it isn’t the same as physical contact. Sometimes, you just need a real hug to make it seem better.

Last night, we went to the clubhouse here at the RV resort to watch the games. I wasn’t there long, and really I was just there to hang out with everyonefor a bit. My team has been out of the playoffs. I rooted for the Chiefs, and they won and I went home to eat dinner after that.

Even doing that though, I had to send Chris a few texts. The Chiefs are his favorite after the Cowboys. The other boys don’t really care about sports. So I don’t text them as much during games. I talk to them about their jobs, or home life and those kinds of things.

My brother is currently in Mexico with his church at a pastor’s conference. He is there as a cook and helper to the pastors, he is not a real pastor though. I kid and say he is married to the church becausehe is not married and is very involved with his church. It’s a good thing. They do mission trips and build houses there and in other countries while spreading the gospel. My brother is what they call a “lay pastor” and did study at seminary. He is lucky his job allows for him to go on these trips to Mexico, and other church trips he takes with the youth.

Josh and Shari are busy working at the hotel in San Antonio, turning it around and increasing revenue. I’m so proud that they have turned a corner and they seem to be doing better. They are almost to the point where they can buy a used car, that will save them from having to call an Uber when they need to run errands.

Sean is holding his own, yet lately he’s been having car and financial problems. So far, he’s handled it on is own. I’m proud of him too, because he depended on my dad when he was alive, and now he’s making it on his own, though it’s been tough. Everything is so expensive, I honestly don’t know how any of them are making it. They all have to have room mates. (Josh and Shari have each other).

So that’s the update on my family, and as far as my sister here in Jupiter, I haven’t seen her for a hot minute either and won’t any time soon because guess what? She has COVID. 😑 Hopefully, she has a mild case. I’ve been missing time with her too!

Luckily, we still have a month here and we will have more time to visit. As for me, I need refills on my meds and I’m looking forward to the nerve block injection so that when I do get to visit, I’m not in so much pain. I looked up what causes severe spinal stenosis and even if I was to eventually have surgery, I will still have some degree of pain due to arthritis. That’s life when you get older I guess.

For now, my cane is helping a great deal. I will bundle up and take a walk later but for now, I’m relaxing and reading everyone’s blogs. Have à great Monday and a fabulous week!