Broken Down

Monday morning, I was on my way to taking Kaydon, Colton and Amia to school. The truck was acting very funny... except it wasn't too funny at the time. It began to sputter and then died. Like, died. Dead. Deader than a doorknob. Dead. The children got out and began walking the rest of the way to school. I called my brother. He came and tried to jump it, but it wasn't the battery. He took me to the high school parking lot to get the car. That left Jackson and Braxton a bit stranded, but I had to get to work. So, I texted the boys to tell them that they were stranded and I was on my way to work. One of my Streets' guys is a mechanic. I texted him when I got to work. It was their day off. I asked him what he thought I should do. He said, "I'm on my way to pick up your key." I cried. He showed up to get the key. ON HIS DAY OFF. He told me he was picking up Ash (another Streets' guy who had the day off) just in case they had to tow it.

I cried.

He called me an hour later, asking me where he wanted me to put the truck. I asked him what needed to happen. He said it was done.

I cried.

They put gas in it and parked it back at the apartments. They had fixed it. Just like that. They brought back the keys. I hugged both of them.

I cried.

Remember a long time ago when my guys told me, "All you have to do is look behind you. There will be 86 guys holding you up." Remember when they told me, "All you have to do is breathe. We got you." On their day off, they came to the rescue. Why would I be surprised?? They are such a blessing!

At the burial of P, the graveside portion had completed. No one moved. One of my guys handed me two blue ribbons to go place on the caskets. I walked up with Leesa. In front of everyone. I put a ribbon on the caskets, then cried and through sobs told P that I loved him. I went to turn to walk back to my guys. Leesa let out an audible gasp. All 86 of my guys had followed me to the casket and were right behind me as I said goodbye to my P.

Figuratively and literally, they are always right behind me!

Always!

So Close

Meet my Ashabash (Ashley). Ashley is one of my boys at work. I have 86 of them who are full-time and several more who are seasonal. Also, I have nicknames for everyone I meet, so Ash is Ashabash.

Friday, there was an accident. Ashabash was at a location to haul wood off once my Forestry crew cut down a tree. Ash was about 30 feet away when a large log fell, demolished the caribeaner, and a metal piece (the size of a candy bar) flew into my Ashabash's face. One inch higher, it would have killed him. One inch lower, it would have killed him. The doctors spent a lot of time getting pieces of his cheek bone out of his face, then sewed up an enormous hole (the size of his entire cheek) back up from the bone out. He has four layers of stitches.

Our guys do dangerous things - pave roads, work in trenches on sewer lines, climb poles and trees, work with heavy equipment, work with sharp equipment, work with the public... the list goes on and on. But, today I am so thankful that my Ash is okay. He's alive. He is swollen and black and blue and purple and sore. But, he's alive. I loved on him and loved on him this morning when I saw him.

So close.

Happily Ever After

My baby boys will always and forever by my happily ever after. I wanted to take them out for pizza last night to our favorite, Rita's. They arrived before me and got our special table. Braxton walked outside, offered me his arm, and walked me to my chair. This is normal. My boys always make sure I am taken care of. Always. Last night, he and Kaydon continued to pack and move stuff. I haven't packed one item. Not one. Yet, so much is packed and ready to be moved. They are my joy. They are my reason. They are my happily ever after.

Do you know what else makes me happy? Sitting outside in my weeds for lunch! Oh, I LOVE sunshine. It's my happy place. Everyone at my work knows that when I am outside in my pink camping chair, you best leave me alone!!!

Oh, and that Rita's visit - we went for pizza because it IS a pizza joint. We all ordered salads. Is that weird?? Only if you're not us!!