It appears that the 40 year anniversary celebration at the fabulous Greenbrier for these two love birds isn’t going to happen. Therefore I can not write my “Part II” cliff-hanger adaptation of the “honey moon”, turn it into a romantic novel, and become famous! Damn it!
It’s just one of those “life things”.
HHHMMM…Life things? Isn’t it fascinating how “life things” can change everything?
On June 30th, I got a call from Lewis, my father in law. He said, Merle, my mother in law, had fallen and he needed help getting her up. When I got to their house she was on the floor and didn’t seem to be hurt, but definitely was not herself either. Gail, my sister in law, and I got home from the hospital the next morning at 3:00 am. She had a stroke. Everything changed.
On July 7th, after a quick trip to see my Dad, and of course, throwing in some time with my Lakeland girls, I get a call. Â The news was that on Friday, July 1st, Neil had found a small lump on his neck. Â He had a biopsy, on July 6th, and it was fine. Everything got scary, and then everything was all right again.
July 10th Kelley, Whit and Laney came to visit. Everything got happier (and a lot louder)!
July 11th Neil had his five year scan! Once we got the wonderful results that Neil is good as new and cancer free…Everything was perfect.
July 14th Graham came home from Yap. (his second visit in 2 + years) At 5:00 PM that afternoon he shared the news with us that he was getting married to Mercy, his beautiful girlfriend, and everything became exciting!
July 20th, we will meet her for the first time… everyone is anxious! Including Mercy!
My summer “novel” was going to sound something along the lines of…
Chapter 1
The summer time moves slowly. Sprinklers, Popsicle’s, and blow up swimming pools filled with naked children in the back yard during the heat of the day…lingers into lemonade, ice tea and cold beer while the family rocks to the laughter of children and tree frogs on the front porch at dusk. The heat, mosquitoes and fire flies slow the sunset down to a trickle….
Well, not exactly….let’s start over.
Chapter 1.
Taking trips …for sure…but not to the Greenbrier…trips to Dr. appointments, airports, drug stores and Publix! We are making time fly… by washing towels, making beds and picking up toys! And when it’s five o’clock some where…it’s 8:00 in the morning in Yap!
I may not be going on a trip of a life time… hey, that’s okay. I have the best story to tell. This just might be the best chapter of my life… I couldn’t be prouder of  my mother in law. She truly is an Angel, and she is getting better every day! I loved the part where Kelley and her vivacious children, Whit and Laney came home, and brought joy, laughter, and Peter Pan movies …and how about this phenomenal epilogue…Neil is well, and Graham and Mercy live happily ever after!
Screw the Greenbrier…My summer is a best seller!
14,600 Days and Nights!
So enjoy your blogs, girl!! Would love to see you.
Thanks Renee! Maybe one day I’ll be able to “hang out” long enough in Lakeland to get in touch with all my Lakeland High School bff’s. Last visit to see my Dad (90 yrs old) we drove around our old neighborhood… and HE drove! So grateful he is fine, and I’m still alive!
So glad to hear from you! I’ll be in touch for sure!
I love happy endings..call me a sucker! I love this story much better xoxoox
Don’t we all love a happy story…especially from the “glass needs a refill” kinda girl!
Crushin’ it again Mom! Blog writer extraordinaire!!😘😘
Will you put this on my tombstone! (With a carving of a glass of wine)
Tracy,
What an author you are!! So look forward to more!!! God bless!
Thank you Andrea! My English teacher may have a different opinion! (Love writing anyway)!
Going to Lakeland on Friday to walk around Lake Hollingsworth with my daughter and son-in-law….to show him where I grew up,my old neighborhood, Cleveland Court, excetera
Lake Hollingsworth takes me back in time everytime! Beautiful city with the best people ever! Have fun!
I loved this one! Short and sweet but very poignant and emotional. Love it!
Keeping my blogs short is one thing, but “sweet”… is another. Thanks for reading!
Y’all have a great summer and hope to see your family soon! Give those precious girls a kiss from Aunt crazy Gracy!
Gracie,
You are the best! So blessed to be able to laugh and cry together-MOSTLY laugh!
Love a GOOD cry! (see blog…for crying out loud) BTW…Isy is the bestie!
Very nicely done! Happy to hear all those happy endings!
Johnny, I truly appreciate YOUR comments! Happy endings are the best! Hope to see the Solesbee’s soon!
LOVE this!!! And LOVE this whole family!!!
LOVE YOU and MISS YOU!
So so sweet! I had a few tears in my eyes,… Might be the hormones,… What a fabulous summer!!!
Remind me to tell you what I “wanted” to comment back to you…(not for social media)! You will never remember THIS summer, except the part of taking two kids and a newborn to Spain.
May not be hormones…may be CRA CRA!
Have a wonderful time with your beautiful family.
You are so sweet and a very lucky girl!
Seriously, u r kidding, right? You must have a ghost writer for sure😊 I got sucked right in, and damn if you are good gurl! I am relieved everyone is well!
Xoxo ur WY wild child
Hey Wild Child…I try to keep my ghost locked up in the attic where they belong! Every now and then I let them out, take them to the beach and have a party! Wanna go? xoxo u 2!
My absolute favorite blog so far. I love every “thing” about it! Beautifully and cleverly written. And so much news!! I am so glad your life things have turned out to be blessings. I love you all!
Gotta pay attention, and not let the good “things” go unnoticed or taken for granted. You may just miss out on a great “summer read”.
Wonderful writing and I’m so happy about all the great news!
Tracy I love your blog and you! Glad to hear mostly good news on your end! Dana
Thank you Dana. You’ve got to keep the wine glass half full!
Thanks Pam. Great news for sure, and the writing is cheap therapy!
lLove this blog Tracy !! Keep writing those chapters cause I want to read the novel. (Miss Haley would be proud)
You know Miss Haley would say, “It would take me ANOTHER 100 years to teach that girl how to write a novel”! I shouldn’t have skipped first period so often!
You make me laugh…so happy to have you back “home”!
Can’t wait for your next blog, so fun to read, your amazing Tracy!!
I got “Story telling” from Dad and “Telling stories” from my brother 🙂
Hope to see you soon!
Tracy, I had lunch with your Dad a few weeks ago. And the stories were one after another for hours I could have stayed all day and listened.He is the best! And your brother, O my could he tell a story. I have many that are permanently placed in my memory bank forever. Sure do miss him..thanks Tracy you make me think of all the good times we had
I appreciate these comments Craig. I agree…those two were/are great talkers. I wish I could record my Dad but he won’t let me…and if I recorded Mike someone may have gotten arrested:)
Thanks for visiting my Dad! It is so thoughtful of you and means the world to him!
You’re such the talented writer! I always look forward to reading your blogs and this one even exceeded my expectations, in large part due to all of your good news! Congrats on all of the positive stuff!!
Thanks Fran. Everyone seems to like my “nicer” blogs…what’s that about? Should I start being nice? Naa!
Hell no……. Be yourself.
HaHaHa…I’ll divvy out the nice me occasionally!
Damn right ! Your novel is going to be so exciting! And you just got me caught up with my grandchildren in a few sentences. Is it not wonderful how our young ones bring sunshine into a gloomy space just by showing up? I so hope Merle improves everyday.Tracy,I admire your writing style but most of all,I admire you.
On another note dear friend,I have TRIED to subscribe to your website 3 times but after entering all my info,I never get an email to confirm as stated……what gives?..
Hi Gilda,
Thank you so much for your kind comment! You are so right… big dose of Whit and Laney can cure the glum out of everything!
Please check your SPAM file for your notice of the subscription. Your computer probably doesn’t recognize the source. I have had that happen before!
Thanks again for reading my blog and I hope you get to visit the “scientist and Princess” very soon. (what I was told when I asked them “what do you want to be when you grow up”)
xo
Throughly enjoyed that story! Keeping it real!! Sounds a lot like our Summer so far.
Summer is for relaxing, staying warm, and reading Garden and Guns magazine in a beach chair… NOT AARP magazines in a freezing cold Dr’s office in a metal chair!
It’s all good! I hope you have having a healthy happy summer also!
Love this! Can’t wait for an update.
Happy Birthday Kim! We will make an update happen! Hopefully you’ll be there!
Fun to catch up last night. It is easy to smile on this end of all of the drama so thankful it was all good news. I bet the Greenbriar can still happen!
Last night was a perfect summer night…It always puts a smile on my face to be with friends, a view, and wine…not necessarily in that order! Would it be “tacky” to do a “girl trip” to the Greenbrier?
Tracy,it is WAAAAAAAY past time for you to drive only4.5 hours to have a BOTTLE(s) of wine with me.
Gilda
You are right Gilda! Grown up time for Grandparents!
You have a beautiful family, now including Mercy! She’s lucked out on mother-in-laws!
We both have “lucked” out Lisa! Love you!