Author: annabodine

Day 126 / The Banter of My Girls

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Listening to the banter of Alexa and Ava cracks me up and warms my heart.  Tonight they came with me to pick up dinner.  That’s when their banter is most precious – when we’re all in the car together.  Ava will say random things like, “You know what, Mommy? Alexa calls me ‘Dimps’.”  Alexa then bursts with laughter and a playful exchange ensues.

It’s so incredibly priceless.  I’m always tempted to interject and sometimes will, but typically I will sit back and listen with a huge smile across my face.  I’m so grateful for my girls’ banter.  It’s only going to be this cute for so long, so I savor every second of it.

Day 125 / Ed

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Ed was Donovon’s best friend when Donovon and I first started dating. They shared many so good times together. And when we got married, Ed was Donovon’s best man. There wasn’t a better choice. Ed made Donovon a better man. He made him a better friend. And later, he made me a better person.

Ed had this way of making it so that everyone around him enjoyed life. His favorite saying was “Party on!” He always wanted to make sure that we all had a good time. I can sometimes be wound a little tight. So Ed’s insistance of “partying on” allowed me to loosen up and enjoy my youth. Donovon and me partying with Ed, is a time in my life that I treasure and look back on with a huge smile.

Ed passed away eleven years ago. It was a very tragic loss that hit Donovon and me very hard. Last night, those of us who were friends with Ed got together and celebrated his life. We do this every year. We all meet at one of his favorite bars, drink and eat, and catch up and share memories of our time with Ed. There is always a lot of laughter and very funny and fond memories. I know that every time we come together to celebrate the man who loved to party with his friends, he is there with us raising a shot of Absolut and cheering, “Party on!!”

I’m so grateful that Ed was a part of my life. I still miss him, but I take comfort in knowing that his soul lives on in Donovon and me and all who knew and loved him.

“Party on, Ed!” I love you, man.

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Day 123 / Gorgeous Day

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Gorgeous days like today are so rare in Central Texas. The weather was perfect. It was a nice break from the recent frigid temperatures. I’m thankful for this gorgeous day.

This is the view from my office in west Austin. I admit, it’s real easy to get lost in it.

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Day 121 / Dinner with Alexa

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Alexa wanted Chinese food tonight. Since Donovon and Ava don’t like Chinese food, my Big Girl and I went out for an impromptu mother-daughter dinner date. We just went to Pei Wei, which was okay, but most enjoyable was the time we got to spend together.

I write about the time I get to spend with my girls a lot, and I will continue to as it’s so precious to me. It won’t be long before Alexa is finished with school and out on her own. She’ll soon be focused on a career, and later on a marriage and family of her own. It all happens so incredibly fast. There’s no denying it.

Tonight, it was just us two. We had a great conversation. We talk as adults (which is sort of bizarre to me) while I still do my best to impart tiny pearls of wisdom. Most of all, I just want her to know how much I love her and how proud I am of her. I’m so grateful for my dinner with Alexa.

Day 120 / Donovon’s Roast Chicken

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…Okay it’s actually Julia Child’s Roast Chicken recipe made with love by Donovon.

Donovon and I were talking yesterday about what to have for Sunday dinner when he mentioned wanting to cook a chicken dish. We threw out a couple of ideas and then I said, “Why don’t you just roast a chicken?” I was secretly hoping that he would do Julia Child’s roast chicken recipe, but I didn’t expect he would. It takes three hours to prepare, basting every ten minutes. It’s a chore, but luckily for me, it’s a labor of love for Donovon.

Let me tell you, if you’ve not been fortunate enough to have Juila Child’s roast chicken, you simply have no clue what you’re missing. And if you have, well, you know nothing can compare. It. Is. Amazing. And when Donovon prepares it for me, I can taste the love.

Donvon put some serious heart into his roast chicken tonight, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

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Day 118 / The Seton Breast Care Center

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Today I took a brief tour of the Seton Breast Care Center while there to present a donation of recovery shirts on behalf of my firm.

I was amazed at how far breast cancer care has come. It’s been over 36 years since my mother was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Yet, I can still vividly remember her mastectomy scar. I was only 4 years old at the time, but I remember going to the hospital to see her after the surgery. Unfortunately, she was in remission for only a few years before the cancer returned.

Mommy was in and out of Seton for two or three years. My sister and I became very familiar with Seton Medical Center. It has grown considerably since then, and thanks to the donations of our community, the Seton Breast Care Center became an addition. The center provides a soothing and comfortable atmosphere for breast cancer patients to receive treatment and care. Having lived through years of watching Mommy suffer through treatments, knowing that the Seton Breast Care Center is available is such a comfort. I’m grateful that our community came together to contribute to the center’s development. And I’m thankful that I was reminded today of my mother and all that she suffered through, and knowing that she’s at peace.

Day 117 / An Evening with My Girls

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I took Alexa and Ava shopping tonight and then we picked up dinner. I so much enjoy spending time with them together. They are so full of life, personality, and creativity. As they continue to grow older right before my eyes, I cherish these precious moments with them. I’m so grateful for the time I get to spend with them, the memories we create, and that they fill me with so much love and joy.