Winks

Just before Christmas I was getting something from my closet and noticed a crumpled paper on the floor.  Hmmm, I know that wasn't there earlier in the day.....has that Maddie been in my closet again???  The crumpled paper was a partial drawing of a ladybug by Maddie for her Dad.  Where did that suddenly come from?  I believe it was a Christmas "wink" from Steve to his family.

Over the 5 years Steve has been good enough to give us some signs.  I know he's ok and enjoying life on the other side.

Todd was an avid skiier.  He had both Todd and Maddie learning to ski at age 3 at Maple Ski Ridge.  He couldn't wait to have them be his ski buddies.  Steve was very particular about what should be worn for skiing.  The kids had nothing but the best in equipment and before lessons their clothing was laid out by dad in the order they should be put on.  Shortly after Steve died ski lessons began and I was charged with laying out the clothing.  I went upstairs to wake Todd and Maddie after completing my duty......Maddie noticed a small white paper on her black ski pants, it was a small Amtrak sticker (Steve was a conductor for Amtrak).  I had never seen that sticker before, I didn't know they existed so where did it come from.  Wink, wink :)

Steve at some point in our life together took over the laundry, claiming he could do it better.  Ok by me!  He did not like me to do the laundry, he was very possessive with it.  Two days after he died I went down to the basement to do some laundry.  I loaded the washer, added the detergent and started turning the dial to the start position, it broke off in my hand.  Now unable to use the washer, I guess he was serious about not wanting me doing the laundry.  After a few trips to the laundromat the part came in and my brother-in-law Chris fixed the dial.  I suppose Steve took pity after seeing me lug the laundry out and allowed me to do the laundry.

Steve and I shared the chore of picking the kids up from crew practice so after he died I was left with that less than fun duty.  Todd came running out of the boathouse one day.....very odd as he usually had many things to do after practice, nothing pertaining to practice just kid stuff.  Well in his hand he held a small, button type pin, probably the size of a nickel.  "World's Best Dad"...he found it in a corner of the boathouse.....now if you've never seen the inside of the boathouse after a practice you can't imagine the chaos and mess but among that chaos and mess was this pin.

Late on quiet summer nights I can hear the Cleveland bound Amtrak train tooting the horn at the Schenectady Station....miles from my house.  Steve worked that train for many years.......music to my ears.

If we are open, our loved ones will "wink" at us.  I believe.....do you??

Day 7 of 365.
Seek happiness.
K