There Was a Tea Party and a Birthday

Years ago, when I first started cardmaking I found a challenge on Splitcoaststampers that I used to take part in - Teapot Tuesdays.  The hostess at the time was Cindy from Colorado and there were regulars who we all got to know through Cindy's humorous way of making a story up about the teapot that she was featuring that week.  The challenge grew and some changes were made - more people shared the hostessing for instance, and people could request a "tea party" destination for a particular week.  I remember requesting a couple of tea parties myself and always had such great participation.  This time there was a "tea party" requested for me by my blogging friend and teapotter Sabrina who knew that I've been going through some emotional and challenging times since Thad passed away in October.  

As is the custom for "tea parties" Sabrina provided the hostess with some information about me/us.  She mentioned that we liked to visit lighthouses knowing that we had done the yearly NJ Lighthouse Challenge many times, most recently the weekend before he passed.  So the hostess chose a nautical theme and this is the teapot that was featured -

I should say here that I did not know about this ahead of time and was surprised when the cards started arriving.  I also belong to a RAK group on Splitcoast and I've neglected to take my name off the birthday RAK list and still receive birthday RAK's during March.  However, it became evident that these were not that when I started to notice a theme and some of the messages that were included were so heartwarming and thoughtful.  I know that I'm not alone in grieving for a loss of a spouse having had local friends express their sympathies and understanding, but hearing from strangers, some of whom have lost their husbands and have used their creative side to help keep them going was both touching and a kick in the pants to get back to doing what I love.  I have to get past the feeling of guilt for not getting everything taken care of before I can do the things that I enjoy.  But it will be in baby steps.

Monday was Thad's 71st birthday and it felt strange not making him a card.  He had said that he would be retiring this month but most people that knew him well doubted that he would because he loved what he was doing.  He was very good at what he did and knowing that he didn't need to work or "get ahead" anymore gave him a certain sense of pride as he became a mentor and confidant for those he worked with choosing to guide them to be the best at their jobs so they could get ahead.  I know this because I could hear him "coaching" his co-workers, including his bosses, and unselfishly offering them his expertise and letting them know that it was up to them whether they chose to use it or not.  He was greatly respected - I know this also because of the outpouring of condolences that I got from not only his current job, but for the coworkers he had for 30 years prior to this one.  

So on his birthday I posted pictures of the cards that I had received on Facebook and tagged him and also included the last picture of us taken together - a selfie in front of Old Barney on Saturday of the Lighthouse Challenge this past year.  And I'll share them here also.

I'm still in the paperwork state but a little less overwhelmed having hired an attorney to help with my mother's estate, and I know that things will not be "normal" again, but I'm trying to carve out a little time for myself when I'm not mentally and physically exhausted.  I have been reminded by many that I deserve my "me time" too.

Thank you Sabrina - I'm pretty sure you'll see this, but I will also e-mail you.  You truly have helped to lift my spirits.  And to those of you who regularly visit me here, I have been remiss in leaving comments, but I am still enjoying your posts and will try to be better about showing my appreciation for the time that you put into sharing your content.