Now it is time to simplify our lives, making way for a less complicated future. I was so fortunate to have all of my family and friends helping me sell my house after John died and then move what I had into a condo. All of this was done without taking me away from the community I had growin up in as a mother of four. Everything I know and have come to love is still nearby. Finding a job was a task that tested my strength and forced me to do some hard thinking.
With Tom's death, Sarah has had to consider her own life and has worked at making changes too. All of the unnecessary stuff has to go. Her life is changing dramatically. Similarly, losing a job has made her take a serious look at her prospects, and her education.
Jean's situation mirrors Sarah's in some ways following Bill's death, though Jean has formed a relationship with a significant other. Her job search is beginning, with all of the anxiety that goes along with trying to apply for employment at an older age.
Three of us in this arena and many more I am sure with all of our hopes and dreams in the balance.

April vacation gave me the time and Tricia had frequent flier miles to allow for a "sister sandwich"
Mini reunion in Georgia. Jean was kind enough to pick us up at the Atlanta airport, where Tricia remembered hearing the terrible news about John with their whole family. It was tough for everyone
And it was the same time of year, 6 years ago.
We ate a salad around 9 pm at a little Italian place called Roma, with a sweet waitress who kept us entertained and who knows a friend of Jean's, named Mark, age 90+!
Jean is selling some of her land to a neighbor and is in the process of simplifying her life so that she can live with less work on maintaining her home. It is so beautiful, and this is hard to do, but she is overwhelmed at this time with responsibilities.
We plan to drive to Bobby's house today and will possibly go sailing with weather forecast in the 80's