This past weekend we spent up in San Francisco attending my husband’s Holiday party for work.  As always, we prepared by picking out his suit for the night as well as me making sure I had everything that we need to ensure that it was going to be a memorable occasion.  This also meant I got a chance to get myself dolled up and look fabulous. I made appointments to get my nails and make-up done.  I do clean-up pretty darn well if I do say so myself haha.  Apologies for the jokes, it’s just this is our ONE night a year where we get to be young adults and live young, wild, and free.  Our night usually ends with a trip to Jack in the box at 1:00 AM with his colleagues, spouses, and the President of his company.  Definitely good times!  

James has been with his company for 11+ years and they have been extremely good to us.  We knew this weekend’s party would be different.  We knew it would be his final one with them.  It was an emotional weekend to say the least. So much joy and laughter, but also so much heartache for having to say goodbye.  Most not even realizing it was his last party with them. James always said he was ready to work full time when he felt better and his cancer stabilized, but he had a lot to think about over these past several months and came to conclusion that this was going to be what’s best for him and the family at this moment.  Now that the decision has been made, he needs find a date that works for him and his company. Then I can plan him a “retirement” party!

During his efforts to get back into the swing of things and get on a consistent schedule, James has been taking our granddaughter to school and picking her up.  That’s something he didn’t get to do often do with our own kids.  It’s apparent from the pics he sends me of them holding hands and hearing his voice telling me about their mornings that I know this means the world to him.  With that said, when I decided that I wanted the rest of his life be the best of his life, I meant that.  Instead of spending his good days at a job, he is now considering staying home fulltime.  The kids and I want him to do everything he’s always wanted to and even dreamed about.  Whether it’s picking up a hobby, learning to cook, or even how to salsa dance, it doesn’t matter as long as he is happy doing it.  

I want James to make footprints on people’s lives, to those who have been there for us and those who love us.  I know Bella will always remember Papa taking her to school, taking her to the dollar store or for a special treat.  The same goes for our kids as well as for myself.  His new job will be making these footprints in the lives of those who allow him to do so.  He has such a beautiful soul and I want others to see and feel how great of man he truly is.  My love for him is everlasting and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t look at him and think to myself “Damn, I’m one lucky woman”.