John and I arrived in St. Louis yesterday morning.  Our airplane looked like a toddler should be pulling it around the room by a string, but we survived.  Upon arriving there was a note on our bed.

My mother-in-law, Marlene, is one fun and special lady.  At 82 she still has her own home and until recently was still cutting the grass.  I love visiting her.  She cooked us a great dinner and we sat and talked.  I admire Marlene.  She had six kids in seven years. Raised them all into kind and caring adults.  Buried a husband and a son. And, for the last 23 years she has been volunteering two days a week at a local hospital.

Life hasn’t always been good to Marlene, but she has always been good to life.  I am looking forward to the next few days with my other mama.

Me and Marlene.