- Hubby and I just got back from 2 weeks in Albuquerque (almost home!) caring for a dear longtime friend pre, during and post TAVR (heart valve replacement surgery). Originally on-call to help with the household, that same household* got struck down with RSV and then COVID so details of how we were to help changed drastically. She moved out of her home and into an Airbnb where we three (hubby, myself and herself) spent the duration.
Love is a powerful enabler
- Meanwhile, her husband held down the fort, miraculously remaining unscathed by the actual virus, if not sleep deprivation. Love is a powerful enabler.
- As can be seen from this 6-days-after-the-surgery photo, our precious sister-friend is stronger than ever.
- And oh yeah, we drove there and back racking up the miles once again towards our return trip from the moon. Odometer now reads over 430K miles – only 20K left to go!
- I’m returning to a fuller teaching schedule at the Arts Center in Camden this Tuesday.
Music Building 
Large outer area where I usually teach and practice 
My inner studio – used when outer area is occupied 
3 of 6 Arts Center Buildings – Music on left
- They officially hired me in January, and I’ve since been asked/invited to be a visiting artist/artist-in-residence during their Summer Arts Program for TAG students in the Kershaw County School System. I am turning my attention on preparing for this and am beyond the moon excited!
*their household consists of her husband, a set of elderly parents, an accomplished adult child with cerebral palsy, and twice weekly babysitting of their spunky 2 year old special needs granddaughter – oh and she and her husband both work by remote from home, too.
Love is a powerful enabler
So happy to see you teaching and photos of the places and people you hang out with. Warms my heart. Best to you and yours!
So sorry to respond so late – I just saw your comment. I’m happy, too!
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Congrats on the position. It sounds exciting (and rewarding)!
Thanks!
I had the same surgery last August. Did she get a cow or a pig valve? You are such a good friend to be there. And, your teaching schedule sounds wonderful!
After all is said and done – I don’t know which type of valve was used!!!! But she’s doing fantastically well and has to be reminded to not ‘overdo’ which I’m sure you understand that aspect of post-surgery admonishments!
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I do! And, I’m so glad she’s doing well. ?
Wow you are an amazing friend! That is wonderful that you went to care for your friend and glad she is on the mend. Congratulations on your teaching position!
Thank you dear Tierney for such kind words.
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Laura, Glad your friend is on the mend. I love the photo of the two of you. Great that you are enjoying your teaching job! <3
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What a beautiful post, Laura! It’s touching and admirable how you show up for your friends. Love is a powerful enabler, indeed. May your sister-friend continue to heal!
Congrats for the teaching job. And what an honour to be asked/invited to be a visiting artist/artist-in-residence. The Music Building looks welcoming and ready for you. 🙂 Exciting times ahead!!
Thank you, Khaya!
Hi Laura! Congrats on being able to return to teaching. Woohoo! It looks like a fabulous campus. What nice friends you are, to be able to drop everything to help your sister-friend. Love IS a wonderful and powerful enabler. {{Hugs}} a bunch! ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks Roseanne!
I bet it meant a lot to your friend, knowing that you loved enough to drive all the way there to help out her and her family! Just that alone helped the recovery process, I am sure! What a beautiful love story the family is!
I am blessed to be currently spending 2 weeks with my son and fam!
And what a beautiful campus to teach music! Congratulations! How exciting for you! 🙂
Enjoy your family, Laura! Family is everything.
Congratulations on the new job. I followed the link to check the arts centre out-it looks a cool place to work! I also mis-read the name of one of the staff members listed as a certain country and western icon. Now THAT would have been cool!!
Oh yeah, Ms Dolly (as Southerners are wont to call her)!
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Laura
Your huge heart never ceases to amaze me! As always,your journey takes you and Terry where you are so needed and meant to be.
Lots of love- Lisa
I’m humbled by your comment, Lisa.
hugs
They truly are an incredible family, and you and your husband are incredible friends. Thank you for sharing this story of love.
Love IS a powerful enabler.
Congratulations on your teaching position.
Thanks, Chela – I can’t help but remember how you found ways to connect with your own family during lockdown…Love is like that.
Wow! That was some trip, and some schedule! How wonderful that you’re teaching 🙂
Thanks, Zippy. Teaching always adds unexpected spice to the life of a working (he)artist – as you well know!
Laura, you and Terry are truly a blessing to me and my family! Love you both!
Joan, it’s an honor and a blessing for us to be a part of your family – love always.
1 John 4:7-12
Congratulations, Laura on your expanding work schedule. It’s nice to be wanted, doing something you love. How great that you and your husband could be there to help out and spend time with your friends. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a vehicle running that long. I’ve got to say, that would be worthy of a blog post when you hit the 450,000 mark.
Yep, 450K post is on the docket when the time arrives!
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I’ve been keeping tabs on our 2003 Toyota Camry’s increase in odometer readings for awhile. You might be interested in the last one http://laurabrunolilly.com/just-dropping-by-to-say-hi/ as it details our 400K mark made during our coast-to-coast pilgrimage to see the Rose Parade a few years back. We notified Toyota about our rugged, persevering Camry at that time, but didn’t receive any response. Their loss!
What a story. A testament to the power of love. I am struggling to find words — awe and admiration aren’t strong enough, but will have to suffice.
Thank you for sharing those images of your work environment, oh artist in residence.
They are an incredible family, of which we are proud to be a part.
I am sure the feeling is mutual
I’m glad you were able to help your friends out… that sounds like a pretty heavy load they are/were carrying. Wow, “visiting artist/artist-in-residence” sounds wonderfully impressive (and well-deserved). The Arts Center is gorgeous… enjoy the heck out of it!
Will do, Janis!
I’m glad to see you back here. I know your friend appreciated your help and it was good of you to help her. I look forward to learning more about your experiences teaching at the art center.
Thanks for keeping up with my intermittent posts, Ms Bean!
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You are a good friend. Congratulations on the job. Those porches look good for visiting and jamming.
Yes, those porches are very inviting – currently, I eat my snack between lessons out there when it’s nice outside.
How’s your own PT going?
Slacked off with some exercises but starting up again. I walked to the river valley and went to bottom and back up again. Ha Ha, ready for a nap now.
Naps are healing, too! I’m impressed with your hiking skills, Jane.
How wonderful that you could go and help, along with the ebb and flow of all that ensued. I’m glad she is recovering well, and congrats on the new teaching arrangement!
Yes, it was a blessing for us to be able to ‘go and help’.
Welcome back, Laura! I’m sure your presence was of comfort. That household was hit hard! My goodness! ? What a blessing to have friends come and stay with you to help out!
Yay on the new gig! I’m excited for you!
Thanks, L.Marie! I’m excited, too!
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