It has been a while since anything was posted here on Sunday Morning Blogger. For that, I apologize but the reasons are stacked high.

The last two years have seen many changes in the world. These changes have affected so many on a personal level as well. Unimaginable losses and heartbreak have filled many of our lives.

I mourn for those that have been hit in the face with such tragedies that were beyond our control and pray for those of us that are still coming to terms with the changes.

This past year, 2021 has been an unforgiving time for me. So I ask that you, the readers, allow me a few minutes of your space and time to expose a few things that I have dealt with this year but managed to push through.

In March and April, I was hit with Covid-19, hard. It was indeed a difficult thing to fight through at my age but I did it without ending up in the hospital. The virus took a lot from me and I still to this day am fighting to regain the strength and health I once had before it found me.

May was a healing time and just when I thought all was getting better, during the middle of June, my daughters birthday in fact, I had a heart attack. Days later I was faced with the decision to do a heart cath and find out what was wrong or take a chance, go home, and chance lady luck.

I did the test. Based on much prayer and because I did not want to be a burden to my family in the event another strike was around the corner. My main valve, the LAD, called the widow maker, was 80% blocked. A stent was put in and now I had more healing and more lifestyle changes to consider. Any of you that know me, are aware that I have lived a cautious lifestyle for the last few years and have considered my health and well being a very important part of my day. But yet I was starring a life-changing experience in the face.

The cath was put through my arm and was not done properly, leaving me with a black and blue right arm with a huge hematoma on my wrist that took 3 months to heal. Then three times this year I have been hit with sinus infections and sore throats and not to mention my immune system being challenged has been a constant fight.

But these things will heal in time, I am sure. Baby steps.

But there is one thing, one very important thing that will take longer to heal and fill the void that has left a huge empty space in my life and heart.

July 6, I lost my very dear friend and writing companion, LJ. It has taken this long for me to write about it here on this site and the truth is I have contemplated taking the site down and shoving it into a corner never to be resurrected again. But one thing my friend said to me before passing was to take the many articles and letters and whatever else of hers she has written and share in anyway I saw fit here on this site.

I think I will do just that Laurie. Yes, I called you out by name because I think the world should know who you are and were and what an impact you had on many of us.

So, thank you, dear friend, thank you Laurie Jameson. (A.K.A. Laurie Wagner Buyer, Laurie Jameson A.K.A. LJ) You are sorely missed.