No title in my head in Finding me again.....

The birds are going nuts outside the living room window this morning. Sounds like they’re having a party. Other than that, the house is terribly quiet. ‘R’ is still asleep, Em’s not home until next weekend. And no puppy boy to keep me on my toes.
As I mentioned, we have a pretty full summer. But for some reason I keep checking Boxer Rescue for another four legged friend to bring in. They have one that will be brought in this week for vetting. An owner surrender, 115 lbs (he’s a BIG boy). He’s from the same breeder where we got Ripley nearly nine years ago. And he’s a brindle boy just like Rip. I really, really wish we could take him in. Fear is that I’d never want to let go.
Sound of Music festival is on at the park on the lake this weekend. At least the paid event is. Next weekend is the free for all that has gotten so very busy that it’s difficult to navigate through all the people. We did the paid even last year and really enjoyed it. But the line up was amazing as well. This year the bands don’t appeal as much so we didn’t buy tickets. However, we may conveniently be near the lake this evening so we might get to enjoy some of the music.
Em will be home next weekend for Father’s Day. She’s not sure if she’ll be here on Friday evening or Saturday morning. It’ll be so good to see her. She’s not been home for a little over a month and I miss her. It helps that we talk throughout the week and they’re generally good conversations. None of the ‘yep’ ‘nope’ answers we used to get when she was a teenager.
I just realized....Em will be 21 in four months. Holy crow…how is that possible??? Planning needs to begin. And I’ll have to get her boyfriend involved in it as well. We must celebrate :)
I told ‘R’ the other day, I think I figured out why I’m having a harder time with the puppy boys not being here than I am with Em having all but moved out. I know that I can speak with Em any time I want and that I’ll see her, get to hug her and tell her I love her. I don’t have those opportunities with Ripley and Rory. Oh yea, I can talk to Ripley’s urn on the mantle (not in front of people because I look completely nutso if I do that), but I can’t hug and snuggle with him. And, even though Rory’s new dad said we could visit, there’s no guarantee I’ll get to see my sweet Ror-Bor and hug him either. Geesh, that sounds crazy just to write down. But that’s how I feel.
And I know everything I write at the point in my life is dealing with the ‘boys’. I can’t seem to help it. I have a hole in my heart with them gone. ‘R’ and I never thought we would be those dog people. The ones that fawned over their pup and adored them to pieces. But then we got Ripley and everything changed. Ripley was a quiet, sweet giant of a boy. He was the largest of the litter and the most laid back. He loved us just as much as we loved him. Like I said, he was quiet. I think we could count on one hand how many times we heard him bark in 8.5 years. But he was such a strong presence in this house and in our lives. If any of us were ever sick he was always at our side. If everyone was home (an well (lol)) he was centrally located in the house to be as close as possible to all of us. He slept in Em’s bed with her for years until snoring drove her nuts :) What we wouldn’t give to hear that again.
Ok, I’ve made myself cry now. Therapy sucks.