Aunt Connie - Everyone Needs One

My Aunt Connie came to help with my recovery and to be with me after surgery as a caregiver since I can't be alone for six weeks after the transplant. She came on Sunday and was able to stay all the way until today - Saturday! I am so lucky to have gotten her for almost an entire week! She is incredibly busy back home in Idaho, being a manager of a vet clinic and basically the vet's right hand gal! She also has five acres of land with horses, goats, her dogs, and other animals to take care of, so for her to be able to take a week away from everything was so unexpected, but I loved every minute of it! I also have to give a shout out to the vet, who's name is Kubi, who stayed and took care of her house and animals and yard to make this all possible. He is the sweetest guy and has really been rooting for me as well and sent me an over the top get well gift, too. He goes above and beyond, so thank you Kubi! You are so appreciated too! 

Connie is my mom's sister. We have always been the closest and just always shared a special connection, that has only grown stronger since my mom passed away. She is the closest person I have to a mom, and she makes everyone she knows feel so loved, but especially me and my sister. She undoubtedly is there for all the things she knows my mom would be here for if she was still alive, and does so much for us. Whether big or small, from my sister having a baby to me having a heart transplant, to everything in between - she is there! And for that I am so grateful and just love her so much. 

As most of you saw, she made me the most incredible quilt, too. It is my "Quilt of Hope," filled with inspirational and positive quotes about hope, faith, and love and it is perfect for this journey I am on. She brought me so many little goodies - things to do, things to keep me busy. We had the best time ever working on crafts. I have so many crafts to do! I love crafting and making cute things for around the house. The problem is I want to do them all right away, and need to realize I have months of time to kill. That's the thing about me, is I'm not one to just sit around and watch TV or movies or really rest. I want to be doing something, and I know myself - I'll have 10 craft projects done in a week! 😉 But I loved that about having her here. We didn't stop! We were go go go, nonstop. Always crafting, or finding recipes that I can make now that I'm home, or cooking, or cleaning , or even getting out and about. That's the other thing about Connie - she can do anything! She is amazing at anything crafty (she used to make world-class winning porcelain dolls by hand for a living, to give you an idea.) Can cook anything, create anything - I wish I was 1/12 as good as her! As for getting out, yes I have to be careful, and yes I can't be in crowds, but we never went anywhere crowded and I of course wore my mask and washed and sanitized my hands nonstop. There's a balance. It's good for me to get out, get some exercise by walking, and not just sit around or lay around all day, as long as I'm careful. I loved that she kept me moving and going...and we certainly didn't sit around! I was shocked at how much energy I do have and how long I would last during the days. I still am not sleeping well, so my day usually starts by 4 in the morning; maybe 5 is the latest I've slept. Then I go all day and would be up until 11 or midnight, with some days not taking a single nap! And I feel really good, so it's just amazing I have that much in me this soon after transplant. 

Anyways, then the fact that it just happened to be my birthday while she was here was icing on the cake. She went overboard and got me a birthday gift as well! As if she hadn't already done enough. I was spoiled. I can't thank her enough for everything she does all the time, but especially for all she did while she was here. There are not adequate words to describe my Aunt Connie. She is the most selfless, loving, and caring person I know. The world needs more Aunt Connie's in it. I am beyond blessed to have her in my life, and am so sad she had to leave today; but so grateful to have gotten her for as long as I did. I so wish we lived closer! 

I love you Aunt Connie, and again, can't ever thank you enough for all you've done. You are THE BEST! 

The quilt she made for me! I love it so much. 

Fro-Yo one night as a special treat!

We even made it to my favorite place, Wood Connection this morning before the crowd. Used some birthday gift cards that were already burning a hole in my pocket to get stocked up on crafts and projects to do (all those that I'll have done by next weekend! Lol. 😉) We had so much fun!