I saw them both today.
I know this image is not as pleasant as a nice photo of Vann would be. But I had to show you what I saw on my front walkway this morning. Because it was located nearby where some neighbor's dog had left a nice gift for me, my first thought was "dog worm!" My next thought was "HOOK WORM!" I grabbed Sophie up and ran back in the house, ready to call 911 or whoever you call to report dangerous nematodes.
I had calmed a little by the time we were inside and decide to Google the little critter to make sure he was a hookworm. He wasn't. The arrow-shaped head was all wrong for a hookworm. So I kept on Googling till I found him. He's called a Hammerhead Worm and can usually can be seen in wet weather. He eats earthworms but isn't harmful to humans or pets. Thank Goodness.
When Sophie and I went back out to finish what she had started, there were six or eight of them crawling on the walk. Have any of you all ever seen one of these? It's a first for me. We have earthworms that come out when it's wet. But I've never seen these ugly fellows before.
Phillip, Amy, and I had an appointment with the lawyer this morning to go over Vann's will. It was hard for me; I kept thinking of last January when Vann and I were sitting in those same chairs and Vann was telling the lawyer he wanted to make sure I would be all right when he was gone.
I'm not all right. I never knew I could miss anybody so much as I miss him. But he did everything he could to see that I would be all right--not just financially, but in all ways. He saw that the house was in good condition, he sold and gave away a lot of his guy stuff so that I wouldn't have to deal with it. He made sure I knew where all important papers were and how to handle any business matters that might arise. He put fresh batteries in the smoke detectors. His last week here, he even tried to get me to call our pastor and set up grief counseling. I told him I thought that was going just a little too far. I assured him that my friends, family, and faith would serve me well as grief counselors. So far, I've been right. Although the gamut of emotions I've felt is wide and unpleasant, I haven't found anything that I can't handle with the aid of my support network.
We stopped at Olive Garden for a soup, salad, and breadstick lunch, which we dedicated to Vann. And we decided that our goal now is to live our lives in ways that will honor him. I know Phillip and Amy already have a head start on that. And I'm trying.
P.S. to Ramey: Sorry for the worm picture.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 09/16/2009, AwtemNymf said ...
that is one ugly worm. Ylek! I've never seen one - never knew there WAS one! Glad it's not harmful. Mother Nature sure is full of surprises eh?
Hugs to you my dear friend!
HUGS!!!! and to Sophie too!
On 09/16/2009, Jan said ...
What a dear sweet man to have been so worried about his Bride instead of himself. It appears that the only thing he forgot was to figure out a way to keep the worms off the property!!! And speaking of which, they get a great big 'ole ewwwwwwwwwwww! Prayers coming your way!
On 09/16/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Yikes! I'd kill those hammerhead worms because earthworms benefit the soil and are a sign of a healthy yard. If these ugly things eat earthworms, I'd get rid of them as fast as possible. Ick!
I understand the sadness of the visit to the lawyer's office. Bless Vann, he did well in making things as easy as possible for you.
Hang in there, sweetie!
Hugs!
On 09/16/2009, Sandy said ...
Susan, I keep thinking of a saying I heard years ago that has stayed in my mind. It said, "Live your life in such a way so that when you are gone, it will have mattered that you were here". Sounds like that is just what your Vann did. Cherish the memories.
P.S. I'm with everybody else! I'd kill those suckers!!!
On 09/16/2009, Tina said ...
Um, ick. I have never seen such a nasty looking worm. I'm glad they weren't harmful.
I'm sorry you are having such a time with this sickness...I wish I could make it go away.
The little I knew of your dear Vann, I am not surprised that he made sure you were going to be taken care of. God Bless you my dear friend.
On 09/16/2009, Carol said ...
That is the ugliest worm I've ever seen...I've never seen anything like it before...YUCK! What a sweetheart...your dear, dear Vann...made sure that there was nothing left to chance. You take care...
On 09/16/2009, Jim Stedman said ...
Susan, You know my situation and I have tried to do the same things for Lynn, but it is hard for because of losing her mother last summer. She says she just isn't ready to deal with it again right now. So ....I am still doing things in the background. A loss of someone close is very hard and it takes time. I try to hold on to the good memories and push back the negatives. Just know your Emmaus Community is here for you.
God Bless
Jim
On 09/16/2009, CarlaH said ...
Susan, Glad you seem to be a little better physically. Now that the lawyer's visit is over that's one thing you can cross off your to do list, but you should definitely add getting rid of those worms to it.
All my best to you and your support group.
On 09/16/2009, Kai said ...
I wish so much I'd had the opportunity to tell Vann that I think he is a hero. Heros don't have to wear capes or have oversized muscles or any of the stereotypical nonsense! Heros are the people who do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Vann did that. He provided well for my sweet friend, and I love and admire him even MORE for that. And you, Susan, are an amazing human being. You are constantly teaching me what living your faith can do for a person. I think YOU are a hero, too! And I love you! Kai
On 09/16/2009, Ruth Landon said ...
Never seen or heard of a hammerhead worm; looks more like a snake to me!
Susan, you are honouring Vann each day with your eloquent writng about him and your life on your blog.
Ruth
On 09/16/2009, Beverly said ...
I was talking to a friend at work today about you. I was telling her how much I admire you and Vann, and I told her about your post "it is well with my soul".
Your witness is far reaching.
On 09/16/2009, Joyce said ...
Susan, today had to be exhausting for you and for Amy & Phillip. Although I have never met them, I just know that they must be wonderful people because Vann was a wonderful man. Amy's comment on one of the pictures that she posted told me that they both love you and that is a testimony to you too, my dear. As I have said before, God really blessed you when He gave you Vann. And He blessed Vann, too.
On 09/16/2009, Linda said ...
I believe that Vann's love for you and his care for all these end time details on your behalf are a reflection of the Father's love in his life. What a special gift. How blessed you are!
About the worms??? I agree with the other commenters... If the hamerheads persist, get rid of them. Protect your earthworms.
On 09/16/2009, valerie said ...
I think you are such a courageous woman. He would be proud of you. It is ok to miss him. He was and is a part of you. I miss him here on the blog. The Lord be with you. I am praying for your strength.
On 09/16/2009, Pokey said ...
Such a loving friend you had in this man! I'm glad that you were able to get out for Olive Garden. Larry and I always are surprised when anyone orders anything other than what you did-that salad is great! and, I am gonna avoid the worm story- E-E-Ewww! God bless your day today. prayers, :-} pokey
On 09/16/2009, Deb said ...
Susan, another step on your new journey in life. How fabulous that Vann was able to be reassured that he had taken care of things for you, it would have been a huge worry off is shoulders. I know that it doesn't make things any easier for you in a lot of ways but it is just him adding his support to the pile.
hugs Deb
P.S.That worm is absolutely disgusting.
On 09/16/2009, Marie said ...
Your post was lovely ~ the worm...not so much!
On 09/17/2009, mandy storey said ...
I am glad we don't have worms like that here,I would chop it's head of first and then google it...yuuuuukkkkkk....
Your Vann sounds like a wonderful manmaking sure all was left well for you , you were loved much and very blessed...
On 09/17/2009, sherry said ...
I hate those worm thingys! Susan, I understand where you are coming from. My Mom & Dad had everything together for their retirement...who would have known my Dad would get cancer & die at age 68 or my Mom would suffer a blow to the head in a car accident & end up with Alzheimers at age 66. I pray for you every day, you are such a sweet person & I can feel what you are going through. -Sherry
On 09/17/2009, Sylvia said ...
Susan, your still in my thoughts and prayers. What a lovely man. I wish I would have had the privaledge (sp) of knowing him. How is your fibromyalgia doing? Gentle hugs and gods blessings to you. Sylvia in So cal.
On 09/17/2009, monica said ...
I Did Not Die
(by Mary E Faye)
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.
On 09/17/2009, Nancy said ...
Ummmm....about that worm...they don't generally bother me but that little guy is really kind of creepy ***shiver***. Thank you for sharing the picture though...I had never seen one.
Once again Susan, the closest I can relate to your day with the lawyer is when my dad passed. He made me executor of His Will, along with my brother (who lived in Oregon and wasn't able to help.) I know that dealing with the Will was the hardest thing for me to get through other that the actual loss. I hope you are feeling better and finally shaking off the flu you have had. As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
On 09/17/2009, Nicole said ...
Now, first of all, I am so glad to hear that you got out for a bit, even if it was for business.
Second, about that worm. If I ever saw such a thing, I would need to move right back to California.
Third, what an amazing husband you had. What foresight, what thoughtfulness, what an expression of his love for you. His love lingers on each day. Your loss is incomprehensible.
On 09/17/2009, Ramey Channell said ...
That's the AWFULLEST thing I've EVER seen! And 6 or 8 of them? No, no! Don't post pictures of worms! This is a NO NO!
Ramey
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