Nana is currently the subject of a very civil custody agreement which has her spending half a week with the Dees and half a week as an honourary Homesteader.
It would be incorrect to suggest this is, for one moment, the ideal arrangement or one that could stretch far into the future but for now, as we work out options and possibilities, both households are taking it moment by moment, one day at a time, and generally our days are not squandered by misery.
![DSCF4862[1].JPG](https://unionhomestead.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/dscf48621.jpg?w=472)
Nana’s presence on the Homestead has taught us some interesting things about being joyful. Things like you don’t need to understand the punch-line to share the belly laugh and there is always a funny-side even if you’re seeing it through teary eyes.
“What emotion are you feeling right now?” a Homesteader asked her the other day in an effort to lessen the shaking and hyperventilating of another anxiety attack. Nana screwed up her eyes as she tried to work it out.
“I don’t know,” she finally got out.
“Then let’s just decide you’re happy,” Farm Girl suggested with a smile that could only be described as angelic. There followed a moment of such silence that the proverbial dropping pin would have sounded like a gong.
Then..
“Okay,” Nana slowly nodded, “okay, I’m happy,” and she threw up her arms. “Yippee!” she shouted, before dissolving into the most infectious giggles.
And just like that another day is turned around.
Union Homestead 
Well done, Farm Girl. Well done, Homesteaders! I am sure right now, you are on a steep learning curve as you learn more about your selves, values and priorities. I hope that eventually Nana finds peace as her anxiety lessens.
It’s definitely teaching us what is essential and what can be put off, what jobs to put off for Nana Days and what is best done when she is not here, and what jobs she can do – the folding is perfect. She is still the best sheet folder in the house 🙂
Great Article!!
I would love it if you could please come over and join us on the Homesteader Hop. It is a new blog hop that runs every Wednesday! Please come by and share up too three of your articles. It is FREE traffic to your site!
https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/05/04/the-homesteader-hop-1/
Thanks for the invitation, Shane. Would love to do this, but a bit pressed for time this week. I’ve signed up for email notifications for future hops.
Awesome! Would love to have you when you are available! Thank you.
What a lovely moment, you made me laugh. So sorry about the crippling anxiety.
The benefit of slowing down a little is having the time to notice those little moments.
Hooray for the Farm Girl
We’ll keep her on 🙂
Isn’t Farm Girl a treasure?! I am so sorry Nana is anxious – it is so dibillitating and we know all about it in our house 😦 What a great quote!
She is a definite blessing, that one. Anxiety is hideous for both the sufferer and those on the sideline
It is.
I love the image of Nana saying “yippee” and throwing up her hands. A moment to treasure.