goodbye, friend.

Yesterday, Twin and I received the sad news that we lost our good friend, Ms. O.

She lived a full, happy life - and one much longer than most dogs her size - but it's still sad to know that we'll never again be greeted by her larger-than-life bark and giant smiling face.



Goodbye, friend. We'll miss you.

homeward bound

I feel like I just did a post like this, so please bear with me...

Today I'm off to Maine for another family funeral. My Grampy went home to be with Jesus last Saturday, just 3 days shy of the 6 month anniversary of Grammy's death. It was completely unexpected and shocking, and yet at the same time I think all of us understand it too.



I'm so conflicted about how I feel this week, which is why I haven't posted anything on here. (Or probably answered you very sucintly if you have expressed sympathy and asked how I'm doing...)

Part of me is sad and grieving - both for Grampy and Grammy. I can't believe that 6 months ago I had four grandparents...and now I have two. I feel as though so many of my memories of family are attached to these two people: I grew up next door to the farm (lots of cooking in the kitchen with Grammy and time in the barn and on the tractors with Grampy!), went on numerous fun trips with them as a kid (I'm a historic site expert!), and spent countless weekends camping all along the coast of Maine with them (hiking, swimming, making campfires, picking wild blueberries!).

Another part of me is glad for Grampy - the man was married for over 50 years, and to be honest, he just wasn't happy here without his love. Plus, I know that he's in heaven, not only with Grammy, but seeing his Savior face to face and experiencing the most amazing worship of his life. How can I be sad for this? I'm practically jealous for this!



So off I go. Thanks to all of my friends here who have been wonderful with hugs and abundant love this week - I love and appreciate each one of you.

homeward bound

with Daddy

I'm heading home to my folks for the weekend. As soon as the workday is over, Twin and I will be making the trek together, with a stop along the way to pick up Sister. Then, as my Mom said last night - "All my girls will be home again."

(That totally made me melt. Hurray for being loved!)

Grampy & Grammy

The reason for this trip isn't totally cheerful though - tomorrow we are having a memorial service for my Grammy, who passed away in February. While I'm thrilled to be celebrating this wonderful woman who loved me fiercely and influenced my life in so many ways, I'm not looking forward to this.

Being removed from the entire family during the grieving process has essentially meant that I haven't done all my grieving - how real can the loss of someone be when you wouldn't be seeing them anyway? I'm afraid that by going home, I'll be confronting it all at once, which won't be very pretty. But ready or not, off we go.

I'm going to comfort myself with the fact that since this whole shindig will be outside, at least I'll get some sun in the process. I might have red, puffy eyes, but my skin will be sunkissed and perhaps a few more freckles will pop out. There really is a silver lining to every situation, isn't there?