Remembering Grandma Marian

Reposting from last year... a tribute to my Grandma Marian who passed away on September 11, 1992 after a long battle with cancer / leukemia. She was just 14 days shy of her 70th birthday.

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Grandma Marian was a beautiful person - a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and my mom taught me how to play Solitaire, and whenever we visited we'd pull out three decks of cards and play Triple Solitaire (it's way more fun than playing by yourself). She was one of the most selfless people I know, always thinking of others. She loved life and never let anything slow her down.

Meet Grandma Marian:

I took this as we waited with her at the airport, she was flying back home after visiting with us. I love her smile here, full of sparkle and spunk.

Grandma Marian and my mom

Aside from playing games, the three of us had fun shopping together, but mostly just hanging around chatting together.

Three generations - my mom, my grandma, and me

Grandma Marian and me, back in the day

Grandma Marian left this world the year before I was married, so my husband never got to meet her. Neither did my brother's wife. Nevertheless, I believe she was there in spirit to witness both of our weddings and the births of her great-grandchildren. I like to think she spent time hanging out with them in heaven before they were born. :)

Grandma - we love and miss you, and I know we'll see you again someday.

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Comforting others

Here's one for my journal... my boys are such sweet blessings :).

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I started feeling a headache come on as I was leaving work to head home. Due to icy roads it took longer than usual to get home, and by the time I got there I thought it might be a migraine. But it wasn't too bad yet and I knew dh and the boys had been waiting for me to get home so we could get out before the roads froze over yet again.

I took my migraine medicine and headed out the door, hopeful that it would start feeling better by the time we got there.

I should have known better...

It just kept getting worse and soon the pounding in my head was joined by nausea. Not good. Dh suggested I go try to rest in the car and I didn't argue. Of course, Bitty is my shadow when I'm home so he came with me.

He was oblivious to the fact that I wasn't feeling well (still working on recognizing those non-verbal cues), and wanted me to read to him. I knew he wouldn't understand "migraine" and probably not "headache" either, so I just told him "Mama's sick. How about if you read to me instead?"

He agreed but must have found something else to do because he never actually did start reading.

Soon dh and the boys came out to the car and were ready to go home. As we walked into the house, Cuddlebug gave me a close, intense look (which I only saw because I had to open my eyes enough to see where I was going). He must have been taking in the hands on my forehead, squinted eyes, and probably a grimace to go with it, because he said in a concerned tone, "Mom, that looks like it really hurts!" "yeah," I answered, "but I'll be fine. I just need to rest." I didn't want him to worry. He patted me on the arm. "I hope you feel better, Mom." So sweet.

The next morning I woke up and it wasn't gone so I had to take a sick day. Bearhug came in to see how I was doing. I tried to smile and told him I was a little better and just needed to rest some more. A few minutes later, he came back carrying his dinosaur pillow pet, which he named "Tri" because he's a triceratops.



"Here's Tri, you can cuddle him if you want."

What a sweetheart :).

A few minutes later he came back. "I decided dat since you stayed with me all night when I was sick, I should come sit wif you." (he had a really bad ear infection recently, all better now thank goodness!)

"Aww, that's really sweet honey, but you don't have to."

"I'll enjoy it!"

Bless his heart. He brought his DS and the new app he'd downloaded that's a music game. The music is actually pretty relaxing, so he thought that might help. Turns out it did, and I was eventually able to fall asleep.




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Blog Gems: An event to remember

It's time for Blog Gems again :). This week's topic is to share something about an event (any event) from our archives.

I decided to share a post about a spontaneous event that is one of my happy memories :). Here's the link:

He said it!!! (tears of joy)



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SEW & WW: Brotherly love

From this year's Christmas pictures, this is one of my favorites (of course they weren't all so loving, remember the outtakes? lol).



Cuddlebug told me recently, "Mom, me and Bearhug were MADE for each other!"

Totally out of the blue. How sweet is that?


Click here for more Special Exposure Wednesday.



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Blessings

(Taken about a week before Christmas)

Bearhug sat quietly in front of the tree and his brothers joined him. If anyone started to talk, he gave them a quiet "shhh." Dh and I were rather amazed to see the three of them sitting so calmly together, we stood behind them just watching (and obviously I grabbed my camera). After a minute or so, Bearhug got up and said he just wanted to take a few minutes to look at the tree and think about how grateful we are for Jesus and all the blessings in our lives.

Words can't express how grateful I am for these precious boys.

With the Christmas season we've been trying to focus on the reason we celebrate, the greatest Gift of all.

Sometimes it's hard to tell if they're listening.

And then they do something so sweet and simple like this, and I remember that sometimes I am the one who needs to do more listening. :)

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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ~3 John 1:4



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To my angel... I love you

Today is six years since my baby angel's due date... it was two days before Thanksgiving that year too. We nicknamed him "Baby Turkey" because of the date. I call him a "he" but we really don't know for sure, as he was only 8 weeks along when he returned to heaven.

I came across this song and it says so perfectly what is on my mind (with the exception of "maybe there's a heaven"... I KNOW there is, and that I'll see my baby again). Until then, sweet angel, know that you are deeply loved and missed. ♥

I know how common pregnancy loss is, so this is for all the moms out there who have babies waiting for them in heaven. (((hugs)))

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In my dreams, you are alive and well
Precious child, precious child
In my mind, I see you clear as a bell
Precious child, precious child
In my soul, there is a hole
That can never be filled
But in my heart, there is hope
'Cause you are with me still

In my heart, you live on
Always there never gone
Precious child, you left too soon
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart

In my plans, I was the first to leave
Precious child, precious child
But in this world, I was left here to grieve
Precious child, my precious child

In my soul, there is a hole
That can never be filled
But in my heart there is hope
And you are with me still

In my heart you live on
Always there, never gone
Precious child, you left too soon,
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart

God knows I want to hold you,
See you, touch you
And maybe there's a heaven
And someday I will again
Please know you are not forgotten until then

In my heart you live on
Always there never gone
Precious child, you left too soon
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart

"Precious Child" by Karen Taylor-Good

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