Follow Up

Thank you for your prayers. I've just received a call from my sister Tiana, Grandpa has just passed as well. I leave tomorrow night for California to help my family prepare for a double funeral on Friday.

A Time of Sorrow

Yesterday morning I was on the phone with my dad, so excited for the day. My anticipation of my Uncle Ritchie Elison's scheduled visit for dinner, and Emily's family joining us for a mini- family reunion, was so great that I skipped my last class to go grocery shopping. It was the only reason I was even on the phone.

Another call beeped through dad's line and he quickly hung up with me. 40 minutes later I learned that Dad had received what will probably, and hopefully, be the worst news of our lives. This shared by my family, my aunts, my uncles, and my cousins.

Our grandmother, 86 years old, died yesterday and our grandfather, 90 years old is in the hospital after a tragic and violent turn in time. For 67 1/2 years they had been devoted partners, loving parents, and honored grandparents.

Even though their age may suggest it was just their time to go. This is not that story. In fact I'm only blogging about it because I need a release and an opportunity to reach out to my family who I am so far away from.

Dear family, our hearts are knitted together. Each of us have our own spiritual faith as our foundation. But we are united in our love for one another.

I'm posting the poem Grandpa read at my wedding 7 years ago. It is how I will choose to remember him always.

Home
by Edgar Guest

It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home,
A heap o' sun an' shadder, an' ye sometimes have t' roam
Afore ye really 'preciate the things ye lef' behind,
An' hunger fer 'em somehow, with 'em allus on yer mind.
It don't make any differunce how rich ye get t' be,
How much yer chairs an' tables cost, how great yer luxury;
I ain't home t' ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o' wrapped round everything.

Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it;
Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and then
Right there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men;
And gradjerly, as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn't part
With anything they ever used -- they've grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an' if ye could ye'd keep the thumb marks on the door.

Ye've got t' weep t' make it home, ye've got t' sit an' sigh
An' watch beside a loved one's bed, an' know that Death is nigh;
An' in the stillness o' the night t' see Death's angel come,
An' close the eyes o' her that smiled,
an' leave her sweet voice dumb.
Fer these are scenes that grip the heart,
an' when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an' sanctified;
An' tuggin' at ye always are the pleasant memories
O' her that was an' is no more -- ye can't escape from these.

Ye've got t' sing an' dance fer years, ye've got t' romp an' play,
An' learn t' love the things ye have by usin' 'em each day;
Even the roses 'round the porch must blossom year by year
Afore they 'come a part o' ye, suggestin' someone dear
Who used t' love 'em long ago, an' trained 'em jes' t' run
The way they do, so's they would get the early mornin' sun;
Ye've got t' love each brick an' stone from cellar up t' dome:
It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home.

From the book "A Heap o' Livin'" ©1916

Friends, I'm going to be unavailable for the time being, I'll call when I'm ready.

Spring Is In the Air

This past Thursday we actually hit 57 degrees. It was lovely. Mena and I went out back and decided to have a little photo shoot in the tropical breeze. She was so cute! At first she wanted to show me her dancing moves which she calls “shakin’ my body”. We attempted action shots but every time she hears the camera click she stops and asks to see the picture.



We then played soccer and food stand. Food stand consists of her taking my order from the window of her playhouse and then bringing me my food. Are my children spending too much time at fast food joints? Hmmm….something to ponder.

Mena’s fits haven’t lessened in intensity but the last week has shown an improvement in frequency. She’s actually been a little doll who likes to sneak attack me with beautiful smiles.

She was also finally digesting the reason why mommy’s middle is getting bigger but then yesterday told me “There’s no baby in your tummy!” But she does love other babies and talks about her cousins and friends who have babies in their homes, so I’m not too worried. Plus, we’ve been spending a lot of time looking at Jacob’s and her baby books.

She loves to “do it herself” and be mommy’s little helper. By the time baby comes I know she’ll be a fantastic big sister.