So. I haven't posted in over a year. There have been so many times when I've had a million thoughts running through my head and really just needed to get them out- but of course those times are when it's most inconvenient: like when I'm driving to or from work or daycare, when I'm trying to make sure dinner gets on the table while trying to figure out if "Hey mom! Look at this!" is something dangerous or just my crazy girl being crazy, or when it's quiet at night and we're snuggling in bed. I'm not going to lie- I love this mommy stuff.
Right now, I am sitting at my dining room table, drinking a bottle of Angry Orchard (I love this stuff!) and listening to my dear husband coax our daughter into sitting on the potty before bed. (She's fully potty trained and going through a phase in which she willfully chooses when and when not to sit on the toilet. We can talk about that later.) My house is an unorganized mess, and we ordered pizza for dinner because neither of us had the energy to cook and/or wanted to go out. Tomorrow morning will bring gymnastics class and shopping for accessories for her Sofia the First Halloween costume, but right now it's quiet.
I don't have anything profound to say, or a funny/ heartwarming story to share tonight. I just wanted to say "hi" to anyone who may read this. It's been a crazy 3 years, but we're doing OK. Life is good today.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Friday, October 11, 2013
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
17 years ago today....
17 years ago today I found out that my grandpa had died. 17 years. Sometimes I can’t believe it’s been so long, and other times it seems like forever…
I want to tell you all about him, but I’m not sure that words can capture the man that he was. He was an army veteran and a veteran’s advocate. He worked blue collar jobs, and was president of his local VFW chapter. He didn’t have a lot of money, but would give you the shirt off of his back (literally) if you needed it. He opened his home to anyone in need. He never swore. Even in combat. He thought that using swear words meant that you had a limited vocabulary. If he was at home, and sitting, he was probably asleep or falling asleep. He snored. Loudly. He smoked a lot. He taught his last dog how to bark by getting down on his hands and knees in the living room and making barking noises at her. He looked larger than life in a business suit (his normal attire) and short and frail in a sweat suit. He had a pair of pants that he called his “snicker” pants- they were so crazy and ugly that people would “snicker” at him when he wore them. He loved them! He used to come over on Saturday mornings and bring me doughnuts from Krispy Kreme that had pink icing and sprinkles.
He was one of my favorite people the whole world.
I saw him the night he died. I was at Acme with my mom and he and my Gram walked in the door while we were going toward the check-out. I was excited because I was supposed to go to a pool party the next day. They suggested that they pick me up and take me to dinner afterwards (to celebrate my good last report card.) It was going to be the BEST DAY EVER!
I remember the last hug I gave my grandpa. I always gave him my best hugs. I remember that I didn’t want to let go, so while I was walking away, I ran my hand down his arm and held his hand until we weren’t close enough to touch anymore. He smiled.
My Gram told me, later, that the last conversation they ever had was about where to take me for dinner.
HUNDREDS of people came to pay their respects at his viewing. People were lined up outside the building and down the block to say goodbye to the man that I called “Grandpa.” Even at 10 years old, I was in awe of the number of lives that he touched.
17 years ago, and I can remember it like it was yesterday. 17 years feels like a lifetime.
I love you, Grandpa. Even after 17 years, I can still feel you with me. I pray that I can teach my children the values that you instilled in me during the short time we existed on this planet together. I know that, when I hear the first cry of my baby, you will be smiling down on us with pride and celebration.
I want to tell you all about him, but I’m not sure that words can capture the man that he was. He was an army veteran and a veteran’s advocate. He worked blue collar jobs, and was president of his local VFW chapter. He didn’t have a lot of money, but would give you the shirt off of his back (literally) if you needed it. He opened his home to anyone in need. He never swore. Even in combat. He thought that using swear words meant that you had a limited vocabulary. If he was at home, and sitting, he was probably asleep or falling asleep. He snored. Loudly. He smoked a lot. He taught his last dog how to bark by getting down on his hands and knees in the living room and making barking noises at her. He looked larger than life in a business suit (his normal attire) and short and frail in a sweat suit. He had a pair of pants that he called his “snicker” pants- they were so crazy and ugly that people would “snicker” at him when he wore them. He loved them! He used to come over on Saturday mornings and bring me doughnuts from Krispy Kreme that had pink icing and sprinkles.
He was one of my favorite people the whole world.
I saw him the night he died. I was at Acme with my mom and he and my Gram walked in the door while we were going toward the check-out. I was excited because I was supposed to go to a pool party the next day. They suggested that they pick me up and take me to dinner afterwards (to celebrate my good last report card.) It was going to be the BEST DAY EVER!
I remember the last hug I gave my grandpa. I always gave him my best hugs. I remember that I didn’t want to let go, so while I was walking away, I ran my hand down his arm and held his hand until we weren’t close enough to touch anymore. He smiled.
My Gram told me, later, that the last conversation they ever had was about where to take me for dinner.
HUNDREDS of people came to pay their respects at his viewing. People were lined up outside the building and down the block to say goodbye to the man that I called “Grandpa.” Even at 10 years old, I was in awe of the number of lives that he touched.
17 years ago, and I can remember it like it was yesterday. 17 years feels like a lifetime.
I love you, Grandpa. Even after 17 years, I can still feel you with me. I pray that I can teach my children the values that you instilled in me during the short time we existed on this planet together. I know that, when I hear the first cry of my baby, you will be smiling down on us with pride and celebration.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
An Homage to some Amazing Women
It's come to my attention in the past few days that I have some pretty incredible women in my life. I feel the need to tell the world how much they mean to me and how amazing and strong I think they all are.
First, I'm going to tell you all about my friend T*. When I met T, I felt an automatic connection- like she was a long lost family member, or a sister that I never knew I had. T is a mom of 2. Her son just graduated from, and her daughter is just entering high school. She raised them, basically, on her own, and they are some of the most amazing kids I have ever met. They're kids, so of course they aren't perfect, but they were raised with a sense of responsibility and respect that I just don't see in many people. She has so much to be proud of when she looks at them, but she'll never give herself credit. She's the friend that I know I can count on for anything and everything. Although I would NEVER ask, I know she would walk over hot coals for me- and she knows I would do the same for her. It's just understood. She has blessed my life in so many ways. I consider myself so lucky and priviledged to know her.
T got engaged to be married a couple of weeks ago. She met her (super hot) fiance while we were working together. They've been together only a year less than The Hubs and I, and have been through enough to know that they have what it takes to be there for each other forever. I can't put into words how happy I am for them. If I had a million dollars, I would give them the wedding that neither of them were able to have the first time around. They deserve nothing but the best.
Now let's talk about L. L has been my best friend since our freshman year of high school. We have had MANY ups and downs, but I can't imagine my life without her in it. (You know the movie Beaches? That's us, but I'm not rich.) She's been through an awful lot in her life. She's stronger than she gives herself credit for.... and as the years go by, she's finally starting to realize how much she is worth as a person. She can make me laugh like no one in the world I've ever met. We can go months without talking and pick up where we left off. She has been so supportive through my struggles with IF, even when she's had to go through some REALLY rough times herself. I would probably fall apart if I had to go through what she is going through right now, but I have to give her credit- I have never seen her stronger or more beautiful in all of the years I have known her than she is right now.
L is going to have a baby some time in October. She has so much love to give, this child doesn't stand a chance. She is going to be an amazing mother.
Last in this post, but definitely not least, is my sister, Em. Em has proven herself to be SO much stronger and dedicated than I ever imagined she could be. My little sister is going to school to be a special education teacher. She is spending her summer at a rotary camp taking care of kids/adults with mild- severe disabilities. She is putting in long, hard hours. She's sleeping in a cabin, swimming in a lake, and helping grown people bathe and use the restroom!
I'm so amazed at the things that she is doing. This summer has been hard on her, but she is more resolved than ever that this is how she wants to spend the rest of her life. I am so, so proud of her.
*I haven't asked T or L if they would mind if I posted their names, so I just posted their initials. If they're reading this, they know who they are.
First, I'm going to tell you all about my friend T*. When I met T, I felt an automatic connection- like she was a long lost family member, or a sister that I never knew I had. T is a mom of 2. Her son just graduated from, and her daughter is just entering high school. She raised them, basically, on her own, and they are some of the most amazing kids I have ever met. They're kids, so of course they aren't perfect, but they were raised with a sense of responsibility and respect that I just don't see in many people. She has so much to be proud of when she looks at them, but she'll never give herself credit. She's the friend that I know I can count on for anything and everything. Although I would NEVER ask, I know she would walk over hot coals for me- and she knows I would do the same for her. It's just understood. She has blessed my life in so many ways. I consider myself so lucky and priviledged to know her.
T got engaged to be married a couple of weeks ago. She met her (super hot) fiance while we were working together. They've been together only a year less than The Hubs and I, and have been through enough to know that they have what it takes to be there for each other forever. I can't put into words how happy I am for them. If I had a million dollars, I would give them the wedding that neither of them were able to have the first time around. They deserve nothing but the best.
Now let's talk about L. L has been my best friend since our freshman year of high school. We have had MANY ups and downs, but I can't imagine my life without her in it. (You know the movie Beaches? That's us, but I'm not rich.) She's been through an awful lot in her life. She's stronger than she gives herself credit for.... and as the years go by, she's finally starting to realize how much she is worth as a person. She can make me laugh like no one in the world I've ever met. We can go months without talking and pick up where we left off. She has been so supportive through my struggles with IF, even when she's had to go through some REALLY rough times herself. I would probably fall apart if I had to go through what she is going through right now, but I have to give her credit- I have never seen her stronger or more beautiful in all of the years I have known her than she is right now.
L is going to have a baby some time in October. She has so much love to give, this child doesn't stand a chance. She is going to be an amazing mother.
Last in this post, but definitely not least, is my sister, Em. Em has proven herself to be SO much stronger and dedicated than I ever imagined she could be. My little sister is going to school to be a special education teacher. She is spending her summer at a rotary camp taking care of kids/adults with mild- severe disabilities. She is putting in long, hard hours. She's sleeping in a cabin, swimming in a lake, and helping grown people bathe and use the restroom!
I'm so amazed at the things that she is doing. This summer has been hard on her, but she is more resolved than ever that this is how she wants to spend the rest of her life. I am so, so proud of her.
*I haven't asked T or L if they would mind if I posted their names, so I just posted their initials. If they're reading this, they know who they are.
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