Grandpa Owl

my father & mother-in-law, Grandpa Owl (Al) and Grandma Joan ~

one of my all time favorite photos of them, from their many, many travels!

I hit the ground running when I recently returned from Utah. And before I even left home, life pulled the rug out from under us. I scrambled to help my husband leave town, filled my kids in on details for their week ahead, and then got ready to leave myself. Sheesh! So now that I'm home and things have calmed down for approximately 3 seconds, I finally have a chance to talk about our dear Grandpa Owl.

John's step-father Al (my father-in-law) passed away just a few days before I was to go help my cousin Shell recover from her surgery. Life - and death - are strange that way, aren't they. We never seem to know when either one will sneak up on us. We knew Al was not doing well, and were worried about his health and well being. Likewise, we were concerned for my mother-in-law Joan, who was trying so hard to take care of him.

When Joan called John and told him Al was suddenly gone..... we were equally relieved that he was able to pass away peacefully, and sorrowful that he was indeed gone. He had, of course, meant a great deal to us and to our three boys over all these years. He had been a silent yet supportive step-father to John from childhood. Together, Al and Joan were fun and lively grandparents to our boys, and were always kind and loving (and patient!) with them. They were always so good to us - supportive and encouraging, and most of all loving. We will always cherish our memories of Grandpa Owl, as he is perhaps gone, but never forgotten. And always loved :)

fare thee well

Today is Monday (my Davy's 21st birthday!) and you don't know this, but I'm driving home today.

I left for Utah last week to be with my beloved Shell, and to attend her father's funeral services.

My wonderful, jovial Uncle Gerry passed away unexpectedly, and of course we are all so sad :(

He was always so fun, so good to everyone, so loving to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

My own boys grew up hearing him talk to them like Donald Duck - a favorite memory of ours :)

He was loved by all who knew him, and will be missed by every one of us, always. 

Here he is at a party several years ago with my lovely Aunt Jeanne, whom I adore. 

Here they are at Shell's 50th birthday fiesta, looking like the darling couple they always were.

I will always be grateful for all the love he showed to our family - what a wonderful man.

He went above and beyond for my parents especially - even at times when they weren't so lovable :/

I don't know what we would have done without Gerry - and Jeanne! 

(and he looks so handsome with that gotee!) Aw, I love you so much Uncle Gerry!

You will be in my heart always, always, always :)

xoxo

for Paula

Today my heart is with my dear, long-time friend Diana, and her very large extended family, as they say their final farewells to Diana's sister Paula. Paula passed away last Tuesday after a battle with cancer such as I have never seen. In all my days, I have never known anyone to have to endure such misery and suffering as Paula had to endure over the last year and a half. To see Diana and Paula's family go above and beyond countless times to do everything possible to help Paula was touching, and humbling, and inspiring - and at times excruciating. My love and prayers have been with them every step of the way, and will continue to be. I can only imagine how much they will miss Paula - wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma...... but of course I know they look forward to the day when everyone will be reunited again. I am grateful Paula was able to pass away peacefully, surrounded by her family, and I am relieved to my very core that she is finally, finally free from the awful misery she endured.

❤

sadness

I would be remiss if I did not post the sadness in my heart today, over the loss of my cousin Rick, the gentle giant of the Campbell family. He passed away early Sunday morning after fighting a sudden combination of critical health conditions that his body could no longer battle... leaving his family shocked and heartbroken. He is pictured here with his beautiful wife Becky, and their 6th grandbaby Kaitlin. My heart is aching for Becky, all their children, and their grandchildren. I feel an awful sadness for my aunt and uncle, who are absolutely devastated. I feel sorrow for my cousins - which includes my precious Shell - who just lost their oldest brother.

Rick, you will always be in our hearts ❤

I don't know why these things happen when they do. I do know that we will have the answers someday. It seems to take a lot of faith - and a lot of heartache - in the meantime. I pray with all my heart, that the Campbell family will be comforted at this time of loss and sorrow.