A Hard Goodbye

We recently returned from a week long visit to Tennessee to be with my family. As many of you know my grandpa passed away on November 4th, his 94th birthday. My grandpa has not been himself for quite some time so I feel like, in many ways, I lost him a long time ago. It was still so hard to actually have that final good bye and know that he is no longer on this earth. The absolute hardest thing, however, was seeing my grandma without him. This December would have been their 71st wedding anniversary. They have been together for so long and I honestly cannot remember ever seeing one without the other. Rhonald had to come back earlier than Cole and I did due to work but we stayed several days with her and I am so thankful we had that time. I know she may not remember much about us being with her but I do and I am so happy to have been able to share meals with her and keep her company for a little while each day. It is funny - the hardest goodbye was actually the one that I said to her before I left. Her faith is so strong, as was my grandpa's, so I know she believes that she will be with him one day again, but to see her there without him broke my heart. After all this time and all of the days and months where he was not himself she longed to be with him...just sitting beside him in his presence. To her that is home and I hated to see her without that comfort. They have been such an amazing example to all of us in every way. They were such hard workers and raised 3 boys who are all very successful. And 71 years together...what an awesome example to us that we can survive anything in our marriage if we try our hardest. I know it was not always easy for them but they believed in their vows and in one another. I am so grateful to know them...to know their story and to be able to share that with my children one day.

Even though the reason we were together was sad we did have a nice visit with family. We were able to spend time with my brother and oldest nephew, Luke, as well as my 2 uncles. Cole was spoiled by his Grammy and Pops and loved every second he was with them. The weather was perfect and we spent as much time as we could outside. Cole loved the leaves and the wooded lot next to my parents' house. I think Cole suckered every person he met into reading to him and giving him a treat of some kind. My mom was having some work done on their home and Cole thought he had met the actual Bob the Builder. He loved that!!!! I am so thankful to be home but I am more than thankful for the time we were all able to spend together...telling stories and laughing about old memories. There is nothing better for the soul than that!