Bittersweet Days

 We took the children 'to visit' my Dads grave site on the 4th of July.  Jalen and Mireya were young when my father died, but they have great memories of the time they spent with him.  I was several weeks pregnant with Makinley at the time he passed, but had the chance to share her impending arrival with him in this last days.  Of all our pregnancies this was the one we had no issues with.  I believe without doubt he watched over the developing life of his 5th granddaughter.  She would have given him a run for his heart and money.  Makinley is just the right amount of sugar with an ample dose of spice.  She's also a comedian just as he was. 

We arrived at the Veterans Cemetary and had to take a moment to get our bearings.  Sadly, they've added so many new sites, but Jalen went straight to his Papa's grave site. We had our moments of silence, prayers and tears.  As we made our way back to the van, Makinley had a break down because she didn't get to 'see' her Papa.  I was heartbroken because the terminology the children used was going to 'see' and she thought she was actually going to see him and did not understand why we were leaving and she had not done so.  It was sad listening to her sobbing and huffing in the backseat (you know that point where you've cried so hard that after a few huffs, you fall asleep)?  That's how it played out. It was a deeply moving day.  Throughout the week, there were varying times where they all had moments of tears and sadness in missing their Papa.  The Anniversary of his passing is just around the corner.

The day my father departed this life and the day my Mother was born are one and the same...yes bittersweet is the perfect description.  We celebrated my mother's birthday at Mama J's.  Mama J stopped by to share some birthday love.  The food was delicious and the time together was priceless.  We laughed and had a really good time.  I did my due diligence and wrecked shop with my knife and fork.  Between the chewing and laughing, our face muscles got the workout our bodies would need after eating all that delicious food.

It's often said that time heals all things...in actuality absence makes the heart grow fonder and it's a reminder of what is missing.  Time just creates 'space' from where you are now and where you were then. We rejoice in knowing to be absence from the body is to be present with the Lord.  I'm sure my Dad was smiling, as we did it like we always do....food, fun and laughter (without the dishes this time).  Happy Birthday Mom and We love and miss you so much Dad.