Wow, Part Zwei
Uggghh. I’m so glad to be back home! We decided Thursday to go to the Hot Springs for a day but decided instead to drive to Albuquerque for a short stay. It was a wonderful time but I’m so glad to be home. We went to the Zoo one of those days and I have some fun pictures and stories to tell about that in my next post. But for now, I wanted to finish my post about my visit to NC:
I can’t even tell you how special this trip was for me. It was so healing and emotional and beautiful every moment. It was jam pack full of quality time with my family. I spent every night but the last with my dad and his wife. We talked, caught up, laughed. It was amazing. I spent time with my sister and grandmother too. Everyone got along to boot!
On Mom’s would-a-been 51st birthday, I took my sister and grandmother to Mom’s gravesite. We brought balloons and each wrote messages to Mom on them. Then we let them go and watched as they rose to the sky. We put fresh flowers on her grave and spent some time talking out loud to her like she was with us. And, even though I know her spirit is no longer where her body rests, I know she was with us– laughing, talking, smiling.
I laughed so hard I cried with my sister. We walked everywhere hand in hand like the old days. I love her so much. She’s so special to me, and I spend every day missing our connection.
I love her eyes.
I spent some time with her daughter, Mariah. My sister has given up custody of her daughter and doesn’t see her. Long story there. But Mariah’s father welcomes me in Mariah’s life and I am so grateful for that. I send her presents and cameras in the mail, he send the camera back full of pictures. But there’s nothing better than getting to give her the presents in person and to hold her. It’s amazing how much you can love someone you hardly get to see. She is a little doll!
I had a wonderful afternoon with my cousin, Chanda, and her 3 boys. We ended my stay with her with a delicious dinner and some yummy wine. It was soooo awesome catching up with her, getting to know her little fellas, and sharing stories of our childhood. I love her as much as I did when we were kiddos. Chanda memories are some of the best I have and I am soooo, soooo happy we had some time together.
I also had a wonderful time with Meghan! She is beautiful and funny and I am sort of sad that she lives so far away because I just know we’d be best buds if she lived closer. Her son, Xan, is an adorable and amazing tot, even more so in person. I would have loved to pack Meghan, Xan, and his fluffy cute cheeks in my suitcase and bring them home with me! Thank you Meghan for a wonderful afternoon and, also, for Photoshopping the huge zit on my chin out of this picture!
It was a wonderful trip, one that I’m sure I will be digesting for a while. I’m so glad I went. I missed Jeremy and the kiddos so, so much. But the time went so fast and here I am, arms full again. More about the Albuquerque trip later!
Posted by: stepherz | 05-27-2007 | 06:05 PM
Posted in: Just Me
Sounds like an absolutely wonderful time! Glad you have such great memories of your trip!
Your niece is a cutie!! I am so glad your trip was awesome!
Sounds like you had a good time. A mixture of fun and serious, but all good.
I’m glad you had a nice trip! Coming home is always nice, isn’t it!
On Mom’s would-a-been 51st birthday, I took my sister and grandmother to Mom’s gravesite. We brought balloons and each wrote messages to Mom on them. Then we let them go and watched as they rose to the sky.
What a cool thing to do.
Also, I’m so glad you had such an enjoyable time with your family. Reading this entry, I want to go back in time and have many more conversations with you. I could have talked with you for hours and hours… and I still wouldn’t have been tired of talking with you.
this is perfect and beautiful. i am so glad you got this opportunity! what a healing moment for your whole family. ;-D
it looks like a very healing, very beautiful, very heart changing trip ~ i am so happy for you : )
and yah you got to meet a bloggy friend, its the best thing ever to meet someone you connect with online and find out that there is a perfect reason why
xox
What a nice trip!
I love what you did on your mom 51th birthday.
I went to Meghan’s site and those photos of you are so beautiful! Great photography, great subjects! Glad you got to meet her in person. I did the same this past weekend with a long time blogger friend of mine… I felt the same way Meghan felt about you… I hope I can meet you one day too!
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