A rough week
My grandmother holding my sister and I in 1972. I love the smirk on my sister's face.
As you know from my post last week, I attended my grand mother's memorial service in Boswell, Pennsylvania a couple days ago. It was a rough visit and one of the few I've made to my father's hometown in a long while. I was given the nod to write an eulogy for my grand mother and as promised you can read it here. Unlike the last eulogy I gave, I did not make the same mistake about rehearsing this one. I purposely only read it a couple times prior to giving it so that my emotions could be genuine. I cried and I felt like it really meant something. Whew. Oh, I almost forgot to post the link to Thelma's obituary.
While in Boswell, I got to see a bunch of places that I haven't visited in a long time, such as the house my grandfather built and my dad grew up in. I also had the joy of looking at old photos of my family that I've never seen. Such as this one....
This pic was taken for my grandfather while he was serving in WWII. The back
of the photo reads in her handwriting "at the Art Museum. Hope you like it! -Thelma"
I learned that my grandfather's nickname was "Fat", not because he was fat, but due to him going to the store to order a "Fat Boy" coffee each day. Now I know where I get my coffee craving from. I also learned that my grandfather died on a leap year, which was kinda neat.
The day was sad, but as luck would have it...ok, who am I kidding, it wasn't luck. The sun came out as we made our way to the cemetery. Emma was near. She wanted to be part of the day...Sure enough, a bee buzzed by and I knew it was her. It was a little overwhelming and I had to take a walk after the service to keep myself from breaking down. It was cool to have her by my side when neither Ellen nor Ella could be there.
After the service, I made a quick stop at the Flight 93 Memorial which is only a few miles away. Memories of my close friend who died on 9/11 came back to me.
The next day I flew home to Seattle, and I took a day to basically do nothing. I went out that night to a big party and got home about 4 am. For some reason, I woke up the next day at 8:00. I have no idea how, but I rallied my body to run in the TTTS Race for Hope in Kirkland which started at 9am. It was the easiest 5K I had ever run, but seeing all those families with twins and other surviors of TTTS was draining. I really missed my little girl. Emma woke me up early to make sure I participated in this and to do what I can to help others. After the race, it was so beautiful she and I headed out to the mountains. It was a special drive. Emma led the way as she took me thru all kinds of switchbacks into a magical wonderland of alpine roads. 500+ miles and 9 hours later, I was back home. Exhausted doesn't begin to describe how I felt, but it was worth it.
Again, Emma helped me thru a rough week and I am grateful for it. Thanks Em, I know you will continue to look out for me.