Trying to Get Back in the Swing of Things

We're back. We're also trying to get back into the swing of things. Things will never be 'normal' again, but we are trying to make a 'new normal' if that is even possible. We went to Florida for a memorial service for my Dad. Wow! What can I say???? It went better than any of us could have ever imagined. My Dad was an Elder at the church in Melbourne for years. We called and asked if they would mind if we had his service down there. They were so obliging. The women of the church provided a wonderful dessert buffet with a chocolate fountain - which thrilled the children and my cousin to no end! The minister did a wonderful job. My cousin David, who came from Tennessee and is a minister in the church there, did part of the service too. He told us so many things about Daddy that we had never heard before! What a rascal he was! He had us laughing until we were in tears - happy tears. My Mom stayed with some dear friends and they helped us put a DVD together. We dug up many pictures that hadn't been seen in years, if ever. My sister selected a song, R selected another and then I selected yet another. Mom agreed to all of them. Those songs were played with the DVD. So pretty. Then it was open mic time. I am telling you...so many stories! I was so proud of Mom. She got up and talked about how she met Daddy. My sister got up and told many stories, but the one that sticks out the most was when Daddy helped her learn to ride her new bike. She crashed and burned and stomped into the house. A while later she looked out the window and Daddy was popping wheelies on her bike! That's my Dad! Then it was my turn. I do NOT do public speaking! I was able to this time and I know it was because Daddy was with me. He could talk in front of anyone and I knew he would want me to do this. Between 150 and 200 people were there and I actually spoke in front of all of them without fainting! What's up with that? Then R decided she wanted to talk. I was so impressed with her! That's the first time she has ever done that in her life. L wrote something beautiful for me to say for him. I was so proud of both of my babies! We saw friends we hadn't seen in years and years. Some of the engineers who worked with my Dad and me over 25 years ago came. Good thing they told me who they were or I might never have guessed. Want to hear what a small world it is? My 4th grade Sunday school teacher grew up in a small town in WV. It happened to be the same small town my FIL grew up in. She also happens to be the SIL of my Mom's best friend! Are you keeping up? Well, she dated my FIL when they were in high school! I could not believe it! She was at the service and I was able to catch up with her.

The people all volunteered their time to speak, lead singing, set up, prepare food and clean up afterward. They also prepared food for the family after the service. A tree was planted in my Dad's honor at the church near the play ground. The church also made a donation in my Dad's name to the National Stroke Association. My Dad's little sister donated Gideon Bibles in his name and a couple of cousins made donations in his name to different schools in their town. I am amazed at the outpouring of love that has been shown to all of us. Hallmark must have noticed a surge in their card purchases this past month because all of our mailboxes have been busy!

We spent the week down there with RLs Mom. I think she was happy to have people in the house again. She's about a month ahead of my Mom in the grieving process. She's lonely and I feel so sorry for her.

We are all trying to get back into the groove. RL has returned to work. R is working on some crafts and is dreaming of her garden. L is reading like crazy and drawing again. We will probably try some grief counseling. Anybody tried that before? How did it go? Knitting is starting to make a come back in my life. I'm not doing much more than dishcloths though. I just can't concentrate on anything more than that at the moment. Please keep us in your prayers. Every one of them helps!