reflections on the tough weekend
If it wasn't for the saddest loss I have felt in years, this past weekend would have been the perfect weekend.
During the service, we sat Bob, me, Bren, Connor, Katie, Keera. (Keep in mind Brendan had said to me, "I can't go to SC" because he didn't think he could handle it, and I said "we will do this together, cause I don't think I can do it either.") I was worried Keera might get antsy at the end so I said to Brendan, "Can you switch with Keera?" Brendan would normally say, "Of course." He is so helpful with Keera. However, this time he said, "She's fine." During the service, B (what Connor calls him), finally broke down. I looked up and this giant, strong, young man was allowing his emotions to be felt. I put my arm around him and he did the same and I just held him during the rest of that time. And he held back like he was a young boy being taken care of. He is so kind and sensitive, but doesn't show it until it comes down to it. Then on my other side was Bob, who is similar...and he too finally broke down and I also held him. I was a mom and wife in need and they let me be there for them......I also was again breaking down. We love you Travis and the lesson you gave was to touch people's lives.
The beach - all the cousins on the beach running, walking, playing tag. Michelle and I playing tag with them. Austin orchestrating the whole thing. Austin and Jackie doing flips, Connor orchestrating Keera being buried in sand, until she was freaked out about it. Kyndell, as sweet as always, going with the flow. Content and happy.
The beach - Brendan and Connor and Katie holding a running jump contest and then a standing jump contest. Bob joining in and looking so darn cute when he stands still and preps himself by swinging his arms back and forth and then throwing that body, which due to age is now a little shorter and wider than years gone by, and looking so intense and determined to beat those young boys....didn't happen.
Pepere - nice talks about what is really important-all politics aside. A caring man who created (with an incredible woman) a loving and strong family. He should not have to suffer the loss of a grandchild. It isn't supposed to happen that way. He spent some good times with Brendan, accepting him for who he is and trying to guide and support him. He tells me that Katie is beautiful...something about her face that glows....he is thrilled with Connor's abilities and he sees Keera where she is at and where she is going (to rule the world). He is a kind, thoughtful man...no wonder I love his son.
Dannie and Eric - so strong in their love of a son and so strong in their beliefs and faith....Travis will get them through this-hard times or not.
Austin - so strong? I am not sure....not much emotion, but fun....always fun for Austin. He is a mini Travis but with his own flair.
Corbin - Still waters run deep. His vision he told me about...he dreams of being a lawyer...I think he holds his future in that pretty young lady I met.
The drive down and back...how do we fit these 3 children who are taller than us in this van for 28 hours???? Next time we rent the RV. I don't think anyone slept much, despite the fact that we traveled during night both times.
Keera - finally I see that there is a little individual as cute, but as set in her ways and determined as Keera-her cousin Kasey. I feel bad for Keera at times because her sister/brothers and cousins in CT are all so much older than her. Sometimes we forget what she needs and wants. She was as content as a clam (are they content?) staying with Kasey. She only threw one little fit and the rest of the time, she was just about perfect. Love ya Keera and hopefully you are happy with your life, even if you dont' have the cousin situation that your siblings had growing up. We will continue to see Kasey when we can!
Michelle - oh my goodness, I am not the only one who reacts the way I do to my own child's behavior. Keera and Kasey are quite similar and at times, I saw myself in the way Michelle reacted to Kasey's behavior. I hold Michelle in the highest esteem, so it was really good for me to see her feeling the same way I do when Keera shows her independent little self. Validation at its best!
Food - I have never seen a family so divided on Chick Fil A or Five Guys or Ci Ci's - almost all of the places we can't find up here and yes we actually visited Taco Bell and Burger King in one sitting.....uggghhh-no more fast food please.
Money - thank goodness Bob has a job-wow did we spend a bit of money traveling over a four day period...and we had our credit card compromised....bummer, but thank goodness the company caught it.
Love - a family united (fighting at times) but united on a four day trip that was probably one of the worst scenarios a family could go through. I am so proud of my kids. I love them and I love their qualities-each of them, from easy going to independence and strong willfullness; to concealing emotions and to showing them; to wanting to grow up and yet clinging to support; from being angry with each other and sibling rivalry to bantering about things that are in common (even though they would not admit it). I love my family and I love Bob's family too.
During the service, we sat Bob, me, Bren, Connor, Katie, Keera. (Keep in mind Brendan had said to me, "I can't go to SC" because he didn't think he could handle it, and I said "we will do this together, cause I don't think I can do it either.") I was worried Keera might get antsy at the end so I said to Brendan, "Can you switch with Keera?" Brendan would normally say, "Of course." He is so helpful with Keera. However, this time he said, "She's fine." During the service, B (what Connor calls him), finally broke down. I looked up and this giant, strong, young man was allowing his emotions to be felt. I put my arm around him and he did the same and I just held him during the rest of that time. And he held back like he was a young boy being taken care of. He is so kind and sensitive, but doesn't show it until it comes down to it. Then on my other side was Bob, who is similar...and he too finally broke down and I also held him. I was a mom and wife in need and they let me be there for them......I also was again breaking down. We love you Travis and the lesson you gave was to touch people's lives.
The beach - all the cousins on the beach running, walking, playing tag. Michelle and I playing tag with them. Austin orchestrating the whole thing. Austin and Jackie doing flips, Connor orchestrating Keera being buried in sand, until she was freaked out about it. Kyndell, as sweet as always, going with the flow. Content and happy.
The beach - Brendan and Connor and Katie holding a running jump contest and then a standing jump contest. Bob joining in and looking so darn cute when he stands still and preps himself by swinging his arms back and forth and then throwing that body, which due to age is now a little shorter and wider than years gone by, and looking so intense and determined to beat those young boys....didn't happen.
Pepere - nice talks about what is really important-all politics aside. A caring man who created (with an incredible woman) a loving and strong family. He should not have to suffer the loss of a grandchild. It isn't supposed to happen that way. He spent some good times with Brendan, accepting him for who he is and trying to guide and support him. He tells me that Katie is beautiful...something about her face that glows....he is thrilled with Connor's abilities and he sees Keera where she is at and where she is going (to rule the world). He is a kind, thoughtful man...no wonder I love his son.
Dannie and Eric - so strong in their love of a son and so strong in their beliefs and faith....Travis will get them through this-hard times or not.
Austin - so strong? I am not sure....not much emotion, but fun....always fun for Austin. He is a mini Travis but with his own flair.
Corbin - Still waters run deep. His vision he told me about...he dreams of being a lawyer...I think he holds his future in that pretty young lady I met.
The drive down and back...how do we fit these 3 children who are taller than us in this van for 28 hours???? Next time we rent the RV. I don't think anyone slept much, despite the fact that we traveled during night both times.
Keera - finally I see that there is a little individual as cute, but as set in her ways and determined as Keera-her cousin Kasey. I feel bad for Keera at times because her sister/brothers and cousins in CT are all so much older than her. Sometimes we forget what she needs and wants. She was as content as a clam (are they content?) staying with Kasey. She only threw one little fit and the rest of the time, she was just about perfect. Love ya Keera and hopefully you are happy with your life, even if you dont' have the cousin situation that your siblings had growing up. We will continue to see Kasey when we can!
Michelle - oh my goodness, I am not the only one who reacts the way I do to my own child's behavior. Keera and Kasey are quite similar and at times, I saw myself in the way Michelle reacted to Kasey's behavior. I hold Michelle in the highest esteem, so it was really good for me to see her feeling the same way I do when Keera shows her independent little self. Validation at its best!
Food - I have never seen a family so divided on Chick Fil A or Five Guys or Ci Ci's - almost all of the places we can't find up here and yes we actually visited Taco Bell and Burger King in one sitting.....uggghhh-no more fast food please.
Money - thank goodness Bob has a job-wow did we spend a bit of money traveling over a four day period...and we had our credit card compromised....bummer, but thank goodness the company caught it.
Love - a family united (fighting at times) but united on a four day trip that was probably one of the worst scenarios a family could go through. I am so proud of my kids. I love them and I love their qualities-each of them, from easy going to independence and strong willfullness; to concealing emotions and to showing them; to wanting to grow up and yet clinging to support; from being angry with each other and sibling rivalry to bantering about things that are in common (even though they would not admit it). I love my family and I love Bob's family too.
Comments
Post a Comment