Tuesday, October 25

Fourteen


October 14
Raleigh, NC
Tucker's Living Room
I was supposed to go to New York for the weekend, but it was too far for everything going on. And I really needed some old friend time. Luckily Tucker is only 2.5 hours away. I called her Thursday night and she let me show up Friday morning. This is Asher, 4 months and 1 day old and cute as a button in his sneaker socks.


October 15
Outside Raleigh
Pumpkin Patch
Asher's first exposure to a field of pumpkins. Here are more photos where we posed him with them and since he can't support himself yet, we used strategically placed pumpkins to hold him up.


October 16
Richmond
Mom Siam patio
We were drinking and dining and Michael noticed this praying mantis on the drain pipe. I had never seen one before.


October 17
Delta Flight 1198
My Aunt Kathleen passed away this morning after a 7 month fight against brain cancer. Sister and I flew home and when there is not much that could help the day be better, we bought some Jelly Belly's for the ride.


She'd pull out a handful and we would alternate choosing beans. This was a good pull.


October 18
Little Rock, AR
Sitting on the stairs at Grandma's house
As everyone trickles into town, we gather at my Grandma's house. I was afraid I would lose it when I saw all my other aunts and uncles and cousins for the first time and I did a little bit. But my Grandma was so strong and composed and she said, "God gives us all these little kids and he takes them back eventually. But you are my consolation."


October 19
Little Rock, AR
Around the corner from the pull toys hanging on the cabinet
Sometimes when we have dinner at Grandma's it is easier to assign which table people will be sitting at so there is a list that is always posted in this same spot. I got the bedroom. The little kids got the laundry room. So there is that.


October 20
Little Rock, AR
Dining Room table
This is Aunt Kathleen and I at my Grandma's house (the one on the left in 1994, the one on the right a few years before that). We showed up on Easter in the same exact dress (unplanned) on two separate occasions. One of my favorite parts is that I don't even look that embarrassed. Goofy sure, but I'm okay with it.
Today was her funeral and it was surreal. Each day is when I think about her not being here. My heart hurts and breaks a little more each time I think about everyone who is going to miss her so much. But she fought hard and she was ready to go even though we weren't and now she is with her dad.


But I have memories like that that will always make me smile and be thankful for this incredible, giant family.


3 comments:

  1. i wanted to be on one of those lists on the board. large families make everything better.xo. love the matching dresses. amazing.

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  2. Lydia, I love you and I'm thinking about you and your family constantly. I wish I could give you a huge hug. Please know that I'm here if you need anything at all.

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  3. Lydia, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog and rarely post but this one broke my heart. You are so very lucky to come from a long line of loving folks who are creative, smart, fun and all heart. You are very special and very loved.

    ReplyDelete