Family Reunion Picture

Back Row (left to right): Ray, Bobby, JB, Don J., Don N., Judy, Paul

Front Row (left to right): David, Diane, Dilys, Virginia

Wordless Wednesday

Family Reunion

We had a mini reunion Sunday for Dad's side of the family. It was great to see everyone, especially the ones who were in town from Minnesota. It is always fun to get together but it also hurts. . . .a lot. Mom always added so much to a get together. She had something about her that made everyone want to be around her and everything seems a little less bright without her.

My nephew was in town last week and before he left, he and Dad went and picked up some flowers to take out to the cemetery. It was the first time that he has been out there since the funeral. Losing his Memom has been very hard on him and his sister. They loved their Memom and their Memom loved them more than anything. I hope they know just how much she loved them.

Anyway, here is a picture from our vacation. The scenery in Colorado is so beautiful and Mom loved being there.

Today

Today was a hard day. We were all finally together again and we needed to go through my Mom's jewelry and divide it up. It was sad and we all cried. There are other things that we still need to do but we can only do a little bit at a time. My nephew was with us while we were doing this and he had a hard time too. Really makes me miss my Mom.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for the peace, tranquility and beauty of the mountains and getting to enjoy it with loved ones.

One Year

One year ago today is one of those days that will be etched in my brain forever. You see, one year ago today while Becca, Rae and I were hanging out with Mom in the hospital, Dr. Jenkins came in and told Mom that she had leukemia and that we had an appointment at MD Anderson on Friday. We sat there is shock, waiting for Dad to get back so we could tell him. Little did we know how much our life would change over the next year, how much pain Mom would endure and how heartbroken we would end up. I miss my Mom every minute of everyday. There are so many things I want to tell her or show her or ask her. I love my Dad so very much and hate seeing him hurt. I hate that Taylor and Madison miss their Memom so much and I hate that Becca, Rae and I have lost the most beautiful person in our lives.

Sad News

This afternoon we received sad news. While Mom was in the hospital, we met and became friends with a woman named Linda whose daughter had a stemcell transplant in November. Kelly (the daughter) had been diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007. Kelly had many of the same problems as Mom did but she has been able to spend the last couple of months at her home with her husband and three young children. After a long battle, Kelly passed away this afternoon. Please keep Steve, Claire, Meghan and Michael (husband and kids) and Linda and the rest of the family in your prayers as they begin another chapter in their journey. We know the pain this family is feeling tonight.

Independence Day

It never occurred to me how difficult yesterday might be but it was. Last night while watching the fireworks, all I could think about was all the July 4ths from when we were kids. When we all, the Watsons, Parsons, Peavys, Boyds, Polks and who ever else showed up would be at the lake. We would spend the day swimming, skiing, eating, playing volleyball and horse shoes, riding in the boat and wake boarding (or as in our case cabinetdoor boarding) and then when it finally got dark, shooting fireworks over the lake. Mom always had a good time when we did this because she loved being with her family and friends. In my memory I could hear her laughing and I could see her with the sparklers that she always played with. Dad didn't go to the fireworks because Mom was the one who enjoyed going and he would go where ever she wanted and he didn't think he would enjoy it without her. He did spend the evening with Rae, Lou Ellen and G-mom Parsons and they seemed to have a nice time.

Dad, Rae, Darrell and I went to Colorado for vacation in June. It was not the vacation we had planned. Dad had said when we first found out that Mom was sick that we were all going to Colorado for a family vacation this year. At that time it never entered out mind that she wouldn't be here to go with us. Although the trip was wonderful, there was not a minute that went by that I didn't not think about Mom and desperately wish that she was with us. I miss her more than ever.

I took over 200 pictures and I may put some up from time to time.

Four

Four months and one day. Seems like it has been an eternity and seems like yesterday. I wish I could talk to her, have her give me a hug and hear her laugh.