Showing posts with label california. Show all posts
Showing posts with label california. Show all posts

Friday, September 13, 2013

More from California...



Happy 57th Birthday hot dog for Grandpa!

Jane puts in Sarah's crown.


Laurie throws a beautiful shower in her new home.




We made Sarah put everything that she opened on, immediately, and without ever taking anything off!  So...how do you wear colanders?

Luke and Seamus went to kindergarten with Grammy one morning.



The pump house finally matches the house.  Sorry Derek and I didn't do that six years ago, Dad!  But look at that reach!  Consider this our contribution to your physio ;)

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

2,000 miles from here

We started homeschooling yesterday and though the photos look idyllic, it was a crazy day that, if I'm honest with you, ended with most of us in tears.  I know a large part of the frustration was due to how much I had worked up "the first day", to make it an extra-fun-packed-wonderful-day.  And a large part is due to the fact that I had to assert my authority as "the teacher" for the first time...which didn't go over well with "the student".

Anyway, today was a little better, and included Luke's first day of piano lessons which he says he enjoyed (rather unusual for him to admit on the first try!).  And to really ice the cake, this afternoon I got to sit and edit photos.  Oh boy, there is such a backlog of photos!  And the ones I really really wanted to share with you are the ones that made me smile so big, like remembering something that happened ages ago...but which are really from 9 days ago.  9 days ago we were in California celebrating my sister's marriage to Stephen.  Here are a few highlights of that trip.




According to some (short) people, the whole reason for our trip was to see this "Sweet Ginger-Peachy" girl.

Everyone pitched in to help set up.
And people who work hard, play hard.




 



This is pretty much all anyone saw of Seamus all night: a wet blur, and a squirt in the face.  He ran around shooting complete strangers with his water gun, laughing and giggling to burst.  Thankfully it was hot and nobody really minded getting wet.

The beautiful Sabrina lights.  Can you believe my parents live here?!  Like, every day.  They wake up and this is where they live.  Man, some days I am so jealous.


Even Grandpa Walter got out on the dance floor!

The bride didn't sit out a single dance.  It was an unforgettable party.

 

Monday, April 15, 2013

One month ago

I got the call.  The call that woke me with a shock that I could feel across the miles, before the words were even spoken.  That call that you know is bad as you hear the phone ringing, it shouldn't be ringing right now, something is wrong, please God, no.  But by the time my phone was ringing it was long over; my pain a belated scream into the absence where you once were.

Steven.

I keep saying your name, wishing you back by the power of memory.  The memories.  Every one of my childhood memories includes you.  Every one.  Because even when you were at your house and I was at mine, I knew you were at your house and I was at mine.  Even as an adult, when you weren't at your house and I wasn't at mine, I always knew you'd come home and so would I.  Our Home was the same, united in that thought.

This thing we take for granted, being safe at home, knowing our loved ones are safe at home, if I let myself consider this false security too long I will go mad with anxiety.  We all adventure, go and do and see and experience.  You most of all.  But our immortality is not of our bodies, the end can come when least expected.  Our immortality is in the love of others, how we love and are loved...being remembered.

You leave behind a lot of people who love you, and a lot of stories about how you loved us.  We can't help being sad on our own account - not to mention the grief we feel at the injustice of your death.  It's lonely, knowing you won't ever be at your house again.  It's lonely realizing we won't hear you roaring down the street on your motorcycle, and be reminded that you Are...breathing, alive, thinking, Being.  It's lonely without you.

Things I could do when I took your existence for granted are impossible to complete now that every breath I take reminds me that you won't take another. There's a crack in everything.



Saturday, March 16, 2013

Goin' Home

I'm going home with the boys early tomorrow morning, unexpectedly.  I'm taking the Pentax, so there won't be any updates until film is developed, which may not be until we get home...This space will be quiet for a while, which is appropriate under the circumstances, and what we all need right now. 

Friday, March 1, 2013

Where Did February Go?

 February went......(believe me, this is the short version! There is more to come.)

To Lake Havasu

In the rental car

Out to lunch


Through Joshua Tree National Park

Undersea


In the hot tub

Up on shoulders


To the aquarium


Beyond coolness


With sea lions


To the sea

Into caves of wonder
To see tractors

At the farm show

On the desert

Visiting horses

Visiting loved ones

To work

To mischief

To hang doors!

To see almond blossoms

To bury treasure