Sunday, September 29, 2013

Summer Goodbyes

This summer was unfortunately one of many very sad goodbyes. I think because of these goodbyes I have been dreading updating the blog as I felt like I needed to have some long farewell post to each one. Instead, as maybe I am being chicken, I am going to try and make this quick as there is really no way to write and explain how each of these losses has affected me.

I dreaded the day when I would have to say goodbye to each of these but never thought it would be in a 3 months time span.

First, is Mr. Jack who went to Rainbow Road on May 6, 2013. After 10 years of this guy being an intregal part of my every day routine due to his chronic kidney disease, Jack and I together decided it was finally time to say goodbye. I will spare you on the whole story, as it really was the most traumatic thing I have ever had to do.  I will miss you and your snuggles and still think of you everyday.


The day after Jack left, I was sitting crying on the upstairs porch while it was raining and as the rain stopped Jack showed me he had made it to Rainbow Road. I have no doubt this was a sign from my buddy.


My second goodbye was on July 19, 2013 to my friend Addison. Many people have heard of my 7 year old friend that I  met just after I got back from my honeymoon. Addison...known better as Super Addison, may have had liver cancer but she was one of the strongest people I have ever met. I visited her when she was inpatient at Children's, we became close friends over Portillos cheese fries and making lip singing videos. Although only 7 we texted often, "FaceTimed" and just made each other laugh and always left giving each other a pinky swear promise that no matter what we would keep smiling. Addison was also a huge fan of lady bugs...she had everything and anything lady bug! Although gone, her Super Addison powers remain here and she truly is famous as she always wanted to be!


The night of Addisons wake I was cleaning my house and all of a sudden happened to look up and noticed this sign from Addison on the wall in my foyer. Once again, another reminder that she made it to rock star heaven and that we should all always keep smiling.



Things really do come in 3's and the 3rd was a farewell to my grandma Gan Gan on August 4, 2013. At 98 years old we had openly talked about when this day would come yet it still did not make it any easier. We talked regularly and she was far from your ordinary 98 year old grandma. She also "Facetimed" was an avid Words With Friends player and even was on Facebook. She was not just a grandma but one of my best friends. Our last real long conversation was about a week before she passed and we talked together on how lucky we were that she was around through some of my biggest life changes and celebrations (engagement, wedding, baby news). She was so excited about the upcoming baby and we were both excited to find out if it was going to be a boy or girl. I ended up getting back from her funeral the night before my ultrasound. Although, I could no longer call her Monday night to tell her the baby boy news I know she knows that the blue baby blanket she had made is the one that will be mine. We will miss her laugh, love and spunk and can only hope we all have her genes!


Just like my other goodbyes, Gan Gan paid us a visit as well a few days after we got back from the funeral. After having trying to get hummingbirds on our porch, one all of a sudden appeared, and appeared on the flower baskets that didn't have the hummingbird food.

There were many a sad days this summer but at the same time days being reminded to keep smiling and laughing, that age is just a number and to love and be good to those you are with...