I’m grateful for all who have served and continue to serve in our military, who courageously uphold and support our nation’s cause, especially My Pop – a true hero.
To our veterans, I sincerely thank you for your service.
Family
Day 106 / My Family’s Love
Today was a tough day. This morning, my Mom, my sister and her family and my brother and I all went to mass together for the All Souls Day celebration. I’ve been missing Daddy so much lately. Being in “Daddy’s church”, where he ministered and was very much a part of the church family, made my sadness surface uncontrollably and I sobbed in my mom’s arms soon after mass was over. I felt Daddy everywhere in that church. His spirit was all around me and it made me miss him that much more.
After mass, we made our way to the cemetary to visit Daddy. As soon as we arrived, again, I felt him everywhere – in the trees, in the wind. I broke down again as I put my hand to his name on the mausoleum wall.
As sad as the day was, I was so thankful to be surrounded by my mom, sister, and brother. I felt full of their love as my mom held me tight and as my sister and brother rubbed my back as I cried. It got me through the day and I could not be more grateful for that.
Day 105 / Going to Pearland
It’s tough. On one level, I look forward to going to Pearland and seeing my Mom and brother and visiting Daddy. And yet, on another level, it’s painful.
When I’m in Austin, I go through the motions of my life with Donovon and the girls, our family and friends there, and work. I don’t feel as connected to Daddy when I’m there as I do when I’m in Pearland. Daddy’s life was in Pearland. When we would come to visit, he’d always greet us with so much excitement and enthusiasm. He would even call us on our drive to the house to find out exactly when he could expect us to arrive. He loved our visits, and I always looked forward to his warm welcome, his embrace, and his awe over how much Alexa, and later on Ava, had grown.
As I was driving toward the city today, it hit me how I wasn’t going to be greeted by him. It hurt. I miss him so much. At the same time, I still look forward to coming to Pearland. This is where I feel connected to Daddy. As I sit in my parent’s house tonight, I feel him close by. I can even hear his laughter echo. And I feel his love more here than anywhere. Although it pains me to be here, it somehow also gives me peace. I’m so grateful for that.
God I miss you, Daddy, but I’m so thankful to feel you nearby.
Day 95 / Dinner with Pop and Mom Julia
Pop and Mom Julia came into town today and took us out to dinner. It’s been a while since we’ve seen them, so it was so nice to visit with them and catch up.
I’m thankful for getting to spend time with them and their making the trip to visit us.
Day 91 / Spending the Day with My Little Princesses
I haven’t seen My Little Princess nieces in weeks. So I am very thankful to have spent the day with them and My Toot at the Barton Hill Farm Pumpkin Patch. All they really wanted to do was get their faces painted. How could we not indulge them? 🙂
Day 90 / Cortney
Cortney and I have been sisters-in-law for almost 22 years now. We share a unique bond that I have and always will cherish. We’ve experienced a lot together – lots of highs and lows – and through it all, somehow we always come away laughing.
One night while Daddy was in the hospital and Alexa and I were staying the night in the most dreadful of waiting rooms, Cortney came into town and stayed with us most of that night. I was at my lowest – so distraught and utterly exhausted. It was such a comfort to have her there to break the tension with some laughter and some wine that she snuck in for me (Shh! Don’t tell!). It was an unexpected yet welcomed visit and I’ll never forget it. I only hope that she knows I would do the same for her. In a heartbeat.
We don’t get to spend a lot of time together, but our connection runs deep and I’ve always felt this unspoken understanding of each other. She’s my sister, and I’m so grateful for her.
I love you, Cortney.
Day 84 / Family Reunion
I learned the importance of family very early in life and more so later on – Our time with our family might be very limited, so every precious moment together counts. My family is a gift – my parents, my grandparents, my siblings, my husband, my in-laws, my aunts, uncles, cousins, my nieces and nephews, and my children. I have family spread throughout this county and this world and I thank God for all of them. Every. Day.
We spent the weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas for Donovon’s family reunion. It had been almost 20 years since Donovon and I went to the last reunion for the “May” side of the family. It was a weekend of catching up, sharing memories, lots of laughter and love. The venue was Knollwood Cabins on Hamilton Lake where the descendants of the May family occupied almost every cabin.
Today, the children splashed around in the lake while adults talked lakeside and looked through old photos. It was picturesque. It was a great time. It was family.
I’m thankful for being a part of the 2014 May Family Reunion, and for sharing memories as well as creating new ones.
Day 83 / Road Trip
We took a road trip today to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Donovon’s parents rented a van and we made it through our 7-hr journey with 9 passengers, including a 2-yr-old and 4-yr-old, with great ease. Thank goodness for easy road trips!
Day 69 / Photos
Donovon found some old digital photos that I thought might be lost forever. I’m not only thankful that he found them, but I’m grateful for photos in general. They capture memories of days long gone – of us and our children as we’ve grown, of family members and friends both still with us and passed on, of celebrations, of holidays. Photos make up the picture book of our life.
As I looked through all the photos that I was so glad were found, I couldn’t help but smile and laugh at all the memories. It made my night.
Day 64 / Continuing Tradition
My brother was in town this weekend and I met him, his friend Breanna, my sister and her family for lunch today. When my dad would come into town, it was our tradition to meet for lunch after church on Sunday. In fact, the last time we all met for lunch when Daddy was in town, he had his stroke shortly after.
It’s sad to think of that last family lunch with him. And I headed to lunch today with a small pain in my heart knowing that he wouldn’t be there. But I’m grateful for continuing our tradition. I feel like he was there watching over his children and grandchildren with a big smile on his face as we work toward moving on.
Gratitude Daily 