Day 1199 Gifts

 

Tim and I have had an overwhelming number of sympathy cards and gifts roll in over the past week. We have truly felt the love that surrounds us with each and every gesture. We arrived home yesterday to find a sweet trio of succulents boxed up and waiting for us, along with another stack of cards. We sure do love our tribe. 

The sadness of losing Tim’s brother was lessened by the birth of our newest grandson, the circle of life in full motion. Our new little one is absolutely perfect, and we can't wait to meet him! The debate over his name has gone on for months, but they finally settled on Scott Patrick, possibly going with Scottie as a nickname. Then again, can we really pick our own nicknames? I’m guessing they’ll be home soon; hospitals don’t keep you long after birth anymore, and I’m sure moms and babies sleep better at home. With them only a couple hours away, Tim and I are eager to make the road trip to meet Scott. 

Thanksgiving Eve is a small but meaningful landmark for Tim and me, it’s the night we began to reconnect, sixteen years ago. It took us a couple of months to actually start dating, but without that Thanksgiving Eve spark, who knows if we ever would have found our way back to each other. Imagine that? Oddly enough, we went to High School together but somehow it took us until mid-life to get togher!

So much has happened in the past sixteen years; it feels like a lifetime. From the birth of our oldest grandson fifteen years ago to the arrival of our newest little bundle, we’ve lived a lot of life and watched our family grow. We’ve built a life together that we’re both wise enough to cherish.

For years now, we’ve spent Thanksgiving Eve at a friend’s house for a small cocktail party and dinner. It’s a tradition we all look forward to and a chance to catch up with friends we might not see otherwise. Our friend who officiated our wedding is always there, happy to see us still so happy… and always ready to claim his slice of credit for it. Old friends, new family members — life sure is sweet.

As we head into another holiday season, I’m reminded once again how love shows up in both our hardest and happiest moments. Grief and joy often walk hand in hand, but together they make life fuller, richer, and more deeply felt. Here’s to the memories behind us, the blessings arriving each day, and the hope that carries us forward. 

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust