I know I haven't been around much since mid September. We've had a lot going on. I'm going to attempt to participate today in the Share 4 Somethings hosted by Jennifer. Today, we are sharing something we loved, learned, read, ate and/or enjoyed this month.
Loved: Going to my great nephew's birthday celebration last night. He's 2 years old and such a cutie.
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| I stole this photo from his mom's FB |
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| This is the daddy, my nephew at the party last night. He's playing my grandpa's guitar. What a special time. He is so good and I'm so glad he has this guitar. Grandpa lost four of his fingers in a farming accident and was unable to play it any more. He then gave it to my mom and as an adult with 5 kids, she took lessons and learned to play it and now her grandson has it and loves it. |
Learned: I realized again how much I love my family. Our younger sister, Karen passed away on October 6th. That now leaves just 3 of us. And we've been together quite a bit in the last few weeks. First, it was with Karen in the hospital for 5 days and then she had a procedure done and her heart stopped and she really never gained consciousness again. She was air-cared to a trauma hospital and still never came back. Eventually, she was taken to hospice and passed while there. While I appreciate the time we had to sit and talk with Karen, it surely did not go the way we had hoped. After transfer and then on to hospice, my sister (and her husband) and I spent a lot of hours together going back and forth to the hospital and our brother was there some too. He doesn't handle that stuff too well, but we definitely talked a lot on the phone. Just being together, and having to do so many things to take care of Karen's stuff, I feel like we've all gotten closer than ever. It's so easy to let being together move to the back burner. I hope we never do that again.
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| This is the 4 of us with my dad, at the luncheon after our mom's memorial service in 2015. Our older brother passed away in 2014. And we lost dad about 6 months after this photo. Karen is right behind dad. |
Read: I read 3 books in October and currently am listening to an audio book. If you look in the right side-bar, you can see the books I've read.
Enjoyed: While looking through photos to find some of Karen for her slide show (Karen was always the one behind the camera, so it has been a little difficult to find more current pictures of her), it was fun to look back at some of our old family photos.
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| Karen's senior photo. |
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| This I believe is a charcoal drawing of the nephew in the photo above playing the guitar. Karen drew this, She had so much talent before she had a stroke in 2016. |
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| This is a print of a painting Karen did. I love this so much. She had this also made into a Christmas card one year and it was also used in a Catholic magazine along with a story about St. Nicholas. |
Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you have a wonderful day.
Cathy
I'm so glad to 'see' you back, Cathy -- believe me, you were thought of often. What a blessing, having siblings to help shoulder your grief! Being an 'only child' was sometimes tough. I know you treasure that sweet family photograph and what a lesson to everyone, "Remember the photographer"!
ReplyDeletePS - That's an amazing painting. His eyes are mesmerizing!
Thank you so much Myra. The eyes are what get me too on that painting. Karen really had an amazing gift, for sure.
DeleteSo sorry for the loss of your sister. I am glad you could be with your family and you are all closer. Your sister was very talented. Praying as you grieve her loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your sister. It is good to hear you and your siblings have treasured this time together.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
DeleteI am sad to learn of your sister's death, Cathy. She was a very talented artist and I know you and your family will miss her. Prayers lifted for you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri. Your prayers are appreciated.
DeleteHe's adorable! Happy Birthday! Sorry about your grandpa's fingers but how wonderful that your nephew is playing his guitar. So sorry for the loss of your sister. That is a nice picture of the 4 of you. (((HUGS))) Love the photos you shared and Santa Claus is amazing. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debby. Your words are so kind.
DeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your sister but am loving seeing photos of her artwork. She was a very talented lady! Little kid birthday parties are so cute and fun. It sounds like you had a great time with family.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanne and we did have great fun.
DeleteOh Karen, I am so sorry about the loss of your sister Karen. I've seen your posts from afar, as this past month has been a bit challenging for us too, but not like yours. It sounds like it was a difficult time, but also wonderful that your family could be together as much as you were in those trying and sad times. I love that you had a sweet little fellow to celebrate and bring people together in a happy place. That helps a lot. (((hugs))) and prayers for you as you continue this grieving process. God is with you.
ReplyDeleteI said that wrong above, it should have been "Oh Cathy..." Sorry about that.
DeleteThank you Pam. I'm so sorry for the difficult time you are having. Praying for you too.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your sister. You are lucky to have so many siblings.. enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteCathy, I knew I'd been missing you here in the blog world. I'm so sorry for your loss, sweet friend. It's hard losing a sibling! I love the throwback pictures. Don't you love looking back at memories like that? They're such a blessing...and so is being with family. Prayers for you all, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your sister. I love that painting she made. Sending hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteCathy - so good to hear from you again. I thought you were on vacation:( but so sorry that it has been such a difficult month. Thanks for sharing some photos and that great painting Karen did. I hope all the memories and reflecting continues to bring you real comfort in the weeks ahead. Sharing life with sweet family is precious, isn't it? Glad you have each other!
ReplyDelete