Joy and Sorrow

 The first weekend in December found Josh and I on an airplane headed to Couer d'Alene, Idaho to attend my grandfather's memorial service. It was a sad and emotional time for my whole family, but the wonderful healing power of simply being together, remembering, crying, sharing stories, and even laughing at the silliness of our beloved grandpa eased the heavy burden on our hearts.

On Sunday morning, before everyone headed home, we took some family photos. My cousins have the cutest babies. Not only are they adorable, they have the best personalities. Hilarious.

Notice the kiddo making a silly face in this picture? LOVE it. Seriously, these kids ooze personality.

Here are all the cousins and their significant others. We are a happy bunch!

I love my grandma. She has handled the loss of her much beloved husband with overwhelming grace and beauty. Her sorrow is great, yet the way she lovingly focuses on the memories of him and the thankfulness she has for the life she shared with him lifts our spirits. She gently reminded us that we will all be together again, that grandpa is with Jesus. She is thankful for the gift of him and clings to the Lord through it all. I have learned a great deal from her example. I love her!

We tried to get a family picture, which often proves difficult due to my beautiful mama's lack of control over her eyelids.

A wonderful gift from the weekend was the chance to meet my cousin's baby, Brook. She is ADORABLE, look at those baby blues. Even with raspberry sherbet on her face she is a doll.

We became best friends.

 

It was also fun for Josh to see northern Idaho, a place that is close to my heart. I always considered my grandparents house to be home when I was growing up. He got to see their cabin where I spent many Christmas's. He also got to experience the cold. I don't think he really understood my story about how we used the porch as a second freezer....until now.

 

Above all, the weekend was very good for my sad heart. Good to see family, to show Josh familiar places from my childhood, and to celebrate my grandpa's wonderful and loved fill life. We will never forget him!