Pennsylvania

We had an unplanned visit to Pennsylvania in Mid-May. When my Grandfather passed away, Brad got the Little Lady and me tickets to go back so I could attend the memorial. I try to avoid mushy love stuff, but really he is the greatest person on the planet for getting me those tickets. I was so happy to be home. To be with my family to mourn and to laugh and to reminisce. 

Funerals, as sad as they are, an event that bring people together. My grandfather's memorial was on Mother's Day. This was the first time my grandmother had all four of her children, all eight of grandchildren, and two of her great grandchildren with her on Mother's Day. I don't know a better Mother's Day gift my grandfather could have ever given her.

The night before we had a wonderful evening with my family. We celebrated my aunt's birthday. It's been years since she celebrated it with her siblings and her children.

 Here is the memorial. It really was beautiful, touching, and hilarious. It is exactly how I would want my funeral to be. I am sure he loved it, however, he would prefer to be the one telling the stories.

My dad officiated the funeral, and he did a wonderful job. All my dad's siblings talked and told stories about their dad, and they were funny. Then while my dad was on the phone talking to someone, I learned I was to say a few words. Luckily, I had made that blog post earlier, so I had material. 

 As nervous as I was, I am really grateful and honored that I got to speak and tell my stories about my Pop. Of course, I was the most emotional out of everyone, I blame this on pregnancy hormones. But as I got up there to speak, I was touched by really what a wonderful grandfather he was, and how lucky I am to have/had him as my Pop, and well, a over hormonal human being can only take so much emotion before it comes out in tears. 

His death, has been harder for me now than it was when the news first hit At first, I knew he was really sick, and this was for the better. But now that the dust has settled, I have forgotten his sick days (because they were so few compared to his healthy days) and I only remember him vibrant and so alive. It's the little things that get me. We make this garlic parsley butter that goes on corn on the cob (my SIL actually introduced me to this) which I in turn introduced to my family. And my Pop who loved butter, LOVED this stuff. He would put it on his hamburger bun. As I made it, I smiled at the thought of it; visualizing him sitting at the end of the table with his very own little bowl of garlic butter as he would spread it on his food, then teary eyed because I knew I would never see it again.

I am glad to hear my grandmother is doing well. She has been continuing on with life, sad at times I know, but as a whole doing very well. Nanny, now you can get on a plane and visit finally ;) My Pop always talked about driving here (he loved to drive) however, I can't blame my grandmother for avoiding a 2,000 mile drive - after my grandfather got a prosthetic leg he hated flying and I mentioned he was stubborn, right?