2nd Grandma's Funeral

Well...I have lived almost 30 years with both sets of my grandparents alive & very involved in our lives. Loosing both of my Grandma's within a week and a half of each other was something we could not have prepared ourselves for. Yes...they were old & I am grateful to have had them a part of our lives...but it doesn't change the fact that they are gone & how much they will be missed. For both of my Grandma's for them...their passing was a good thing and I know they are happy and healthy now. For the people left behind....we hold on to the memories & the good times we have had with one another. We hold on to the gospel & the knowledge that this is not the end & that we will see them again. What an amazing comfort it is to know that.

When people that are close to you pass away, often times we reflect on things we could have done differently or we think of things that we would like to change & do better. I wish that I had savoured those moments with them more than I did. Having both of my grandparents live within 10 minutes from our house growing up, I think I took for grantid their availability and involvement in my life. Although I know that I always appreciated the time I spent with them...I wish I had spent more. I don't like to dwell in the past so I guess moving forward...I am making a commitment to spend more quality time with the people in my life that I love. Specifically my children because I know that our time is short with them. The years have already passed by so quickly...I feel as though they are slipping out of my hands. I want to make sure I don't have the regret of not spending enough quality time with each of them. So...I am taking a step back from my all so never ending crazy life & making adjustments. It is long overdue. Not that I haven't spent time with my children in the past but I have allowed myself to put my "to do" list before the things that really matter. It is so easy to fall into a trap of things that are "good" but are they the "best" things?

On a lighter note....the past 2 weeks have had some wonderful times reuniting with cousins, aunts & uncles that I haven't seen in years. We definitely had some fun times amidst the sad. I am sure that my Grandma's wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

My older sister, younger sister & I...doing the "Grandma Vonnie picture pose" :-)

All of my cousins with my cute Grandpa :-)

All the girl cousins on my dad's side.... (3 pregnant ones too...aren't they so cute!?)

This is most of the immediate family (with some spouses & kids) on my dad's side...although we are missing quite a few...it's the most we've had together in over 15 years)

I think my Grandpa must have felt like a celebrity because everyone wanted pictures with him. He was such a good sport about it.

I know this picture is random....but this guy was a close family friend...and was nice enough to stay around & take pictures of all of us. My sister & I got a picture with him because we thought he looked like Santa Claus. I think he thought we were a bit looney! Oh well...that's nothing new! :-)