Feast on the Memories

Tomorrow we are heading to our cabin where we will celebrate the 4th of July with all of our kids and grandkids. To say I'm excited would be a huge understatement!

This is our first time to all be together for nearly 3 years. One thing I've learned about being a Faraway Nana--any time together becomes monumental. Five of our eight grandchildren celebrate birthdays from June 11th to July 24th, so I've made a tradition of a group birthday party, and this year is no exception.

The theme will be red, white and blue. We've gone all out in buying decorations to spruce up the cabin and the guys will go shopping for the nighttime fireworks display. There will be a parade that I've arranged for our five Birthday grands to ride on the Chamber of Commerce float--a dream of theirs. We'll attend the local pig roast BBQ afterwards making this holiday one we'll not soon forget.

There was a day when the present would be overshadowed by the fast approaching good-byes of tomorrow, but not any longer. I've decided our presents are better than ever when we are together and the memories made provide enough joy to carry me until the next time.

When will you be together with your grands next? I pray it's soon. Until it comes
Feast on the memories. They are precious!

Happymess

My house is quiet after a full two weeks of visiting grandkids. Phoebe, our youngest granddaughter, hasn't been here since she started walking and I must say my house hasn't been so baby-proofed in a while. I followed her around the first day to see what would catch her attention. If it was breakable or dangerous it got put away. There were a few things that got broken I missed, but all in all our time together was great.

My favorite moment was when she discovered Nana's window seat all by herself. It's a passage that all my grandchildren have passed through, and the reason it was built in the first place.

My heart is full, my walls have been etched with more memories they would tell if they could speak, and my house is a happy mess--time to get to work "unbabyproofing" everything.

Friday

It is barely 6a. and I've already been awake an hour. After a night full of tossing and turning, I finally got up. 

My daughter texted me late last night to let me know they had decided Friday was the day. 

Friday. 

There was such a finality in this text, like many I've received before, but this time was certain.

Bauer is their precious dog, an 11 year old Australian Shepherd. He is named after Jack Bauer, the star of the hit TV drama, 24, played by Kiefer Sutherland.

Like Jack, Bauer managed to overcome every obstacle thrown his way: heart worms-requiring a year-long treatment program, an attack by ground wasps-where Seth had to rush him to the vet for an anti-sting treatment, lost for three days on the streets of Marietta-Tracy picked him up at the dog pound after having an ID chip placed under his skin, hit by a car-where he limped for days yet smiled bravely through it. And of course there was the fleas and ticks that would attack him from time to time bringing the pests inside the house with him. With each one I was told either by text or phone call. That's part of being The Faraway Nana, and it's good to be able to connect in good times and bad.

Through all of this, Bauer has watched his place as first in the home and heart of our daughter and son-in-love give way to second to Norah, then third to Bradley, fourth to Stella, and finally fifth to Brielle. He has gladly stepped aside with his added responsibility of guarding them all and herding them when he could. It was he who made them laugh for the first time as infants, and he who never lost his love of playing ball with Nana. 

Like most dogs, he has been faithful to be a "best friend" to all of us. 

But right before Christmas a tumor was discovered in his mouth. Bauer's gift of outwitting the impossible couldn't overcome this one as it has continued to grow and stifle his ability to eat and drink. It has taken his life away little by little until...

Friday.

{{tears}}