I couldn’t decide which title I liked and I didn’t know how to separate these into two separate posts… so you get a twofer tonight! Lucky you!
Last Monday (January 9th), I celebrated 35 years of life. I don’t feel 35. But I am.
Yesterday(January 18th), I celebrated 15 years with Thing 1. I don’t feel like the mother to a 15 year old, one that gets his learner’s permit in 6 months. But I am.
Nestled in between the celebration of the birthdays, I celebrated the life of M. Robert Lesher, aka Pappy Bob. Pappy Bob was my maternal grandfather. He lived in Pennsylvania and passed away last Wednesday (January 11th). It was time. My grandmother passed almost 20 years ago. He was ready to go. This is some of what my dad wrote in their church newsletter this week:
Barb’s dad passed away last Wednesday morning in the nursing home where he resided for the last four years. Barb was holding his hand as he slipped comfortably away in the night. Bob was born in Chambersburg, PA in 1923 and enlisted into the Army Air Corps in 1941. His real claim to fame in WWII was that he “helped himself” to Gen McArthur’s whole milk as his command plane was being serviced and refueled in the Pacific Theater. Bob made airplanes for awhile at Fairchild Industries and then spent the rest of his life selling and repairing recreational vehicles. Bob was predeceased by his wife Florence in 1992 and leaves behind two children and seven great grandchildren. Barb called her father every night at 6:00 and sent him a package every week for the last four years.
Me and my grandpa 35 years ago…
A death can bring down, or rob the joy of, the celebrations of birthdays but not around here. I chose to look at the silver lining of things. I say I chose, but I can honestly say it’s not be a conscious effort. It’s just kind of happened. For example….
- My mother drove up to Pennsylvania on my birthday to be with him in his last stages of life. She stopped here and I got a real, live hug… on my actual birthday. From my mother. I can’t tell you the last time I had that.
- For whatever reason, the hubs decided to throw me a surprise birthday party that same day. Upon returning home from dropping Things 2 and 4 at Girl Scouts there were 21 friends in my house.. for me… to celebrate with me… and how awesome is that? The love of friends when you’ve just learned that your grandfather is dying…I needed it. I loved it. I’m grateful for it.
- My grandfather passed early Wednesday morning… just two days after my birthday. After work, I drove to Pennsylvania with my mother leaving the family behind. I got two whole days in Pennsylvania with my mother, spending quality time with her. That’s something that I never get… and oh. my. word. did we have a good time.
- Not only did I get 2 days in Pennsylvania with her, I convinced her to stay a day with us in Roanoke before heading back to Tennessee. We shopped. We measured for curtains. She taught me to knit. She taught me how to make a favorite childhood meal of mine. We laughed. (At some point in time, the hubs will learn to take flattering pictures of me… but I’m grateful he thinks to take pictures of important moments…)
- While in Pennsylvania, I got to buy whoopie pies, Pot Pie noodles, ham loaf, Lebanon Sweet Bologna, Gibbles pretzels, and a host of other items that you just can’t get here… AND I ate at several local diners… where I had the best fries and gravy AND omelette (not at the same meal of course) that I’ve ever had.
- After coming back from Pennsylvania Thing 1 came down with the stomach bug. I hated that he was sick, but LOVED the fact that he needed his mom…and that he kept telling me thank you and that he loved me. AS soon as the bug was gone, I was back to being just mom.
It’s been a roller coaster the first 18 days of the year, but all in all… this silver lining and celebration thing?
It’s not really all that bad…..
Until next time…
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