“I love you” he said.  “I love you more” she said.

This is the kind of love that my family is rooted in.  It’s the kind of love that fills us up and spills over during happy times and gets us through hard times.  It’s the kind of love that makes me overwhelmingly thankful for my family.  And it’s the kind of love that even death cannot separate.

We had to say goodbye to my sweet Grandma 2 weeks ago.  And it was hard.  And I am sad.  Sad Grandpa is alone and sad for Christmas without her.  Sad she never knew great grandkids.  Sad to live life without her.  But sometimes, it is through sadness and saying goodbye that we remember anew the happy times.  I am drawn to remnants of days gone by and find comfort listening to stories about the good ol’ days. Clinging to that sweet nostalgia that arises, it’s like we can hear her again.  Smell her cooking.  See her walking down the trailer house hallway in her faded nightgown after a long day of fishing.  Hear her talking on the phone.  Drinking a Diet Coke.  Through those memories, we are reminded of her love.  And we are also reminded that this is not the end.  That does not dull the sting of death but it does remind us of the hope that we have.  We are sad but we are also overflowing with thankfulness.  And we are happy.  Because of her.

To those of you who waited extra long for your photos/products during this time, I thank you and appreciate your extra patience.  🙂