A Month of Hellos and Good Byes

Again, I've neglected my blog.  Time continues to excel at an increasingly rapid rate on by us.  February was a busy and stressful month.  I chaired a huge Boys, Beer, Brats, and Bingo charity event that had me stressed to the max, I took a long weekend trip to Chicago to be reunited with my dear friend Vivien's, we said good bye to Griswold, our rabbit, I attended a few hockey games for my nephews out of town, swimming season rapped up for Olivia, drama at Olivia's school because they wanted to disband her entire class and send them to new rooms, the 20 year anniversary of my mother's passing came and went, and we heard the terrible news that our dear Papa Dave would be returning from U of M Hospital for Hospice Care.

Now a quick story on Griswold for those who don't know.  We found this adorable little guy just after Christmas at Nana and Papa's house.  He kept hopping up to their back porch for a couple of days.  He definitely is a domesticated bunny, and a terrible cold front was heading in.  We couldn't let him freeze, so with the help of some friends, we took him in.  

We weren't in the market for a pet rabbit, but couldn't find his owners either.  The girls and I gladly took care of him and loved him.  Andy's stance was always that we would find him a new home.  Well, it just so happened we were at the pool one day and one of the stingrays swimmers was talking about going shopping for a rabbit.  It all worked out, so Griwsold has a new home at friends of ours, and we get to rabbit sit when they go on vacation.  It was a good compromise for all of us.

Of course the girls were still sad to say good bye.

I was thrilled to get away from all the chaos and stress of life for my first ever girls' long weekend.  I was heading out from school a little early on Thursday, February 12th.  Then came a call from Tina at school that day.  I knew it wasn't good news when her number appeared on my school phone caller ID.  She was calling to inform me that Papa Dave was coming home and Hospice was being brought in.  She assured me that he would hang on until I got back from Chicago and that I  needed to go and have a good time.  With a heavy heart, I drove to South Bend and boarded the train bound for Chicago.

I was ecstatic to be reunited with "my Vivi!"  The last time I saw her I was pregnant with Olivia, so it had been almost 10 years.  We've both had two children since seeing each other.  Every time we get together we pick up right where we left off, like no time has passed.

It was bitterly cold, like -20 degrees before you added on the wind chill in the understandably nicknamed "Windy City."  We didn't care.  We walked almost everywhere since we are both cheap.  We did some shopping, went to a movie, ate at some great restaurants, went through The Museum of Contemporary Art, and got lots and lots of miles walking in.  Our hotel was a historic building from the 1800s called the Congress Plaza Hotel.  We loved that they kept the historical charm and hadn't modernized it too much.  Mainly we just spent time enjoying each other and catching up.  I didn't take my camera out ever because it was too cold and cumbersome.  So the photos you get are us being us in our room.

A view from our hotel window while we waited for Vivien shuttle to take her back to the airport.

I miss Viven already, but we had a wonderful and much needed weekend together.

I was anxious to get home to Andy and my girls, and my heart never stopped focusing on Dave.  Thankfully he was in pretty good spirits and feeling well enough for our company upon my return.  I went over by myself first to evaluate the situation and determine if the girls would be able to handle seeing him.  He was still his cheerful self and cracking jokes.  He wanted to see my girls, so Andy stepped up to the plate and took a half a day off of work, pulled the girls from school and headed to the Smith's house.  They all had great conversations with Dave, Sharon, his kids, and the grandkids.  Dave and Sharon have always treated me like family and to no surprise, did the same with Andy.  Also, no surprise, was Andy took three additional kids home with him that night, when the Randall kids (Tina's kids) wanted to come over.  It was a time that we won't be able to get back so I am so thankful they were able to have that time together.  I continued to pop in and out and do what little I could do to help over the next couple of weeks.  I received a call from Tina fairly early on Saturday, February 28th that Dave had peacefully passed from this earth and entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior.  His celebration of life happened one week later and is one I or anyone in attendance for that matter, will ever forget.  The music was lively and beautiful.  More upbeat than sad and solemn.  The words spoke by Dave's loved ones shared many humorous memories and heart felt mementos.  Some unexpected harmonizing of some of Dave's favorite hymns at the end, followed by a surprisingly beautiful version of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home," all per Dave's request.  But if that wasn't enough, the children were asked to leave first for a special surprise Papa had arranged for them.  The children all headed out to let go of numerous colorful balloons, while fireworks erupted in the skies above them. He wanted it to be a celebration and that is truly what he gave us.  Many tears have been shed, but he will always hold such a special place in my family's heart.

An old photo of Papa Dave and Mia.