"Entering Morgan County"
I don't know if reading that sign was encouraging or depressing. It was encouraging, because it meant that we'd neared the end of our 3.5 hour journey from Atlanta to home. But it was also discouraging, because it reminds me that I live 3.5 hours away from the rest of my family...my parents, aunts/uncles, etc...and to go back means to endure the 3.5 hour drive all over again AND finding time off to see them, which is particularly difficult for Stacey to do in her current job situation.
Anyway, this trip was a good one, in spite of the reason for it. We arrived in Atlanta Wednesday afternoon, then went to the viewing for my grandmother. Got to see a lot of family and old friends of my family, some of whom I hadn't seen in a long time. Thursday morning, we got up early, went to the graveside service, then there was a memorial service and reception at my grandmother's church, where she'd been a member since something like 1932 (that's nearly 3/4 of a century...wow).
Though funerals are generally depressing for obvious reasons, we could all celebrate that my grandmother is most certainly in heaven and that she's where she's wanted to be for years. And, honestly, I think her passing is somewhat of a relief for my father and his sisters, who will certainly miss her, but hated watching her grow so old and resentful of 'staying alive' for so long.
Still, I'll miss her, too. I didn't get to see much of her in the past couple of years. But she did get to meet Kailyn a little while back, and I'm very thankful for that.
We decided to stay through this morning and let Kailyn spend time with her "Memama" and "Papa." Having just seen them at Christmas, she became quickly adjusted to her surroundings there and spent a lot of time with them. I know they loved it, too. That's what makes me hate living so far away from them sometimes. I want them to see more of Kailyn. I just hope Stacey can work something out that will 'free' her for more vacation time.
Made it back today just before 5:00. Walked into a FREEZING cold house (one of us had left the A/C on before we left...d'oh). But the house eventually warmed up from 60 degrees (lower in some spots) to a comfy 72.
...
Anyway, I'm sitting here tonight both glad to be back home yet a bit depressed (just a bit) that such trips aren't easier and more frequent...and that in spite of the funeral and everything, I can't imagine my grandmother being anywhere else other than sitting at her piano in the house I remember her living in in Decatur, Georgia. The reality is that she's now gone, the piano is sitting in my house in Decatur, Alabama, and I won't see her again until I 'cross over Jordan' myself...
But I will see her again, and knowing that still can bring a smile to my face even now...
Anyway, this trip was a good one, in spite of the reason for it. We arrived in Atlanta Wednesday afternoon, then went to the viewing for my grandmother. Got to see a lot of family and old friends of my family, some of whom I hadn't seen in a long time. Thursday morning, we got up early, went to the graveside service, then there was a memorial service and reception at my grandmother's church, where she'd been a member since something like 1932 (that's nearly 3/4 of a century...wow).
Though funerals are generally depressing for obvious reasons, we could all celebrate that my grandmother is most certainly in heaven and that she's where she's wanted to be for years. And, honestly, I think her passing is somewhat of a relief for my father and his sisters, who will certainly miss her, but hated watching her grow so old and resentful of 'staying alive' for so long.
Still, I'll miss her, too. I didn't get to see much of her in the past couple of years. But she did get to meet Kailyn a little while back, and I'm very thankful for that.
We decided to stay through this morning and let Kailyn spend time with her "Memama" and "Papa." Having just seen them at Christmas, she became quickly adjusted to her surroundings there and spent a lot of time with them. I know they loved it, too. That's what makes me hate living so far away from them sometimes. I want them to see more of Kailyn. I just hope Stacey can work something out that will 'free' her for more vacation time.
Made it back today just before 5:00. Walked into a FREEZING cold house (one of us had left the A/C on before we left...d'oh). But the house eventually warmed up from 60 degrees (lower in some spots) to a comfy 72.
...
Anyway, I'm sitting here tonight both glad to be back home yet a bit depressed (just a bit) that such trips aren't easier and more frequent...and that in spite of the funeral and everything, I can't imagine my grandmother being anywhere else other than sitting at her piano in the house I remember her living in in Decatur, Georgia. The reality is that she's now gone, the piano is sitting in my house in Decatur, Alabama, and I won't see her again until I 'cross over Jordan' myself...
But I will see her again, and knowing that still can bring a smile to my face even now...
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home