On this the day friends come to say good-bye.

After the memorial service, Paige was too tired to even make sense on the ride home and it didn't get much clearer at home. However, after getting her into her bed, with her animals arranged just so, I began to talk to her about how special tonight was for everyone and she chimed in, "How about this Daddy, I know the plan. How about the cut Grandma and take out the lump and, uh, the y can hide it away, where nobody can find it and then the can put on a , um, a band-aid and then they can take off the band-aid, and clean it and . . .um, put on a band-aid and then take it d clean it and then . . ." and at this point the band-aid went on and off and got cleaned about four or five more ties before I said, "Then it would be all better." and she agreed. She then giggled and said "but they don't know that idea down here yet Daddy."
Just when you think they do not understand, they remind you that they have their own way of understanding and perhaps dealing with what amounts to a huge loss in their lives.

Up there?

We did not tell Paige about Grandma on the actual day due to the crazy schedule of the day, we tried to keep it normal for Paige so that it did not upset her. So after church on Sunday, July 12th, we went to breakfast in Orland Park. Mom and Grandpa told her that she has left us and gone to be with GiGi in heaven. She had a frown on her face and pointed up and said, "Up there?" "With Gigi?" Marsha and Dad handled it very well and Paige did seem to have a glimmer of understanding as she stopped to reflect and on with life she went.

I will do a sky hug

Paige had more questions for Mom regarding the passing of Grandma. She asked if she could ever touch Grandma again and when Mom told her no. Paige then said, "I know Mom I will give her a hug with a sky hug." The child's mind will always find the silver lining, just try them.

Can you hear her whispering to you . . .

We got the kids out of the house early so that we could go to All Saints Church for the 8:30 service with Grandpa today. We arrived early, which allowed us to talk with Pastor Borling outside the church. What a terrific soul. The kids were very well behaved, but we sat at the back of the pews, just in case. Sure enough, as we sat there, in the background came the voice of Grandma. She was singing the wretch song to us . . ."I once was lost, but now I'm found . . ."
Minutes later, Pastor Borling began and Quinn decided he no longer wanted to stay put so Dad rushed him out. Quinn and I remained out in the foyer as we listened in but had room to rove. We came back in as Quinn realized there was music. We sat on the Choir risers and Quinn bobbed back and forth to the songs and psalms. We made it a long while, but then he piped up again so we exited again.
We came back in for the children's sermon. Quinn was restless to start but he settled in and listened intently to Pastor Borling as he talked of "God's Bin" At the end, he invited all the kids to take an item from God's Bin and I took a green clown fish for Quinn and Paige came down to take a birthday bear. The kids then ran off to the daycare area to stay clear of the rest of the service.
It was great to be amongst so many that felt for Grandpa and we were glad the kids behaved.