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LuLu informed me of this today when I told her that if she was too sick to do the tiny bit of school work I had assigned her then she was too sick to trek out to the beach this afternoon. Although this logic prevailed yesterday, and she got her schoolwork done, today is a different story. She’s pretty sure she’ll feel much better when she gets to the beach!
Super Dad’s father passed away mid-morning and the rest of the day is pretty much thrown out the window. The balance between our typical insane day and arranging a funeral is a bit surreal. So, it didn’t take much urging for me to cancel school for today and to succumb to her philosophy that sick kids get what they want…at least for today. There’s no way I was going to force math or writing on an anxious/excited child with continued and hormone issues who knows the beach is just down the street.
So, right now she’s drawing a picture to commemorate Grandpa and what he now looks like in heaven, and later we will stroll along the beach looking for shells and other dead sea critters. And truthfully, it will be just what we all need. Super Dad’s parents retired to Sarasota 25 years ago. So for the entire lives of our children, they have visited their grandparents and “gone to the beach” – Siesta Key. It’s a beautiful place. Who knows, in all honesty, when we’ll be here again.
Taking in the beach at Siesta Key (and my favorite scrapbooking store in the world) are what’s on the agenda for the rest of the day. We’ve been here often enough that we drive around the city as if it were second nature to us, knowing the location of restaurants, grocery stores and did I mention the world’s best scrapbooking store??? The breakfast server at our hotel today actually told me that she remembered us from the last time we were here. Even though that’s been several months; we do leave an impression.
Change is inevitable. Super Grandpa’s ascent to heaven is no real surprise to any of the family. A long, happy life behind him, he’s now on to better things. It was a joy to see how many of the nurses and workers at the facility where he and Super Grandma had spent their final years loved them both and stopped by to tell us how his sense of humor and the funny little songs he taught them brightened everyone’s day. And Grandpa’s beloved cat, who will now go to live with a favorite nurse, greeted each visitor to the room today as if she were the one in charge of receiving guests and accepting condolences.
It’s the way we all want to be loved and remembered, really. A sunny disposition; living near a sunny beach. Both Grandpa and this place will be dear memories for the whole family.
Sorry for your loss — Heaven’s gain !! Beaches are good for Perspective — the sea is bigger than me, or you, or word problems, or anything much except God. Enjoy — Rachel
Super Cat knew….
{{{{Julie}}}} So sorry to hear about Super Grandpa! Hugs and prayers for everyone.
Hugs to all of you. Call me when you know when you’re going to be in IL and I’ll come hug you in person!!
I second LuLu’s thoughts. Everything is better once you get to the beach.
Kids say the darndest things…yet maybe she has a good point…maybe you all will feel better once you’re on the beach. My thoughta are with your family.