Nan in Search of Clarity–Day 11

Today was another funeral–well, visitation for us. Kate’s ex-husband died last week of congestive heart failure, so we went by to pay our respects even though we really haven’t had much contact with him in the over thirty years since their divorce. My heart breaks for their son and daughter (my niece and nephew), who’ve lost both their parents in the space of about 4 months. They’re both hanging in, but dear god, how painful must it be? All her little grandkids were there and I wondered how hard it must have been on their parents to tell them they’d lost another grandparent…

Kate loved babies–oh, man, did she ever love babies! And babies loved her. She had five grandchildren and one great-grandchild and nothing filled her with joy faster than a baby to cuddle and kiss on. Here’s a couple of pics of her with her great-grandson.

About two and half years ago at Christmas, Son and DIL brought 6-month-old Grandboy back home to meet his extended family, and we just sorta opened the front door and invited anyone who wanted to meet the little darling to stop on by.

Lots of people dropped by to ooh and ah over our precious new grandchild, but Kate got here first, coming straight from work. The little guy had been the tiniest bit fussy after a long day of airplane travel and not being used to jet lag, but Kate just swooped him up and cooed and sang to him. He gave her the sweetest smile and laughed and cooed right back at her. This picture, from that day, of her with Grandboy is one of my favorites–aren’t they adorable together? And she set the tone for the whole afternoon and evening. Grandboy charmed and delighted everyone that day, but I like to think he has a special place in his little heart for his Great-Aunt Kate. I wish he could’ve gotten to know her…

Five Things I’m Grateful for Today:

1. Gorgeous sunshine for my niece and nephew as they laid their dad to rest
2. My brother-in-law, Everett–he personifies God’s gracious nature to me. He actually preached Kate’s ex-husband’s funeral today, ironically, on what would’ve been Everett and Kate’s 23rd wedding anniversary. That’s being a light, isn’t it?
3. IRWA meeting this afternoon–I love these lovely writers!
4. Knitting
5. Things are greening up–we saw magnolia trees and forsythia in bloom on the way back from the funeral home–that’s a tree in front of the post office.