Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Saying Goodbye and Some Good News

Saturday was one of the most difficult days of my life. The church was filled with poinsettias, because my Gram had wanted a lot of them to fill her house this holiday season. My cousin Courtney sang a beautiful song for her and we shared a lot of hugs and tears. But far surpassing the tears were the many laughs we shared while reminiscing about times gone by. We really do have an amazing family and the memories that we share will never be forgotten. We sat for hours in the living room, the floor blanketed with photos from over the years. Many thoughts came to mind. We were very lucky to experience all of our holidays together. Easter egg hunts in the back yard with homemade candy for us all, made lovingly by Grammy. Our Christmas Eve was always spent together, with Grammy handing out gifts  from underneath the tree. And who could forget the mystery gift that we would all shake and squeeze until we came up with our perfect guess. Christmas day would bring Grammy and Pappy to each of our houses so that they could see all of our gifts. There is a picture for every single moment. These are just a few of the moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life. She will for surely be missed, but thankfully, she left us with so many wonderful memories to ease our pain.

After the service on Saturday, I shared with my family some news that I was planning on surprising them with on Christmas. Mike and I are expecting a new addition to our family in June. My only regret is not telling Grammy before she passed, I just never thought that she would not be here on Christmas. It never crossed my mind. But, I like to think that for a few days, before I told everyone, Grammy was in on my secret, and I am sure that she was grinning her sly little grin.

Thank you all for your prayers and cards. It really does mean so much to have so many wonderful friends who are there for me when I need them!

29 comments:

  1. Sandy - I am so sorry for your loss!

    But I am thrilled to hear your great news - congrats!!

    Thinking of you!!

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  2. Oh Sandy, congratulations on your pregnancy!! That is very exciting, awesome news! Hold onto those memories of your gram and she'll always be with you.

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  3. Wow. I'm sorry for your loss. But it's great you all remembered the good times more then the fact that she's looking down on you all now. I'm sure she had a good laugh too.

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  4. I'm sorry to hear about your Granny. It is kind of cool to think that she was in on the secret for a few days.

    Congrats on winning the debate of whether or not to have another. :)

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  5. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that your family was able to be a little bit cheered by the beauty of the upcoming addition. Congrats to you!

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  6. {{Hugs}}

    Hold on to the wonderful memories. Hopefully they get you through this sad time.

    Even though I am sad for you I am also happy for you. You got your Husband to say yes. This gives me hope that perhaps my Hubby will change his mind;)

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  7. So sorry for your loss. I was also very close to my Gramma, so I know how hard it can be. Congratulations on your good news, though. What a blessing!

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  8. Sandy,

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Grammy especially at this time of the year.
    But once again, congrats on number 6! And think what an awesome Angel this one will have looking over him/her!

    Jane

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  9. I'm so sorry for your loss, but what a sweet gift to have at this time! Congratulations ;)

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  10. I was very close to my Grandma too! I still miss her. I am sorry for your loss. Congrats on your new addition!

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  11. (((HUGS)))

    So sorry for your loss...

    But congrats on your pregancy! I am sure your Gram is smiling down on you thrilled with the news!

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  12. Big {HUGS}for you and the family Sandy.
    I know this is a very hard time.
    Continuing to keep you all in my thoughts.

    So happy to hear about the baby. I guess this mean you won the debate. ;-)

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  13. It is so hard to lose a family member, but at least you will always have the memories to get you through the future! Thoughts and love go out to you and your family.

    ~WM

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  14. I am so sorry to hear about your Grammy. We nearly lost my Grammy a few months ago & can't imagine how it would feel to lose such a special person. My prayers are with you & your family.

    Congrats on your new addition!

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  15. I am so sorry about your Grammy, but I am so thrilled to hear your good news. My daughter was born soon after my Grandpa died, and I like to think that she was up there in heaven to greet him when he came home. It's always been a precious thought to me. :)

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  16. I'm so sorry for the loss of your grammy! All of my grandparents are gone now. There are times I miss one of my grandmas intensely.

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  17. I am so terribly sorry about your Grandma but congratulations on the new baby!!!!

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  18. Your Grammy sounds so beautiful, and congratulations on the exciting new addition to your wonderful family! Thank you so much for the Merry Sitsmas wishes, and please accept my belated but very sincere returns!

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  19. I'm so sorry about your Grammy - I'm sure Christmas will feel different this year.

    I'm also so happy for you and your family on your upcoming addition. :-)

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  20. Sorry about your grammy.

    Congrats on your baby! Do remember to tell her/him about your grammy when they are old enough to understand things. I am trying to do that to my 9.5mths old boy by showing him pictures of my parents (they both passed away few years back) ;)

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  21. Deepest sympathy for your loss. Stopping by for a visit from SITS. I hope you and your family have a Wonderful Christmas.

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  22. Losing a family member like you have, Sandy, is always such a tragedy. I am so, so sorry. The loss of members of my own family in recent years is something that I will not soon forget.

    However, I am glad to read that even in this time of mourning, you and Mike have a reason to be joyful. Congrats on your pregnancy!! Such wonderful news. I remember that you are hoping to have another baby. So glad this happened.

    Happy holidays, my friend.

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  23. This is just what it was like when my grandpa died this summer. We had a great time remembering our times with him and our childhoods. It was very uplifting even tough we were sad to lose him.

    Congrats on your baby news!

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  24. I'm so sorry for your loss.
    Congrats on the new addition though!! So exciting!

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  25. Oh and I wanted to say thanks for stopping by on my SITS day too!

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  26. I'm so sorry for your loss. I just lost my grandfather on Dec. 5th so I know what you are going through- praying for your family! Congratulations on your baby news!

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  27. Congrats! I bet she knows.

    Stopping by from SITS!

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  28. What a mix of emotions, your granny's passing, expecting a new child, the holiday season...I hope that in the midst there is a whole lot of love and joy!

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  29. I am sorry to hear about your Gram.

    I am excited to hear about your new addition. Congratulations!

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