Heaven's New Angel

You may not remember my blog post from several months ago about the Ugly Beautiful, but this week has been a perfect example.  This week I celebrated my Pre-Release party for LYFE and I had to say goodbye to one of the most important people in my life, my Mamaw.

I sat by her side for hours, reminiscing, praying, singing, humming, holding her hands.  When I finally had to say goodbye, I looked her in the eyes and told her she was an amazing grandmother.  I told her that I loved her and I could see in her eyes that she wanted to say she loved me too and she was proud of me.  Even though she had hardly moved while I was there, she was reaching her hands towards me. I realized she was trying to give me a hug.  I leaned down, wrapped her hands around my neck and lost it.  Sobbing almost uncontrollably. Because I don't know how to say goodbye, I just told her I'd see her soon and that she had to go on ahead and get everything ready for us.  I prayed for Jesus to take her hand and lead her home.

She continued fighting for life until my mom showed up several hours later.  After my mom sat on her bed, Mamaw's breathing relaxed almost immediately.  Mom hugged her and told her she loved her and then she said,  "Momma, I guess I'll get to rock you to sleep one last time" and moments later, my Mamaw let go.   She was smart, tenacious, hard-working, loving, no-nonsense (when she had to be), faithful, honest and the only grandmother I ever had.  Mamaw I thought of you at church this morning and asked Jesus to give you a hug.

In our last hours, I sang many songs to comfort her.  Amazing Grace, Silent Night, How Great Thou Art...But maybe the song that was the hardest to get through was Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water.

When you're weary 
Feeling small 
When tears are in your eyes 
I will dry them all 

I'm on your side 
When times get rough 
And friends just can't be found 
Like a bridge over troubled water 
I will lay me down 
Like a bridge over troubled water 
I will lay me down 

When you're down and out 
When you're on the street 
When evening falls so hard 
I will comfort you 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.dge+over+troubled+water_20124580.html ] 
I'll take your part 
When darkness comes 
And pain is all around 
Like a bridge over troubled water 
I will lay me down 
Like a bridge over troubled water 
I will lay me down 

Sail on Silver Girl, 
Sail on by 
Your time has come to shine 
All your dreams are on their way 

See how they shine 
If you need a friend 
I'm sailing right behind 
Like a bridge over troubled water 
I will ease your mind 
Like a bridge over troubled water 
I will ease your mind

Mamaw I love and miss you so much. I will always be your doodlebug.  

Your favorite (and only) granddaughter,

-Rachel

xoxoxo

Keeping on the Sunny Side of Life

Kirkpatrick's Corner is bursting at the seams with pictures this week!  We headed to Edisto for a week-long adventure with our great family friends, Aunt Sarah, Lola and Mimi.  It was an awesome week of sunning, funning, and getting some much needed R & R.

 As evidenced by the picture, John Thomas loved the beach! I hope to make this trip an annual fixture in our summer vacation.

 Besides driving through a few hours of rain, the trip down was pretty uneventful.  Thank goodness for portable DVD players and neighbors who let you borrow Thomas the Train videos!  Is it me, or does my little boy look like he fills up that whole seat?

When we got there, it was time to unload and head to the beach.  This picture cracks me up because it pretty much defines the friendship between these two buddies.  Lola is independent and has no problem occupying herself, while John Thomas pretty much wants to play with anything she has.  All things considered, they got along really well and found ways to share and play together without too much fuss.

 I know I mentioned he loves the ocean, but I didn't tell you he refuses to get in unless I'm (at the minimum) holding his hand.  But as long as we're together, he's a very brave boy.  We even waded out into the ocean far enough to ride some waves and float around.  He loved every second of it!  I think we are going to work on learning to swim this summer, because this boy loves the water.

 Sarah and I took the kids to Charleston for the day.  We went to the open market, the Battery and to a yummy seafood lunch.  I can't decide if this is his first fake smile.  Either way, he's still a cutie :).  We had intended on taking them for a carriage ride, but decided every one's sanity was far more important than putting two sleepy kids in a carriage for an hour.  It gives us something to look forward to next year.

 At the Battery, the kids ran around chasing squirrels and birds.  Not sure what happened to this poor little fellow, but John Thomas definitely wanted to go in for a closer inspection.

 My favorite morning of the trip was when we headed with the kiddos to the beach before most of the island had gotten up.  I had my coffee in one hand and my favorite little boy in the other.  The ocean always gives me a sense of peace and perspective that is hard for me to get anywhere else.

 A beach vacation wouldn't be complete without sand castles and big giant sand holes to play in.  The castles lasted about 1.5 seconds before one really cute toddler would flatten them out.

 After a long day of play, sometimes you just have to kick back and relax.  I can picture him in this same lounging position years from now after I've asked him to mow or clean his room or something.

 I know that Lola and JT enjoyed hanging out all week.  But maybe her favorite part of having John Thomas as a roommate was having his diaper supply to play in.  Everyday she would come in the room, go directly to his pile of diapers and bury herself in them.  I think she'll be ready to be a diaper assistant whenever baby Brooks gets here in the Fall.

Mimi (Sarah's Mom) also came on the trip.  A brave move considering she'd be around two toddlers for an entire week.  We're glad that she was able to come and enjoyed sharing the week with her.  An added bonus was this pool she brought as well.  All I can do is smile when I look at the silliness in this picture. 

 You may notice a distinct difference in the quality of the last five photos.  That's because Aunt Sarah took them and she's an awesome photographer!  Thanks again Aunt Sarah!  My little explorer always finds something to pick up and investigate, no matter where he goes.

This pic begs for a caption.  I'll just say he is my very sweet, very special little boy! 

 One word: Precious!

 I can imagine that when these two get older, that they may continue to love each other and treat each other like brother and sister.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this is how John Thomas would describe his week at Edisto!  On a different note, I just wanted to wish all the daddy's out there Happy Father's Day.  And especially to my Dad (a.k.a. Poppy) we love you very much and I am we are the luckiest family in the world to have you to lean on and look up to.