Well....we made it!! The holiday season came and went, and we're feeling, as a family, as blessed as ever! Thanksgiving was simply beautiful at my Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob's house: 1) simply because we were all together; and 2) because my Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob do nothing half-way! It was perfect! Though Annie-Laurie had football practice (I still crack up every time I say that!) on Thanksgiving morning, she was able go over to Jackson to enjoy dinner with us, and to spend the night. MS State won the Egg Bowl the following Saturday, completing the almost-perfect holiday!!!
Though we initially didn't think that Annie-Laurie would be able to come home before Christmas, the MS State 'Football People' took a break on December 20th, and Annie-Laurie headed home. Less than 30 minutes after she arrived, 'the girls' came, and I was carried back to their high school days, when our house was routinely filled with laughing girls. What a treat that was!! We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house, and Annie-Laurie left Christmas morning to go to Nashville to prepare for the Music City Bowl. I'm happy to report that, once again, MS State prevailed!!! Annie-Laurie, for all practical purposes, 'slept off' the week through New Year's Eve, before we returned to Cape for the remainder of our break.
On December 29th, we lost my Aunt Mimi, my dad's sister. While it wasn't unexpected, it was still difficult to say goodbye. Her memorial service was held this past Saturday, January 7th, Chad's 18th birthday. It was another one of those bittersweet times, as we were so sad to experiene another special day without Chad's physical presence, but were so blessed to be surrounded with family! There WERE plenty of tears, but laughter, too, as we remembered Chad.....hard to think about him without laughing!
In remembering Chad on his birthday, I thought about all of the things that I wished for him to be when I knew that he was on his way to us. I wanted a brown-eyed blonde ALL boy! I wanted him to be masculine, yet sensitive. I'm not sure if I specified 'funny', but since laughter is such an important element in my life, I suppose that may have just been understood. Well....if you knew Chad, you know that I got exactly what I asked for! Though his life was short, I believe with all of my heart that Chad completed the mission for which he was sent to earth. I may never know specifically what that was, but I DO know that he touched lives while he was here. And I know that his memory still makes many people smile....and sometimes laugh out loud! What more could we possibly want for our children than to make people happy? The only other thing that I can think that we would want is peace. Today, as I write this, I am content in knowing that my son has both of those things.....the ability to bring smiles to the faces of those who knew him, and peace. All IS right with the world.
Tomorrow, I will face the fact that I am the mother of a 20 year old! Yes, Annie-Laurie turned 2 exactly a week after Chad was born! I think that's possibly the only thing in my life that makes me appear organized!!! Though I'd love to gloat that I planned it that way, I have to admit that it was pure chance! Tomorrow, a blog devoted entirely to her on her day!!
Those of you who knew Chad, do me a favor, and take a second to remember something he did that made you smile!
Love to All......
J
Hi Julie, that was beautiful. This post made me smile. His laugh was infectious and he had a knack of making people up North laugh. I'm glad you were able to have a good holiday season. Thinking of you. I wish Annie-Laurie a happy 20th.
ReplyDeletePeace and love,
Paula R.