yesterday
my sister let us know
she lost her husband
of so many years
on christmas day
in this
the same year
he lost his father
before too long
we’ll fly to her
to be together
for a remembrance and celebration of his life.
—
“sympathy is two hearts tugging at one load.”
-charles henry parkhurst
downtown detroit
on a very chilly and beautiful november evening
sparkling christmas tree
ice
music
family from near and far
laughter
winter market
lots and lots of food
warm drinks
lights
comfort.
—
“downtown. lights on buildings and everything that makes you wonder.
and in that moment, i swear we were infinite.”
stephen chbosky
it was a beautiful day for a family wedding in sedona.
—
“the beauty in sedona is timeless.”
“i have a really big family.”
—
“families don’t have to match. you don’t have to look like someone to love them.”
-leigh anne tuohy
each arriving in their own time
all ending up in the same place
the house on the beautiful lake
missing those not able to come
we played board games
cooked, hiked, lounged, laughed, read, were loud, were quiet, shared stories and pictures,
and tried to remember to leave nothing but memories behind
ending a great weekend up north with a final family dinner hangout
at the infamous art’s tavern
on an early fall evening
in glen arbor, michigan.
“one of the things that binds us as a family is a shared sense of humor.”
-ralph fiennes
not my actual grandson or car, but similar, especially if you didn’t have your glasses on
—
my eldest grandchild
got his
*Level 1 Learner’s Driver’s License
this week
how is this even possible?
—
* teens with a Level 1 License may only drive with
a licensed parent, guardian or designated licensed adult age 21 or older.
(soon to be a fully licensed independent driver within a year or so)
—
“it’s kind of major, learning to drive. i feel like it kicked up other stuff in my life.”
-noah baumbach
grandma watches over her grandies
on a warm july evening by the huron river
in argo park, ann arbor
—
“having a grandmother is like having an army. this is a grandchild’s ultimate privilege.
a grandmother is both a sword and a shield.”
-*fredrick backman
(*swedish author and one of my very favorites)
headed out today
for a 3-generation
family vacation
in vegas
i’m a lightweight
gambler and drinker
but we have lots of other ideas
up our sleeves.
—
“Pick a number? ! I’m great at that! Coin toss!! Eddie, these are my games!!”
-Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold (Family Vacation) upon entering a Casino
after yet another unique and powerful winter storm
with lots and lots and lots of
heavy, wet, beautiful, pure white snow
i woke up early to a power outage
spending my morning in the library
with coffee, power bars, and locals
powering up, reading, talking, and writing
watching as a lovely grandmother
kneels down to her young grandson’s level
as she very patiently and quietly
teaches him and then lets him
check out each of his very own books
one by one
gently guiding him as he goes
only when he needs it
when he proudly finishes his work
he loads each into his own little backpack
she helps him
put on each woolen mitten and zips up his coat
he holds onto her leg as she slowly stands
they very naturally cradle their hands together
as they make their way out of the library
back out into the world with beautiful white snow
what a simple yet powerful act of love
that warms me
more than this comfortable and welcoming building ever will
it’s always the people within who do that.
—
“if a family has an old person in it, it possesses a jewel.”
-chinese proverb
I didn't have my glasses on.... 