The Rest of the Story

I've put off telling this because really, how to put the words on the page? Also, Tyler knew, but we chose not to say anything to Jessie - I'm hoping she knows by now!

The day of the rehearsal dinner, everyone was gathered at our house. My Dad and his wife, Pam, came and had lunch. Shortly after lunch, Pam began to feel poorly and asked to go back to Miss Nancy's house so she could rest. Himself and his sister, Mary Ann, took Dad and Pam back to Nancy's.

Soon after, Pam was taken by paramedics to the ER. While we were at the rehearsal dinner, we received the news that Pam had died. It was my worst nightmare come true; this was my fear the moment they told me they were coming to the wedding. Pam had been in such horrible health for such a long time and should not have traveled.

The rest of the rehearsal dinner was a blur. As friends and family found out about the death they would try to come and comfort me, but I begged them to just let me get through the dinner. I was wracked with guilt over needing to be with my son and his bride-to-be and 60 invited guests, and needing to be with my father, who had just lost his wife. I escaped the room several times to use the phone and my father assured me again and again that I was in the right place, that he was fine and he would see me the next day. Nancy was with him and had told me months before that if this should happen, she would handle it. How I had prayed and prayed that wouldn't be the case!

My father actually came to the wedding the next day. I told Tyler that morning on the phone, but we all agreed not to tell Jessie until after the wedding. God was so gracious - He completely preserved the joy of the day for all of us (what a blessed evening!).

God's great mercy was evident in so many other ways:

It happened the night before the wedding, and not at the wedding.

Dad was here and Nancy was with him; he didn't go through this alone.

Pam's daughter, Valerie, was only 13 hours away in Virginia, visiting her daughter. They drove down immediately.

My Mom was here to be with ME! She kept me sane and level-headed.

Last week was surreal. Instead of saying goodbye to visiting family and then having another week with my Mom, I was instead visiting a funeral home, caring for my father's needs (he is also medically dependent), and working part-time. Mom hasn't been around my father for 43 years. God's grace was also on her and she reacted to this interruption so well, but she did end up going home earlier than planned.

So, my father's now back in AR with his step-daughter and step-granddaughter, preparing to sell his home and belongings and move back to New Mexico. My cousin and his wife practically begged him to come and live with them; their plans are to build an in-law apartment on their property and care for him forever. This works out for me as well - I can now visit my Mom and my father in the same state!

I now know what it feels like to just do the next thing no matter what life throws at me. I'm so thankful for all of Himself's family. They were all so kind and understanding and gave me hugs just when I needed them! Their constant support gave me the confidence that I would get through this.

My father left on Saturday. We all cleaned the house and put things back to normal, went to lunch, and then I came home and slept and slept.

Done.

At the Mall

Capturing herself, capturing the action, in an artistic way

Marked and ready!

She wore her hair behind her ears for the rest of the visit. =)

We have the same nose!

The cowlick on this woman. I wasn't sure what to do with it.

Hold my hand!

Early birthday present for our girl. She'll never forget that she and her Grandma got their ears pierced on the same day!

Disney Signs

Sign I need to get back to Space, or sign I've been there too long?

I found a Hidden Mickey!

This . . .

. . . is my family. =)

It Fits!

There are no real stores in Mom's little town, except for the Walmarts and a Bealls, so first thing we did was go shopping at the outlet stores. Mom arrived prepared to drop some coin and come away with a new wardrobe.

We had so much fun! I mean, who wouldn't have fun, spending someone else's money? I got to play the role of Mom's personal assistant, pulling clothes off the rack and putting outfits together. I knew my Mom had dropped a lot of weight, but when I pulled off a certain size of pants she told me there was no way they were going to fit as she hasn't been that size since Jr. High school.

She's stunned!

She can't believe they actually fit and look GREAT!

She then found ways to tell anyone within earshot what size she was wearing!

I love you, Mama! Yesterday was so much fun!

Today, we will be going back and forth to the airport, picking up more family memebers. Can't wait to have a full house!

Favorite Quote

My Mom lives in a small town, population 300.

Yesterday, as we were zipping around from place to place, Mom commented, "There are so many people here who I don't know."

=D

Tuesday Is Guest Star Day!

Right in the middle of this wonderful week is this, by Jess:

Making Home: What Is Counseling Your Heart?: Psalm 1 starts out, " Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. " "Walking" in Scripture always seems to indicate our...

And you guys thought it would be my Mom guest starring. ;-)

I haven't seen her yet, but my heart is so happy knowing she's right upstairs!

Tonight!

I'll probably be sleeping when my Mom arrives tonight. I can't believe this week is finally HERE! I will work through Wednesday, then it's family, family, and more family. Love it.

Me: We'll just get some fresh, healthful food for everyone to munch on.

Himself: Oooh, yeah, like fruit and cheese and salami . . .

Me: Salami is NOT healthful food!

Himself: What do you mean?!? It's Salami!

Me: [reading off ingredients in salami from the internet] It's processed food!

Kelly: Salami? Rolled up with cream cheese? Yum!

Me: Don't you start. [Pointing to the list] Honey, what do you think of these items?

Himself: I'm still reeling from the fact that salami isn't healthy food. . . .

Still Counting Down

One week until my Mom arrives! I can't wait to see her again! Wish my brother could come, too. =)

Counting Down

This photo was taken at Christmas. I think it's a great family portrait!

With two weeks remaining, now comes the big rush, though here at the W household I know we're not feeling it as strongly as the M household! We're trying to finish details, prepare for guests, and pray nothing mars this beautiful day.

I've already received a phone call from my dad saying his wife fell and may have broken her wrist (it was too swollen to tell, will know tomorrow). Oh Lord, may that be the worst of it!