Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Weekend in Bellingham


Our time in Bellingham was rich.
Rich with family and remembrance.

Sure my vision of how things would go was not accurate.
It was better!
It was how God intended things to go.  
It was real and honest.  
Kids. 
Weather.  
Closed restaurants.
Life. 

Thus, better!

I loved this weekend.  
I laughed a lot.  
I thought a lot.  
I observed a lot.  

I love being with family even during times that are harder due to sadness. 

I only hope that this get together brings about many more down the road. 
Dinners around a big table.  Laughing with my father-in-law well after after everyone else has gone to sleep.  Lanterns ripping and catching on fire.  Dogs running through salty water.  Sea Shells. Flags made of garbage bags.  Cousins hugging.  Holding hands.  Exploring new territories.  Family.


Here are a few photos from our weekend together.  

Sisters-in-law


Snickers in doggy heaven

The search for shells


Happiness

Grace scored big time


Joy

Contentment

Sword fighting

Love

Family


Determination 


Hope

Success.
One lone lantern made it with all the wind.
To me it represented Kevin.

Uncle Marlin & Aunt Sharon's home.
They graciously hosted all of us for the weekend.

Sunday Morning farewell.

And, a quick stop at the beach just one more time
so Grandpa could experience what brings Grace joy.

Searching

Grateful for this moment


And a note from Loren:

My brother Kevin...
I miss:
His sly smile
His quick wit
His doting interest in my life
How he could explain the most complex of ideas in a simple, easy to understand way (government bureaucracy)
His creativity
His stubbornness
Knowing that I can call him, though he likely wouldn't have answered or called back
The thought of him teaching

I am sad:
That I can't see him again
That Grace will never get to know him personally
That I can't call him for math advice (speedometers)
That no one will be taught by one of the greatest teachers I know ever again
That there is a seat empty at our family events
That all of his stories of adventure are gone forever
That I didn't spend more time with him (scooter ride to Bellingham)
That he wanted us to forget him

I am happy:
That we defied his wishes and threw the best dang memorial I have ever seen
That other people knew what a great guy he was
That this tragedy has allowed me to repair my relationship with my dad
That this tragedy has brought Mark and I closer
That I have seen my family more in this last year than in the previous 10
That Kevin's death was not wasted
That we will see him in Heaven
That he is no longer in pain

Sunday, March 4, 2012

TETTA

IS IN TOWN!

He's on spring break and saved up all his money so he could come for a visit.

We are so glad we got a chance to spend an evening with him while he was here and before we had to head out of town.

We took him to Brooklyn's Pizza and then to Utopia.
He also got to meet Mark, Ericka and Tyler.  They came for about one hour while we were at Utopia.
Thankful he got to meet some family.

We haven't had this much fun on a Friday night in a long time.

basketball with Gracie (she's on the other side of him...you just can't see her)

teaching Tetta how to play ski-ball

having fun


Grub time

Utopia was the first place we took him one year ago.  

Poor Grace.
When we all had to leave she cried and cried and cried.
She loves him so much.  He is like a brother to her.

We already miss him!  Wish he could stay here forever.

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