Grams.

How amazing these last several days have been.

I've been able to spend time with all my family.  Those people that I love the most.  Who have been together since the beginning of my life...to be there for the silent end of someone so important.

I don't know that I'll ever forget Friday, September 28th.  Greg, mom and I in a room with Grandma.  The woman who was slightly crazy, always loving and supportive to me, and as strong as they come.

She used to drive up to my college and take me out for a steak dinner - and tell me stories of when she and my Grandpa were younger. She'd leave me money in the side pocket of my purse.  And not say anything about it.

Just so I'd be okay.

And she loved my kids. She was there for Henry's birth. And came up to Seattle the day Stella was born.

She used to make sure she always had a jar of coins for Henry when we'd come to visit.

And she could make jelly like no one you've ever met.

And she liked canned beets and loved a baked ham and fried oysters.

She made me feel important.  And I loved the holy living shit out of her. 

I'm so glad to have been with her at the end of her life...when she's been such a big part of mine.

Goodbye, Grandma. 

I just love you. You are so very important to us all, and I will remember you and the little things you have done for me and my children for the rest of my life.

Run, Henry. Run.

1st cross-country meet for HJS this weekend.

Whew - it was crazy.  There were about 2K school kids from around the city - and they were ready to run.

Henry did great.  It was hot.  And there were hills. 

And he killed it. 

Love that little running fool.

You might want to turn the volume down.  My enthusiasm was louder than anticipated.  :)

Way to go, HJS!

Lip Gloss

All is well in the world when Stella gets a make-up bag and some gloss from the fabulous Felicia.

A Celebration.

We went to a celebration of life for a dear friend's brother-in-law yesterday.  He passed away in a motorcycle accident several weeks ago, and it still makes no sense.  Not a single spec of it. His beautiful wife, his five children, his amazing friends. It just doesn't make sense.

What certainly did make sense was the love floating amoung the 300+ people who came to honor him. I looked around for moments of clarity...and they were everywhere.  In friends loving each other, in family figuring out how to say goodbye. 

I found what makes sense to me and clicked the shutter.

Goodbye, Jason. You made us laugh, you gave the most awesome hugs and we are better people for knowing you.

Guitars and Texans.

We had some visitors this last holiday weekend.

From the Lone Star state. 

And all the Seattle-based Texans gathered around them.

Old friends.  Drinks.  New kids. Guitars.

They were all there.   And one good time was had.