Funeral Potatoes

My Mother-in-law passed away last week. Even tho’ she’d been extremely ill for months it seems like the end was so sudden. I know it was a blessing - she’s in a better place now. She’s pain-free, warm, and with her family. I guess we’re never prepared for the end. It’s been a whirlwind week of arrangements, decisions, tears, regret, coulda-shoulda-woulda...

It’s because of my own experience with my MIL that I promised my kids spouses that I would be the best mother-in-law that they’d ever have - I hope that I was and will be able to live up to that promise to the best of my ability. It was a relationship that I was desperate to have be a great one - it was not. I’ve shed many a tear this past week because I’ve been angry at her for so long for not putting her kids and their families ahead of her own needs. Now, it’s over and I must put that behind me. She gave me my Biker Dude and I am so very grateful for that. He’s a decent, wonderful, gentle, thoughtful, loving and kind man. She gave me, my children, and my grandchildren the greatest gift of all. For that, I am in her debt.

The most tender experience of all was that our daughter was willing to fix her grandmother’s hair one last time. Her three daughters couldn’t be there, so I went along. Our Trisha is so brave, so professional, and she was happy to give that final gift to her grandmother. I had the opportunity to be the “assistant”, which amounted to holding the curling iron on occasion. Trisha did a beautiful job with her hair, she would have been delighted. Then I had the chance to put her jewelry on her. My daughter and I had the opportunity to spend a very intimate time with a woman who could have been a huge part of our lives, but chose not to be. She missed out on so much, but maybe we can fix that on the other side.

I need to add that my selfless girl also cut my Dad’s hair in his signature “flat-top” after he had passed. Those last moments are something that will forever be precious to me because I got to share them with my daughter.

I pray that time will heal my sweet Biker Dude. This has been so hard for him and losing a parent is so difficult. He’s dedicated to making sure that his Dad and sisters get through this alright - what a transition for everyone.

Sleep well, Joyce.

Welcome to Kaylen Rose!

Kaylen Rose was born on Friday, October 17th at 1:43pm weighing in at 7.1 pounds and 18.25 inches long. She's a keeper with tons of dark brown hair and a precious mellow little disposition. I've said she smells like angel wings and is so sweet that we could eat her with a spoon (figuratively). She eats, sleeps, and poops like a pro and we love her dearly! She's our fifth grandchild and second grand-daughter. Oh, life is good.

It's really a strange dynamic to watch your children become parents. To have sons become fathers and see a daughter to become a mother is so wonderful. It's equally interesting to see my baby with his baby - man do I feel old! Trevor the father of a daughter, Trisha the mother of two sons, Trent the father of "one of each" -- my deepest wish is that I did no more harm to any of you other than to scar you for life when it came to meatloaf. These precious grandchildren are the dearest gift of all. Thank you for sharing them with Dad and I - our hearts are full.