June

This month has been absolutely crazy. I spent basically the whole month of June in WA, which I was both happy and sad about at the same time. My time at home consisted of a wedding, a graduation, and a memorial for my grandma. So much happy and sad in one (actually more than one) trip home. 

Our initial trip home was to attend my sisters wedding and my brother-in-law’s high school graduation. I had a lot of fun spending time with family and friends. My sisters wedding was really beautiful, and in my opinion came at the perfect time. I spent the rest of that week at the lake with friends, going out to lunches and dinners, and visiting my grandma Rose in at her home and in the hospital. My grandma was suffering from Leukemia and Lymphoma, and we knew she wasn’t doing well, so I was so happy to be able to come home when I did to spend time with her. As I said before, I think my sisters wedding came at the perfect time, because if it hadn’t have been for that joyous event, I probably wouldn’t have been able to spend any time with my grandma before she passed away 2 weeks later. 

I also have to thank the timing of my brother-in-law Dan’s graduation. It was only because of the date of this event that we were able to spend 2 weeks at home instead of one. So this came at the perfect time as well, and gave me a lot of time to spend with my grandma. 

Even though two weeks was a long time, I had wanted to extend my trip home so that I could stay with my grandpa and help him take care of my grandma and cook for them. I debated it for a week, and eventually decided against it because my grandpa told me they probably wouldn’t be going home from the hospital soon. Grandma had started another round of chemo, and we were hopeful, so I headed back to VA so I could start my class, and maybe plan another trip home later after we found out if the chemo worked or not.

Unfortunately the night I got back to VA, my dad called me and told me that grandma probably wouldn’t make it through the night. I was so sad that I didn’t decide to extend my trip, because I wish I could have been there with her and my family when it happened. But I hopped on a plane two days later with a one way ticket and was back in Washington. (Thank you to Angie for getting me a standby ticket). 

I was happy to spend another week at home, of course, but wish it wasn’t under such sad circumstances. I was so tired and sad and angry when I was home, I acted a little moody towards my family, which I apologize for (Mom, Dad, and Heather, love you all). 

I am glad that everything happened when it did. My sister’s wedding, Dan’s graduation, and grandma’s time in the hospital. I am not at all saying I am glad grandma was in the hospital sick. I really hope none of you take it that way. In fact I wish it never happened. I wish grandma was still here and that she was at home with grandpa right now. I just mean that I am glad that I happened to be home when it happened so I could spend time with her. I am also glad that the family was able to spend so much time together, and I think grandma would be glad for that too.

It’s amazing how impeccable God’s timing is. I do not blame Him for grandma being sick or for her passing away. But I thank Him for giving me time with her, and for providing reasons to go home so that I could have that time. 

I love you and miss you Grandma.

Photo: My sisters Meagan and Heather, my Grandpa, and me with Grandma at Meagan’s wedding just 4 weeks ago.