Oct 14 2015
Life, Death and Everything in Between
The last six weeks have been a roller coaster of life’s greatest highs and deepest lows. Our emotions have been run through the gamut with the birth of our first grandchild on September 1 and then a sudden illness striking my Mom on October 1, with her passing on October 5. These past weeks seem like a haze and there are times it is truly hard to comprehend all that has happened. But it is time to put one foot in front of the other and do what needs to be done. Or as Elisabeth Elliot would say — “just do the next thing”. And so we are. We are enjoying the growth and changes in our little grandson and remembering with great love and fondness our dear, sweet Mom and Dad.
I’ll share some photos today to give a little glimpse of those near and dear.
Here’s our pride and joy!
Ryker Reid, born to our son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Marissa.
Photo taken at the hospital at 1 day of age.
Our hearts are filled to overflowing with love for this precious blessing from God.
We got to spend several days with him when he was nearly a week old.
And here’s Ryker, a big boy at 6 weeks old!
Can’t wait to see and hold him again!
This is my Mom, Dolores.
I love this picture of her. It was taken on our front porch in May, 2010.
This is the vision of my Mom that will always be in my heart and mind.
She was 83 when she died this month.
This is my Dad, Roy.
This was the last photo taken of him on his birthday in 2013. He died 2 days later.
He fought a lot of battles in his last years of life, but died unexpectedly in his sleep one night at 82 years of age.
It makes me smile just to see him.
And I rejoice that he and my Mom are now together in heaven.
This is a picture of me, my sister, Cindy, and my Mom on Christmas Day, 2014.
We were trying to do the same pose each year after seeing such photos on Facebook.
We only got 2 years, but I’m glad we got those.
This is me holding Ryker on our visit to see him.
That’s one happy Grandma!
And here’s Grandpa holding Ryker, my better half, Steve.
Grandpa can’t wait to get Ryker on the farm!
And I can’t end this post without including all the kids, though they are surely no longer kids!
This is our middle son, Ben, and his girlfriend, Andrea, in Las Vegas, February, 2015.
Here’s another one of Ben and Andrea here in Michigan’s beautiful Keweenaw in the spring of 2015.
This is our youngest son, Brian, and his girlfriend Erin, on Mackinac Island a couple weeks ago.
And here’s another of Brian and Erin at a wedding in Green Bay this August, 2015.
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And there you have it, the people who fill my heart, my days and my life.
And now I will continue to “do the next thing”.
We’ll be back in the morning with a card post!
See you then.
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17 responses so far
What a beautiful tribute to your parents, kids, and Grandson Sharon. I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent leaves a huge void, and losing both within a couple of years will take a lot of adjusting. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. I also rejoice with you over your new addition. What a treasure and a blessing that little guy is!! Congratulations! Hugs!!
I am so sorry for your loss. The loss of your mom leaves such a whole in your heart but the birth of your grandson is such a joyous love that will only grow and grow each year. I have been thinking about you and hoping that you were OK. You have missed and in everyone’s thoughts.
So very sorry for the loss of your mom, Sharon….I know you have many wonderful memories of her…
Your grandson is adorable and nice to see all the pix of your handsome family!
Praying for peace and comfort for your family’s loss and joy in the new little guy…
So sorry to read about the loss of your mom. The picture you posted – she was a very pretty lady. And you look just like her. I know this doesn’t help in your sorrow but the arrival of your little grandson is the exact wording ; *When God closes a door He opens a window by giving you your little one*. I kinda wondered if you were ill being you hadn’t sent any posts. I will keep you in my prayers so God will wrap His arms around you and your family to endure the grief you are going through.
Sharon, thank you for sharing this beautiful collections of memories of your family. I understand the loss of a Mom and Dad. My Mom was my best friend. She is missed everyday but she taught me to have faith in the One who provides the peace that passes all understanding. I know we will see them again one day in heaven. Congratulations on your lil bundle of joy. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry for your loss, but what a wonderful blessing in that little grandbaby! Sure hope your mom got to meet him.
What a great tribute you have written about your family. You are a very talented lady. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Sharon, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I know what a heartbreak it is. Congratulations on the addition of the precious little one to your family. I loved seeing all your pictures. You are in my thoughts and prayers Sharon! Big hugs!
My condolences on the loss of your mother.
Congratulations on your first grandchild.
I am so very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing , Sharon. Please know that you are in my heart and my prayers.
And as for that precious little Ryker…what an adorable sweet boy! You are blessed!
With love…Barbara
So very sorry on the loss of your sweet mother. Please know you are in my prayers. The tribute to your children and grandson was beautiful. Congratulations on Ryker!
Your pictures are wonderful… such loving memories. I’m very sorry for the loss of your mom.
Oh Sharon I’m so sorry to hear of your loss and pray time will help fill the emptiness I know you have right now. I’m blessed to still have my mom (85) and don’t even want to think about how difficult it will be when her day comes to join her siblings and my dad in heaven.
But on a joyous note … how sweet is that little grandson Ryker! Congrats! Enjoy him and the others to come for they sure grow up fast! My two grandchildren are already 23 and 18 … yikes how did that happen?? Your family is BEAUTIFUL and I know you’ve made so many beautiful memories together! God Bless You & Steve!
Now as you said … ‘do the next thing’ …
Thanks for sharing!!
Oh, Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a parent, no less two so close together. And what precious photos and memories that I trust God will continue to bring to mind to comfort you. What a joy to know that you will see them again. It is a precious photo of each one. And congratulations, Grandma! What a joy and a precious little boy he is. I’ll be praying for you and trust that God continue to comfort you as you grieve the loss. Yet we grieve in a different way knowing the assurance of life with Christ. Sending tender hugs and thanks for sharing this beautiful post and tribute! And how precious to see the whole beautiful family!
Oh Sharon. My heart goes out to you on the passing of your mom – HUGE cyber ((hug)) to you!! My mom is 81 and I rejoice every day I have with her. Dad passed 9 years ago and I still miss him dearly. Tough times, but oh the joy of knowing one day we will see them again – heck I get to meet them in person and you as well one day 😉
Love the pics of your new grand baby (still having a hard time crossing paths with another by my name LOL). Such a cutie! Great photos of your boys and their sig. others too. Is Ben tall or is Andrea tiny LOL! Great looking clan to no doubt help fill your heart. Thanks for sharing!
Sharon, I’m am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you at this time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. These pictures are wonderful! I’m so excited for you with your new little grandson . . . what a blessing from God he surely is to you and your family. I’m sure Steve and Marisa are over the moon . . . and what a fabulous picture of you, your mom and your sister! I love the pics of your sons with their girlfriends . . . . what a joy to see them all so happy. You’re in my thoughts often. I’m still working full time and wishing I was back in my craft room. Sending warm hugs your way!!!
I’m so sorry to read of your loss, Sharon. I can tell you are ready to remember your mom with joy as she would want you to. I felt set adrift when my parents were both gone, but when you have such a beautiful family to ground you, you’ll keep on keeping on and life will be wonderful. I so enjoyed the photos. Ryker is adorable!
Sharon,
I am just now catching up on many emails I haven’t been able to see (lack of internet access) for the last several weeks. I’m so sorry to read about your Mom. It’s really tough to loose your second parent. I remember how shocked you were when you lost your Dad. Sorry for your loss and also joy for your addition. Being a grandparent is so great. I hope you get to see him often. He is very beautiful. I’m working on a move from Md. to In. just to be closer to my grandchildren. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures. You have a very handsome, loving family. God bless you at working on doing the next thing.