Ang ~*~ Mark's lil sis

This was a very busy weekend, a lot of reminiscing, a few shed tears and an important reason for my daughter Angela to come home. Great Grandma Nell died at 90 years old and her memorial service was on Saturday. Nell was from their dad's side of the family and both of our children felt they had been close to her. She died peacefully in her sleep and she is now in a much better place with both of her daughter's that she loved and dearly missed.

Ang and I were alone for most of the weekend. We did some catching up, which was long overdue since Mark's accident, a subject that came up during the eulogy, as a reason to celebrate life. Angela was one of the people that spoke during the memorial and her brother told her that she did the best job, remembering something quirky, something funny and closing with endearments that left everyone teary.

I have said so many wonderful things about Mark lately, that Angela's praise has been long overdue. She is a wonderful daughter/friend and her smiles and laughter filled the house. With her degree in hand, she got that job in the big city and is fully loving the experience that all metropolises provide. In 2005, she spent part of her education in London and the Europe bug bit her. She informed me that she would like to go back to live and work there for a little while, her current employment has offices there and a transfer would be easy. Easy for them, easy for her, but not so easy on me :-) I try so hard to be encouraging, but my eyes give me away, as they tear up while I'm smiling and listening to her excitement. It is never that I would want to keep her from going, but I just love her so much and would miss her terrible.

As Mother's and Father's, we have to work so hard to raise them right in this world. We are their teachers, protectors and a loving stability for such an important part of their lives, as well as our own. It is so painful to let them go, but we must and do it gracefully. Definitely one of the more difficult things all parents experience.

So we hug them, breathe in their scent and send them on their way with a prayer, hoping that we did our best to make them as whole as possible, so they can make their own contributions in this great big world. But I must say, that the feeling is indescribable when they hug me and say, "Mmmmm...you smell like my momma." ~~~~~~~pure bliss :-)