My family's journey down the road less traveled....

Friday, December 21, 2012

Life goes on.....

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."- Robert Frost

The past few weeks have been awful, if I'm to be perfectly honest.  I've put on a brave face, shared placating words, passed tissues and held hands.  My crying and grieving was done privately and while it's lessened, it's far from over.  My heart was once again ripped open last Friday upon hearing the news from Connecticut.  I grieve for those families.

One of the hardest things about grief is seeing that life goes on despite how you feel.  People are achieving goals, winning awards, celebrating events and they are happy.  I've found myself caught up in their happiness only to remember my grief and feel guilt.  I don't need Dr. Phil to tell me that's it's a normal part of the process...my rational side already knows this...it's my heart that needs the reminder.

Over the past week, I've tried to avoid anything serious.  No drama movies, no heart-wrenching books and I've done my best to avoid the news channels.   I've been trying to find the comedy in life, knowing my Dad wouldn't want me to be sad.  We introduced out kids to the movie Tommy Boy and laughed ourselves silly.  Some of my best laughter has come at my own expense and today, I hit the jackpot.  My Dad would be laughing his head off over my adventures!

What do you do when 4 days before Christmas your dryer decides to die, you have a huge load of wet clothes in the washer and no way to get to a laundry mat???  Either I'm a genius or a complete hillbilly!!!

Laughing all the way.....................Deborah

Saturday, December 08, 2012

Heartbroken...

I had to say goodbye to my Dad yesterday.  Today my heart is broken in a million pieces.

James H. Reed 12/28/1929-12/6/2012

He was gentle, hard working, loyal to those loyal to him, generous in every respect and loved by more people than he realized. There are eight of us kids and countless grand and great-grandchildren who will no doubt think of him every time OSU plays Michigan, when we indulge in a chocolate covered cherry, hear a twisted fairy tale or eat his famous soppy.  He has dried my tears, given advice, picked up me, cheered me on and encouraged me to fly.  Most importantly, he has loved my three children with his whole heart.  He will be greatly missed.

..................................Deborah