Tuesday, May 20, 2014

One Month

Dear Mom,
     You have been gone 1 month....and it feels like you have been gone a lot longer than that. I just emailed Karrie this morning to confirm my feelings on that one, too. She feels the same. You are on our minds constantly and the month that has passed seems like a couple months to us.

The days are long and nights are longer right now. There is an empty spot in my heart and pit of my stomach.  I am getting better at ignoring the feelings and going about day to day tasks.  I don't ignore them completely though, I just try to focus on the task at hand and revisit the empty feelings from time to time.

For Example: Taking pictures of cute little babies and families for friends.

This is Lori's youngest at 7 months old.


Mother's Day was last weekend and I had plans for a really sweet post that pulled at the viewers heart strings, but I didn't. I am ok with that, too.


Miss you bunches,
Love Mando

Friday, May 9, 2014

A Walk To Remember

Dear Mom,
     This weekend is the first hurdle to clear with you gone. Mother's Day.  You haven't even been in heaven a whole month and mother's day comes. Not the best timing, but we will survive.
    
     Your main concern when you were sick was us kids. Your concern for us was truly amazing. I am doing ok mom. Yes I miss you, and yes I cry alone in the car. However, my kids keep me going. I am now seeing how you made it through the tough days when we were younger. We may have made the day stressful and long, but it was what got you through. The twins are pulling me out of bed each day, even when I want to just stay in bed and spoon the dog. I want to keep the blinds shut and watch Daytime TV all day long and just rest.

I don't do it though. I get up I do my work, and I enjoy life as much as possible, even if I am making myself right now. 
 
 

It wouldn't be fair to the kids, if I laid in bed all day and felt sorry for myself. We need to get out and enjoy spring. After the long winter we had we deserve it. 



We need to get out and teach these kids about cow utters and where milk and pee come from. Very confusing now that they are aware of Utters!



The farm nearby has some new baby calves roaming around.  Yes, even seeing a baby calf and it's mother reminds me of you. 






Just as the beautiful oak tree. Right now it may look dull and sad...soon it will be full of leaves and be green again. I know the same will happen to my feelings. Just a sad time right now, but brighter days are ahead.







Thursday, May 8, 2014

Life Is A Garden...Dig It!

Dear Mom,
I am getting back into normal weekends with you gone. Last weekend Keillor and Hudson came up. Hudson is now 6 months old. Keillor helped the twins make Dirt Dessert. It was yummy!  What isn't there to like about Oreos and Pudding?!




Swedish Fish would make Great Grandma Lilly proud as well!


Cooking and babies are good for the soul.







Monday, May 5, 2014

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me


When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn’t cry, the way you did today, while thinking of the many things, we didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand that an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready, in heaven far above, and that I’d have to leave behind, all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all life, I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die.  I had so much to live for, so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.  I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.  If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while, I’d say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home.  When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great gold throne, He said, “This is eternity, and all I’ve promised you”.

Today for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.  I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day’s the same day, there’s no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true.  Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.

But you have been forgiven and now at last you’re free.  So won’t you take my hand and share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right here, in your heart.

 

David M. Romano


Dear Mom,
     Karrie shared this poem with me last week. She stumbled upon it, while going through the hundreds of cards from the funeral. She typed it up and emailed it to me. I really love this poem. It is so true.

Things are starting to settle around here, and it isn't coming as easy as I thought it would.  Even when you know death is coming and  you have months to prepare, it is still hard.  Even though you and I had a great relationship with no regrets or fighting, it is still hard.  I miss your sweet voice that would call me Sunday evenings to see how the weekend went. You were so busy on the weekends with Glen, that I always waited for you to call on Sunday Nights when I knew things were calming down on your end.  I got some alone time yesterday, and I ran some errands.  I ended my trip at TJ Maxx, and just bought some little household things that would make me feel better. Two new coffee mugs, a new rug, and vegetable peelers. Exciting, huh?

T shared the picture of you above with me last week. I am not 100% sure on where it was taken. Part of me thinks it is possibly Matt Brekke's wedding, but I am not 100% sure. The picture went semi viral on Facebook and people couldn't get over how much I look like you. It made me smile to think I look as beautiful as you, as you know people aren't usually huge fans of how they see themselves in the mirror each day.

Love, Dew Bug (You called me this for years...my little Dew Bug)