Sunday, September 26, 2010

Getting Back to "Normal"

I'm waiting for my life to get back to normal. I've had another absence again, but with good reason. My dear step dad passed away on September 17th. Art has been my step dad for 25 years. Even when a person is considered elderly, even when their health is failing, I still don't think you are ready for it. He was "terrible good" until the end.

The Patriot Guard Riders escorted us to the cemetery on their motorcycles and saluted Art, an army veteran and a Harley Davidson rider when he could ride. They made a path to his final resting place, while his grandsons carried him in the casket he made himself.

There's a lot of deep thinking when someone close to you passes away. It's as if everything has paused for you but life is still running in fast motion for everyone else. You contemplate what is really important and realize there are many things that force you to lose focus on them - like work, school, and fatigue.

I've been thinking a lot about these things. Not the fatigue part but the work and school part. This posting has been so serious - not like me. I'm trying to get back to normal. These things help me:
This is Ali with her friend Rob before their Homecoming Dance.
This is me and Holly in the back, KyAnn, Jackie, Lisa and Shauna in the front. We had a Girls' Night Out and ate at an Italian restaurant and talked about blogging. It was nice to get out and laugh with some of the funniest and nicest "girls" on the planet.
Okay, now that I got you caught up, I can't leave you without a funny story. I was shopping in my second home, aka Wal-Mart, when an elderly lady asks me if I knew the store very well. I know the store better than I should and she asked me where the tampons and Kotex would be. I told her they were on the other side of the pharmacy on the right. She turns to her husband and says, "See Harold. I was close but no cigar." Don't worry, I didn't laugh out loud.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

That was a SUPER fun evening. Loved it.

Ali is beautiful!

So sorry to hear about your step-dad.

Love you. Take care. Hope things calm down!

Holly said...

That's pretty awesome about the Patriot Guard Riders!! Do you have a picture of him of his Marley?? I'm actually highlighting "Start Seeing Motorcyclists" on my Awareness Wednesday this week. It would be cool to post his pic. Any of YOU??? LOL!! I'm going to HAVE to as KyAnn, too!! I have a great video clip I'm posting, but pictures would be GREAT!! I'm so sorry for your loss. I am grateful for the Gospel and the knowledge we have of the BIGGER picture... but they are still missed here and NOW... there is still pangs of sadness in their empty spot. LOVE YOU!!

Thursday night was so FUN and I'm SO glad Lisa invited me! Getting to know you in person was a treasure!

I LOVE that the couple asked YOU about the tampons!! AS IF she NEEDS THAT!! BWAHAHAHA!!! This fits in with the whole "bathroom humor" theme... ;D

(((HUGS)))

Shauna said...

Prayers and hugs are with you and your family. Girls night out was awesome! Ali is beautiful! Oh and I love your Wal-Mart story ;)

Kristina P. said...

I'm sorry about your step-dad.

And I need to stop reading all of your blogs. I am so sad I couldn't join you amazing ladies!

Saimi said...

Sorry about your step dads passing, what an amazing man. I mean who makes their own casket! That's so cool!

The kids look great and I love that dress she's wearing! I bet they had a rockin' good time!

There's nothing like a girls night, I also bet you had a rockin' good time!!

I'm curious, why does would an elderly lady be looking for tampons? If that's what I have to look forward to, I think I'll take up smoking cigars!

Glad to see you back in the blogging world, you've been missed!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I read about this on KyAnn's blog! Sure looks like you had a great time.
I'm sorta surprised that you didn't get kicked out.
Sorta.
Darling girls. I would love to have been a fly on the wall just to watch all the action.

TisforTonya said...

what the HECK? I can't believe that you were able to suppress that laughter!!!

Sorry to hear about your step-dad - hopefully the "normal" is helping... a good bloggy lunch ALWAYS helps me :)

Leenie said...

There is no "Normal." Only degrees abnormal. And weird. And things that make you really think.

So sorry to hear about your step-dad. It sounds like he had a handle on moving on--made his own casket. Hooray for vets and Harley guys.

No cigar for the tampon search. Congrats on not laughing outloud.

Lisa said...

But I DID laugh out loud. But I'm home, so it's okay. Hahahahaha! Still laughing. So sorry about your step father. Hey, good news though. I got my fall decor up, so we're that much closer to being able to have you over for FHE. See? You're the catalyst for me cleaning up this shizhole. Thank you for that. :) Love ya!

CB said...

So sorry for your loss - even when it's expected or they've lived a long life it is still someone you love and it is not easy to lose someone you love. {{{hugs}}}

On another note I read about your Blog get together on Jackie's blog - Sounds fabulous!!!

Cheeseboy said...

Seems like I have heard so much about the GNO.

Sorry to hear about your Step Dad. Hope all is well.

Teachinfourth said...

Sorry about your loss…things like this - well, they suck. Here's to sunny skies in the days ahead.

Kari said...

The hard part of losing anybody is the aftermath. You will always have the memories, but just don't forget to allow yourself time to grieve. So many think they have to keep up appearances and so they don't allow themselve time to grieve. Cry if you want to, laugh it you want to. There is not time table.
You are an awesome friend!! Love ya!

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Sorry about your step-dad!

And I'm sorry I missed out on the girl's night. *sniffle*

See Mom Smile said...

1. So, sorry about you Step Dad. 2. Your daughter is so cute. Love the dress. 3. I soooo would have loved to come to that dinner! 4. You need to come to Bloggy Boot Camp on Nov 13 in St George. 5. If that lady in Wal Mart had asked Monica Lewinsky she could have told them where the tampons AND the Cigars were! 6. Glad you are blonde again!