Family Visits in Michigan

Mr Husband and I arrived in Grand Rapids before lunch on Saturday.  I am writing this account a week later, early Sunday morning.  It is always good to drive up my parent's driveway, see the flowers, the familiar shop of my Dad's, the garage and go in the house, seeing my Mom in her rocking chair and my Dad in his arm chair.  It is quiet and peaceful and always beautiful.  My Mom had a lovely table runner on the table with a basket of silk flowers.  My Dad fried up bacon for BLT sandwiches and fried eggs for those who wanted them for lunch.   They have a big very deep fry pan that they use.  Dinner was grilled salmon, rice and salad.  My Mom had two books from Holland that she was given for me; both of the small town called Boerakker.  My Mom's parents and their 8 children left Holland for Ontario Canada in 1951.  Mr Husband and I went 3 years ago with my parents to Holland and saw Boerakker.  My Mom finds treasures at thrift stores for us; three mugs, 2 spoons, a delft framed tile were waiting for us on the desk in my old bedroom.  The 2 books and the 2 spoons were actually on the kitchen counter where we could see them more quickly.   My Mom had found the delft Dutch spoon the week Cleo died.

Sunday we went to the nearest Orthodox church, where I was chrismated 16 years ago.  I recognize various people; most of the ones I was friends with those years ago go to a mission church that was started after I left.  A quick trip to Trader Joes and then we went to my sister's house; my niece R. is almost 3 years old and was waiting by the door, inside and ran to through the livingroom to the kitchen when we came; she had such a beautiful grace in movement; very feminine; sudden; beautiful.  I held my DV future adopted nephew, M. for a long time, eating with him on my lap.  He's a real snuggle bug.  We had great conversations and learned to play 7 Wonders.  We had dinner with other family downtown and went to my Grandma's place to visit with her before going back home.  My Grandma and I talked about family history....

Monday we left for up North Michigan, to see my Husband's sister and kids and his parents.  We had lunch with long time friends of Mr Husband about an hour and a half drive in. There was a lovely vintage consignment store and my Husband found a hand-painted Italian platter that he showed me and we bought, plus some inexpensive silver plated soup/gumbo spoons and ladle and 2 beautiful linen napkins with embroidery.  It was when I was looking for my box of the hand-knitted washcloths that I realized I left my suitcase (full of clothes and things for the 2 night 3 day trip) and so after a delicious lunch and lovely time of conversation, we went to a thrift store on the way to a Walmart for a change of clothes.  The drive there was not as uneventful as we would have wished -- as my Husband was going around a sharp bend with an intersection a woman nearly hit us head-on while turning unexpectedly in front of us into a lane that she was not supposed to turn into.  We have no idea why she did this; she never turned her head to look at us; it's like she did not see us at all.  5 minutes later I felt teary and realized it was from the shock of almost being in a very serious car accident.  We arrived at my Husband's parents's house in time for dinner that we had with his parents, sister and 3 youngest.

Tuesday we went into town, having a picnic in a nearby park.  We went window shopping and my Husband took the boys to the library while my niece N. and I did more window shopping and had a treat at a great ice cream spot.  I had a vanilla sea-salt caramel ice cream cone; it was delicious.  We went back home in time for the 3 youngest to get ready for their soccer games and went along to watch.  Dinner afterwards and Mr Husband watched a movie with his oldest 2 nephews.

Wednesday we had breakfast, my nephew D. played a prank on us by hiding in the trunk of our car and we had a round of hugs and goodbyes.  The drive back was better, but one driver in front of us stopped completely and we were about to go around him on the left, when he suddenly turned in front of us while putting on his turn-light.  So we almost were in an accident again; scary.  My parents-in-law had prayed very specifically for our protection in travel and we had travel prayers before we left, at our far-away church.  Clearly God protected us and we are so thankful.   We met my Husband's brother and kids for dinner and then went to Aunt I's house, the still newly widowed Aunt; my Husband's Uncle Hank dying just this summer, unexpectedly.  My sister-in-law came there as well and we had a nice visit.  Aunt I. gave me a beautiful winter plate, a Christmas scene, that I look forward to putting up DV later in our home.

Thursday I went with my Mom to see my Aunt H and my 2 cousins, A and M.  It was wonderful; the same routine, jokes, news updates, lunch with bread, a banana, a boiled egg.  We went thrift store shopping afterwards, Aunt H coming along.  I found a brilliantly white Lenox table cloth, a long one.  I am thinking of using it, DV, for a St Nicholas dinner and for Christmastime.  My Husband met us there and we went to my Great Aunt P's home in Grand Rapids, near Calvin.  She is hoping to get into an independent living place near her home where she will have a living room and bedroom.  If she does, she will then sell her house.  So I not only wanted to see her again (she is 93 years old now) but see her home of 40+ years one more time.  After this we picked up our niece L. at Calvin where she is a Freshman and our Aunt G. and went to Russ' for dinner.  Then we all went to Trader Joe's where I stocked up L. "pantry" on campus with lots of granola bars, stroopwafel, caramels, chocolate covered almonds, OJ, kombucha, oatmeal and trail mix.  I had so much fun doing this with her and then we went to Calvin and I went up with her and saw her dorm room and put away all the food with her.  Her dorm room is super cute.  Then we drove Aunt G back home and talked a bit more with her. 

Friday's plans changed; it was muggy and humid; we stayed home with my parents and later went to a luggage store in GR and found the exact carry-on suitcase that I had texted my sister-in-law R about as she travels a lot.  We found a small cabin bag as well for me.  We all went out to our favourite local restaurant and my Uncle L. and Grandma and other family all came.  My Mom and I worked on the books from Boerakker (the very small town in the Netherlands); I wrote who various family members were.

Saturday we went to liturgy for the Nativity of the Mother of God and stayed for lunch at church afterwards.  My Dad made us hamburgers for dinner on the grill; his burgers are the best! We did vespers that night at home.  My Mom and I finished the Boerakker books and talked about family history.

Originally we were hoping to go to the local monastery about 1.5 hours away but with all the traveling and visiting, we were too tired.  So today we plan on going to our local church for liturgy and then spend the day with my parents.  Monday DV we are seeing Grandma for a late breakfast and my parents for lunch and we fly out DV Monday early evening. 

I am glad we saw all the family we did; we never know when, esp for the older family members, when our last visit becomes the last visit.   I am really thankful for our family and our shared Christian heritage. 

(Day 28) without Cleo: home again, home again

We are back home. 

My Husband found the beautiful hand painted Italian tray/platter 

at a consignment store in Michigan,

which he bought for me after showing it to me.

I love it.

My name's day (for St Elizabeth the Mother of St John the Baptist) was

last Wednesday and it was my name's day gift!

It's perfect for my collection and I can't wait to use it! 

***

I did have some Cleo-grief moments; a few times early on in my

stay at my parent's house I thought to look at my cell to see if there

was a text with a picture of Cleo from our cat-sitter.

And today I had a quick thought of happiness at the idea of coming

back home and seeing Cleo.

***

I read a really well written book that I picked up at a free library,

called Mockingbird, a novel by Kathryn Erskine.

It was well written but sad; the main character is a lovable 

young woman who has Aspergers who is trying to cope and

come to terms with her older brother's deeply tragic death. 

***

I felt sad about the book but also had to re-process Cleo Cat's death

and absence in my life; that I was coming home and she was not there

to greet me or for me to find to say hi to.

I miss holding her and talking to her and just being with her.

Cats like Cleo are like that - they are missed when they die. 

***

It was really super great to see our family.

I wrote a post summarizing the trip yesterday morning and that

will post, DV, tomorrow morning, to fill you in on

the details of our trip... 

***

I was really glad about it and about all the family we saw.

It was also very busy but the weekend was quieter, though we still

did something every day, including church services.

***

Tomorrow is more unpacking, cleaning and resting.

And ordering some groceries. 

And I am guessing, a nap in the afternoon!

One always needs some rest time after a vacation, esp. one 

as busy as ours was!

***

So SO many of my dear friends and family are struggling

with heavy burdens, often regarding health situations.

Lord have mercy on us!

May God help the exhausted and give comfort,

provision and help to all!

Lord have mercy!!! 

(Day 27) without Cleo: pictures within windows

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

(Day 26) without Cleo: a wall of windows

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

(Day 25) without Cleo: more beautiful windows...

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

(Day 24) without Cleo: the most beautiful windows (part 1)

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

(Day 23) without Cleo ~ a very beloved tapestry

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

Day 21 and 22 (without Cleo) ~ Cloister's Beauty

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

Day 20 (without Cleo) ~ Cloister's Interlude

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

(Day 19) without Cleo: The Cloisters

~Sharing beauty that I saw at the Cloisters on September 9, 2019 

on my 7th wedding anniversary with my beloved Husband.

I am busy visiting family but hope to share a bit of the Cloisters

to remember the beauty and more over, to share it and pray

that it is a blessing for you to see!~ 

***

~May God bless and uphold us all!~ 

(Day 18) without Cleo: thrift shopping and being home

I was up early, lighting candles, listening to prayers, emptying the 

dishwasher of clean dishes, folding laundry, getting ready for 

going to the thrift store with a really good local friend...

I found the cozy super 'comfy' white cotton knit blanket, 

a grey vest for Mr Husband and a purple blouse for me, all

just 3 cents less than 13 dollars, so a pretty good price!

***

I was really missing (or noticing that I was missing) Cleo Cat today.

I keep thinking I see her at home,

as if I am subconsciously looking for her and am so excited

for a brief second when I think I have found her and then realize

I am still utterly mistaken and Cleo Cat is still gone, buried in our friends garden.

I told my Mom on the phone that I wish I knew how long that would last,

that I would keep thinking I found her or saw her in our house.

'Oh there you are Cleo, where were you hiding? I would often 

say to her as she did love hiding, esp in the later years.

Today I wore the black jacket I wore when we said goodbye and later

buried her.  It still had lots of fur on it in long strands.

I could not bring myself to clean the hairs off, but by the time I got back home,

most of them were gone. 

***

So my Husband and I had a, most likely very humorous, conversation about Cleo.

In the end the result was a re-affirmation that God never loses anything or

forgets anything so He has not lose track of Cleo or anything else. 

And if it is in my best interest in Heaven, then Cleo and I would be reunited

but if it were not, then we would not, but no matter what, 

God would not lose Cleo in anyway.

My Husband understandably realizes that 

Heaven is way beyond our understanding.

I was really happy by this conversation, as it unfolded because of my belief

in God as our Heavenly Father and that He is good, that He loves mankind; 

that He is full of loving-kindness and that the animals look to Him

for their food in due season, as the Psalms say. 

So if one trusts God as one's fully trustworthy unwavering faithful 

Heavenly Father and that He is good and loving,

then knowing that He is taking care of Cleo and that in Heaven 

He will have what is the absolute best then I don't have to worry.

It's just crazy how much I miss that Cat sometimes; 

I have turned a corner but I don't always know what the corners in grief

look like.  I miss knowing that Cleo is OK, that she is not lost or hurting in anyway.

I always looked for her before i went to bed, esp as sometimes she could get

locked in our office if she snuck in there when Mr Husband did not notice.

She was allowed in there, but not overnight as she could be naughty and get on tables

and such and we did not want her messing up my Husband's work space!

Sometimes all of a sudden I would hear this piteous 'meow' and realize that 

Cleo has woke from her nap and was locked in the office again!

***

Well.  I am going to visit family soon.

I always have this pull towards home when I am about to leave it

for a short bunch of days. 

But soon, I will be back.  I just wish my Cleo Cat would be there to

greet me or even to 'yell' at me for leaving her!

***

I am still doing the 'firsts' 

and it is just going to take more time.

The picture of the book page is from Gladys Taber's book.

I am quite enjoying it, even though I had a significant 

disagreement with it. 

She still has a lot of practical wisdom about grieving in it.

***

I won't have much time to write in the coming days but if I can,

will post a little photo essay (with little or no words) of things I saw at 

The Cloisters. 

***

God bless and keep you all! 

***

Ps: saw this video today and liked it!