My dad is spending the weekend with my brother so I thought I would grab a minute and sit with you. I know you have wondered every now and again about our time together. I really had no idea just how emotionally drained I would be with this visit. It has all been very good. We are slowly learning one another and getting more comfortable as each day passes. We talk about small things and every day things. We haven't talked at all about the past and I don't know right now just how important that is. Maybe we will one day be able to talk about the past once we have a present together.....or maybe it will never be talked about. Right now I am just trying to soak in every moment I have with him.
I take Dad to the airport early on Wednesday morning. I can't believe that 2 weeks has gone by so quickly. A part of me knows that I will need to give myself room to adjust to him NOT being here and growing from that. But then schedules mercilessly do not stop for our household and more company will be here within a 36 hour window.
Of all the adventures, here are a few quick pictures of the past two weeks that I would like to share with you.
This is Dad with my 2 girls at the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail in Seaside, Oregon. He loves coffee and knows how much they both love a good white chocolate mocha
so he is sure to buy them each one whenever he sees opportunity to do so.
Around here in the northwest...you know that means quite often.
Here is my (little) brother and I posing for a quick hug in Seaside, Oregon.He always spoils me with his lavish hugs of attention.
When family gets together....food is always involved.Dad graciously took us all out to Red Lobster one night for every one's favorite yummies.
Here is Dad and I at Bridal Veil Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.It is one of my favorite places to sit.
Hubby and I were able to load up and take everyone to Long Beach, Washingtonfor a few days of rest and splendor. Here is the sunrise that greeted me on my
early morning walk before cooking up pancakes and bacon for everyone.
I can't decide which sunrise picture I like more.
I was out walking and thinking about all of the new emotions and thoughts
in my head when the sun rose and bathed everything in glory.
I couldn't help but think how appropriate and symbolic a view it was
considering all of the newness I am experiencing.
The glow, the patterns of tide in the sand...silly me I didn't even think
of taking my camera on the beach at 6:30 in the morning....
but I had my phone so I clicked away while the scene changed minute by minute.
fab family pics..and thta image of the sand is superb!!
ReplyDeletethanks for dropping my..
missed you glad you are enjoying having your father with you did you get your e-card this week. it's a new year Happy Rosh Hashanah.may you have a year of sweetness and joy and your family.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that your Dad's visit is going so well...but then I never doubted it for a second!
ReplyDeletehugs
Sandi
these are wonderful photos that mark a special time in your life...the sunrise picture does well to exemplify "new beginnings"...enjoy the remainder of your dad's visit...I hope it is blessed with those things words just can't convey.
ReplyDeletewishing you joy in your week ~
Great memories, thanks for sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteThe first sunset pic is awesome!
Hey, the word verification below is gotgd
to bad the other "o" isn't in there.
I liked the second sunrise and I am glad you are having a good time with your dad. If you never talk about the past,will it matter? What is done cannot be changed, only forgiven or held as pain.
ReplyDeleteJules this site may be of use to you. http://www.globalmediaoutreach.com/our_sites/evangelistic.html
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you again...and to know your visit from your dad is going well...and I love the sunrise photos..on your phone!
ReplyDeleteAnnie
Nelson Mandela is sitting at home watching the telly when he hears a knock at the door. When he opens it, he is confronted by a little Chinese man, clutching a clip board and yelling, "You sign! You sign!" Behind him is an enormous truck full of car exhausts. Nelson is standing there in complete amazement, when the Chinese man starts to yell louder. "You sign! You sign!" Nelson says to him, "Look mate, you've obviously got the wrong bloke. Push off", and shuts the door in his face. The next day he hears a knock at the door again. When he opens it the little Chinese man is back with a huge truck of brake pads. He thrusts his clipboard under Nelson's nose, yelling, "You sign! You sign!" Mr Mandela is getting a bit hacked off by now, so he shoves the little Chinese man back, shouting: "Look, push off ! You've got the wrong bloke! I don't want them!" Then he slams the door in his face again. The following day, Nelson is resting, and late in the afternoon, he hears a knock on the door again. On opening the door, there is the same little Chinaman thrusting a clipboard under his nose, shouting "You sign! You sign!" Behind him are TWO very large trucks full of car parts. This time Nelson loses his temper completely, he picks up the little man by his shirt front and yells at him; "Look, I don't want these! Do you understand? You must have the wrong name! Who do you want to give these to?" The little Chinese man looks at him very puzzled, consults his clipboard, and says: "You not Nissan Maindealer?"
ReplyDeleteff&f....glad you liked the picture. Thanks for dropping by. Can we just laugh here for a minute. I am not completely sure of your profile picture but everytime I see it my first thought is that it is Wonder Woman freaked out. smiles...
ReplyDeleteAlan...thank you so much for the card and well wishes. And thank you for being so patient while I have been in non-existant land.
Sandi...thank you and hugs right back to you.
Joni...Thank you Joni. I think you will appreciate this. Daddy had bought me a heart necklace for my 16th birthday that I have always worn and only taken off to clean. Last month the chain broke. I was devistated. Well he replaced the whole thing while he was here with a new necklace and heart. Now he is back around my neck and always close to me. I always touch it and think of him.
Jeff...what a cool word verification!
Quilly...You are so right. Talking about things that has already happened doesn't change that it did. But we were able to finally get some things out and it was healing on both our parts. It helped with validation and perspective. It really helped us both be able to move forward.
Annie...hi there. Yes on my phone. It is amazing what these little things can do sometimes.
What a wonderful family you have. The pictures show the joy in each family member. And the ones of you and your father just glow!
ReplyDeleteThe sunrise photos are just amazing, Jules! Talk about God's glory!