tales from the sales

I have no idea really where to begin with this post. This past month has been a roller coaster and I guess really it's been more than just the last month...it's been the entire moving process and most recently the unexpected and sudden passing of my Papa, a month ago today.

In order to catch up to today, I will briefly discuss my dad's passing.

We celebrated my dad's life on February 1st, and I was overwhelmed with such love and support from so many people.  I can not thank everyone enough and words do not express the comfort you provided whether it was a hug, a card, a phone call, email or text!!  It was all too soon, but I guess I take comfort in knowing he wasn't sick and didn't suffer.  I hope and pray that more research is done with sudden cardiac arrest...there is no time and no symptoms to even prepare for...it just happens, and it's so difficult to understand why.  I continue to struggle with the anger, sadness, guilt and of course so many wonderful happy memories that come with grieving.  I am faithful though, in my heart and with God's love, that this too shall pass and what will be left one day after the pain recedes, is all the happy memories we shared with Papa.

We found this quote by Khalil Gibran who is a special author to me and my family for Papa's memorial service.  My parents used some of his work in their wedding vows over 40 years ago, and Alex and I used the same ones in ours.  So it was only fitting to use this:

"When your are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." ~ Khalil Gibran.

The service was simple and beautiful and full of so many friends old and new that have been part of all of our lives. I decided to give the eulogy for my dad and it was a really comforting way to honor his life.  In writing it, I was able to reflect on my memories and say the things I hope he knew before he left us.

Anyway, thank you to everyone for all you have done and continue to do for Pascale, my mom and my self. 

My trip home was also one of the best times I've had in Atlanta, which was ultimatley therapeutic.  I had the opportunity to reconnect with my Godparents, high school friends, sorority sisters and really old friends from the Wood Acres days, and of course those friends that I hold so dear to my heart that I call my best friends. 

So, upon my return to California on Valentine's Day, I had the absolute worst flight.  Evan was an angel, but Emery was the opposite.  She was THAT CHILD that everyone gives dirty looks to the mother, etc.  I obviosuly had no choice in flying back with them alone.  Five and a half hours of pure frustration.  She screamed, she cried, she ate, I walked her around, I took her to the bathroom and shut the door, we did everything and nothing helped.  I thought after the first 30 minutes she would just take a nap, but that didn't happen. until we were forced to sit down during landing and she was crying so hard she was gagging and finally exhausted herself.  The flight attendents were super accomodating and even handed me two bottles of Bailey's to drink on the car ride home and said what I went through happens all the time and is completely normal...WHAT? It is?  We fly a lot and never has that happened....oh well, they were right because she slept through baggage claim and all the way home.  No ear infections, no fever nothing. 

So, please on your next flight and there's a child screaming...just be sympathetic and comfort the mom.  It was the only thing that helped me...strangers telling me it was okay, even though it wasn't!  But what could I do?  It was teh worst feeling not being able to comfort your own child for 5+ hours!!!

Check back and I will load pics of the last couple of weeks ...fun and happy pictures!!