Grateful Friday

 I am feeling very grateful today for our lives and our people and that we were able to fly to Seattle for a quick trip.  It was uplifting and sad and joyful and a little bit nostalgic.

Scott and Megan came to dinner at Geri's and it was great to see them and visit.  At one point, I had a story to tell Megan and we settled on two ends of the same couch and faced each other and I felt like we were in junior high with some hot gossip (it was a good story).

On Wednesday we stopped by Linn's grave before going to the funeral.

For once in my life, I was remembering to take a picture and then this is Adam (helpfully?) pointing out he didn't think his mom's name would fit on the headstone. 

We went to the church where we spent memorable and formative time with our young family years ago.  I hugged Stephanie and she is tiny--I think even more slender than usual--but oh, so strong.  She told me her glimpse of eternity sustained her and that she is not broken.  She has a strong assurance of Heavenly Father's love.  She believes Jesus Christ is her Savior.  She inspires me like she always has.

I got to throw my arms around Gavin, who goes by Penn now.  In a voice thick with emotion he said, "Thank you for putting up with me all those years."  Sweet boy.  I would do it all over again.  I loved having him and Mark and all their noise and shenanigans.  I would do it again and I'd give them better snacks.

We saw so many friends we love.  It felt like a family reunion.  We ran into Heidi and Howie last summer so randomly in Denmark.  It was great to see them.  Howie told me that they pray for me by name every day.  What can I even say to that? It is so kind and means the world to me.  Heidi asked me who my oncologist is and when I told her, she said that he is her brother!  It was shocking and wonderful and we took a picture for her to text him.  (Also she told me he is her smartest brother, so that's good news for me.)

I got to visit with Jill and Mike, Frances, JoLyn, the Jacksons, and say brief hellos to a lot more people.  I felt like it was a testament to how people feel about Brent and Stephanie that friends who had moved to Idaho and Arizona and Utah (us) came back for the funeral.  

We went back to Geri's and changed clothes and I tried to rehydrate (funeral + people I love = tears for Thelma).

Geri let us use her car, she is always so kind and generous to us, and we spent the evening at the Jorgensens.  I had assumed we would be going to a restaurant, but Janet wanted to have dinner there and she made extra of the food she prepared for the funeral dinner.  It was delicious and I was happy to be able to see their girls too and be in their lovely and familiar home.  

We visited for hours.  Janet and I compared all the notes about cancer treatment.  It is still so bizarre to me that we both have cancer.  

Yesterday, Adam had a few morning work things and Geri and I sat in the sun on her porch swing.  So nice.  We met Talia for lunch in downtown Everett and it was great to see her.  She is a beautiful and confident young woman.  After that we drove to the waterfront and walked a little and just enjoyed the beautiful day.  We stopped by and saw Megan (and Larry a tiny bit) before returning to Geri's, gathering our stuff, and heading to the airport.

On the return trip, running all the events over in my mind, I felt grateful.  I am grateful for Adam's family.  They mean more to me all the time.  I'm grateful for good memories of a place where we were very happy.  I'm grateful for dear friends who make me feel like no time has passed.  I'm grateful for my knowledge of a Savior and the plan of salvation that lessens the sting of death (though it still really stings).  I'm grateful for Adam.  Stephanie said when she spoke that who you pick to be your companion is a really important decision.  She is not wrong.

I am grateful that I chose so well.