Thoughts...

This picture is kinda dark...and not the best...but this is the last time we got to visit and see these two. :( This is Ryan's Grandma & Grandpa on his dad's side. Last Friday Grandma Jones passed away...she fought a hard fight and finally was able to leave her frail, sick, "broken" body...and return to live with our Heavenly Father and those who have gone before her. When we were there visiting them, they told us they had it all planned out and that they were going to "go" together...and have a joint funeral...at first I thought that was odd. I knew they were given only a little time left to live...but how can you really KNOW that you'll go together??? How can you be so sure...and what if it doesn't happen like that??? Well...they knew...they had it all worked out and planned...because this past Thursday, Grandpa Jones passed away. Only 6 days after his love...his queen...his eternal companion...he was able to be reunited with her and all those other family members who have gone on before her. What a blessing that is!!! 

I know some elderly people who have been alone for 2, 5, 10, 12, 15 years...and how hard it is for them...how lonely they get...how sad it must be at times. What a blessing it is to only have to be away from the one you love the most....the one you've lived SO many years with...the one who was by your side day in and day out...to only be away from her for 6 days. Who knows how quickly that goes by on the other side...but how great it is that they're able to be together again...and for us to have the knowledge and beliefs that Families ARE Forever...that we WILL be able to see them again...that it may be a "long" time here on earth...but for them it may be just a blink??? What great knowledge we as a family have...yes it's sad and will be hard this week with the funerals...but they're happy, they're strong & healthy again, they're watching over us, and they WILL be there to greet us when our time comes.

The deaths of Grandma & Grandpa have gotten me thinking...watching how my kids react when we talk about it...hearing their questions and concerns...knowing that this is their first time experiencing death and funerals...wondering how we'll explain it to them, and if they'll really understand it??? When Ryan & I got married...I only had my one grandma alive still...and she passed away only a month into our marriage. :( I had SO much joy to come into a family that still have all 4 grand-parents...because I didn't really know mine that well. I was young when they all passed...but now to experience this and know that this is the "first" passing of grand-parents...wondering how to love, support, lend an ear or a shoulder, just BE there for those who need it...it's tough. I am here...I'll do my best to stay strong...but those who know me know that I'm emotional...and when the joint funeral comes this week...it'll be interesting to see how it hits everyone. When the reality is there that they're really gone...yes our knowledge is wonderful and brings peace and comfort to us...BUT...we still need to mourn and handle however is best for each of us.

So...although this has NOTHING to do with weight-loss...or NOTHING to do with being healthy...it's a LOT of what's weighing on my mind lately...here's to hoping to have the Spirit with me and the rest of the family as we take on this next week. We LOVE you Grandma & Grandpa...we're SO grateful for the evening we had to visit and laugh and be with you before you were gone. It's opened our eyes to realize NOT to take family, friends, and people for granted...you never know when the last time will be. Or when they just WON'T be there anymore...

Hmmmm....so many thoughts...WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!! We miss you...and we are SO happy that you're able to be together again...and together FOREVER!!!