8 months

It was just me and Dylan and Lydia at the cemetery this month.  Dylan and Lydia sang lots of songs for Joshua.  Complete with hand motions.  They asked me to take a video which I did.  That was a surreal moment - videotaping happy kids singing in a cemetery.  There wasn't anyone around but I still felt a little silly.  Kids can do things that if adults did they might be accused of being disrespectful.  But really, I think they have the right idea.

I think something ate the orange flowers that I planted behind the stone last month.  At least that's what I hoped happened.  The rain must have taken care of the mud on the stone too because it looked better than last time.  I brought water to clean the grooves but it was fine the way it was.  There was another grave added since the last time we were there.  So sad.  Joshua was the 3rd one in this newer infant section and now there are about 6.

Love you bushels Grandma!

My grandmother, Grandma Zackal, passed away on July 6th.  She was my last living grandparent.  We got to see her about a month before she died when we were in PA and took this picture.  My parents said it was one of her last good days.  Her funeral was last Tuesday.  I was struck by the number of people who came up to me at the funeral home and said what a happy, positive, delightful, joyful woman my grandmother was.  It was such a blessing to hear that.  While I wouldn't disagree with those who said that, I often saw my grandmother worrying.  I know that was an outgrowth of her love and care and thoughtfulness of us.  But it was good to have the affirmation of my grandmother's joyous side too.  On of my favorite memories of my grandmother was how she used to tell us that she loved us bushels and bushels and bushels and bushels.  I told Lydia the other night and that I loved her bushels and bushels and without missing a beat she said I love you bushels and bushels back to me.  I don't even think she knows what a bushel is, as I know I didn't when my grandmother first started telling me that, but I think she got the point nonetheless and so did I.