Backyard Discoveries

We hit Duplos in the backyard! Eric was elated. We also found countless plastic practice golf balls, a couple of baseballs, two tennis balls, one very dead volley ball and one Roll-around person. We're landscaping our backyard, the part of which was overgrown and where we had thrown raked leaves, fallen branches, etc. Along the way we have turned into archeologists of sorts, tracing childhood of Eric especially, countless toys, and lots of "Oh I remember that..."

We're taking a Sabbath rest today, we're sore and tired, we're slowly getting in shape too, it's hard work. Chris did so much of the landscaping in the yard that it's both easy to feel close to him while working in it and feel like we are honoring him in working on it more and making it increasingly pretty. We have planted some flowering shrubs, to remind us of our first summer and of the healing that we still continue to do. Healing doesn't mean forgetting or not missing, it means learning to adjust and live with an ever present absence. It means learning to be together in the yard and say "Dad would really like this" or "Dad wanted to plant some more trees here." The three of us sweat together out there, we dig and clear and haul and remember. And Eric uses the chain saw much to his delight, he is truly all boy. Emily loves flowers and gardening and is a strong example of a Jesuit education, constantly working more and more toward sustainability and using our yard to grow more fruits and vegetables. And oh my gosh can she split wood!! Chris taught her and she is our official wood splitter and she's not only good at it but she likes it.

In a little less than two weeks it will be five months. I continue to be blessed with the two most amazing companions God ever gave a mother and I cherish them beyond words. We continue to hurt and miss Chris and yet to rejoice with him that he has eternal life with Christ. I've read a lot of books, I've talked with others and my conclusion is that grief is what you feel and there is not a correct way to grieve. I also continue to experience the complete trust that God is meeting us each exactly where we are, as He always has and will.

So if you are in the Seattle area come see our work in progress...our backyard...and our lives.

Grace for your journey and a glass of ice tea for your Sabbath summer day,
Leigh