It has been a weird week. We said goodbye to the Morton's on Sunday afternoon. Of course while they were here we spent time reminiscing about old times and good friends. We talked about how bad I've been at keeping in touch with Heather. I even said something about hoping we were still friends and that we would somehow run in to each other again. I get really paranoid if I don't talk to someone for awhile and assume it is because they don't like me anymore, or maybe never did. When the Morton's left I found myself looking at old pictures and missing old times. Times when the problems facing my friends were minuscule compared to what life has presented in the years since.
I was feeling weepy and nostalgic.
On Tuesday night a text message came through from Glenn, Heather's Glenn. They were in Green River, Wyoming (Seth's old stomping grounds) and on their way to Indiana for the summer. They were going to be passing through the next night and wanted to meet up for dinner. I was excited and nervous. I had just been wishing to see Heather again but I was afraid. What if it was awkward and we had nothing to say. How sad would it be to find that my good friend was now nothing more than my old friend?
But they came, and we went to Bob Chinn's, where else? Luckily the long drive gave us lots of time to catch up. I found myself talking too fast and too much (surprise, surprise). I wanted to make up for all the conversations that we have not been able to have in the past year and a half. But it wasn't awkward. It felt like coming home.
We parted ways that night and hoped to get the kids together in the morning (their kids were in bed at grandma and grandpa's Wed night, after a 36 hour drive). I kept the kids out of school the next morning in hopes that they would have time to see us. I got an early morning phone call from Margie (more about that later, but read Team Ryan if you haven't already) and was suddenly more grateful than ever that the Harrises were here. They ended up staying an extra day with Heather's parents and I "stopped by" with the kids. For five hours. I totally overstayed my welcome and I hope the Oldhams didn't mind but it was so wonderful to see the kids reunited. It was also a blessing to be able to talk to Glenn and Heather about Ryan and Margie. We laughed and cried and reminisced and reflected. I needed to be with someone who understood what I was feeling and I felt comfort and strength in their friendship.
I finally pried myself away, only when Seth came by after work and dragged me from the Oldham's house. Later that night, after kids were in bed, Glenn and Heather stopped by again and played some late night/early morning Boggle. Yes, we are currently obsessed with Boggle and I SUCK at it, but don't you love having friends that you don't want to part from?
And now the Harrises are gone again, but they will only be 5 hours away for the whole summer. I am very hopeful that there will be more late nights and kiddie reunions.
I came home and cried tears of both joy and sorrow after watching the kids together. Alyssa and Bayley were 2 1/2 when they met and they were the perfect match right from the start. Alyssa still calls Bayley her best friend and I wish they could have gone all the way through childhood together. They were overjoyed to be together again.
Alex and Isaac were always very much like brothers. They were really used to being around each other and kind of grew on each other, but they did not play very well. Isaac usually preferred to tag along with Alyssa and Bayley and Alex was usually left out. I have watched people gravitate towards Alyssa and leave Alex out for his whole life, and it hurts my heart. Luckily Alex is so happy-go-lucky that he doesn't even seem to notice, but I was so happy yesterday when Isaac and Alex played all afternoon like the best of friends.
We didn't have to referee any fights and the babies even tagged along, Chloe with the girls and Noah with the boys. It just looked right, seeing them all together again.
Me and Heather at Bob Chinn's
Seth and Glenn, who did not want to pose because they were licking their buttery plates. Yum!
Alyssa and Bayley
Noah, Alex and Isaac
This is what I got when I got caught trying to take pictures of the tree swing.
But this is what was really going on. Happy, happy girls!
Alex quickly discovered the mechanical chair escalator.
Riding tandem.
Here go the girls, I need one of those chairs!
They even sent the giant gorilla on a few rides.
I tried to get all the kids together but Alyssa'a allergies were so bad that she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore.
Still no luck.
And that's the best we were going to get.
And look at these two...they were babies the last time they met!
12 comments:
How fun that you got to hang out with so many far away friends this week!
And that is amazing timing.
How fun to have so many reunions so close together.
That chair escalator reminds me of the chair at Great Grandma's house.
Can't believe we missed out! Good times!!
Cheryl, it was pretty remarkable timing. But I hope I didn't sound ungrateful to the friends I have here. It meant so much to me that you e-mailed me yesterday and I was deeply touched tonight as I heard Mike Hawley pray for The Hesses at dinner. They have never even met. Jen listens to me talk about people she has never met all the time. It was awesome to be able to celebrate Ryan with Glenn and Heather, but I know lots of people here care very deeply about The Hesses as well.
Catherine, so true! We totally manipulated our great grandmothers chair in to a play thing as well. It was the best!
Katelin, it is too weird that you just missed the Harrises by 72 hours. Especially after we were talking about keeping in touch with Heather. You should come down this summer and we can convince Heather to come up at the same time...or you could road trip to IN with me. I'm sure The Harrises would love to have us show up with 80 kids in tow.
What great treasures you own in wonderful friendships! So many, so sweet. I read the blog on Ryan and am touched by the testimony and feel so saddened at the same time. I'm sorry. I don't know him, except through you, but feel like I'm losing a friend, too, now.
Take care and hang on. You are one beautiful, lucky woman!
Julie- you did not sound ungrateful at all. It doesn't matter if others can understand what we're going through or are going through the same things... there are some people you just NEED in times like this.
You are a great person and I would never consider you ungrateful or anything like it.
How fun! I cannot believe how big Noah is!
THat looks like a GREAT bunh of kids! That's how I feel when my sisters come to visit. Like perfect little puzzle pieces all playing, and fitting, well together.
About two weeks ago, I had Courtney, then my Brother-in-Law, then Cammy, and then Courtney AND Candice come visit. LOL :) Crazy!
And, I am so sorry to hear about your friend Ryan. I have been following their blog, and it was very sad to read their latest post.
I'm glad that you guys got to spend time with the Harris' for a couple of days. That chair does look awfully fun. Oh, Mike, I think I know what our next purchase will be. I don't mind at all hearing you talk about other friends that I've never met. If they mean that much to you, then they will come up in conversation. How many times have I mentioned my L friend, Julie...LOL.
I haven't blogged in ages.... I was thinking about you though, wondering how you're doing. I thought the blog would be a great way to catch up.I'm not a phone caller either, only because I end up talking for a good hour so I just avoid it all together.
How neat is that!!! you were able to be with your good friends at such hard times. I know the Lord places people in our life to help carry us through these trials and hardships. You guys have been such good friends to Ryan and Margie. I'll never forget the time Ryan was telling us about this "great" guy he met, Seth. What a great friendship would come of that introduction. And who would have ever thought you'd be their to help lift them through such a hardship. Sometimes watching others go through a trial can be so hard, and almost feel like our own trial. Many things have been learned through watching my sister as well as the Hess's go through their fight against cancer. I've definitely taken a whole new perspective on life and the day to day things. It has really helped me appreciate the simple things a little more.
Margie had called early last Tuesday morning. It was so hard for me to receive such a call, and to hear her tell me that she doesn't have Ryan for much longer. Talk about the heart break. I was able to have a wonderful visit with her. I know she later talked with Lani ( my sister, who went through this same loss). I know Margie is so strong and is handling this the best she can. She's doing amazingly well. I know Lani said that the time she will need even love and support is after her loss. The days, weeks, and months are endless as a single mother. She WILL get through it but we all need to continue to rally around her. I have really struggled with this whole situation, I've had knots in my stomach for some time now. I just want all the pain to go away for them. I'm so grateful for their friendship and for them for touching my life, even if it was only for a few short years. Stay strong Julie and thanks for your inspiring words. You always seem to find the perfect words to comfort others at such hard times.
I'm so sorry about the " NOVEL"! I told you, I've never been one to keep it short. I usually end up rambling on and on. Kinda like right now! So SORRY!
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