This past week has been full of emotions. I have been praying all week but couldn't find the right words. Thank you to Pastor Ross, as he served Eddie communion on Sunday, he said: may you have peace and strength. Hearing Eddie tell me this on the way to calling hours yesterday gave me comfort and peace.
To go back a bit, last Wednesday, Eddie left on the band trip with 130 Highland Students and parents. Also that morning another fatal car accident was reported. Involving 3 Highland Students. I won't go into details, as it has been all over the news. But 2 students, a sister and brother lost their lives. Neither driver was at fault.
Eddie texted me the news an hour after he left. The sister of the other driver was on the band trip. Her brother was later released that day, but I am sure will endure a long road to recovery. I was already praying when eddie left that morning for their safe travels and adventures.
Wednesday was spent in suspense waiting for the updates on the student. I had plans with my friend Stacy and her daughter for dinner. They provided a good distraction. While the kids ran around we tried to catch up - had it really been 6 months since we saw each other last?
thursday - my mom came over for dinner. still praying but couldn't find the words. it was stressful, tense at moments, yet felt like old times.
Friday - I had moments of comfort today. dinner @ Hibachi's with marie, cassie and jen. It was so wonderful to laugh, drink a glass of wine, share stories, eat sushi, take pictures. thank you for the fun evening ladies!
saturday - day full of errands, cooking, baking, playing. No scrapping for me on this NSD. I spent the whole day with my boys. Oh how much I love them. They can crack me up one minute and make me want to scream the next, and I wouldn't change a thing. They are really missing daddy at this point - we make a card for his homecoming on Sunday.
(this is riley and daddy fishing - they are in a the boat - riley is next to a bucket full of fish -the purple things are fish jumping out of the water with water droplets. an apple tree with a vine, and a red sun. I love this so much because they have never been fishing -only talked about it & riley's writing is getting more controlled. brady's circles are on the left and more inside the card.)
sunday - daddy's home @ 7:15 am! Brady was the 1st to greet him. Sunday school, so many more things to pray for, church,thank you Ben for the music, you couldn't have known a week ago when these songs were picked, lunch @ Olive Garden with missy & maya - a girls day (thank you miss for the break in reality) including 5 little girlies excited to see the Sleeping Beauty Ballet. Hearing the news that Shelly & Chris made it home with their new son! Coming home to turn around again and go to calling hours for 2 students. Standing in line for 2 1/2 hours to get inside. Winding paths of people. So much sadness for these students, parents, teachers and staff. Watching a student cling to Eddie in grief tore my heart out, watching his dad try to keep it together long enough to thank eddie for being there. Hearing all the parents thank Eddie, thank you for taking care of my child. I wanted to be there for him to comfort him, but that wasn't working out. I couldn't stay strong enough. Then Ross's words rang in my heart again. MAY YOU HAVE PEACE AND STRENGTH. I just kept them on repeat as I shook the hands with their mother, older sister and step dad. We couldn't make it home fast enough to gather up our boys from the Caps, take them home, hug them and tuck them into bed.
monday - I pray for more peace and strength as the double funeral happens today and as life keeps marching forward regardless.
Sorry for the rambling, but some words I just needed to get down, for me. Life is a bittersweet journey and I am thankful for this place to share.