I miss you. . .

Tonight I'm going through pics on my computer, trying to organize and delete. Some pictures are giving me that feeling where your eyes sting a little bit because you just miss someone. Maybe my eyes sting because you're supposed to cry but I'm not! The feeling isn't all sad- it's mostly bittersweet.

A couple afternoons ago it rained really good and I had this little flashback memory of camping with my Grandma and Grandpa in Greer when I was young. It had started to rain so we went in the motorhome, and I remember the sound of the rain on the roof of the winnebago. I've also been thinking of grandma because I bought some UNO cards and we've been playing when I really can't think of anything else to do with the kids. Grandma used to play UNO (and skipbo) with us when we camped with her. She would never have a card to play and would have to draw about a million cards until she got the right color or number. She always had wheat thins and that cheese in a can stuff. We probably drove her crazy but she never ever showed it. One thing I miss the most is hearing her hearing aid buzz everytime I hugged her. Idon't know why it did that, but I loved it.

With the garden growing and flowers in bloom, I think of my Grandma Elsie. She married my dad's father before I was born, so I always knew her as my grandma. She had an amazing green thumb and her yard was so pretty. We grew closer when I started having children and she really took an interest in them. I remember talking to her on the phone one night about kids and canning- just a nice memory. She died of breast cancer in December 2006. She was a very religious person and I admired her tremendous faith, especially in her last days. OK- and I remember at her funeral in this little church- I walked up to the front to hug my grandpa, and when I turned around and looked into the pews, Matthew was sitting there with his darth vader mask on (the one I had told him to leave in the car). It was pretty funny though!

And of course, in the summertime and especially on the 4th, we miss going to Rusty's mom's backyard: people everywhere, kids swinging from the trees, and most of all, being with Grandma Bigelow.

As I sit here and my eyes sting a little bit, I can't help but think of my two good friends who surely have this "emotion"- and many, many more over babies gone too soon. And how I think of how it is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the beautiful promise of being together again- a glorious day of reunion- that can help us through. I'm so thankful for that.