The Blessing of Family

I can't tell you what this week has meant to me.

It has been so nice to get to know Josh's Grandma a little better. As I mentioned before, the two times I've met her before were for our wedding (hello busy time!) and for Grandpa's funeral (hello sad and not exactly prime 'getting to know you' time). So I was excited to have some quality time to spend with her and actually get to know her.

I had no idea what I was in for. From the brief times I met her before, and from emails/letters/phone calls I had sort of an idea of who she was and what she is about. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. She is such an awesome lady. So many stories and insights and such a sweet, sweet lady.

I have learned so much this past week. So much about her, about how Grandpa was, and quite a bit about the rest of family out west. But most of all, I have learned so much about Josh's Dad. Josh has told me about his memories and what he's been told about his Dad since his death, but he was only 4 when he died, so his memories are pretty limited. Of course it is different to hear it from a mother's perspective. Plus it has been so interesting to see where Josh gets some of his mannerisms and habits. He has characteristics that I don't see anywhere else in his family, and now I know why. They are all from his Dad!

Sometimes it's really sad to think that I will never know my husband's father. Or that our children will never know one of their Grandpas. Which then leads me to thinking about Josh and Nichele growing up without a father at all, and that just tears me apart. To think of what they went through, so young, not  knowing what was going on and why Daddy was never coming home again. I know there are a lot of people out there who have similar situations. My heart aches for them. I am so thankful that I was fortunate enough to grow up with both parents, and that they are still with me today. 

But then I think about how much I do know about him, without ever meeting him. And that is pretty awesome. We are lucky enough to have a family that still talks about him as if it hasn't been 20 years since he's been gone. At almost every family function, stories from the past come up. Yes, a lot of them are repeats. But I think it's nice that they make a conscious effort to remember, and do so often. In a way, I feel like I almost do know him. And I am thankful for that. Thankful that I have that glimpse into Josh's history, and thankful that his family chooses to share those precious memories with me, an outsider.

We have two more days to soak up with her until she goes home Friday night. It will be sad to see her go, but it was so nice to have this time to share with her and finally get a chance to become family. She is getting close to the age where cross-country travel will not be an option, so we are glad we had the opportunity to host her this time, so we can visit her next time :)