The Wave

Missy and Krystal, Nats
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

Actually, we did not get The Wave effectively off the ground. And actually, we did not try to start the wave--some people on the lower level did, but then the Nats hit a spectacular home run and The Wave sort of fizzled into applause and cheers and a neat little fireworks show. That was the eighth inning, so it was the last effort.

Krystal came out a couple weekends ago to relive our old glory days in DC. Only this time we had a car. And air conditioning. And, well, did not live in DC. It was deeelightful. I like it so much when Krystal comes back. It makes my heart smile.

We hit RFK stadium on Sunday for a Nats game--a first for Jason and me (so embarrassing). Baseball is fun because you can watch if you want or you can talk and lose interest when you feel like it. Dawn, are you totally offended?

A Different Kind of Graduation

IMGP5159
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

Uncle Don put it best--Grandma Johnson graduated. And today she is laughing in heaven instead of hooked up to tubes and trapped in wheelchairs down here.

I'm a little delayed in blogging this entry, so I beg your patience with me. We were certainly not expecting the call from Mom and Dad when we got it June 11, and in the hours following it was a flurry of travel plans, leave of absence prep, and, of course, emotion. Most of you know how deeply I adore my Grams, and her sudden departure left a vacuum in me that was hard to express in words for a while. But then we got to go to Idaho and laugh big laughs and cry hard tears with the people who also loved her. I cannot express how cleansing it was to cry with my parents, my sisters, my grandpa. To look at old pictures and remember. To laugh--hard--at our millions of memories. The things that I would tell my Grams if she were still here are that she made way better BLT sandwiches than I can get at the cafeteria at my work, that I want to know what is in the Russian tea she made for me because my box of it is all crusty now, and that I need to know the best way to make shadow boxes, could she help me? All that to say that I was so lucky to be able to tell her how much I love her over and over. Not a bad way to end things, I guess.

Mom and I, between bouts of tears, talked about how easy it is to be sad because she was so wonderful and we miss her so, but also about how easy it is to smile through our tears because she was so wonderful and we have just the best memories. Even now I am laughing to myself over a picture I found tonight of Grams opening this random Christmas gift from Gramps--old scissors, scotch tape, staples--that we have yet to figure out and laughing until she almost turned inside out. There is also a picture of Casey, Jenny, and me laughing that is even more telling. No one could laugh like my Grams.

As we continue through this grieving/celebrating process, I am reminded how incredible God is that He can and does redeem us. That He desires to wash us clean and clothe us in holiness so that when we lose our breath in this world we can catch it in eternity with Him. I love that even though Grams, stuck in ICU, didn't get to say goodbye to Aunt RaVae, got to say hello to her forever two weeks ago. That seems like a lot to celebrate to me.

Taking a Turn for the Worse

Any suggestions or tips on how to save a strawberry plant that turned brown and died literally overnight would be greatly appreciated.

Have a Magical Day

That is what they tell you at Disney World, and I love it! Last week the girls (Mom, Shaanti, Jenny, Auntie Fay, and cousins Katie and Kristine) and I jetted down to Florida to partake of all things Disney. We had a wonderful, wonderful time--even though we were faced with the tragic fact that the Pirates of the Carribbean (best ride ever) was closed all week. Still, we Splashed down Mountains, traveled the Small World, and crashed down the Tower of Terror. Fantasmik.

It really is so delightful to be surrounded in twinkle lights and castles, Disney songs playing softly in the background all day every day. I wish the whole world were more like Disney World. Can we go back soon?

Attached are pics of the crew (and a stranger who didn't bother to look where he was walking) at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom, the cousins with Sleeping Beauty's Castle, and me with a character from my favorite Disney movie--Robin Hood, of course!

Looking Sharp

Check out the latest post on my Grams--she is looking so swell!