Holding On

I make my kids hold my hands when we're crossing the street or parking lot, unless my hands are full. Then I tell them "Put your hand on the cart" or "Hold onto my shirt" or sometimes just, "Hold onto something on me." Shelly often grabs Eli's foot. This is for safety, of course, keep us all together, the four/five of us in a little herd as we move through the world. But sometimes, when we're back on the sidewalk or safely inside the store, I hold on for just a little longer. Their hands feel so small and precious in mine. They're so quick to pull their hands away. I don't want to let go, I don't want to think about the day when their hands will be grown up, they'll be too old to hold my hand. Maybe that day won't come...

I remember holding my grandma's hand helping her get into the car, it felt so fragile. She was so small.

I remember laying my hand on top of my Grandpa's and praying.

Maybe we don't outgrow taking a loved one's hand, for safety, for companionship, comfort. I pray my kids learn this as they grow up. There's always a hand you can reach out to for help.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
~ Psalm 37:24

photo by FinkStudios

Grandpa Glenn

Yesterday we visited Grandma Marian. Or Nana, as the kids call her. It was a nice visit, the kids played outside most of the time and explored the yard, the gardens, the little treasures that can be found all over. A stick. Tulips poking through the ground. A flower bed made from an old metal bed frame. A horseshoe. Everywhere were signs of Grandpa's work, his endless pursuit of improving the place where he lived and ensuring that Grandma would be well taken care of. He was ever-busy tending his homestead. Yesterday we visited and for the first time Grandpa wasn't there. He wasn't there to tell us of the newest project he had completed, his next project to start, and his plans for taking us fishing on the Mississippi once things warmed up.

A week ago today Grandpa Glenn stepped out of our lives.

He leaves behind a hole in the family picture that cannot be filled. He leaves a legacy in his children, one of hard work, independence and creativity. I saw in his eyes each time he was with them, my Grandpa's pride in his sons. Whether or not they admit it, they are their father's sons. They are hard working. They take pride in their children. They are creative and independent. They forge ahead and when times get tough, they work harder.

A couple days ago Shelly created a masterpiece, drawings and stickers and hearts and then told me it was for Papa. "Because I really miss him." Grandpa being gone hasn't stopped her from showing her love for him. I look forward to my children getting to know their Papa more throughout the years, as our family continues to tell his stories and share his legacy with the next generation.

My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, Lord, how long?
Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
Save me because of your unfailing love.
~Psalm 6:3-4

Camp G

Well I'm home. What a journey. What a blessing. Three nights with Grandma and Grandpa, just me and Elijah and the two of them. I got to witness my grandmother's happiness in holding her great-grandson, and my grandfather's pride in his family. I got to wash dishes and a few other chores and become completely sleep deprived in only three short nights. I'm not sure any of us could have survived a fourth night together, each night we progressively went to bed later (getting closer to my schedule) and woke up earlier (getting closer to their schedule). Last night I got four and a half hours. Heading for serious sleep-shortage!

Grandpa treated me to some wonderful meatballs (Grandpa's secret recipe which cannot be duplicated because he follows no recipe and says "just use a little of this and some of that"). Grandma treated me to wonderful late-night conversation. Maybe this is a girl-thing, but remember when you were a kid and had a friend sleep over and you'd stay up all night talking? Talk about boys, funny stuff from your past and dreams for your future, and everything in between. That's what Grandma and I shared. And also I made her learn Facebook. ;-)

Good food, great fellow campers, looking forward to doing camp again soon!

...you shall rejoice in all the things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.
~Deuteronomy 26:11

SV 31: Salmon, Anyone?

Today I went fishing with the Gruenberg men. The adventure began last night with a sleepover at Mom and Dad's. The kids had great fun swimming and playing and being noisy and (a little) out of control (all Kevin and Kim's fault, of course!). This morning we got up at 3:30. Who gets up so early??? Ugh. Aparently I'm the only one not used to getting up so early, because everyone else was wide awake when we departed the house at 4:13 a.m. Two minutes early. Listen, if Dad says we're going to leave at 4:15 then THAT'S when we should leave, right? I mean, no reason to rush out the door!
We had a fantastic time fishing for lake trout and salmon, caught plenty and only threw back a few. Grandpa Glenn, Dad, Kim, Kevin, James and I enjoyed the company and the view and reeling those fish in, one after another with only a few lulls in the action.

The kids of course had fun hanging out with Grandma and Nana, we were home and had lunch before noon, and were left wondering what to do with the rest of our day!

Thanks to Mom and Dad for letting me join the fun and for watching the kids. Another great day of memories with family!

(This picture shows only about half of the fish we caught today, whew it was a lot of work!)

SV 13 & 14: Sleepover & Camping & Fishing, Oh My!

Last night the kids had a sleepover with Grandma Shell. I didn't get many details out of them, but the summary is that they visited two libraries, stayed up till midnight and spent a lot of time in the pool. Archer's review of his time was "why do we have to go home? Its more fun here. I wish we could live here." So that's definitely positive feedback! The party's over - on the way home tonight, they both fell asleep in the car around 7:00, didn't wake when we brought them into the house, and are still sleeping soundly. They're worn out now but I expect them to be back on schedule around 7:30 tomorrow morning, ready for yet another day of non-stop action!

Oh yeah, while they were partying in Hales Corners, Grandpa Craig and I went camping at Lake Kegonsa and fishing at Mendota. No fish, but lots of time playing cribbage and talking, and a nice morning spent with Nana and Papa today.

 Tonight we're all back together in Racine. Again I had that feeling that travelling was nice and visiting family was great, but we belong together as a family and I never feel completely content when we're separated. The strings that hold our family together continually tug at my heart when we're apart, and I'm glad we're all home again.