One Week

It's been one week since we lost Paw. It's been a long week with lots of tears and smiles and memories. On Labor Day we had a service and all five of his children, 10 of his 11 living grandchildren, and 8 of his 11 great-grandchildren were there to honor him. It was an amazing service for a man that will be so missed. On Tuesday we had a private family farewell at sea. He was a retired merchant marine and had spent most of his life at sea, so it seemed very fitting. Tears are still coming at random times and my thoughts are turning to him a lot. I guess that's normal. The kids are doing well, my grandmother is holding strong, and things are slowly returning to the new normal, whatever that is. Chase has amazed me with his maturity throughout this. He is wise beyond his years. I know that Paw is watching over us in heaven and have no doubt that he'll be Emery's guardian angel through the years. He loved her so much, they had a very special bond. It breaks my heart that she is so little and will forget him (now of course we won't let that happen). The above picture is really the only good picture we have of the two of them. I should have taken more. I'm so gonna miss him.

****I am grateful for
1) all the family that was here
2) years of memories
3) guardian angels
4) pictures
5) knowing that things will be OK