Back from Nags Head

We are on our way home from Nags Head tonight.  After a great week, I am looking forward to being back at home and of course, our bed!  Another relaxing beach trip only this time with Logan's family and some friends.  We shared a house with Todd, Erin and Cedar and Holmes and Linda stayed with Clare and the girls. We had wonderful weather and always a breeze even on the hottest days.  River loved having Emy and Charlotte to play with at the beach.  I really think that kid could play for 10 hours at the beach and never get tired of it.  Although it was hard for him each day to leave around 1:30 for a shower and nap, his body needed the rest after all the sun and running around in the sand.  Riv did lots of bike riding and walks with Logan and I.  After leaving tonight he cried for awhile saying, " I really miss the beach cottage and really want to go back."  It was sweet.  There were a few things River said this week that were just so precious that I wanted to jot them down before I forgot.  One night I went in to check on him after putting him to bed and he said, "mommy, I just cannot sleep.  I want God to come here."  Today, he heard me tell Logan that my lower back was really hurting me and he said, " mommy, just ask God to help you."  I guess we are doing something right as parents b/c River knows when someone is hurting or in pain, we ask God to heal them.  It is just amazing how a 3 year old has to remind us to do so sometimes.  So, I asked God to "help my back."  

After dinner tonight, I looked across the table at Linda (Logan's mom) and said, "Linda, you know we are leaving from here to go home..."  Her eyes swelled up with tears and said, "No."  I didn't think she had remembered so I offered for her to take Mason  for a short walk.  She was so appreciative and took him saying, "It has just been so wonderful having everyone together."  She was crying and grabbed my hand and whispered " I love you."  It was a sweet moment.  A bittersweet moment.  One that made me smile. I do not know what is going on in her head at times with Alzheimers but I thank God for how much she cares about family and how much she loves her family.

I lost my Uncle Gary yesterday.  My dad's brother.  Mom called me at the beach to tell me.  He fought cancer I know for atleast 4 years.  My dad brought him to Harrisonburg a few years ago when I was pregnant with River.  A very dear man.  Sweet man.  Little man.  He has had a tough life.  Was in the army.  Such a hard worker his whole life.  Just a sweetheart.  I will never forget his smile or laugh.  He never had much money at all and when he left to head back home from his visit with us, he bought me a dozen roses.  I was so appreciative b/c this is someone that did not have the money but had the huge heart!  It was a weird goodbye for me b/c it was like I knew that would be the last time I would see him until heaven.  With all of this going on now, I just hope and pray that I will always be close to my family because life is short on earth.  I thank God that we are close and love one another.   That is what matters.