It was not easy, but we made it special. Before we left for Illinois over a month ago, we bought three greeting cards at the store and received a free mini photo scrapbook that came with stickers and labels. Since Tif likes to scrapbook we thought she might enjoy it.
Instead, Tif suggested I do the scrapbook with KC. I didn't think she'd be able to manage it. However, Tif showed her how to use the double sided tape and she was raring to go.
First, we laid out all the extra photos Tif had ordered the past three years and wasn't able to use. KC looked through them and chose the 12 she wanted in her book. Then she went through them again, changed her mind and replaced them.
KC used the double stick tape to attach the photos to the colored pages and added her stickers where she wanted them. I sat beside her to keep them in order.
I'm glad she'll have this wonderfully done photo scrapbook to remind her of this time together. It will be the first scrapbook she did by herself!
Our son-in-law grilled some terrific Memorial Day burgers and then we went out for our last evening walk.
When we returned to the house we took a photo of KC next to our newly planted weeping cherry tree. We're looking forward to seeing how much the tree will have grown when we are back in Illinois again.
I spoke to my mother in Hawaii today. She says my brother came over and cleaned our rooms upstairs... even the bathrooms. I have a feeling she may have hinted to him that it would be nice to have our bedrooms dusted. Poor guy! But... gosh... that's so sweet. He'll be picking us up at the Honolulu International Airport tomorrow night.
Leaving is utterly painful. The thought of not holding my dear ones for perhaps another year is agonizing. However, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in Hawaii also. I'm torn in two. Then again, I spoke to Jon in New Mexico today when he called to wish us a safe journey.
Actually... I'm torn in three.
hang in there, life is full of farewells and reunions. What a great time and memories you all made!
ReplyDeleteThe world is small right up until we start counting the distance between us and our loved ones.
ReplyDeleteCould they perhaps pay you a visit in December? Christmas in Hawaii! And Jon will have semester break, so he could come, too.
ReplyDeleteSo sad for you, but at least you have your own, online scrapbook of memories.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhy does departure day always have to come? sigh
oh I hate goodbyes. But you and Art have a safe trip Kay
ReplyDeleteGoodbyes are always so difficult. What a lovely time you and KC had scrapbooking, though. Nice photos of the two of you. Have a safe flight home.
ReplyDelete"Waving the white Hankie" as we call it is never easy. Thank goodness for Skype so that you can maintain visual contact. What a wonderful family you have!!
ReplyDelete'Last days' are bittersweet - everything accompanied by the knot in the pit of the stomach and the unbidden lump in the throat. It's so hard to leave - at times like this you need a magic wand to transport you immediately without the heartache.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip. I look forward to reading your adventures in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteWhat a happy memory for you and KC of scrapbooking together. The photo of KC and the new tree will be fun to look at and compare the next time you are visiting. I hope your trip home went well.
ReplyDeleteYou are so blessed to have them all. What a dear visit you had.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely way to spend a last day. Families who live close to each other probably don't remember often enough how lucky they are -- when I moved away from my mother it broke my heart and took so much out of my days (added to my phone bill however!!)
ReplyDeleteHave a good safe trip home again Kay! Your mother and brother must miss you badly by now.
I know how you feel. Even though I'm only a 6-hour drive away from one of my daughters, I cried like a baby the last time I left her house. It's going to get worse, too, as she is expecting their first child. How do you do it? It's going to kill me.
ReplyDeleteAs I read this you are most likely already home. I'm using Jill's laptop connected to her Droid phone - amazing technology. We're rained in at the cabin this Tuesday afternoon, but we've been having a great time. I'm trying to get a blog posted, but I'm having some trouble downloading photos.
ReplyDeleteBut enough about me. You are no doubt relieved to be home and yet feeling an emptiness that comes from parting with your loved ones. It's not the same, but you can always get a skype fix. Hang in there and get busy on a project.
It's always so very hard to say goodbyes!! My kids are scattered all over the country and travel is so expensive these days! I find myself looking back to last summer when two them came up for my birthday and so I actually had three of them under one roof for nearly ten days. Wonderful! So I do know what your are feeling, but you do have great memories and photos and those do help. My thoughts are with you both, Kay, and sending you lots of love!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
an entire month passed fast.
ReplyDelete