Spring Break at Amelia Island/California Wedding

With Mema Shirley being sick and then her passing, I never got the opportunity to share about my  trip to California, followed by our annual trip to Amelia Island to visit Alan's family.

Below are pictures of our week. The highlight for me is always the way my kids LOVE their cousins and follow them all around. This year we got to experience life with teenagers as the cousins did not get up quite as early as my kids. Their impatience was sweet as they watched the clock to see when they would see the cousins and were ready to jump them when they arrived. I so appreciate how patient and loving my nieces and nephew are in return.

 A historical tour of Fernandina Beach via Carriage Ride

 The Calhoun cousins (not sure why everybody is dressed in black)

 Our traditional stop at Fort Clinch. It was the first year that Owen was a full participant.

The Singing Chef--For her pre-birthday, Marilyn treated us to an in-home catered dinner by the Singing Chef. He serenaded her in between courses.  The meal was delicious and it was even better because no one had to cook or clean it up; we could just enjoy the company. Thanks Marilyn.

 Easter Egg dyeing on the balcony. 

The score from the Easter Egg/Basket hunt.

Leading up to Spring Break, Sherry, mom and I were blessed to be able to go out to California to celebrate my cousin Stephanie's wedding to an amazing man. Much of the Louisville Coombs family met up with the Texas Coombs/Dunning family to celebrate the California Coombs/Trigg family wedding. It was beautiful at Camarillo Ranch with the wedding in a garden in front of a gazebo with the traditional white chairs. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I have attended. Following the wedding, there was cocktail hour and lawn games followed by dinner in the barn (not a traditional barn obviously).  My mom took most of the pictures at the wedding, so I don't really have any to share, although I did snag one off of Stephanie's facebook page.

Isn't she gorgeous?

"The Barn" pre-wedding

 Driving down the Pacific Coast Hwy through Malibu

 Surfers seen from the side of the road.

 Part of our crew at The Getty.

 Loved that Grandma Libby was able to join us for the trip.

 About 3/4 of a mile from our hotel was the Santa Monica Pier and Beach. It was a fabulous place to get in one of my long runs. We also met Rachael and Susan down there for lunch.

 Took a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard, saw the Hollywood sign and all the Stars on the sidewalks.

 Having breakfast at the beach before heading to the airport.

Remembering Mema Shirley

While my blog mainly captures the happenings of my three little ones, it also serves as a timeline for our family events. It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of our Mema Shirley.

About a month ago, Mema went to the hospital with back pain and found out that her cancer was back. She spent a week at the hospital seeming to catch everything there was or at least having all her hidden ailments exposed. She decided she did not want to pursue Chemo or radiation and was taken to Hosparus for pain management. You can read more about the process at my cousin's blog at www.shirleyupdates.blogspot.com.

I cannot say enough about Hosparus. They were kind and caring. You have to have a true calling on your life to dedicate your days to helping and watching terminal patients die. What many people don't realize is that Hosparus isn't always a place to go to die. Some patients go in, manage their pain and then go back home. Unfortunately that was not the case for Mema Shirley.

I believe in my heart that she was lonely, and when they told her the cancer was back, she saw it as her ticket to getting back with Papa. He walked the path to Heaven himself 14 months ago. I like to picture her following that bright light towards Jesus and seeing Papa step out of the shadows to greet her in Heaven. He takes her to a little bench in his most masterful garden and says, "I've been waiting for you. What took you so long."  And while she is terribly missed down here, to know that Papa and my dad were able to meet her at the Gates brings me peace.

So as I reflect on my relationship with Mema Shirley and what she meant to me, I have to take a short stroll down memory lane. . . .getting off the bus and going to her house after school in elementary school. . . watching Wonder Woman and Dukes of Hazard every day at 4 pm before Papa came home for Supper. . .throwing up red Kool Aid all over my desk in first grade and her coming to get me. . painting sweatshirts for everybody I knew . . .sleeping in the back of her RV on road trip vacations . . . hours of card playing (first S**T) and then Hand and Foot. . .camping trips with 70+ people and Mema, Papa, and Aunt Edith as the cornerstones. . .sleep overs at Mema and Papa's which I thought were for me, but now I realize my parents probably just needed a break. . . her coming down with the aunts just days after Katelyn was born and me crying my eyes out when they left because I knew what my kids would be missing not being raised near family.

I have been very blessed to be a part of such a close family and can't imagine life without them. And you, Mema and Papa, are where it all began.

The song that ran through my head the week of the funeral is below--Blessed Be Your Name.

I've learned that my emotions are rawest and most precise in the presence of music--happy or sad.  This is one that we played at her funeral that gave me great joy and also sadness.

Rest in Peace Mema

Shirley George Bibelhauser

January 22, 1932 - April 8, 2013