In the last few days, I've come to realize that I can celebrate and grieve all at the same time. In the same breath, even.
I went home over the summer to say goodbye to my beloved Aunt Harriet. She'd been fighting cancer pretty much since I moved out here and had recently been put in Hospice. It was wonderful and awful all at the same time. The best part though, was that I didn't tell anyone I was going to be home and got to spend every waking moment with my sweet family. I love them so freaking much, often it hurts.
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| The struggle of taking an ussie with three savages. |
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| Slumber parties are a non-negotiable when LaLa comes home. xo |
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| I can't get enough of this photo. I want to hang it everywhere so I can see their darling smiles and personalities everywhere I look. |
On my way back to the best coast from my visit, I just so happened to be in the very best place at the very best time. At the time, I didn't immediately recognize it as such, but as the day played out and once I got home and confirmed my luck, it was a nice treat to reaffirm my decision to go home when I did. The flight I was on was overbooked and they were desperate for people to volunteer to take a different flight. It was messy and a little stressful, but in the end, I managed to get home only an our later than planned and had $800 Delta dollars to put towards another adventure. I very much could have put that towards some epic international extravaganza, but I am always craving more time with my beloveds and decided that was the best way to spend the new found treasure. Dad's birthday was a few months out, so I got a ticket for him and Leify to come visit.
Little did we know, their flight would be just days after Harriet's passing.
They ended up having to buy one-way tickets out a day later so they could partake in the ceremony, but they made it.
Let me tell you.
That was the best timing anyone could have planned.
I was hurting big time.
I probably took them too many places so we didn't have to deal with the inner turmoil from losing someone we cherished so dearly, but we did get to do some serious sharing and celebrating. Dad shared a story that was shared at the funeral of how my cousin's oldest had been so tickled to get to be Harriet's pen-pal for the months leading up to her death. (He got the jackpot, she was always amazing with story and word!)
Leif shared some of the stories of how he used to make her laugh. He has always been such an enthusiast when it comes to life. He appears to be mellow as an adult, but he's still the goofy passionate one who will do nearly anything to make you laugh/lighten the mood.
Dad and Harriet shared the same birthday, so we had a party in their honor... I guess that'll be the new tradition. :)
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| My two favorite Hanson men on my most very favorite coast! |
All this to say, Dad and Leif showed up at just the right time.
We were able to laugh and we were able to shed some tears.
We celebrated and will continue to grieve.
The beauty of this land didn't hurt the process.
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| Just south of Cannon Beach looking south down the coast. |
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| My favorite coffee stop since 2006. I need to go back to get the barista's full story, she's from the midwest too! |
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| Happy Daddy. |
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| Leif's over pictures. He should realize how many I held back on. Shoot. |
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| So freakin' excited to share such a special place with my favorites! |
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| I am so undeniably blessed. I live in one of the most gorgeous areas of the world. I need to soak it up more often. |
Bonus!! I drug Leif and Dad to entirely too many places too far away from each other (alllll over Portland and then down to Tillamook and up the coast to Astoria!) On their last day, I took them to the Tiny Home Show... I took my man-friend too! Check out this awesome picture! I keep it on my desk at work for when I need a pick-me-up. :)
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| Big man in a tiny tub!! |
