Another goodbye

Thanksgiving came and went not with a boom, but with a hiss.  It was a quiet, uneventful day, that started with the three of us watching the Macy's Day Parade and reading the large, ad-filled newspaper.  Throughout the day I worked on dinner, which included a whole turkey, gluten-free stuffing, dairy-free chocolate chip ice cream, and apple pie.  It was the first day in about two weeks that we could really be together as a family, after my husband had been gone for business and to help his mother, who lives in Florida, post-surgery.  Once he returned home he had a lot of work, so Thanksgiving really was our one day together.  I had anticipated enjoying the rest of the weekend, but that was not meant to be.

Sadly, we received an early morning call that his grandfather had passed away Friday morning.  The remainder of the day was focused on how to get to Florida for the funeral.  My husband was able to leave Saturday morning.  Unfortunately due to our location and time of year, it was virtually impossible for me to join him unless we either wanted to spend a fortune flying someone to us to watch the Babe, and then me to fly with him, or in the alternative, spend two long days driving with the Babe to Florida which would also require pulling her out of school for a week.  We plan to make this drive in a couple of weeks, and didn't think it would be best to do that with her two times so close together.

The Babe and I won't be able to join everyone as they say goodbye to her great-grandfather.  She still doesn't fully understand the concept of death, although she does bring it up every so often.  I think when we see her great-grandmother without Pop, it may have more meaning in context that he's gone.  For now, the Babe knows he died, but I'm sure questions will arise.  In the meantime, we will remember a man who served his country, on the beach at D-Day, and loved his family.   For him, family was very important.  He will not be forgotten.