This most recent weekend, Uncle Buddy and Aunt Carolee drove up from Springfield to get their triplet fix. You can't really blame them though, can you? I'd drive three hours to see these little ladies.
One of the benefits of having moved to Chicago was to be closer to some of the family from whom we used to be far away. When you're within a reasonable drive, why shouldn't you make time to see each other?
It's unfortunate that it takes something so drastic to make you remember what's important sometimes, but Sharon's (Meg's mom) passing reminded me how fleeting life can be and how much we really need to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones.
I, for one, have not always been the best at making time for family. In my youth (yes, I classify myself as getting older now), time was abundant and the thought of not having time with the people for whom I cared so deeply, never crossed my mind. I was selfish with my time. Time goes on forever. There will always be another tomorrow, right? At least that's what I used to tell myself.
Everyone is getting older, including us. I had never been to a funeral in my life and within the last 18 months, I've been to three. I'm not trying to set any records here, but I am realizing every day that this is a trend I do not like, yet can't avoid, as much as I'd like to. There's no putting your head in the sand and pretending like your loved ones will always be on the other end of the phone when you want to catch up.
I'm not saying anything that hasn't been said before. Nor am I unique in coming to this realization after the death of a loved one. For me and, probably, for all who have figured this out before me, it is profound. But it shouldn't be. We should all be so lucky to have family in our lives and even more lucky to remember how incredible a gift it is before it's gone.
Well, this post took a completely different track than what I set out to write about, but it's worth sharing if it makes someone call a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, a child, or a friend just to say "hello" and catch up for five minutes.
This weekend, my mom comes to town. For now though, enjoy some pics of the girls with Uncle Buddy, Aunt Carolee, and some cool Chicago weather!
Buddy and Carolee, thank you for making time to come see us. You're welcome back any time!
Uncle Buddy, getting in a late afternoon workout
Sophie, toughing it out in the cold
Izzy, kicking back and enjoying the free ride
Maddy, making sure that no one was following us to the park
She's always so curious about what everyone else is doing
Uncle Buddy, setting up the audience at the bottom of the slide
Aunt Carolee, using an innocent toddler to warm up
Uncle Buddy, playing the role of backstop
Even the Chicago wind can't keep us locked up inside
Sophie, excited to be back in our warm house
Wow, she's getting big!
Maddy smiles just like me--eyes squinched and mouth open :)
Sophie, practicing her kisses on her snuggly (she kisses now!)
Izzy, lounging and enjoying the sun
There's a new hairdo every day, though the exact style depends on the number of rumbles and tumbles incurred each day
Maddy likes to meditate...with her tongue out, of course
Izzy, doing her best Sophie impression
I think what Sophie meant to say was, "Oh S#!T"
In case you're wondering, her shirt reads, "My grandma is friends with Santa." Why yes she is!
"My parents don't feed me, so I have to eat this thumb."
Izzy, working on her color identification (who am I kidding? she was just playing with the balls)
Sophie, working on her sharing with Uncle Buddy
I'm 99% sure she was getting tickled
Sometimes, I don't think I'd be able to pry that finger out of her mouth if tried. Why would I though? She's so stinkin' cute!
Maddy, getting on some UB time
While Izzy has definitely outgrown the jumperoo, she sometimes enjoys a stroll (and jump) down memory lane. Look at her fly!
Izzy, cuddling up to Aunt Carolee
Love it when this girls cracks up!
Ok, so one picture of her flying wasn't enough :)
I could stare at that face all day. Wait, I do.
Who doesn't want to see her crack up twice?
