May 21

I think I've mentioned it before but I was the team parent for the JV baseball squad this year. Given that we only had one coach it required quite a lot of work to keep things running smoothly, but I like to help when I can and the coach is a nice guy so I didn't mind putting in the effort.

With all of that said, tonight was the baseball banquet. Isaac had a TVBR game so I didn't think he'd be able to attend, but the match-up was settled relatively quickly so we hightailed it back into town so he could go. I got there in time to say a few words about Coach Zach, and after it was over, we headed home.

Since we weren't planning to go to the dinner coach had texted me earlier today to say he'd left a little something on the porch to thank me for my help, and when I checked, I found the loveliest little collection: a pink Stanley cup, flowers, and some Mother Ship money, along with a nice note. I don't know how he did it, but it's pretty much the ideal thank you collection for me.

It's really wonderful to feel appreciated, so I am very thankful for this unexpected gesture.

May 20

I was tucked into my usual corner spot at the Mother Ship this morning finishing up my coffee when a group of developmentally disabled adults and their caretakers came inside. They took the chairs around me and I'd been intending to leave anyway so I started to get up, but the woman who appeared to be in charge smiled and said I didn't need to give up my seat. So I opted to stick around a few minutes longer, and in hindsight, I'm so glad I did.

Why? Well, a younger-looking woman gazed intently at me for about 30 seconds before pointing at my shirt, which had "Orioles" emblazoned across the front in orange and black scroll. She studied it for a few more seconds before asking if I liked the Giants.

I smiled in return and explained that I was actually an Oriole fan, and a very pleasant conversation followed. She was definitely cognitively challenged; she spoke slowly and deliberately and even concocted memories with my kiddos after I told her their ages. But she was sweet. And I could practically hear Jesus saying how much He cares for her. And how important it is to Him that we --that I-- take the time to make her feel valued because she matters just as much as any other person who walks the earth.

So for that reminder --and for the feeling in that moment that Jesus was very, very near-- I am grateful.

May 19

This morning we got up and wandered around grandma's house one last time partly taking mental (and some actual) photographs and partly looking for meaningful mementos we could carry with us before heading to the airport for our flight back home.

We were all emotional as, one by one and in our own time, we stepped outside. After I closed the door for the last time, Adam gathered us into a circle right there on the driveway and said a prayer of thanksgiving for grandma and for all of the wonderful Christmases we spent with her. And for what a tremendous blessing her life was to so many.

I took one more walk around the circle --that circle I've traversed so, so many times before over the past 40 years-- and then asked that we take a photo before we left. So here we are.

Although you can see the emotion on our faces and those feelings are hard, I am thankful. I'm thankful for the trip and for these people standing with me and for those who aren't pictured. And for how my grandma's example will continue to inspire each of us to live better, more generous, more loving, and more faithful lives.

May 18

It was a beautiful day of celebrating my grandma and her legacy.

My mom, brothers, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew were all there, of course, but so were nearly all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins, save my cousin Tom's son Gage, and my cousin Derek's wife and their two young sons.

The service at the church --where my grandma was a longtime member and where I spent my early years-- was lovely; my mom gave the primary remembrance, while a handful of friends and relatives --including yours truly-- also ventured to the mic to share stories. Common threads that ran through all of our tales was how fully and how well grandma loved people, and how much she loved Jesus. She was an amazing inspiration to so many, and although I've always enjoyed being her granddaughter, I felt particularly fortunate and blessed to have known her as well as I did while I listened to --and in some cases, nodded along with-- the stories shared.

Following the service, we drove under rainy skies to the Ag Center, where the caterers were busily setting up chafing dishes for the reception lunch of lasagna, pizza, ziti, and meatballs. It wasn't a full house, per se, but it was fun to catch up with my cousins, and it was fun to take zany selfies. A grateful shout out to my sister-in-law Reaya for having her photographer-friend come to take some family shots. They're gorgeous and I'm thankful that we'll have them as mementos.

Promptly at three, we loaded up the cars with the photo memorabilia and the leftover food and headed out, bound for grandma's house. While we were there, the majority of us took the time to chat even more (while the kids enjoyed the pool table in the basement). There was something special for me about standing in that kitchen I know so well, spending time with people who'd shared that very same space with me 30 (and truthfully, almost closer to 40) years ago.

As we departed to head to dinner at Bobby's house, my cousin Kristen and I made plans for the groups --her branch of the family and mine-- to meet up at Jimmie Cone, so that's what we did. Despite the cooler temps and the threat of rain, most of us enjoyed ice cream (black raspberry with rainbow jimmies for the win!) and even more conversation. From there we said our goodbyes to the Plegge clan and returned to Bobby's house to finish the game they'd started earlier in the evening.

So yes, it was a beautiful day of celebration and remembrance. And I am once again so thankful for my grandma and for her profound impact on my life.

May 17

I am, once again, really tired. It's been a good week, but it's also been a long week with lots of adventures. Good adventures, but they've still taken a toll on me. But anyhow.

Today Abby and I got up, secured coffee, and headed over to the Ag Center --where the reception following grandma's memorial service tomorrow-- will be held. We put out the photo boards we made this week along with some photo books and framed pictures, and then sprinkled candy on each table. (That was my idea since grandma, in her later years, was perpetually offering us something sweet -- "Want a piece of cake? Pie? How about a cookie? Some ice cream?" The kiddos could always count on Great Grandmother Connie to offer them some kind of tasty treat.)

Then we drove to BWI to pick up the male folk, since they got up before the crack of dawn to fly back so they could join us for tomorrow's activities. Then, because we had tickets to tonight's Orioles game, we headed in to Baltimore, accidentally sneaked into the parking lot (and then got permission to stay; all I can say is they need to do a better job of keeping the gates closed), had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory at the Inner Harbor, and then strolled over to the stadium. When we arrived there, I was reminded that it's important to always check individual stadium policies because my purse was about an inch too big to be allowed inside; after a moment of panic, we rented a little locker that was available and the crisis was promptly averted. 

We collected our game day giveaways --some pretty sweet replica jerseys-- and found our seats, and then enjoyed a pretty great game: lots of offense for the O's and not much for Seattle. It was the kids' first time at OPACY (Oriole Park at Camden Yards) and my first time there in a long, long while (the last time I got Miguel Tejada to sign a baseball card), so it was fun to re-experience it with my people. The bros were particularly amused by Gunnar Henderson's walk-up music ("The Sweet Escape") and their faces broke into huge grins every time something exciting happened on the field (which was often. I don't think Adam nor I had even seen two triples followed by two doubles And the 9-2 final score was nice, too). Isaac --our resident Oakland A's fan-- seemed just as excited as Brady, who is my fellow Oriole lover. Every time there was a hit or a run scored, I glanced over at their faces and they absolutely glowed with genuine enthusiasm. Even Abby was into it after a few innings.

And now, we're back at grandma's house for the night. I'm not entirely sure if I'm ready for tomorrow, but I'm sure it will be a good day to remember grandma and the blessing she's been to all of us. So for the chance to be with family and the chance to reminisce about a wonderful woman who meant a lot to me, I'm thankful. 

May 16

Phew, I'm tired. Like "I'm ready to nod off at any moment" sleepy so I'd best get moving.

It was a good day, all in all. We had our morning trip to the Mother Ship followed by ice cream at Jimmie Cone (this go round was black raspberry --which happens to be one of my very favorite flavors-- with rainbow jimmies). Then we picked up some photos I'd ordered to use on one of the photo memory boards for Saturday.

So back to the house we went to work on said photo boards, with Abby focused on one and me on another until I decided we should break for lunch at 2ish. After briefly conferring over what we wanted, we navigated to IHOP where we enjoyed our girl time over tres leches pancakes and chicken and waffles.

Then it was back to the house once again to work on the boards again until it was time to leave for my brother's house at around 6:40 PM. Once there, we were greeted by Bobby, Reaya, and Bri, and we joined them in ordering takeout from The Hornet's Nest for dinner. After dinner, Bobby went into silly mode with the reversible gnome I sent him at Christmas last year. The gnome and the ensuing antics made me laugh until my sides hurt, which was a blessing because laughter is such an amazing cure for whatever's under my skin. 

Finally, we re-loaded the car and drove back to grandma's house one more time. And that's where I am now. Very tired, but content. And that's a blessing.

May 15

Today was dedicated to visiting friends, both mine and Abby's.

Following the usual morning coffee stop, we embarked upon the journey to Lovettsville, Virginia, where Abby's friend Anna and her family live. It rained on and off so the weather could've been better, but it was a pretty drive through green rolling hills. The hardest part of the trip was navigating the long, partially paved, one-lane stretch of road that leads to her house, but we finally sorted it out and had a great time munching on chicken salad sandwiches while we chatted with Anna, her mom, and her sister (and even her brother for a minute). And the giant white rental car is now caked with dirt from the adventure, and a crusty-looking rental car always means a good time was had, right? Right.

From there, we headed east on I-70 to join my middle school friends for dinner at Lib's Grill in Columbia, where we've met up several times before. It was --as it always is-- a total hoot, and it was an extra blessing to invite Sonia to the ranks for the first time, too. Our little group has gotten larger over the years, and I'm so thankful for the continued friendship we all share and for how easy it is to be together. We laugh and talk about both the lighter and less lighter sides of life and then we laugh some more. It's truly good for my heart and I enjoy every second.

When we got back to grandma's house, I spent more time going through photos, and found a few more sweet ones from days gone by. It's bittersweet to remember, but I'd say the sweet is much stronger than the bitter, and I'm grateful for that.

So that's today. I'm pretty tired from all the driving, but I feel content. And that's a blessing I don't take for granted.