Six Years Later

The Thanksgiving holiday was a wonderful one for the girls and myself.  We had a great time in both Milwaukee and Chicago, and all of us enjoyed spending time with my siblings and their families.  It was a very painful morning for the girls – not simply due to the 6:15am wake-up – but also the fact that they had to return to normal and leave the fun of proximity to family behind.  I think a trip back to the Upper Midwest in summer will be on our agenda….

Compared to the sub-zero temperatures of last year’s visit, the weather was cold but a marked improvement.  Between ‘Just Dance’ games with their cousins in Milwaukee and some amazing food, the kids were able to enjoy some time outside, and Alexa especially loved walking the Holzen’s boxer Cassius.  Alexa fell in love with their dog, I was expecting her to derive a plan to market him as an emotional support dog so she could bring him back to Arizona.  The weather also boded reasonably well for checking out a German Christmas Market, Downtown Chicago and ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo during the Chicago portion of our trip.  The relationships my girls have with their cousins is great to see, and of course, my time with my siblings and their spouses is one that is way too few and far between for me.  The girls and I are so lucky to have wonderful family that’s only a 3+ hour plane ride away.

Despite the great time of the weekend, the gravity of today still hits me hard.  It is hard to believe it has been six-years to the day that Granty passed.  Both girls continue to talk about their brother – Ani is mad she never met him – and cherish his spirit.  Alexa’s love for giraffes and the special meaning behind them is something that will never wane, and she knows anything with a giraffe is a likely “yes” if she asks me to buy it J.  There has been and always will be a piece of my heart missing, but I take solace in the legacy that Granty has left, knowing especially that Alexa will ensure it continues.

Enjoying out time together in the city....

Our amazing hosts for the holiday events.

I still think about the turkey drama that these two helped

to resolve (the grocery store not having my order for a fresh turkey)

during the Thanksgiving at PCH with Granty. 

Wonderful memories despite the circumstances....