Reflections

I sit here thinking about the craziness my summer has been. I moved down from Seattle to Portland the day after I left my wonderful job and two weeks before Maddie arrived. I moved in and adjusted to living back home in my parents beautiful house. The transition went amazingly well and I have been overly pleased with the arrangements all summer long. We were swept away in amazement and love when Madelyn arrived and joined our family. A few weeks after Maddie was born, my grandpa passed away. I have never lost anyone close to me, so this was a first and is still a mourning process for me (and my family). We have been traveling right and left, trying to see just about everyone we know and every NW destination we can think of. We arrived in Sunriver, OR yesterday afternoon and are now here for a week. En route to Sunriver, we were given horrible news that our dear and close family friend was tragically killed when a motorcyclist hit him while he was riding his bike in Zimbabwe (his family is currently located there). "Uncle Jeff", as Sarah and I grew up knowing him, was so very special to us. He was my dad's best friend and collegue before I was even born, and came to be a "pseudo" Vandehey family member immediatly, prior to meeting his wonderful wife. Jeff spent holidays with us, came on family vacations with us, watched Sarah and I grow up, played drums in both of our weddings and even met Maddie Mae just 4 weeks ago, while visiting OR. My head is spinning in shock and disbelief that he is actually gone. I will miss him greatly. My heart aches for his family, especially his wife and 2 children. Jeff is hanging out with God, now, playing drums in heaven.

I cannot believe how many incredible highs and incredible lows we have been encountering and experiencing this summer. At least we've been around family during all of this, and that is something I am truly grateful for.