Love and Legacy's

When we traveled to Oregon for our vacation this summer, we made it a priority to visit with all 3 of my living grandparents.  The first stop was to my Grammy and Pop-Pop's residence, where Pop-Pop was in hospice care.  Along with Brant, we joined my Dad and sister (and baby Joy), and made a special visit to give hugs, express our love to him and Grammy, and, I guess, pay our last respects.  It was exactly as I had anticipated, which was very difficult.  But I wouldn't have traded it for the world.  I was blessed to be able to talk with him, hold his hand, tell him how much I loved him, and just be with him.

My Pop-Pop, along with Dad, Sarah, Joy, and me.

This picture is everything to me.  I get teary-eyed just seeing this, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the moment I had here, for the lifetime I've had with this man as my grandfather, and for the legacy he laid out for his family.   I kissed his head, told him how much I loved him and said goodbye.  I knew it would be the last time I would see him, which was surreal, but again, I was so grateful that we made it up to Oregon in time for this.

My beautiful Grammy, who was delightful, despite all that was happening in the room.

The next day, on our drive to Sunriver for vacation with my side of the family, we made a special stop in Eugene to visit my Grandma Erna.  It was so sweet to watch her interact with my kids, giving us malt balls to munch on, and enjoying our company.  Life is fragile, and I'm so glad we were gifted the chance to visit with all 3 of my grandparents during this trip.

Grandma, with my Mom, Geoffrey, Maddie, me (and Brant, taking the picture), inside her apartment. 

Enjoying the Oregon sunshine on the rooftop!

My mom had her stethoscope along for the ride, and Dr. Geoffrey had no reservations about checking Grandma's heartbeat! 

On July 6th, my Pop-Pop went home to be with Jesus.  It was anticipated, and we had all been waiting for the phone call, but that never makes it easier to accept.  We were on vacation in Sunriver when we found out, and the following week, while we were camping in Southern Oregon with the Himes' family, Brant and I drove back up to Portland to attend the service.  It was incredible to me, how God perfectly orchestrated the timing: we made it up to Oregon to be able to see Pop-Pop once more, and we were still in Oregon at the time of his memorial service.  Our kids were well taken care of, and had a blast at the campground while we were away, and we were able to be with my family --- all of them (and we're a big clan!), to celebrate Pop-Pop's beautiful life and legacy.

We drove to Portland and spent the night at my parent's house, which also meant a bonus shower in the middle of a week of camping and sleeping on a real bed for 1 night!!  The service was held in McMinnville, followed by a wonderful meal at a local brew pub, where we reconnected with all of my cousins, their spouses, second-cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone.  The Vandehey family, or the "Van Clan" as we lovingly refer to ourselves as, is a fierce bunch.  We love each other to the core, and as big as we are and as little as we all see each other, deep down, we have the legacy of love and family running in our blood (thanks to Pop-Pop and Grammy), and getting together was a real treasure.

The beloved "lemon drop tree," which was crafted just for this service.  Pop-Pop had a love for lemon drops!  When you'd visit their house in Eugene, he would always have a lemon drop to give you, and he'd point to the tree in the back of the yard, saying it had come from his very own lemon drop tree.   As a kid, I never doubted him and believed his tale for years.  Seeing this tree, with real lemon drops adorning it, was perfect.

My cousins, with one missing, making 20 in all.  This is not including all of our spouses and children...the legacy of the Van Clan is deep and wide!

My immediate family, just before it was time to drive back to the campground.  Tim, Sarah, Dad, Mom, me and Brant.

My sweet, dear Grammy, along with my sister.  I cherished being able to hug her and see her once more on this trip.

Family is not something to be taken for granted.  I am well aware of the deep riches I am blessed with, from all sides of my family, the Himes' side included.  We are ready and so very excited to be moving back up to Oregon, where we can be around for so much more than we have been.  We are happy to be able to give our kids the chance to continue to grow in their relationships with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

As my Pop-Pop always said, "We are so very blessed!"