Losses

It has been so incredibly long since I posted on here that I doubt anyone is even checking in anymore but I do want to catch up on my blogging anyway. It has become a form of digital scrapbook for our family and I enjoy being able to look back at it since I gave up paper scrapbooking before Rachel was born!

There have been many things happening in our family over the last two months: some have been sad, some of been wonderful but few have been mundane. I'll start by journaling about the losses we've suffered.

On March 22, my Dad's wife, Loni passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer.

We had a funeral service for Loni in March, and last week, a few days before her birthday, we gathered in Ashcroft to bury some of her ashes at the cemetery there and then continued on to Spences Bridge, where Loni spent some of her growing up years, to scatter the remaining ashes in Murray creek.

The blessing that has come from this tragedy is that we have been able to spend extended time with Loni's son Jeff and his wonderful family. Our kids have been blessed with an abundance of cousins!!

On April 26, Ryan's last living Grandparent, Grandma Rose Ruesch, passed away. Here is a picture from the last time we visited Grandma, on labour day long weekend. She was looking so good and healthy, tanned from being out on her deck all summer. :)

Saturday, May 17 would have been her 82nd birthday so there was a tea and open house for family and friends to remember her and then on Sunday, Grandma's five children and their families gathered to spread her ashes in the river by Sugar Lake.

Once again, the blessing that came with the sadness was in being able to spend time with family. Our kids loved spending time with their cousins all weekend.

So, as you can see, it has been a difficult, emotional time for our family over the last 2 months. It has also been an opportunity to talk openly with our children about death and to help them to see God's hand working in our lives. I am thankful for the privilege I have of being at home with Evan, Grace, and Rachel and being able to share in the teachable moments when the difficult times come.