Jan 10th has always been a special day. It was my Grandpa Bird's birthday. Last year on his 90th birthday Grandpa Bird passed away. Even though I miss Grandpa Bird very much I didn't feel as much sadness as I expected to. I think there are two main reasons for that. First is because I know how happy my Grandpa is to be with my Grandma. They were everything to each other & I know they are so happy to be together to begin this part of their eternity together. I think the other reason is because every time I think of him I just can't be sad. He was so wonderful, and entertaining, and fun. I have such wonderful memories of him as well as physical reminders of him. I love to see my children sit on the chair he made & even fight over who gets to ride the rocking horse he made for them. I love the curio case that he made me that holds my wonderful trinkets. I love my Grandpa Bird & I know that he and Grandma are together watching over their posterity with a smile.
Below is the latest picture of the enjoyment brought on by one of Grandpa's creations.
We got as many of the siblings as could be there together to go visit Grandma & Grandpa's grave. We wanted it to be a celebration so Stacy brought some flowers and we had the grandkids all sing "Happy Birthday" to Grandpa. We laughed and remembered & tried to keep our little ones under control. At one point while I watched Klint chase my children down as they ran around the cemetery I thought that Grandpa would have loved to see them running around and having fun like this. Grandpa was all about fun. Here is a pic of everyone who was able to come.
Here is a pic of most of the grand kids that were there.
There is another reason why Jan 10th is such a memorable day. My dad's mom, Grandma J passed on the same day 14 years ago. I was 14 years old when she died. I wish I had a picture of her, but I don't so I'll just tell you about this wonderful woman. My "Grandma J" was left a widow with 4 children (one, a teenager that died a few months after her husband) at the age of 46 (I think). She did the best she could working to raise her family alone in a time, but was also humble enough to allow others to help her. Although you might not think it from looking at her small 4 foot 10 inch frame, she had some serious fight in her and I think she was internally a very strong woman. For most of my life she battled with numerous health issues and despite what we often thought, she beat the odds time and time again. I've always felt a very special connection to Grandma J. I think we share that same fight, and I'm built just like her. When I look down at my hands I see my grandma's hands. I used to not like my hands because I felt like I had "80 year old woman hands" because they looked so much like my grandma's. I don't mind them so much anymore because now I remember her when I look at them. We also share a great love & that is a love for chapstick! Yup! That's right. I remember my grandma putting on her chapstick multiple times in our brief visits even after her hands got so shaky she could barely get it to her lips. I'm sure I will be just the same. I love you Grandma J. I can't wait for the day I get to meet you again without the physical afflictions you had during the years I remember.
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