The last couple of weeks have been busy! A couple days before Christmas Rich's dad called to let us know that his mom was in bad shape and may not make it through the night. She lasted a couple more days. She died Dec. 23rd. She would've been 89 years old today. At the end of this post I'm attaching the obituary link, read the numbers on how many is in the family, and it brings to life the saying, "All because two people fell in love."
She had been in poor shape for a few months, with hospice coming in to take care of her. Since the first time I met her 6 1/2 years ago her eyesight and hearing had been failing, with false teeth. The last 5 years or so her mental state had also been failing. A sad occasion, but a good release for her. She no longer suffers in any way.
The night she died, Rich's dad had a Red Cross message sent to the ship so that Rich could arrange for emergency family leave. He went in on Christmas Eve and got it all done, and at about 6:00 pm we were on the road.
We got into Murray about 7 am on Christmas Day. Making it a 12-hour road trip done overnight. Olivia got sick a few times, and we determined it was because she started the trip with milk in her sippy cup. On the way home yesterday we didn't let her have milk starting the night before, and she wasn't sick at all. After eating, we got a few hours sleep, then went to Rich's sister's house. Later we went to see Rich's grandparents on his mom's side.
On the 27th was another major family day. My cousin had his mission "farewell", and his brother's baby was blessed. So there was the get together after. That evening was Grandma Black's viewing, and there was a lot of family there. Olivia ran around with some of her distant cousins, having lots of fun. The 28th was the funeral, the family filled up the middle section of the chapel, and not everyone was there. After the interment was the usual luncheon. After eating, Olivia ran around again with the cousins.
After the luncheon was a wedding, this time a cousin on Rich's mom's side of the family. At the church Olivia decided it was time to start climbing stairs. She went all the way up, twice!
The next two weeks or so were spent visiting lots of people, a couple of dates (gotta take advantage of free babysitting after all :)), and even some relaxing time, Olivia starting to climb stairs more, and she also got a new tooth. We weren't planning on leaving until this coming weekend, but circumstances led us to make the choice to head home early. We arrived last night a little before 9:30 pm. The way home we stopped in Hurricane to see my Grandma Furse. I don't think I've seen so much family in such a short time before.
So, does all this equal a vacation to you? I'm still trying to figure that out.
It was good to see so many friends and family, but its exhausting!!
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?n=alice-black&pid=137831050
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