To Everything There is a Season

I hope every one had a great Easter weekend. We did - it was tremendously busy, and so much fun. On Saturday afternoon, we had Alex's first birthday party. It was a wonderful day. Parrills, Lauckners, and Groves made the trip down, and my parents and Steve, and all of Jeff's family were here. It was so much fun. Lots of little kids running around, good conversation and Alex received some adorable clothes and toys! It really was a fun day. Now, if the weather had been a little better - warmer - it would have been perfection, but nonetheless it was fun. I have posted some pictures below.


On Sunday we got up and went to 9:00 church. It was wonderful to be at Easter service and hear the 'Alleluia, Christ is Risen Indeed' after the reflection of Lent. Our pastor gave a wonderful sermon about "Awakening" and showed some images of life and death, and it was so moving. And, she played the images to a wonderful song by a local artist...it was awesome. I have to say though, that she if fabulous. Her sermons are always so meaningful and moving.
We went over to mom and dad's afterward and visited with Parrills, Lauckners, Steve and my grandparents. We also managed to get some good pics of Alex and Braxton...


But, as always, there is a " time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." After a wonderful weekend of joy and the gift of rebirth of Easter, we are reminded of death as well. On Tuesday morning, we received a phone call that Jeff's grandmother is failing fast. Apparently, she was unresponsive at her nursing home on Sunday evening and is now in a coma. Per family request, she is on no life support or sustenance, so it is just a matter of time. Lyle (Jeff's dad) headed to Mpls. early on Tuesday morning, and his siblings are all there. Jeff drove down this morning, and many of his cousins are or have made the trip to see Grandma one last time. Though she is not my grandma by blood, she is a wonderful woman who's sprite attitude and wonderful sense of humor was so appreciated by all. Way back when I first started dating Jeff, she welcomed me with loving and open arms, as she has everyone who has entered the Paulson clan through marriage. It is now just a matter of time, though she has been failing for a while. But, she kept such a wonderful attitude during the last few months that it was easy to forget that she was gradually losing her memory... She never let on that she has been in pain and joyfully laughed away when she forgot who I was, or Jeff, or her own children...

We have said for a long time, that it was just a matter of time, but that phone call is still hard to answer, for the sadness and loss is hard to face....

I wish you a wonderful week. Please take a moment to think about those you Love and thank God that we have family and friends to cherish.