Thanksgiving

What a wonderful day with family! My brother surprising my mom was awesome and made me so happy to see her smile like that. It was a truly relaxing day full of laughs and catching up on life. I am thankful this year for wonderful family and amazing friends that make life so joyful. I am blessed to have a job, a place to live and so much to be grateful for. I will remember this time of year and always to keep in mind those that do not have all that I do. This is the time of year we notice the less fortunate more then ever. Lets try and be mindful of the world around us as we thank God for all that we have, may we also ask he be there for those that are not as blessed.

And it happened..

Death came knocking at her door. Today was the day she had been dreading for the last 6 months. She tried to tell herself it wouldn't happen, but she knew that unless some miracle happened that she would be staring death right in the face. Her heart raced knowing that from this moment on her life would change. Yes, it is true that the last 6 months her life had changed in more ways then she ever thought possible, but she knew that the finality of it all would be something that would affect her very core. The fear, anxiety and sadness all seemed to mix together and she felt like a switch, with her mood changing on a daily basis. Seeing her Nana dwindle was the hardest part of all of this. Once full of life and more energy then she sometimes had, her Nana always kept her guessing and was full of sweet surprises. To say she was inspiring would be an understatement, as the affects of the years we spent together are still present in my everyday life. But today, as she saw the laughing faces of family around the table that had seen so many womderful moments, she knew that only a floor away, her Nana was losing the battle. Of course Nana was going to be at peace, and most of all she was going to be with God. To her there was not better joy in death then to be with her maker. Her heart was true to her faith in ways that to this day amaze me. Even with her passing imminent her spirit was full. We all held hands as I heard the sound of her devotional CD in the background, my grandfather so gently touching her cheek, the love in his eyes more powerful then I have ever seen. Those moments seemed to pass so slowly. Hearing the words "she has passed on" and the sounds of our voices as we prayed the Our Father together as a family. Then the most beautiful combination of voices as we sang Amazing Grace as the matriarch or our beloved family finally was no longer in pain.

Peace

I had such a wonderful weekend. It started out with dinner with a really wonderful person and then off to North Conway with my best friend Heather on Saturday AM. We stayed Saturday night at the most beautiful place I have seen in a long time. The Mount Washington Hotel, it was so peaceful and beautiful up there, and seeing Mount Washington from the amazing wrap around porch was breathtaking. We sat on the couch in the gigantic lobby and had hot cider and chocolate chip cookies. It was the rest and relaxation I needed. I told Heather I definitely could get used to it. I had always wanted to stay there and it definitely lived up to the expectations and then some, all weekend I kept saying that I could not believe how beautiful it was. I want to get back there for a long weekend soon! Maybe next time I can take advantage of how romantic it really is :).

I had a deep tissue massage on Sunday which I desparately needed due to my back spasms. I think I am not sold on massages. It was really amazing. I am so glad I went. It was also great time to really connect with Heather. We don't always get good quality time together, so it was nice. Her husband was lovely to lend her to me! :)

Some pictures below:







I definitely needed to get away and regroup. It felt really nice to just be up there with the views and the fresh air. I love taking time to just enjoy what is around me, and you don't always get that with the day to day rush of life. I am thankful for those moments, becuase they really bring me back to what is important.