My week in Florida ended, but my vacation did not.
Sissy and I attended Bobbie’s granddaughter’s wedding in Indiana the next day.
It was a joyful event, so much happiness and love.
The day couldn’t be more perfect, nor the location.
I’d grown up near it, but had never even known that park existed. So the day after the celebration, some nieces and I explored the trails.
We might have also goofed around with some of the remaining decor before helping pack it all up for the bride and groom.
Not living in the same state as my family means that I’ve missed out on too many special occasions, haven’t been able to watch the babies grow up, or be a part of get togethers.
Which meant that being there for this was an emotional night. I was already verklempt from happy tears, then I was wiped out when I saw bouquets with sterling charms featuring Bobbie’s fingerprints.
Ack, there I go, I’m teary again just looking at this picture!
Sights like Hannah dreamingly watching her brand new husband as he had his mother/son dance, made me cry too. It didn’t help that my seat was facing a sweet memorial table with a framed photo of Bobbie looking directly at me. I’d glance at the picture, thinking about how proud my sister would be of her kids and I’d lose it.
Tears are even more contagious than yawns, so I infected the table with them and we were a soggy mess. I kept telling myself not to do it, but I was a time bomb, ready to explode with tears at each and every endearing moment, then causing a chain reaction among my tablemates.
My time in Pendleton was much too short, but was jam packed. I got to visit with the family who didn’t go to Florida, see my beautiful grand dog, Ryder, go with Sissy to eat our favorite lunch (at the hospital we spent so much time in while Bobbie Sue was ill), walk in the woods, visit friends from school, then plan another big get together with the nieces next year at the beach, and mostly just be happy to be there with them all.