Our Washington Trip | Memorials

 The reason for our trip ... it wasn't an easy one but man was I so glad our family got to be there. I was glad I was there for both of my parents too. 

Each of my grandpas' memorials were special in their own way. Memories were shared that made us laugh and cry. It was evident how much they are loved! I could feel the spirit and smiled because I knew they were there with all of us. In fact, I felt that movie moment where the person who has passed on is walking calmly beside their own service and stops to smile, looking at all of the people who loved them so much all together again. I could definitely feel that.

I'm grateful for my Grandpa Dell's life. For the love he left behind in his kids, especially in my dad.

On our last day, we packed all of our things, checked out of the hotel, and got all dressed up again to attend my Grandpa Reidar's memorial service. 

I had the privilege to read some of the words that my Grandpa Reidar's daughters (including my mom) wrote about his life and smiled because many of the things they said they loved about him, I did too. It was a beautiful moment hearing his favorite hymn sung, How Great Thou Art. 

We left in the middle of the afternoon to make the long trek back home. About halfway, we thought Siri took us on a wild goose chase as we were guided through endless fields before finally connecting back to the interstate. It turned out to just be a different route home than we had originally taken there so it was unnerving for a minute but was beautiful too. 

We made it home just after midnight and these two didn't sleep a wink the whole car ride. haha Instead, they watched many movies and snuggled their new convenient store stuffed animal souvenirs ... a kitty and a sloth. 

It truly took us all a week to recover. So much catching up on sleeping and relaxing on the couch in the AC. I got a prenatal massage for a Mother's Day gift that I scheduled the day after we got back. It may have helped my swelling legs and feet but boy did my whole body hurt for a couple days after. My hips and tail bone are still recovering. haha

Happy to be home! Happy to know my grandpas are free from pain and watching over me. Happy to have gotten the memories in a place I love with my kids and to have hugged so many family members! It was a special trip.