Feeling the loss of an amazing woman

This is Jason's cousin Michelle Langston Bancroft. She is an amazing woman. She passes away this morning after a very long and courageous fight with cancer. It seems like that ugly disease inflicts it's worst on the people least deserving of such a trial. Michelle was one of the most Christlike people I knew, and anybody who knew her would agree. She was always willing to go out of her way to help people and share what she had with others. She welcomed me into her family with an open heart and wonderful friendship.

When Jason and I got married it was overwhelming meeting all of his family and trying to remember everyone, and also trying to fit in but I remember always feeling comfortable around Michelle and her husband Justin. From the very beginning they treated me like family and through the last 6+ years we have become more than just family. We have become great friends.

Michelle's absence from this world will be deeply felt by anyone who had contact with her, and especially by her family. My heart goes out to her fabulous husband Justin, who stood by her every step and loved her, it was always obvious how much he cared about and loved her, and to her 3 beautiful children who had one of the best mothers ever.

Michelle, I love you. We only knew each other for a few years but it felt like more to me. Thank you for being there for me and being a good friend. Thank you for all the fun times we had at dinner, boating, playing the Wii, and just talking for so long that the kids were up way past their bed times! I feel you loss so deeply. The world just isn't right without you in it. You are already missed. I am so happy for you to be free from your pain here on earth, and I know you are having so much joy being with your sweet children who were waiting for you. We will do our best to take care of your family here on earth until you are united again.
You have left a place in our hearts that will never be filled, but you have left such and example of love and faith.

We love you and your family.

When I was a kid one thing I remember doing that I loved was wearing my dad's T-shirt to bed. I loved wearing something that smelled like him and was big enough to tuck my whole body in. I remember dancing around the house in the over sized shirts pretending they were dresses or costumes of some kind. The possibilities were endless!
My boys have recently discovered the joy that can be found in a "daddy shirt." Ridgedon loves them so much he wants to wear one all the time. He begged to wear one to school and the store and even to the pool! I will get them dressed and send them to school and as soon as they come home Ridge wants me to change his clothes!
It is so much fun for me to relive the precious memories I had of wearing daddy shirts and seeing the simple joy that kids have for the simplest things. These boys love their daddy and want to be like him so much. It makes them unbelievably happy to wear something of his.
Thanks mom for allowing me experiences that give me wonderful memories. I hope I am a fraction of the mom you were.

Time flies

Birthday List

Last night we were all driving home from the SO Closing social and I thought I would ask Dyson what he wanted for his birthday. His big day is coming up at the end of the month and I wanted to get an idea of what he would want since he will actually have his birthday before we leave Grenada.

His response was he wanted a Pirate. I'm not sure where he got that idea but it was amusing none the less. We talked about the pirate idea for a bit and then the topic of his birthday was dropped. A little bit later, out of the blue Dyson pipped up from the back seat of the car that if I couldn't find him a pirate he would gladly take a 4 wheel. I wasn't sure what he meant so I asked him to clarify and he responded with "Mom, you remember when we went with Dave and Cassandra and we rode on the 4 wheel and we went really fast? That's what I'm talking about. Only I want one that is smaller and doesn't go so fast. OK?" I about died! He was so matter a fact about it and was completely serious. I had a hard time not laughing out loud, but I didn't want to make him feel bad so I held it in. After another pause in the conversation Dyson then added "If you can't find me a pirate or a 4 wheel you can get me something else. That would be OK too."
I thanked him for the great birthday ideas and was silently saying "thank you" to a higher power for the "something else" option.

As much as I would like to get my children at least one gift that they want for their birthday, I'm pretty sure the 4 wheel will have to wait for another year. And my guess is that he will be getting "Something Else"

Gotta love kids!