Days Remembered

There are certain dates that have meaning for all of us. With a little help from someone very important, I have come to realize and accept that even those we do add meaning to specific dates, they are really little more than another day on the calendar unless you make something of them.

Three weeks ago happened to be one of these dates, my dad's birthday. This year he would have been 51 years old. I always knew the day would come when things would start to fade (I'm sure many small things started to years ago), and I had always feared that some of these dates that I had always tried so hard to pay close attention to would sometime fade as well. My mom ended up reminding me of it this year, which was perfect, but I still felt guilt for actually forgetting.

After the most supportive and understanding person I know reminded me that I really shouldn't be worrying so much about these dates and that it is OK to be busy with life and not dwelling on the past at all times, I made a plan to make it up to myself for not remembering. After Sunday School, I headed to the grocery store and bought one of the biggest pumpkins I could find. The kids and I brought it home and they each chose a different color and finger painted their names along with each of their hand prints. Last, Mason started putting Grandpa Steven's name on the pumpkin, but ended up needing a little help from Mom as it wasn't quite as easy as he thought it would be :) So, we got our pumpkin all painted and let it dry while the whole household took a much needed nap.

Yes the little ones are in their undies...finger painting is much easier to clean up this way ;)

Mommy helping write Grandpa Steven's name on the pumpkin while Koryn and Mason add the final touches.

The end result was absolutely perfect in my eye - a little messy, but still containing all the important part, which is exactly how our family usually is! We lugged the huge symbol of our love out to the cemetary and visited Grandpa Steven.

Another thing that I knew in the back of my mind would eventually come were questions. The kids have started asking more and more about Grandpa Steven and to be honest, I am more than happy to answer! I promised myself that my kids would always know who he was even though they will never able to meet him in person, and that is one thing I will not forget!