As I sit and write this, I’m still in a small state of disbelief that I am actually writing my final of 30 consecutive posts for the month of June. NaBloPoMo has been both a fun and tiresome adventure and I can honestly say that I’m ready for a break. Tonight’s post will be a quick one to wrap up the month and show you a little of what I’ve been doing these past two weekends.
As I mentioned last weekend, I was up in northern Vermont visiting with my best friend of 22 years and her family. We had, as usual, a wonderful time catching up and after a dinner at El Gato Cantina in Burlington, we took a stroll along the Lake Champlain waterfront. This certainly was a different site than my first visit to Burlington when it was -5 degrees F in early December a few years ago and I was able to soak in all the glory that is this beautiful lake. Next time, maybe I’ll remember to bring my real camera!
And because my trip home involves a trip past the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, VT, I couldn’t pass up stopping for some lunch: Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz and Sweet Cream and Cookies in a waffle cone. Perfection.
Before I sign off for the evening, I’d like to give so many of you a heartfelt thank you for all of your kind words of support and encouragement after my reflections post earlier this week. Sadly, within one hour of publishing that post on Tuesday night, my grandmother passed away in her sleep. I really did know that night as I was writing that post that her time was imminently near and I wrote it through a wall of tears. I got that call the following morning. Nonetheless, it was always the way she said she wanted to go and once all of our family arrives from around the country, we’ll have a memorial service for her next weekend. Your words, words from some friends and words from some complete strangers, have helped to lift me up in ways I can’t even express. It has been an emotionally exhausting week and I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart (and through many of the tears I have shed) for your kindness.
Kyle and I spent today on Long Island with some of my family at a quiet beach that we used to frequent all.the.time. when my brother and I were kids. And before that, my grandparents used to rent a beach house (cabin?) there way back in the day with my mom and her siblings in tow.
Being at the beach was surely one of my grandmother’s favorite things to do and it was only fitting for us to be there today. It was a nice day reminiscing with family, swimming, getting some sun, and putting our minds to rest for a few hours. We head back home to CT tomorrow morning and we’ve already got a list a mile long to do on our day off on the 4th.
I hope you’ve enjoyed keeping up with me this month. Thank you for sticking with my 30 days of posts!!
Tara–I really enjoyed your months of posts! I liked checked my google reader every day and seeing a (1) next to your blog. Looking forward to reading much more from you in the future!
I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother.
best, Kay
I’m sorry for your loss. Kudos though, for being honest about your feelings. Denial complicates everything and knowing where you stand is the best thing you can do to help your mother in her grief. You don’t have to be grieving the same thing, feeling the same emotions, to be of aid to her or to validate what she’s experiencing. You probably have a very tough week ahead of you. I wish you strength and peace.
I have been enjoying reading your posts each day. Your fun recipes, and stories are wonderful. I am sorry for your loss, and it is never easy even when family issues make it complicated. Glad to see you are enjoying time with your family this weekend. Enjoy each moment!!
Great work. Takes a lot of dedication to blog for a full month. Keep up the good work, remember the good times and share your favorite memories with your grandmother. Remember to write them down so your children can share in your heritage. To the future!
Tara, another beautiful post. I’m sorry for your loss and I’m glad you are getting the opportunity to process it truly and honestly, however sad and complex that may be. I hope you and your family will take some time to rest and relax. You’ve shared some amazing things this month.