A beautiful life

I'm really not sure how to write this post. This week has been very long. I have spent most of it at the hospital sitting with my grandmother as she lived her final five days.

I experienced time differently within the walls of that hospital. Time slowed down and I became saturated with so many emotions. First, I felt hope. My grandma had lived eighty six years in good health until last Wednesday, and initially we thought she might recover from this setback. When we learned that this would not happen, I felt sorrow. I was so saddened by the knowledge that my grandma would not be walking out of that hospital, knowing that she would not see this spring or any spring to follow. Although my feelings fluctuated, I felt one constant- a deep sense of pride and gratitude to be a part of such an amazing family. This feeling continued each day as I talked to, prayed with, and even sang with so many of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course, my sister. I also experienced my grandma's fear which led me to experience a bravery I'd never known. I sang songs of comfort to her. I spoke to her about heaven. I relayed messages from my sister in Chile that were both beautiful and spiritual.

Although time slowed down for me, it continued its steady march outside of those hospital walls. As I'd head home, my children so easily reminded me of that.

There were flowers to be watered.

Territories to investigate.

Babies to be read to.

Rock piles to explore.

Balls to be played with.

So each day I'd come home with a smile on my face and be a mom. Only to return that evening and be a granddaughter, a daughter, a music therapist, the voice for my sister in Chile, and whatever other role needed filled.

I will forever remember those days with my family as a sacred time. I experienced God's presence so intensely. I felt the love that permeates generations. I felt the peace that comes with accepting God's will and letting go of your own.

Of course, when faced with death so intimately, it shifts your perspective. We say it all the time, but life is short and fragile and oh so precious. I want to make the most out of the time God blesses me with. I want to take time to appreciate and give thanks to all the beautiful moments that make up my life.

Today I am grateful for Morgan's strong personality and tenacious spirit.

I am grateful for the Charlie. He couldn't stop being adorable if he tried.

I am grateful for Taylor's creativity and independence. She designed a new hairdo all by herself.

She also built a swimming pool for her fairies using a watering can and aluminum foil.

And her precious freckles are already beginning to make an appearance this spring.

Life just keeps going. Everyday there's something new to be celebrated. Like Mark's solution to the messy taco eating dilemma.

Or Morgan's solution to the boring shopping expedition.

And there's nothing like a baby niece to remind you of the beauty of life.

I can only hope to be as lucky as my grandma who lived eighty six healthy, happy years. I love you Grandma. Give Grandpa a hug from me.

Pickin' up the pace

It has been quite a while since I've reported on the happenings of the Williams family. As spring aproaches, we are awakening and our activity level is increasing. We had such an atypical winter as far as the weather was concerned. My goodness, we didn't even have a single school cancellation. Still, we spent this winter the way we spend most of them. We stayed indoors and hibernated.

We rested. We played games ( we definitely had a record number of family game nights!).

Charlie explored new ways to irritate Taylor while Taylor learned new ways to trick Charlie into doing what she wanted.

And little Morgan just took it all in and tried desperately to do big girl things like her sister.

I know springtime is not officially here, but try telling that to the birds that serenade me each morning or to my daffodils who have already shown their playful faces. Likewise, my family has also responded with new burst of activity and joy. Most notably, we've been spending more and more time outside. Taylor has been such a great sport in my quest to learn how to shoot in lots of different lighting.

We went to the park the other day after I picked her up from a birthday party and took turns making up poses.

She was such a good sport. She even carried my tripod for me. (Doesn't she look like a golf caddy?)

I needed the tripod so we could take these photos.

Of course, it was clear when she'd had enough and was ready to head home.

This weekend was especially busy because we had a flurry of family activities. First, Uncle David came in town. I am so thrilled that he's been able to spend so much time with the kids over the past year. Charlie couldn't wait to play him at checkers.

I'm not sure if Morgan quite remembered him initially, but once he read to her they became instant buddies.

We took advantage of Uncle David's presence to have a nice family dinnerat Aunt Sue and Uncle Les's house.

There were seven children there ages 6 and under.

Of course that was nothing compared to the 200 people we saw the following night. Mark's cousin, Tyler, is entering the military. We threw a huge surprise party for him with family coming in from all over the country.

And guess who was not intimidated in the least by the presence of so many people.

That's right, Morgan couldn't be happier running around on her own amongst so many people.

We finished off the weekend with yet another family gathering at home. It was my mom's birthday and we had a wonderful afternoon with her. Mark graciously agreed to make his famous grilled pork medallions while the rest of us played outside in the beautiful weather.

Grace had seen some of Taylor's photos on my blog and decided it was her turn to pose for a few. Isn't she beautiful?

Then Jessica decided that it was time Addison had her first feel of grass.

Surprisingly, she was not very phased by it.

It was a fun day for mom. She was around all her grandkids and even got to skype with Julie on her birthday.

I gave mom a photo book from shutterfly using all the pictures she had taken during her visit to Chile.

Phew! After laying it all out like that it's obvious we did not have a quiet, relaxing weekend. However, seeing so much of our family in one weekend was a blessing. Another reminder of how lucky my children are to be surrounded by so much love. This is why we live in Ohio. It may not be the most exciting place in the world, but it's home. And it's home to 95% of our family as well. (Now if we could just get Uncle David to move back...)

I leave you with two photos from today. My beautiful and patient daughter.