March 23: Happy Easter! Sylvia and I are home from our Easter lunch at Terry’s. Bryan and Andrew are driving Maretta up to Columbus so she can catch the train back to St. Paul. At the same time, Becky is driving Joe to Milwaukee so he can fly back to Maine. It’s been just wonderful having Maretta and Joe home these last weeks. I’m sad to see them go. And really, it’s not just because they are wonderful at helping to watch my kids! I think they each got lots accomplished. Maretta and I had several good meetings to finalize details for her wedding. I’m really looking forward to it! It’s two months from tomorrow!
This morning, Andrew woke up to find a good collection of stuffed Easter creatures laid out. I dressed Sylvia up like an adorable Easter egg, and we took a big ham, some mashed potatoes, and the dessert left-overs from several recent get-togethers we’ve had to Terry’s. Lisa provided vegetables and a very yummy vegetable quiche, and Becky brought a coconut cream pie. mmmm My aunt Julie and uncle Kevin drove up from Monroe (where they have been working hard to get Grandma and Grandpa’s house ready to sell and divide up the estate), and so we had a full table for our Easter lunch. Andrew and Becky dyed easter eggs, and we all had a nice time.
Pictures of our Easter festivities are in the gallery.
It’s still really weird to not have Mom here. The other day, someone came walking in the door, and I really thought it was her. I even turned to her to say something before I remembered. Ahh, the good old slug to the stomach. I don’t know if I feel like she’s close by or gone all together or if she visits sometimes or even if there’s anything left other than the love and the memories we have for her. But I do know that when we’re all together it makes me really happy. It makes her absence that much more obvious, but it also means that the people know knew and love her best are all together, and somehow that makes her feel closer.
We were driving home from a get-together in Monroe late last night. The moon was full, and just lovely. The fields stretched out; covered in a glistening blanket of white snow that glowed with the moon’s light. Sylvia was asleep, and Andrew and I were holding hands, singing songs together. For me, things just felt right. I can’t believe I’ve been entrusted with the care of Andrew and Sylvia. They are both so wonderful. And I know that Mom felt the same way about me and my brothers and sister. Mom poured so much of her love and herself into our family that it is seeping its way into Andrew and Sylvia. It’ll continue to grow and spread, even though she’s not here to do it herself.
“Love grows love” seems like a very appropriate epitaph for my mom.