To Halloween and beyond...

Halloween around here this year brought smiles all around. I could not help but post pictures of the grandkids, and, of course, Pete/Frankenstein. Pete had to get up at 5:00 AM Halloween morning to get to downtown Chicago for a 7:30 AM gig. That's a little early for me to put on makeup! I love the picture of Reece, as mini-Frankenstein, looking at Pete. It is almost like he is thinking, "It sounds like my grandpa, sure doesn't look like him!"

Hayden was his all time favorite character, Buzz Lightyear. With a little coaxing he would give you the "To infinity and beyond" line. And Denver/Dracula, Maya/Dorothy and Isaiah/Jack Sparrow were so fun. They flew around our neighborhood with their dad and then raced off to the other grandma's Schaumburg neighborhood for more treats. Tommy reports that Denver counted every piece (101 pcs) and sorted them all. Not a surprise when you know the quirky way Denver's brain works.

Today is my sweet niece, Heidi's birthday. Mandy posted a salute to Heidi on her blog. Heidi reminds me more and more of my sister, Lin, sweet, compassionate, creative, a true friend. And the rest of the week unfolds. Tomorrow it will mark 20 months Laurie's been gone from her earthly home. I can't help remembering every month as the 2nd of each month approaches. I am even more aware of other dates of loss and rememberance from the members in my small group at Grief Support. One of the moms who is really struggling approaches the one year mark of her daughter's death on the 5th. I knew her daughter years ago from Student Impact and she was just a beautiful girl inside and out. To keep confidentiality, I don't want to name these dear ones. But it would be great to say a little prayer for all those who belong to the club no one wants to be in, the club with the highest dues in the world, loss of a child.

Sort of related to that, Pete and I are getting to go away for a few days to Florida next week. Our Michigan friends who just lost their daughter Nikki in September were gifted with a time share in FL and they asked if we could join them. Though we could only break out for two days, we are glad that the four of us can hang out on the beach and just have some down time. Grief is exhausting sometimes. It will be good to be there. And last but not least, Happy Birthday, Joey, dear sister of mine on Friday. You rock!