Special Club

 I am not sure if you know about the special club I am a part of. To join you must go through one of the hardest things you will ever go through, the death of a parent. It is a very select club and nobody ever really wants to join it, but the support that comes from other members of the group is unparalleled. 

One of my friends recently joined the group. Her dad passed away shortly before Thanksgiving, while visiting her family. Another one of my friends, who is like the OG of the club among my friends, Janette, joined me to bring some support and cheer a couple weeks back. 

The healing of the hurt happens as we remember our lost loved ones. The healing is quadrupled when you share the experience of loss with those who know what it is like to be a member of this exclusive club. We chatted about how you never know what it is like to lose a parent until you go through it yourself. I have realized just how clueless I was before I lost my dear mom. I’ve thought about how I wasn’t a good friend to those who joined the club before me, just because I was clueless.  

Luckily, you become a good friend to others in the club after you join it yourself. I’m very grateful for the good friends who have helped me transition into the club. 

One such friend gifted me a journal to write all the feelings I went through right after my mom passed. It was the best thing anybody did for me. Kristen also invited the hard talks out of me. She helped me realize that the grief will never go away but that I should embrace the moments and sit with that grief, accepting that it will be hard in many moments even if it gets a little better with time. 

I also gifted Shule a notebook to write down her feelings. Welcome to the group that you never want to join but the group that helps like no other thing will. 

The New Whip

 Well. The car drama is almost to the end. Reub went car shopping at Berge Auto. He know the peeps who own it. They are so nice and sell very reliable cars at a fair price. If you are local and ever need a car, check them out. They are in Orem on 800 North a few blocks east of State Street. 

Reuben found this gem, and convinced me it is our next car. I also felt it was his turn to choose, mainly because I am usually the pushy wife who finds the car and convinces him he found it, how the turntables have turned:

2018 Mazda CX-9. It has only 63,000 miles, heated leather seats(even in the back seat..the kids think it’s so cool!), Bose Speakers, a third row of seats giving lots of room, and lots of other bells and whistles. I feel spoiled until I think of having a car payment again which was inevitable even with a good appraisal of the totaled car. RIP Toyota Camry Hybrid. I miss you and your great gas mileage. I miss you also no car payment. Sigh! And hello Limo-Bean. The kids named it Limo because it’s so fancy and black. I added bean because of my love of puns! Smile!

Girl’s Date

 Z and I were alone because the boys had a church outing. I had the idea we should do a mommy and daughter date. When I asked Z what we should do she instantly said: “Mom, I know you’ve seen it already, but can we go see Wicked?”

Um…see Wicked again?…as a mom and daughter thing?…just like I saw the play with my mom?…twist my arm!

My mom in New York:

I am grateful for all the mom and daughter adventures I was able to have with my sweet mom. It is a huge blessing to have a wonderful mother. Now, I get to attempt to be that mom too!

Z’s Dance Recital

The dance recital was brilliant. Z is in three classes this year: ballet, hip hop and tap. She also was a part of the company’s nativity. I think she was most excited to dance for her 3rd grade teacher. Thank heavens for great teachers who care for their students. She is loving 3rd grade thanks to Miss Emilie. Also, thank heavens for amazing dance companies like Radiant Dance. Radiant is affordable and a special place. So glad we found this great dance community!

To see the recital click here. Ballet is at: 2:04, Hip hop is at 2:07:43, Tap is at 2:28:30, and the live nativity is 2:37:25. 

 

The week of busy

First big event: School Christmas Concert. 

Zarah sang and played violin, and Ellis sang. This year marks the last time the Grimm be at the same school until high school!