Today was the annual Secure-24 Company Picnic, and this year we had it at Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. It was the first time we have had it at this location and it was a nice change. I feel like this location was more family friendly in terms of the playground for the kids. I know Kylie enjoyed this park over the previous ones. Additionally there was more shade available at this location than at the previous sites. Though we didn’t have much need for shade most of the day due to the light rain in the morning and then the general overcast later in the day. Despite the weather not being the greatest it was still a very nice day and as the weather broke the turnout increased, though it was still less than previous years. I have no doubt that if the weather had been nicer there would have been more people in attendance. I think my favorite moment was watching Kylie participate in the watermelon eating contest! I hope they have the picnic here again next year and that the weather is better. Regardless, I think I will be back in the spring to explore more as there are hiking trails and other activities available.
Monthly Archives: September 2016
Last Respects and Family Time
We just returned from New York, where we were for the last few days so we could lay Nan to rest. We flew out on Monday (09/05/16) and stayed with Mom. She seemed to be doing well, though she was tired and drained. We spent some time that night at my brother’s house and then at my nephew’s. It was nice to have some time with family even though Melissa and I were tired from travel. Tuesday (09/06/16) was spent finalizing some things for Nan’s services and spending time with Mom, we also ran a few errands but mostly had a low-key day. Wednesday (09/07/16) was the day of Nan’s service. My grandmother had made all the arrangements for her own funeral years ago, which meant there wasn’t much we needed to do to get things ready. I am very grateful that she did this as it minimized the stress for my mother as much as possible as all of the arrangements fell to her for everything else. Per Nan’s wishes there was no obituary published, and the viewing was immediately prior to the services and interment. It had been a number of years since I had last seen Nan, and it was amazing to see how much she had changed since that time. I certainly regret not being able to make it back home more often, but thankfully my family all understands. The service was very nice and a lot of family that I had not seen in years made it up to pay their respects. Myself and her other grandsons and great grandsons had the honor of acting as pallbearers, and it was with heavy, yet joyful, hearts that we carried out that duty. After the services were complete we had a small family gathering back at the senior community in which her and my mother live. Following that we went back to my nephew’s house for a little while to spend additional time with family. Our plane left today at noon, so we had to say good to Mom around 10am. Unfortunately due to some layover delays we didn’t get home until a little while ago, but honestly it still shaved about 4 hours off of driving and was vastly more comfortable. While I am thankful to have had the opportunity to go back home and see everyone, I hope the next time we make it back to New York it is for happier reasons.
The Start of Middle School
My oh my how time does fly! Today was Kylie’s first day of 6th grade! That means that in just a few short months she will complete her primary education! I am honestly not sure how we got here so fast! It seems like only yesterday I was dropping her off at daycare, and now she is in middle school. I am looking forward to watching her continue her swimming and am hopefully that she will try out for the school team (as it is one of the only sports the 6th graders are allowed to participate in) but know that she will at least continue with the club team if she passes on the school team. Academically, I am hopeful that she continues her progress and, more specifically, I am hoping that math no longer causes her so much trouble. We will continue her tutoring once a month to help ensure this as well. Here’s looking forward to another great year!
Loss of the Matriarch
Today is a very sad day for my family; Nan passed away in her sleep about 10:30am, she would have been 98 in January. She was my maternal grandmother and she was the matriarch of the family, always keeping everyone in line and connected. A very direct, outspoken, and bold woman; she ruled with a heavy hand, and was simultaneously the nicest, sweetest, and most caring person you could ever meet. Nan had a way of taking in people and making them feel like family no matter where they came from. She was also very stubborn and set in her ways. She had no qualms about telling you that any given situation would be “her way, or the highway,” and she meant it! I have fond memories of my grandmother, but the majority of them are from when I was younger, particularly when she still owned her cleaning business. This is due to my being far away for the last 20 years, having gone to college out-of-state and then moving even further away to finish college and begin my life and family. I called her when I could though, and even though she was always quick to get off the phone, as she didn’t want to take up too much of my time (no matter how much I tried to tell her she wasn’t), I always made sure she knew that I was thinking of her and that I loved her. I wish I could have spent more time with her these last 20 years. She had great stories and I am certain there are many that I never got the opportunity to hear. She will be dearly missed, but after 28 years she will finally be reunited with my grandfather.
Good-bye Nan, I love you, I’ll miss you.