A Long, Challenging Week

Actually, more like the last 2 weeks.


First, our much beloved co-worker and friend Waymon passed away on Monday Feb. 2. After a long, difficult fight with cancer, he's now up in Heaven, and we will miss him very much.


Second, my Grandpa Swede passed away on Wednesday Feb. 4. The last 5-6 years have really been a struggle for him with various health problems, and he had gone downhill rapidly just since we saw him at Christmas. I think it goes without saying that we will also miss him very, very much.


Colin and I decided that I would travel alone for my grandpa's funeral and he would take care of the girls. After attending Waymon's funeral last weekend, it was a whirlwind to get myself ready to leave and to get the house ready to make it easier for my family while I was gone. And then Sunday morning I took off on the trip to Iowa.


It was a real blessing to be with my family for Grandpa's funeral on Monday. Although the weather left much to be desired, the service at church was fantastic. My dad delivered the eulogy for his father-in-law, and while he had some parts that got all of us (especially the rowdy grandkids like myself) laughing, it was very touching and a good reminder of how Grandpa loved us all and was proud of us all. We then had the graveside service with full military rites. My brother and 2 of my cousins are in the military and participated in this. It was very emotional, especially watching them fold the flag and thinking about how proud Grandpa was of them. The church put on a wonderful lunch afterward, and I was really touched at the love and support that's being shown to my grandma from her church family as well.


My travels were near perfect, and I was thankful for that. That doesn't happen often in the airline industry! It was wonderful to be in Iowa with my family, but I was also happy to get home to Colin, Katie, and Natalie. I missed them!!! Although I was back in town on Tuesday, I took Wednesday off work as well. I think I needed the time by myself to not only do all the errands I would've done on the weekend, but also have some quiet to just think and pray and remember Grandpa. He's up in Heaven now, too. Knowing both of our new angels, I have to say I'm pretty sure Grandpa and Waymon would be friends -- I bet they are up there, talking about construction equipment as they look down on all of us.