SCHOOL!

"I made a new friend on the bus. One of the rules on the bus is not to eat, and she eats her snacks on the bus. Can you believe that? She breaks rules just.like.me!" ~Eliana

Eliana: "this boy in my class thinks Sasha is evil"
Sasha "that's because I hiss at him."

My Grandpa

For those who don't know, I went to Florida last weekend to see my grandfather off to his light. We took him off life support on Friday, and he took his last breath on Sunday evening. His body was still so very strong. I stayed by his side day and night. I guess I hoped for a magical turn of events, but also just trying to see to his comfort.

I admired my grandfather for his strength and ability to live life. He didn't just live his life, he owned and directed it. He hated to sit down, and on the rare occasion we could get him to enjoy recreational activities he would constantly look at his watch. There was so much to do, and he wanted to do it all. He worked long hours helping at St Thomas Episcopalian Church, the church home he so loved. He also worked long hours with the Coast Guard.



The day that changed everything he was on a ladder in his garage, and he hurt his knee when he fell off. Sadly, nobody thought to check his head for injury. I've now lost both him and my grandmother the same way- blood clotting in the brain following a fall. They eventually found it and went in to relieve the pressure, but it was just too late and he never woke up. Seeing him in the hospital that way I just knew that it would have offended his sense of dignity to live on in that way, and as hard as it was to say goodbye, it became clear he would have wanted us to let him go.

I know he didn't wrap everything up in this lifetime that he wanted to, we all thought he had so many more years with us and no doubt he did too. We all had so much more we wanted to say to him. In the end I hope he knows that we were there and that we all loved him.

School

The girls just concluded their first week in school. I think, so far, it is off to a great start. Sasha cried last night when she found out there would be no school today, and has mentioned a few times today that she would rather be in school. It seems to be a really good match for her so far.
Malia has a bit more of an adjustment, 5th grade requires more self-reliance, more organization, and can be a little more socially pressing. That said, she is enjoying the learning process and stepping up to the challenge.
Eliana seems to like it. Her teacher seems like a great match for her, and Eliana comes home with a smile on her face. All in all I think we all survived and thrived in our first week of this new schedule. It was surprisingly easy for me to adjust to the 6 am mornings and quiet house, of course napping each day this week had to play a role in the easy transition.

Wishing them many more happy school days to come :)