A good man

A good man left this world Wednesday night.

He was my Uncle Clayton.

He was a father to me for the first five months of my life, until my own father came home from overseas. My Dad was in the Navy, so Mom and I lived with Aunt Mary and Uncle Clayton until Daddy came home. Aunt Mary sat out in the waiting room with all the Dads, waiting for me to be born, since my own father was on a ship in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles away.

Uncle Clayton loved to tell the story of how he would get me to eat liver when I was very anemic by offering me a sip of tea and then putting a spoon full of the nasty stuff in my mouth. Truth be told, it probably kept me out of the hospital. But I still hate liver.

Uncle Clayton was 92 years old and until he had a stroke a few months ago, he still drove, fished and gardened. I think when he couldn't do those things anymore, life just wasn't going to be much fun. And while I am sure he didn't want to leave my Aunt Mary or his children and grandchildren, it was time for him to leave this world and go on to a place where the fish are always biting and the gardens grow year round.

I know my Mom and many others were there to welcome him when he went to his Heavenly home. I am sure it was a joyous reunion, one I hope we will all experience some day.

Goodbye Uncle Clayton, we will see you again one day.

I love you.

Endings and Beginnings

Another year has come and gone. So many milestones in this past year. Eli had his first birthday, Oliver turned two,  Ed's parents celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary, we had our 35th, Alissa and Brek's 10th, the ten year anniversary of my Mother's death, what would have been my parents 55th wedding anniversary and so many more.

We made trips to Boston, Cincinnati, Aruba, California, Oklahoma City and Branson. I finally saw the Grand Canyon after all these years of driving past and flying over it. Saw the beautiful aspens in Colorado and so many of Ed's favorite places on our drive to Cali.

We had our first Lightner-Poynor-VanHoose family vacation and it was a huge success. Our next trip is already booked and being highly anticipated.

We found out we will be adding to our family this year. Baby V will arrive late March-early April. Looking forward to another sweet baby to cuddle!

We have had some challenges as well. Ed's dad is struggling physically and mentally. We had to close his business and are in the process of selling everything. It was very difficult to see all of his hard work come to an end.

We have some big changes coming in our life as well. It seems we will be moving back to Glenpool in order to help Ed's parents. We don't know where we want to buy or build, so we may move in with my Mother-in-law for the time being, until we sell our house and find somewhere to live. She needs our help and it just seems like the right thing to do for now.

I have had a few more Lupus flares this year. Sometimes I actually forget I have it and then it reminds me with a vengeance. Hoping and praying for a healthy 2013.

I am looking forward to what 2013 holds for our family. We have been so blessed and I am very thankful.