JUNE 13TH - a notable day in my life.

Yes June 13th is a significant date in  my life. Steve was born on June 13th and was always proud of that date because it was also his mother's birthday and the date of his parents' wedding anniversary. He loved it any time it was the 13th. He loved Friday 13th.

So it was not really a surprise that he also passed out of this life on June 13th. He was not doing well and had not eaten nor  had anything to drink for several days and we knew his time was short. Some of our children were there and as the 12th was drawing to a close at 10 PM Steve asked for something to drink our son said 'Well if you are doing that well we will have a birthday party'. Then he made a quick trip to the grocery store returning with a small cake, a candle and a birthday balloon, He called his siblings and told them that at midnight we would have a birthday celebration.

At midnight many of the children were able to join and  sing "Happy Birthday"  to Steve and of course we gave him hugs. Then just 15 minutes later  he passed away - on the 13th! He had an interesting sense of humor and I am certain that he held on just so he could make it til the 13th.

This week, on the 13th, he would have been 80  years old which is hard to believe. He was a good man who loved the Lord and his family very much. He was  not perfect but  his love was constant. He was so patient in his 14 months of suffering from this stroke, never complaining.

This photo of him was taken  on the grounds of the London Temple just a few months before we retuned home before he had his stroke. I think this is my favorite picture of him because it shows him just brimming with love.

It will now be 4 years since he passed. Somedays it seems like forever ago and other days it seems like he is still here and some days are just hard. We had many notable adventures together and I miss him. I am still trying to learn what being a widow means but I am also trying to move forward with my life.

I am grateful that Steve left me in a financial situation that allows me to take our grandchildren on trips. I realized I have not been blogging those trips past Grandma trip #2.

However,  I completed Grandma Trip #3 taking 3 of my grandchildren to Japan. They are siblings so it worked out well for them to spend the time together and with me. And of course  also visiting with our son and his wife who live in Tokyo. My amazing daughter-in-law researched everything and created our itinerary. We saw so many things and went so many places because each of them had their own interests 

Then Grandma Trip #4 was to Denmark the place of my heritage with one of my grandsons who even looks like a Viking. This was at Egeskov Castle. And also Lindholm Höje a Viking burial site.

 

Then it was back to Japan with another  granddaughter for Grandma Trip #5 where we were dressed in kimonos which was cool. And we took a cooking class, a calligraphy class and a bow making class and saw so much.  Again my daughter-in-law was amazing as she found our classes and many things to see and created our itinerary. We even went to a ninja restaurant. 

 

In a couple of weeks it will be Grandma Trip #6 as I take two more of  my grandchildren to Switzerland for a train tour.

 Friday the 13th will also be a significant  day for me. It will be my first day to work as a volunteer  in the Syracuse Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This temple was dedicated on June 8th by President Russel M Nelson. It is the 206th  operating temple in the world. I will be there every Friday afternoon. I love working in the temple and feeling the peace  that is within those walls. 

It was in the Salt Lake Temple that Steve and I were married/sealed for  time and all eternity so many years ago. I  know I will see Steve again and we will have the opportunity to have our family with us forever not just "til death do us part". I am blessed and I am grateful.