Beginning of the new year

Here it is, January 13th and so much as already happened. It has been almost a month (give or take 2 days) that I have slept in my own bed. The holiday started the weekend before Christmas when we spent a day/night in Chattanooga with my mom's family. I didn't quite know then that it would be the last time I saw my grandmother alive.

We then made our way to Knoxville where we spent the entire week of Christmas with Matt's mom. It was a really nice visit (mind a little drama... as usual) and Evie & I made out like bandits.

We came home for the new year (hence my last post) and then Evie & I headed back to Chattanooga on the 3rd to see my brother and his family before they moved to Japan. I hoped to see my grandmother but she was in the hospital and my mom was by her side or with my brother most of the time. On Sunday January 6th, my brother and his family were leaving for Japan and I was heading back to Nashville, but my grandmother passed early that morning so all of our plans changed. I didn't get to see her, but our last visit at Christmas was pleasant and she was lucid the last time I spoke with her.

I know that I will most likely be attending another funeral this year as well. My aunt Bobbie's cancer is back and has pretty much spread through out her body. There is nothing more the doctors can do for her except make her comfortable. I am lucky I got to see her while home, but I don't know when I will see her next.

So far, 2008 has been bittersweet. It's sad that my grandmother has passed, but she is no longer in pain and she is with my grandaddy now. They loved each other so. I know that my brother and his family will only be in Japan a year, and I hope to visit sometime this summer. This year, I believe, will be a life changing one; weather it be good or bad, it will be memorable.