I want to thank everyone so much for your notes of condolence yesterday. A note was sent to each of you that we have email for and the rest were responded to in the blog. Even though we have not met most of you in person, I still value your friendship and support …it means a lot. We are doing better today. As Russ said this morning, Rusty is better today than he was yesterday. It’s the decision that is so very hard…it’s like playing God and I know that I am NOT GOD!! Yet when I found myself thinking, “I wonder if I can just get him through one more day”…I knew that I was being selfish in my desire to hang on to him. If it is a struggle to get him through the day and he is miserable, why would I continue to do that to him? So although I will miss Rusty for every day that is left to me, I am at peace with the decision and I am beginning to heal…from both his passing and my sister’s. I will be okay.
Summer has FINALLY arrived in western Oregon and with it bright blue skies and wonderfully warm temperatures. Right now it is 86F and that’s getting on the high side of tolerable. So we loaded up the girls (Anna and Bekah) and headed to the park this morning before it got too hot. I think the last time we had them at Skinner Butte Park together was on July 17, 2006. I found a couple of those old pictures and I thought the comparison was pretty amazing. My how things change in 6 years.
Some things never change no matter how old you get.
I don’t think anyone should ever outgrow swings.
Can you think of anything more fun as a child than swinging? One of my favorite poems was (and is) Robert Lewis Stevenson’s “The Swing.”
“How do you like to go up in a swing
Up in the air so blue
Oh I do think it’s the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do”….. there are two more verses and yes, I can still quote them!!
Russ and Poppy found a shady spot to enjoy the goings on. You can see Anna and Bekah on the swings in the background.
Then we drove across the river and walked down to the water. It was such a pleasant day and there were many folks in boats and floats enjoying the river.
The girls got their feet wet but that river is still COLD!! Better to go home and swim in the warm pool.
One more picture comparing the girls six years ago and today.
They sure do grow up fast and they just get sweeter every day…I think the sweet part comes from eating Grandma’s Homemade Strawberry popsicles!!!
Gratuitous moon shot from June 29, 2012…just because I thought it looked neat.
great to hear that you were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!!..amazing how fast the girls have grown up!!..enjoy the warm sunshine!!
ReplyDeleteI'm behind on reading blogs, slow internet. Sorry to hear about Rusty. Good to see you out with the girls.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to get away. Nothing like beautiful granddaughters to cheer you up.
ReplyDeleteOh neat doing both those photos of the girls then and now. I wonder if the girls remember visiting there six years ago.
ReplyDeleteI think you forgot to tell Russ and Poppy you were going to take a picture. I don't see any smiles.
Glad you posted the moon picture. I like it too!
I, too, am behind on reading. Hugs for all that you have been through.
ReplyDeleteLove that you have those great comparison pictures of the girls.
It IS a lot of fun swinging...still! Makes me want to go out there and do it :)
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful girls are a wonderful antidote for all the sadness of the last weeks. Glad you were able to have a fun day with them.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about Rusty. Never easy to make an important decision and act as you did. I can't imagine how much you are going to miss him.
Blessings
I had the exact same second thoughts when we lost our boy Mo while vacationing in Palm Springs 3 years ago. Now, looking back, it was absolutely the right decision just like yours. It had to be as I would never have made it unless it was absolutely time.
ReplyDeleteThose two cousins look like they were friends six years ago, and it looks like they are still friends! I hope that time spend with your lively grandchildren will keep your spirits boosted! Yay for summer weather--it's about time!
ReplyDeleteNothing better to boost the spirits than good weather and grandchildren. Glad you had a good day!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your loss but we too are very happy that summer has hit here in Portland especially since we have to stay a bit longer than planned...
ReplyDeleteOh, how I know how hard it is to make that final decision. I cry every time I think of making it with Lizzie, but I know it was the right decision for HER though I miss her every day. You did the right thing for Rusty--that's what is important. In return, he left you with many happy memories and the knowledge that you were, indeed, there for him when he needed you most, Donna. Though I never met him, personally, I'm pleased to have met him through your writing and pictures.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you both got out to enjoy that beautiful day with the girls. Look's like Poppy and Russ know how to make the best of a warm day. Beautiful moon shot, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you guys are doing really well, and taking the grands out on a gorgeous day is good! They are so cute, I love the old/new photos.
ReplyDeletePoppy is a pretty smart dog, it looks like she has the coolest spot in the park!
So glad you had such a great day with the grand kids...great "therapy". I know how much you miss Rusty, but even though it was a difficult decision, it was the right thing for Rusty.
ReplyDeleteKnow you are in our thoughts!
Looks like happy agrees with you:)
ReplyDeleteThey grow up so fast. I have two great grandson that I haven't met yet.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad... I haven't looked at blogs much lately, and I missed the last post about Rusty. I know how much that hurts when we have to let our furry kids go. I've had to do it 4 times. Allie, our lab, went in the same way as Rusty. At home, in her favorite bed, with all of us lovin' on her. One of our pugs even slept snuggled to her through her final moments. I'm sad with you.
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