Grandpa is coming!!!!

My Grandfather and Eve come to Cincinnati today and I couldn't be more happy and excited. When I am around him, I feel at peace. He clearly raised my Mother, got to watch her children grow and had one of the best Father/Daughter relationships I have ever witnessed. Just pure unconditional love and involvement in each other's lives. I know how much this loss has hurt him, he was very, very close with my Mom and Dad and saw them very frequently up at the lake, traveled together (Vegas, cruises, etc), shopped together, and I know how heartbreaking it has to still be for him. But that generation and a lot of times men in general, keep it all inside. Whereas I on the other hand, want the entire world to know how much I miss my Parents. I am so afraid they will be forgotten but I know for us and so many of their friends that its not possible. It kills me everyday they are not here to see Elle and my growing belly and to help Chris out with Aydan. Every day there is a reminder that they are gone....and the tragedy and the way they died will live with us forever.

The sadness and pain is just becoming more manageable....I know I am ready to see my brother next month but I am so worried to face the real reality.

I am cooking (again) this evening and making a cheesecake for dessert. Not one of my Mom's famous homemade versions (I don't want to make anyone sad or think) plus I am not good at them anyway like her or my Sister for that matter. I am going with a no bake version...but its still a "cheesecake" and it will be good.....Grandpa and Eve will head out to FL tomorrow....so hoping to take them to breakfast at a local spot in Hyde Park.

Looking forward to seeing my Grandfather and for Elle to continue to get to know her only Great Grandpa. I am so thankful he is alive, healthy and mobile. He has the flexibility and fun for life just like my parents did. I am so lucky to have had all of these amazing influences in and around my life....we all have faults of course but my family's ability to put people first before themselves and the gift of entertaining, family and friends is admirable. I am proud to carry on that tradition.

I am spending time with your Dad, Mom. I know how happy this would make you! And it makes me even happier knowing how true this is. We miss you and Dad every day so very much.

Melissa