With that being said, there is a post that is a year overdue. One that I haven't been able to bring myself to write. I will warn you now, it will be very uninteresting and really something I'm doing for myself. To mark down some of the millions of memories that have popped into my head this year.
January 1, 2010: We spent the first day of this past year at a memorial service on Pine Island for my grandfather, William S Cope. Mr Bill (as we kids called him), was not my biological grandfather, but was in every other way. Losing him was one of the hardest things for me because he was the first person I've lost. Yes, I've known others, but not personally. Not like this. His memorial service was New Years Day, and was spent with a chili party on the island with all his family, neighbors and friends. This was a tradition that he had started many years back and seemed to everyone to be the perfect way to celebrate his life. Everyone ate, shared pictures and told stories. It was very nice. Heartbreaking, but very nice.
So here are some memories that I have spent many hours living in this past year...
Every summer I most looked forward to spending time at my grandparents house. As soon as we made that right hand turn onto the causeway my heart started beating faster. This was the road that led to the magic. I know. It sounds super cheesy, but it's true. We'd turn onto Manila Drive and there it was. The big blue beach house. I loved that house. As a kid it was the best house I'd ever seen. We moved around a lot when I was younger and so this is the house that I always associate with my childhood, even though I never actually lived there. As an adult I can now see the house's faults and flaws, but it's still my favorite place. (For this reason, if anyone has an extra $700,000 you'd like to pass my way so I can buy it, I'd be eternally grateful. And I'd let you visit.) Looking back, I cannot believe I was so blessed to have such a place and family to spend time with. These are just a very few, of the things I will never forget.
Waking up every morning to the sound and smell of Mr. Bill grinding his coffee beans. Kayaking around the island, stopping for soda breaks and Mr. Bill teaching me how to get rid of hiccups (to this day I still use his method). BBQ shrimp out on the balcony, watching the sun set. Swinging in the hammock. Playing "Shells", or what I later learned was called "Mancala." Visiting the college with buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed, the summer I wanted to be an architect. Opening a restaurant in the house, invited all our friends and neighbors. Learning to play solitaire on the computer (back before computers were common items... crazy thought, I know). Learning how to make fettuccine Alfredo, from scratch, with only the freshest ingredients. Where the Wild Things Are. Mr. Peanut. Flounder. Going out on the sailboat and being terrified a shark would eat me. Sitting at the bar, in the tall director chairs, watching in awe as he cooked. Caribbean music. Going to Lee & Rick's for oysters, and me ordering chicken fingers. His smile. Spins in the black chair. The toast his gave when Adam and I got married. And of course, puzzles. Those were ours. Always.
My Gramma and he were (Gramma still is), the best grandparents a kid could ever dream of having. I loved my time with them when it was happening, but looking back now, I appreciate it even more.
The rest of the first half of this year allowed me to further explore grief. My biological grandfather died. Although I never knew him, it was hard to watch my mom and uncles go through the grief. Without getting into too deep, there was a lot of "what ifs". Given that I did not speak with my own dad once this year, it made me think that I could be in their shoes one day. I sincerely hope not. After that, my mother-in-law's father-in-law passed. Then, Cecil DeGarmo, husband of Margaret, former owners of Margaret's Hallmark. They were the first people I worked for and completely credit any and all good work ethics I have, to them. They taught me so much and I feel like they helped me grow up, become an adult.
Of course, there were many ups and downs, happys and sads, easys and hards mixed in along the way. The first part of the year taught me about loss, grief and moving on. The second half was full of humility, happiness and dreams coming true. Overall, a great year.
Looking very much forward to 2011. We're starting it off with chili, just the way Mr. Bill would.
See you next year.
