We are at a turning point with Jeff’s Grandparents and it is heartbreaking. Today I’m sharing my heart and I hope you don’t mind…

The only Grandparents I have left, and the Grandparents I have known the longest and spent to most time with, belonged first to my husband. I adore them! They are such an inspiration and example of strength, dedication and family. They are known by several names – Officially Charlie and Lucille – However Grammy’s legal first name is Josie (seems to run in the family people not going by their given names  😉 ) But after going to a tent revival as a little girl living in Western Tennessee, Grammy was so inspired by the preacher she began rolling on the ground the next day declaring that she was a “holy roly preacher”. From that point on her siblings and nieces and nephews have called her “Preacher”. But to Jeff and his brothers and eventually their wives (we are the truly special ones) we get to call them “Grammy and Papo” (unless you are Mychael, the youngest grandson, then they are Meme and Bop).

Sunday morning began with a heartbreaking phone call from Grammy – She was scared because there had been a period of time the night before when Papo did not know who she was. We have seen a physical and mental decline in him and have been concerned – particularly about his driving. They are 94 soon to be 95 and they have just celebrated 76 years of marriage.

They don’t want to accept where they are in life and we are not sure how to help them into a safer situation while respecting them as the amazing people they are. Grammy and Papo had one son, Jeff’s dad, who died of Pancreatic Cancer in his early 40s.  Leaving the Grandsons in the position of caretakers for them. They are fierce about not wanting to become a “burden” to their grandchildren and that it shouldn’t be our responsibility.

How do you help them understand they can no longer care for themselves (in some ways) without damaging their pride? How do you help them give up their independence and trust that others will care for them in the best possible way? No one wants to be told that they just can’t do it anymore.

After many prayers, many conversations and a false start today Grammy has agreed to hand over the keys today. It is a huge first step for them and we understand that. But we are all breathing a HUGE sigh of relief.

I wish we could convey to them that it is a far larger burden when they refuse assistance of any type.

Jeff and I are headed over to Walla Wall Wednesday in hopes of helping them into a more secure environment. Which will take great patience, careful words and frankly an act of God. So prayers would be greatly appreciated!

So I will be cutting my week of subbing down to 3 days. I will also be taking a break from blogging for the rest of this week. I do intend to keep up with my Project 366 which you can follow along with on my instagram account.

Thanks for reading and your prayers I appreciate them.

My Favorite Things

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I absolutely adore how random daffodils pop up along the side of the road, in the middle of large pastures and next to abandoned houses!  😆 They are absolutely one of {my favorite things}

A Routine

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I have a well established {routine} of taking pictures each and every day. One of the things I love to photograph are flowers and my favorite flowers are tulips! They are so beautiful! I asked my husband if he thought I would love them as much if they bloomed all year long and he smiled and said “yep” – He knows me well!

Rule of Thirds

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I love the {rule of thirds} in photography. I think it is one of the most dramatic and important rules of photography. When you divide the picture up into thirds and place your subject in 1/3rd of the frame it is always pleasing to the eye. I tried to be extra tricky by also having my subject being a tub of carrots only 1/3rd full  😆

-S