Well, the headstone is set now. Yesterday it saw its first sunrise. Today is the first big family holiday since we lost Andy. As winter sets in, I am happy that I can read the headstone from the small cemetery roadway without having to leave the warmth of the car and trudge through the snow.
I feel a slight sense of relief to have the last bit of "arrangements" complete. We delayed ordering the headstone for a while until the fundraisers were complete. (Thanks again, Ryan. Your help and hard work were amazing.)
I love this headstone, especially the bass clef music symbol. This was one of Jeff's suggestions -- a great idea. The headstone is one of the brightest in that area of the cemetery. The location is great too. I have visited the site weekly, continuing the tradition of having lunch with Andy. Sadly, I think I have more diligent since he passed.
Today is going to be hard for the whole family. As usual, we are all coming together for football, dinner, and pie. I think watching football today will be the most difficult without Andy's point-on comments mocking the Lions. The post-dinner game will miss Andy's snoring from the couch. These were my Thanksgiving traditions.
This year, in addition to the four of us, we will have my parents, my in-laws, and my brother-in-law, Jason, for dinner. Tim will be working in Cleveland today. Jeff is busy as a new daddy in Honolulu. Both of you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
We will have a chair and setting for Andy. I expect we will have more leftovers than usual too. I am not trying to start a new tradition, but I think I need it this year.
I love you brother.
1 comment:
Beautiful Scott. We all miss Andy. I can't imagine what it would be like to have my brother missing from Thanksgiving. My heart goes out to you and the rest of the family.
I know how lonely I am today. I would be spending the day with Andy, I have the past three Thanksgivings. But in a few hours my family will come over and I will be the only one flying solo, has been that way most of my life. Andy really filled in a lot of spots in my life and heart. They will always be filled but with emptiness as well.
On a brighter note, it would be harder for Andy to make comments about the Lions today, as we speak they are looking good and winning.
The head stone is beautiful and as you have already said, it is almost like completing one of the last chapters.
Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving.
Post a Comment