A Week of Stuff

Can't believe it's been a week since last posting.  So much going on this week...would think of writing (often in the wee hours of the morning) and then just couldn't get the oomph to start.

That's the kind of week it was - hard to know where to start in many ways.  And hard to get the oomph.

Today, J., H. and I attended the Celebration of Life for H.'s friend who died a couple weeks ago.  The first opportunity to share memories of N. resulted in no one coming forward.  But by the time the sermon was over - given by a pastor who lives in our neighborhood and is a wonderful man of faith who freely shares that with all the friends of his kids - most of the close friends of N. had lined up to speak.  Lots of fun stories; many pictures of N. and his friends as they grew up.  H. was mentioned in the sermon as one of the group of kids that frequently hung out in the family's garage - it was a beautiful service.  Lots of laughter; lots of tears.  Hard for the parents in attendance who watched all those boys grow up say goodbye to one of them - and all of us sitting there thinking 'this could be us'. Losing a child is hard to imagine.

Haven't heard from B. in a week or so - he's been busy.  We did get a picture of him serving as a greeter at a memorial service - and J. cropped it to this:

This picture just makes my heart burst - so proud of him!

J. and I tested our culinary skills and successfully grilled (on the BBQ!) a butterflied leg of lamb! Got the idea from Heartland Table - a new cooking show on Food Network - and it was delicious!  I think my butterflying skills will improve over time and we did finish it off in the oven with the roasted potatoes 'cuz it was getting a little too 'grilled'.  It was delicious.  Leftovers will be turned into lamb stew and/or lamb curry.

Now it's Sunday evening and time to start the psychological exercise of getting ready to go back to work tomorrow.  Weekends are lovely.  Mondays are not.

In honor of N., I am eating his favorite candy - Skittles!  The family had bowls of them out at the services.  I'll never eat them again without thinking of a young man who touched our hearts and
reminds us that life is precious and nothing is guaranteed.  Hug those you love tight tonight and say the things you need to say.  Tomorrow is not promised.

Comfort and peace to N.'s family and friends, including my own son.