September

September has been one of the roughest months of my life. I moved to Tech September 6, had my first drink- a strawberry daiquiri- with some friends, got my pantry stocked with food and spent a day shopping with a friend. God had different plans that week. My mom called me at 1:50 on September 7 to inform me my grandpa had passed. His last breath was roughly at 1:20. That was one of the hardest days I can recall. I had a meeting at 2:00 and had plans to go to Monroe with my roommate the following day.
My mom told me I needed to come home that evening or the next morning. I told staff of the school paper that I had to go home, explained what happened and went to my friend Lauren's house. Her grandpa died this past summer of Alzheimer's. Like my grandparents, he was faithfully married to his wife for 53 years. Lauren comforted me and helped me get my mind off of the death so I would be able to drive home safely. Her brother helped provide some hilarious entertainment.
I pulled to my driveway at 8:36 and immediately unpacked the main things I brought home. I forgot pajamas and camisoles, but my mom assured they'd find some stuff for me. That week was chaos. We did some shopping- mostly clothes for the funeral- and spent a lot of time with family. Everything was so bittersweet. We know my grandpa is in a better place, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be very difficult this year. I know he's with Jesus, cheering for the Saints every Sunday.
Adjusting to my junior year of college was rather difficult. I got back on Sunday and immediately had a class at 8:00 Monday morning. My friends were exactly what I needed these past few weeks. I've had a ton of love and support despite the fact that I never have much time to spend with them. My roommate has been phenomenal at taking care of what I haven't been able to do, and I'm so blessed to room with her again this year. I watch a professor's kids from 2:40-5 or later every day and have learned so much about life from that experience.
It's 3:09 a.m., and I cannot sleep. I tossed and turned, knocked out and was woken up by a fire truck around 1. Since then, my eyes won't remain shut. Ugh. On a positive note, September is almost gone, my parents and grandma are coming up this weekend and God's promises are new every day. And I think the guy above me that's knocking holes in the wall or moving furniture is almost done.

Daniel 45. It's good stuff.

Life

These past few days have really shown about life. A friend had a baby Monday morning, but a childhood friend was killed in Afghanistan yesterday morning. I have another friend that is very pregnant, and my grandpa is reaching the end of his life. I find life miraculous. Considering my grandpa has cancer, and I'm just praying we'll have a final Christmas together, I know he's headed to a place far better than Earth. My friend Joey gave his life for our freedom's sake. It's rough when you know a soldier over there, but when you know one that was killed, freedom is suddenly not taken for granted. My cousin John has been overseas a few times. We pray for him a lot, but we never know if we'll get the call that something happened. In Joey's case, he contacted me a few weeks ago just to see how life's been. I'm so grateful I had those final words with him, thanking him for defending our freedom.
Though Joey is gone, the memories of us growing up together will forever remain in my heart. I've noticed how proud parents are of their kids- Joey's mom was beaming when he announced he was joining the Marines. Kaitlyn, my friend who had the baby the other day, is a happy mother. Her mom, my boss, came to work yesterday beaming from ear to ear as pictures were passed around. I realized the strong love a mother has for her children.
I know that when my grandpa passes (as we all will someday), he'll be in heaven. No more cancer, no more pain, no more problems coughing. He won't struggle with learning how to walk again or talking with a dry mouth. His leak that is dripping fluid to his lungs will be healed.
Anywho, I'm off to go brave the lines at Target and Marshall's (it's been 5 days since I've been) before coming home to pack more junk. Yay.

Our life is just a mist, but eternity with Jesus lasts forever.