Arrivals and Departures

Things have been crazy around the old HomeFront Corp these days, and most of that craziness has revolved around the telephone. We've been waiting on tenterhooks for Rob's middle sister to deliver her fourth baby, and she did not disappoint (so kind of her, really, to make our day and all!) My sister-in-law has had a long pregnancy, fraught with complications that led her to an induction two weeks early. This being her fourth child, she sort of expected it to just leap happily from her womb, and truth be told, so did most of the family. We're not really known for our patience.

But my new niece, Little Kitty, had no intention of going gently into that good birth canal. She got her full day of labor in before finally making an entrance late last night. All seems to be well with both mom and baby, and for that we are grateful.

In the midst of all this birthing, we received word that Rob's godmother, Eileen, passed away. She had been suffering from a lengthy and debilitating illness for several years, but her death was still quite a shock to us. Maybe it's because we all had our eyes looking toward the new life that would be joining our family; maybe it's because Eileen was so full of life that you could never imagine that spark going out. I don't know, but we are feeling her loss keenly.

Eileen was one of those people who could talk to anyone for five minutes and make them feel like family. That is such a rare and special gift. She was still deeply in love with her husband, George, who she fondly called "G." When we would visit them, after she had filled our kids with ice cream and made them a pillow fort to sleep in, we would sit down to watch movies or television with them. She would always sit on the couch and pat the spot next to her; George, wherever he was, would come directly to that spot like a homing pigeon and hold her hand. To be honest, Rob and I felt the same way. You just had to be around Eileen; she told the best stories and gave great advice. She always knew the right thing to say. Her family was her treasure, and we are so blessed to have been part of that family.

Rob is flying down to North Carolina for her funeral, and I wish the whole family could go. I feel like crying even as I write this, so it might seem strange to wish to go to a funeral, but not for Eileen. Not for Eileen.

Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord,
And may perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,
Rest in peace.
Amen.