Coping w/ the unexpected...

Last week, hurricane Ike rolled through Columbus before it slowly died to the Northeast of Ohio. We experienced 80-90mile/hr winds - which hindered my soccer game at 1pm only a little but left cooking on the grill only a few hours later a much more difficult endeavor. Needless to say we lost power on Sunday evening - and would not have it restored until Friday afternoon. We stuck it out for a couple days & nights (me having to use the breast pump in the car!) - but after losing hot water had to find an alternative. Makayla's daycare also was w/out power until Thursday morning. Thankfully we had family to lean on and the week was only mildly disrupted - Mak P stayed at Lita's house (grandma Cecilia) and we spent nights w/ Aunt Kristy and Uncle Andy. We are extremely grateful - and looking back enjoyed the change of pace...
This week, nature took a different course - unexpectedly taking my grandmother Dorothy from this great planet. I am struck cold w/ guilt, remorse and great sadness all of sudden - and most especially in the midst of the monotony of my work day. I should have called more, written more, visited more - did she know how important she was to me - and how sad I am that Mak P won't get to know her? I can only hope... that those things which she instilled in me: Scrabble has rules ("no you can not look up a word before playing"), putting together jigsaw puzzles has rules (border pieces together first), LIFE has rules... I have fond memories of camping and spending summers w/ Grandma & Grandpa. I carry many of the qualities and pasttimes they held true - strongheaded, driven, kind, honest and a great love for animals, the outdoors and traveling...
I miss my childhood... I miss them...
Nature tears through your life leaving a path (physical or emotional) along the way. As I get older and now have a child of my own, I am left feeling utterly more vulnerable and protective, yet more appreciative for every day I have with the family & friends in my life...