Goodbye....

It's 3:40 a.m. and Shelly just left with Trinity and Madison for their trip back to Tennessee. My tears started before they even left the house, trying to sneak in that last short conversation with each of the girls while their mom loaded up the car. The usual "be good on the trip back home" and "be sure to call us to let us know what Santa left for you under your daddy's Christmas tree while you were gone." Just anything I could think of to keep me talking so they would not see the tears in my eyes. But Trinity knew....I could tell by the way she looked at me that Grandma was sad but she didn't say anything knowing that one word out of her mouth and Grandma would have dissolved into a puddle of tears. She's such a smart little girl. As I carried Madison out to their car, I hung onto her a little tighter than needed one last time before she was loaded into her car seat with her blanket and favorite pillow (Jasmine) for the long trip home. We waved at them out the front window until they were down the street and couldn't see us any more and then the tears came. Grandpa went back (but not before blowing his nose - he tries to act so tough) to bed, but I sit here crying at my keyboard trying to hold in my heart every minute we had with them on their Christmas trip home to Wisconsin. It was such a wonderful Christmas having them all here together for the first time. It didn't matter what was under the tree or what delicious holiday food there was to snack on. What mattered was holding them on my lap and snatching those hugs and kisses; listening to Madison go on and on about fairies and castles and watching Trinity work on her farm on the computer...oh, and the fun in the snow! I look at Shelly and am so proud of the mother that she has become. They may not have much but those girls know that they are loved and cherished and that's the most important feeling I wish for them to have and rely on. Thank you Shelly.

Stay safe my angels and remember PopPop and Grandma are thinking of you always............