They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Never have those unwritten words had more meaning than this year. At the time it was taken, none of us would have imagined where we would travel together as a family over the next 4 years. Fortunately, those travels did include several more memorable camping trips together, but they also included a most unexpected turn on a journey of grief into completely unmapped territory.
This particular birthday was her 59th, celebrated with all but one of her children and their families at a campground in Alpena, Michigan. It was the day before Labor Day, and the day before her actual birthday, because we would be leaving to travel home the following day and there would be no time to celebrate.
I remember the weekend well with surprising clarity, at least little details. I remember that we all went down to the beach and Sharon played with the younger grandchildren making sand castles and such while some of the mom’s and dad’s ventured out to a water trampoline/slide out in the middle of the lake. I remember that Jeff and some of the brothers-in-law got up to go fishing with his parents at dawn on Sunday morning. I remember renting a pontoon and taking turns taking rides. I remember we ate all the meals together at our rented camper because we had the largest awning. I remember renting low-rider bicycles and doing all kinds of tricks with the kids. I remember laughing and laughing and laughing around the campfire as Meridith entertained us with Larry the Cable Guy impersonations and undoubtedly seeing Sharon shake her head and say, “That Meridith!”
We were all together and doing what we do best: laughing and making memories.
These pictures hold hilarious memories for those of us who were present. Notice the cake.
Jeff’s dad, Dave, aka Butch, had made a special trip out to WalMart to buy a cake to honor his bride on her special day. Upon his return to the campsite, as he was stepping up into their 5th wheel travel trailer carrying the cake, he somehow lost his footing and fell backwards down the steps, landing flat on his back on the ground. It was a miracle he was not seriously injured, but more miraculous was his effort to salvage the cake in the midst of his fall. It was smashed to smithereens on the inside of the lid, and I think a blade or two of grass might have sneaked in the side, but other than that it was entirely edible. I remember singing Happy Birthday with tears in my eyes because I had laughed so hard at how pathetic the cake looked, how filled with chagrin Jeff’s dad looked, and how tickled pink Sharon looked in spite of it all. Among other things, she was a good sport!
Happy Birthday, Sharon Mary! Thank you for the lessons your life has taught and still are teaching me, and all of us. We miss you and love you!
1 comment:
Beautifully done.
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