Where My Heart Is

One of the most important things on my list of "to do's" while I was in Tallahassee was to spend some much needed quality time with my sweet Granddaddy.  Things have progressed rather quickly since his diagnosis in May and every single day is precious.  Living ten hours away, I am saddened by the fact that I don't get to see him and my Grandma more than I do, but I try to make the most of my time with them when I get it.  So, the day after I returned from the beach trip, my Mom, Kyndall and I loaded up and headed to the big city of Two Egg, FL!  Also known as God's country =)

I hadn't seen my Grandparents since June, when Kyndall and I spent over a week at their house, soaking up sweet time and making priceless memories with both of them.  In all honesty, I wasn't 100% sure that I would see Granddaddy again after that visit.  I knew that my recovery would keep me from traveling for quite a while, and I just didn't know for sure what the future held for him.  So, I told him goodbye with the hope of seeing him again but with the knowledge that it could've been my final goodbye.  Boy, was that a hard day!!

The Lord answered my prayers and kept Granddaddy here with us and my desire to see him once again fueled my motivation to recover as quickly as possible so that I could get back to Florida......and to him.  For truly, that's where my heart is these days.

As always, he was in good spirits despite how terrible he was probably feeling on the inside.  Mom and I stopped at Sonny's and picked up lunch for everyone and he ate really well.  His appetite is still good, which makes me happy.  

He gets tired really easily and the oral chemo has some other horrible side effects that really just wear him down.  So, between conversations I would often look over to find him like this, looking so peaceful.......

This picture of Kyndall and my Grandma playing on their ipads just makes me laugh!  I never thought I'd see the day when my toddler had her own ipad......not to mention my Grandma!!  Times, they are a changin'!

Grandma and Granddaddy gave Kyndall her birthday gift a few days early......

Way too generous!!!

We have been praying for Granddaddy every single night with Kyndall since we found out about the cancer.  She knows that he's sick and she is so sweet to always give him lots of extra loving.  

She loves Grandma just as much!!

She showed off her golf skills for everyone, which I know makes Matthew super proud!  He's been working hard with her on her stance and how to hold the clubs correctly!

We spent the whole day in Two Egg and enjoyed our time with my Grandparents.  I'll be heading back down to Two Egg the first weekend in November for a very special church service that my Grandparents' church is doing as a tribute to them and their dedication to Lovedale Baptist.  My Granddaddy has asked me to speak on behalf of the family, which I'm extremely humbled and honored to do.  Nervous, but honored!  I'm not sure I'll be able to get through it without a few tears, but hopefully nobody will fault me for that.  As long as I can avoid doing the "ugly cry", I'll be ok!  =)

We made one last stop before heading back to Tallahassee, and that was to see my other Grandmother, MeMe.  She's soon to be 94 (wow!!) and my Dad recently made the decision to move her from an assisted living facility to a nursing home.  She's doing alright in her new environment, but I was sad to see how much she's declined since the last time I saw her at the beginning of the summer.  

Kyndall always loves visiting MeMe!

As much as I am growing to love Jackson, it's times like these when I long to live closer to my family.  Time is so precious right now and my heart aches to be near them during this time.  

Counting the days until my next visit in November...........