1 week/7days/168 hours

since Loyd died. I did not even realize it's been a week since our world was turned upside down.

Strangely I've felt mostly at peace, a nice calm almost relaxed feeling. I've done my share of crying but it's been tears for me and the rest of the family. Shed some more tears last night and Buddie jumped in my lap to comfort me (Boyd was at work).

I know that Loyd is in a better place and no longer in pain - I try to concentrate on that.

His family had an amazing visitation on Sunday. Lots of flowers, plants and people of all ages. Boyd saw a lot of old friends and spent some time talking about the good ole days with some of his high school friends and an old coach. I spent time sub consciously keeping track of all of the family and making sure everyone was taken care of.

I also spent some time getting to know my brother in law Gig and cousin Abie. We all have a love of genealogy and I came home to find a package from Abie with copies of some old pictures and a family chart. I was able to verify 2G grandparents that I thought were related. woo hoo!

Yesterday and today I've had a big desire to scrap something in memory of Loyd. No real idea just the desire to get something done. I'm not usually like this so it's a new feeling.

Unfortunately Boyd is working again today. Yesterday was very tough for him, tucked away in his little room watching heart rhythms. They lost one patient and almost lost two more. Today he said he is counting down the minutes to when Loyd left us. Wondering what Loyd was feeling and if he knew he was leaving us. My heart breaks for Boyd knowing that he is alone and also knowing that this will make him stronger.

And yes Loyd and Boyd were brothers but not twins. Loyd was a senior in high school when Boyd was born. Their parents gave Loyd permission to name Boyd. When I first joined the family everyone told me Boyd was named after Loyd's best friend in high school, Boyd. I still remember the day, Loyd and I were driving back home to Maq. and I questioned him "Did you really name Boyd, Boyd because it sounds like Loyd?" He laughed and said yes he did. I laughed - it was typical Loyd.

How many....

Shaffers does it take to turn on the ceiling fan? The evening was filled with laughter as we tried to figure this out.

While I was on the phone with Sis in CA, Boyd wanted to turn the fan on. He tried everything he could with no success. Both he and Norie were rolling with laughter before I caught on. I explained everything to Sis and she started laughing too.

We all knew that Loyd was watching over us saying "What the hell?" (his favorite saying). As he was playing with us.

The laughter between all of us was good and healing.





..... Oh and we finally figured out it takes 1 McN to figure it out.

Saddness

Tonight my heart is very heavy.

At 5:45 pm we got a call that my bil was being taken to the ER by ambulance and he wasn't in good shape. We hurriedly packed the bags, grabbed the dog and hit the road. In the 70+ mile, hour and a half drive, the car was so silent the only sounds being that of the tires on the pavement and the turn signal clicking.

Boyd and I were both lost in our memories of Loyd and hoping that he would be there at the end of our journey. Buddie seemed to sense our sadness and would stand up a give us a lick or just put his head to ours and offer comfort.

We were 30 mins away when we found out that my bil passed away.

It's a hard day, he was my own personal John Wayne and I will miss him always!

No details on the services yet maybe we'll know more tomorrow.

~

Blogging Challenge

I was reading of the blogs on my list tonight and they had a neat idea. On your computer go to the location where you have your photos and pic the sixth folder and then the sixth picture in the folder.

This is my picture although it was not taken by me. It's one I found online.It's a picture of the Kwik Trip gas station after the EF 4 tornado hit a small Iowa town.



I am still amazed to see the destruction and to realize how lucky we are that my Uncle is still alive. He was delivering gas to this station and just moments before the tornado hit he made it into the cinder block bathroom. I don't remember all of the details but his truck was damaged and no longer drivable.

He hopes he never experiences anything like this again.

I look forward to spring and summer, I hope that we don't experience the damage we did last year. The tornado and then all of the flooding. I know that my town hasn't really done anything to prevent flooding and there is a lot more sand in the river this year.

Blessings Week 6

This week I feel blessed to live close to my in laws and for the fact that we get along. Spending the weekend with Loyd in the hospital and spent the rest of our time with Norie and Dale. And for the fact that Molly loves Buddie and they get along very well!

Hotel McNeeley

We've spent the weekend at Hotel McNeeley. We love spending time here. In fact we are spending Sunday night here and Boyd will drop me off at work in the morning on his way home.

I always feel bitter sweat when it's time to leave. I know I have to go back to my real world but love spending time with family.

We just wish that Loyd could be here with us. He's in the hospital again and had to start kidney dialysis on Friday. We are hoping for a quick adjustment for him and his wife.

Blessings Week 5

This week I feel blessed to have my scrapbooking buddies. I meet up with most of them at a retreat and had a great time reconnecting with them. I am so happy that my friend Linda is both a friend and scrapping buddie. :D