A Visit from a Beautiful Bellevue, Nebraska Blast from the Past

I have moved 30 times in my 55 years. That is quite a bit. For many years that meant writing letters or paying for long distance phone calls. Even with how easy it is to keep in touch in these modern times, some people just don’t bother. I have relatives who don’t bother to stay in touch – even with my cancer diagnosis and us grieving our Joe’s life for the last four years. It is baffling to me, but I am a communicator and not everyone is. I have also learned that silence is also an answer and speaks more loudly than many statements. Those folks may wonder why they never hear from me anymore. I now refuse to hold space for people whom I carry the relationship on my shoulders. Although I miss many of these folks, they don’t miss me enough to reach out. It has been a BIG life lesson over the last several years. HOWEVER, we had a wonderful visit from three generations of a family we were good friends with when we lived in Bellevue, Nebraska.

Tanner was one of my Joe’s best friends in high school. He is such a good guy, and I am so proud of the man he has grown to be. Tanner was the groomsman who walked our Lily down the aisle at Joe and Michelle’s wedding. Tanner had known Lily since she was 5, so she was comfortable being paired up with him. Tanner’s parents, Mick & Kaysie, are friends of ours. For all the home football games, we would sit in the stands with them, cheering on the Bellevue West Thunderbirds. When Tanner and Megan got married, Rich and I double dated with Joe and Michelle to their wedding and we had such a wonderful time. Tanner and Megan have two girls – Charlie, who is almost 4 and Haley Jo (after our Joe) who is 14 months. So the four of them plus Tanner’s folks, all flew up here for 5 days of Montana fun! They arrived on the hottest day of the year so far (86) and left bundled up as a cold front blew in a day or two before they left. We had a great time driving around Glacier National Park…Polebridge…showing them the fire trucks at our station…and just relaxing and talking. It was like having family visit – because that is what I consider them….extended family. The day that Joe died, Lily and I were on our own at home. Rich and Tim were out of state. Rich contacted the parents who knew Joe the best and they came and sat with us throughout the day. Tanner, Megan, Mick, and Kaysie were all there. After four years, I was able to gather myself together enough to thank them for being there that day – on my worst day….and how much it meant to me. I will most likely never live to see grandchildren. Joe used to joke that he was my only hope for grandkids. It was nice to play surrogate to these girls for a few days. It was just so special. Tiring…goodness, I am not used to littles anymore!….but so wonderful. Here are some photos of our times together: