Last day in Miami

Today is the day that my husband finally gets to drive away from Miami. For so many weeks, I've wanted him to come home, but this is not the way I wanted it to happen. It's very bittersweet. I feel guilty for wanting to go home, but there isn't any reason for us to be here right now. We need to go home, we need to start figuring out what the new normal is.

Before we headed out, I photographed some of the lovely flowers that have found their way into my parents house since the funeral.

Wake

Today was the viewing and wake for Joan. It was also the first time the entire family was together in the same place. Matt's brother Mark was in Chicago when Joan passed away and he couldn't get back until late last night. It did give him the unique opportunity to visit the places he was born and raised in - all the kids were born in Chicago and the family lived there until the 70's.

Today was a mixture of laughter and tears - as the previous few days have been. It began early (even with the late night before hand) because life still happens. People still need to go to work, cars need to go to the mechanic and the monotony of the death business needs to happen. Linda had to go to the cemetery to authorize what needed to be done, Matt and I needed to deliver his mom's clothes to the funeral home.

Sleep has been hard to come by. Especially for Matt.

One of the hardest parts of tonight was the viewing. It just wasn't her. She was gone. The reality of that slams home where you are face to face with the person that just isn't her anymore.

Memories to keep:

The love and kindness of our friends and family who sacrificed their time to be with us at the viewing. Thank you all.

The inability of so many people who work in Miami to pronounce the name "Parets" correctly.

Joan being such a tight ass about rules that her Moose friends took the opportunity to vent about it at the viewing!

Glitter flower banners.

Joan buying us all dinner together.

Here are some of the flowers that people sent. Words can't express how lovely they were and how much it meant to us.

Miami flowers 152/365

My mom created a lovely flower arrangement for Memorial Day






Some of my dad's orchids

97/365 Flowers

I'm getting ready for my garden and just loved these marigolds. Not only do they attract lady bugs (which eat aphids), but they also are a natural mosquito deterrent. Plus - they are so happy looking!





These are the lovely tulips my mom gave me for Easter. They are fading quickly, but I'm enjoying every moment with them.

55/365

It's nearly the end of my Valentine's roses....

Matt and Colors enjoying some snuggles.

47/365 Discount Roses

More of my bargain roses - they are opening up so lovely!

46/365 Valentine's Roses

While grocery shopping today, I discovered that all the Valentine's flowers were 50% off. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I love a bargain and I just couldn't leave these gorgeous flowers sitting there feeling unloved. After all, it wasn't there fault that they weren't chosen before February 14th!

So I found a home for them.

44/365 Valentine's Flowers

My sweet husband surprised me with a lovely bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day.

23/365 Lowe's Garden Center

The garden is a sure-fire place to find great subjects to shoot.

141/365 Gardenia

There are some gardenias blooming on campus right now and the smell instantly takes me back to my mothers yard. For most of my life she had an old gardenia bush in the front yard. Her mother planted it and the smell meant spring to me. It has passed on, but the memories still live. 

132/365 Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday! 

Here she is in her new robe, having a relaxing morning.

With the flowers my brother gave her for Mother's Day

One of the roses

Squirrel