Monday, July 10, 2017

1 wedding, 1 funeral and a little cross stitch

So...I'm embarrassed to see it's been over a month since I blogged. I'm sure that's officially the longest gap in L*K blog history.

But a lot of life has happened since we last chatted. Happy, sad, busy, emotional, just plain hard...it's all been there.

Sarah "Lizzie" and Ali "Kate" getting ready for Ali and Barc's wedding

On the happy side, our daughter Ali was married on June 2. Barclay is the man she's been waiting/praying/hoping for for many years. And they are adorable together. They're so profoundly happy and grateful to have found each other (at ages 34 and 39), they're just totally embracing life together. It's just a joy to be around them.

Thanks to son-in-law Jeff for this pic before the ceremony

I loved my pretty pink MOB (mother-of-bride) dress. It was so comfy - no hose, no SPANX, and even pockets. Woohoo! Dillard's for the win.

We had the large wedding at beautiful historic KC Union Station

Henry (on Alan's lap) and Fiona (by his side)

We kept our grand-dogs while the honeymooners were eating their way through Mexico and frolicking on the beach. Henry recently lost his vision due to sudden doggie disease (SARDS), but he was a champ...navigating our stairs and even swimming in our lake.

Those crazy, sweet  newlyweds

****If you need a super relaxing, off-the-grid, not-too-expensive getaway with Mexi-food 3 meals a day...check out Ali's blog post on their honeymoon destination.
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/life/our-honeymoon-in-mexico-hotel-escondido/

I was still reveling in all the wedding bliss, trying to get back to work when I got a call from my Mom's Assisted Living complex, requesting me to take her to ER. My brother and I have been managing her care for 5+ years...driving her everywhere, doing 3 moves, too many trips to the ER, happy times and sad times...many of you know about caring for aging parents.

After 10 days in the hospital, Mom died on June 25. the day after Alan's birthday. We spent the next week planning her church service and cleaning out her apartment (yes, it's done!). On July 1 we had a wonderful celebration of her life at our church. 

Mom, Me (upper left) and brother John...circa 1957

We were so blessed by the service and the time surrounding it. So many family and friends from my past, it was such a joy to chat and catch up with them all. Yet, I can tell it's going to be a long time adjusting to this new phase in my life. Sigh...

 
The 3 Kathleens..Linda Kathleen (me), Wanda Kathleen (my mom) and Alison Kathleen (our daughter)

We are still patting ourselves of the back for managing to take Mom to the wedding. It never would have happened without my brother and his wife, but we pulled it off. I was her "personal shopper" and dressed and accessorized her head to toe for the big event. 

Back to my blog post title...1 wedding, 1 funeral and a little cross stitch. I've been trying to get back in the work groove. Thankfully I had the next batch of L*K newbies already designed and published. I've been SO distracted. But I'm looking forward to the week ahead - no weird mid-week holidays - and getting back to MORE cross stitch biz. 

***Thanks for your many kind condolences and well wishes on the L*K Facebook page. You can't imagine how much it means to me. The cross stitch community really is an extraordinary bunch of kind and thoughtful people. 

Check back soon and I'll post a preview of NEWBIES COMING JULY 21. 















25 comments:

  1. So sorry for the loss of your mom. Life is certainly cyclical isn't it? Joyful events, sorrowful events, joyful events... it's definitely got a pattern to it. Congrats on the marriage of your daughter. The Union Station looked gorgeous! And so did your family!

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  2. I am so sorry for the loss of your mom! I lost my mother in 1991 and I miss her so much! Your daughters wedding looked so beautiful I have been there once and was amazed at how beautiful it was there. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. ((hugs))

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  3. so sorry to hear about your loss...thank you for sharing with us...

    congratulations on a beautiful wedding (amazing dress!)

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  4. The road through grief is a rocky one. You can be sad because you're mom is gone Or you can smile because she lived,
    You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,
    Or you can open your eyes and see all the blessings that she has left you and your wonderful family. I know how empty your heart becomes
    because you can't see her. But I know you will soon be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
    Stay well , We your stitching family are here for you.

    -Nancy
    Hyde Park,NY

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  5. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Prayers for you and your family.

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  6. Looks and sounds like the wedding was a huge sucess. So sorry for your loss of your mom. That's a hard one. I lost my beloved mom almost six years ago. Still doesn't seem real. Back to cross stitch, who's is it? It is yours

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  7. So sorry for the loss of your mother. We, too, had celebration & sadness. First, my oldest son graduated from high school. While preparing for his party, my wonderful sister-in-law passed away suddenly. It was a joyous and difficult time all at once. Sending prayers your way. By the way, I love your dress! Congratulations to the happy couple!

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  8. I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. You have my deepest condolences.
    Congrats also is due to the happy couple.

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  9. What a beautiful wedding venue! Even more lovely are the bride and her family. I'm glad you were able to have your mother join the festivities; those (and others, of course) memories will keep her close in your heart. I know how much you'll miss her and I'm sorry for your loss.

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  10. I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for your and your family ♥

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  11. Such a beautiful Bride and Mother. Best wishes to all of you as their married life begins.! So sorry that you lost your mom and know it is hard. My mother is gone and the other day I saw a chart of three Christmas Elves and am stitching the as a special Christmas memory of her. She was the ultimate Elf lover.

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  12. So sorry about your Mom, my mother passed the day before Mother's Day, so I know what you're going through. Congratulations on your daughter's wedding! Both of your girls are gorgeous and I love your dress! I'm looking for a mother of the groom dress and I've noticed the trend of floral dresses like yours and I think they are very pretty

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  13. That's a big extreme in a short amount of time. It was a blessing that your mother could be at her granddaughter's wedding. Hugs and prayers to you and your family over the loss of your mother, she will leave a hole in your heart, but memories do fill it.

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  14. So happy your Mom got to experience your daughter's wedding. Keep the good times and let go of the unhappy times.

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  15. I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. It's almost a year since my mom passed (also a Kathleen!)How wonderful that she was able to attend your daughter's wedding and that you have those special memories. I have been so excited about this wedding and just love their story. Take good care.

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  16. So sorry on the loss of your mother. What a blessing that she was there at the wedding! Congrats to the happy couple! Love knows no age. Looking forward to your newbies!

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  17. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. But it is amazing that she was able to go to the wedding and congratulations to both of you to get her there.

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  18. My condolences on the passing of your mother. So hard to lose a mother: first mentor, first protector, and first best friend. I'm so sorry.

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  19. My husband and I are visiting KC this week and went to Union Station today! I was born in Wichita but haven't been to KC since my grandparents passed in 1996. Union Station is beautiful! Can't wait for your newbies because I am currently teaching my 9 year old daughter the art of cross stitch and sewing. 🙂

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  20. I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. It sounds like she was holding on for the wedding. We went through the same thing last summer. The wedding was on June 18, she was in the hospital on June 25, and she died on July 28. Even though I am relieved she is no longer suffering, I miss her every day. Just so thankful they both made it to the weddings that meant so much to them. May you know God's peace during this difficult time. Ps- Your dress is beautiful!

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  21. I'm so sorry to read of your loss, but very glad that your mom made it to the wedding. That looked like a perfect day, full of smiles, happiness, a beautiful venue, they look very happy together. I wish them many years of happiness together! After such a rollercoaster of a month no wonder you are feeling distracted and unsettled - hoping life starts to settle and there are calmer days ahead for you. God bless,
    Helen

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  22. Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family

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  23. I am so sorry for your loss. Caring for an ailing parent and losing them is such a difficult part of our lives. So happy she was able to attend your daughter's wedding. Prayers for you and your family!

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  24. SO sorry for your loss! And Congrats to the newlyweds!

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