The Cup is Always Half Full....

We went to see PopPop Saturday.  Sam, our second son who is eight years wise, said how sad he and Josh, our almost ten year-old, are about PopPop.  Sam explained that “Alex is especially sad because PopPop loves him so much.”  How can a boy Sam’s age understand how profoundly we all LOVE PopPop?

Last night we went to Grandma and PopPop's again. We had take-out pizza and pasta with Aunt Ellen and our nephew Jake and niece Jordan.  Ellen had us all laughing and sharing time with our parents in ways that brought us all close with tenderness and love.

Ellen joked how the day before when I gave Alex an open cup of water my husband, Michael, remarked, “Your cup is too full.”  We giggled how usually people lament that their cup is half empty.  Others, like our friend Alison, said, “My cup is always half full.”

I think about this often.  Is it half full if there is only a drop?  I gave Alex a sippy cup of lemonade.  Ellen laughed, “How full is it?” since it is a red super hero opaque.  I laugh back “too full!” smiling at Michael. Really, this is a decision we make.  “Happiness is an inside job.” Our neighbor Kit's uncle explained to us long ago before we had children. We each decide to make up our minds about how happy we are.

Alex is often happy, but not always.  Just like anyone, sometimes he is tired, angry, hungry, sick, or lonely.  Remember HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired), stop and look underneath what is it?  When Alex smiles or giggles the sun comes out.  There is a light and warmth I have not ever seen before Alex joined our family. 

This summer we went to Disney World with PopPop and Grandma.  The time we were there was some of the best in our lives.  Loving, laughing, joyful, tired, grumpy, lonely, angry, sick from too much delicious food....together.   How LUCKY we all are to have spent that time with each other. They say through loss comes kindness and the pain is only as great as the love.

The memory of PopPop laughing with Alex two times through on the Toy Story ride, sharing meals at the Shades of Green, walks, sunny weather, meals with Grandma and PopPop, Aunt Rhoda's home and lunch with her, Josh searching out lizards until we dragged him away and Sam giggling like I have never seen before or since and sharing the time is etched on our hearts forever.

PopPop, we LOVE you and hold you in the light always in all ways.

Sincerely, As a Guest in the Stork’s Nest~

Mama Nancy

**Stay tuned for another blog from Mama Nancy next month!**

Artwork by Michael Schwartz