It's been four years today since Casey's mom, Trish's passing. We got to go down to her headstone--brought flowers and some of her favorite treats. The kids colored messages with chalk, Jeannee made special little Grandma Trish coloring books for each of the kids (seriously--we could not love her more), and she and LaRon had us over for dinner, games and to thumb through some photos. It was absolutely wonderful.
I'm surprised that when I see pictures of her, that it still hurts a little and I just plain & simple miss her. I don't know very many girls who have felt like their mother-in-law was ALWAYS in their corner, but I most definitely could be the first in line with my hand raised high for that award! She was fun, thoughtful, beautiful, easy to chat on the phone with, always up for a good time, endearingly quirky, and always serving everyone around her. This woman didn't know how to sit still, I just don't think her body got the memo!
But of all the traits that made Trish so great, hands down, being a grandma was her calling in life. Hands on, down on the ground, playing, loving every square inch of these kids and them ADORING her right back. The outside world stopped when they were at "grandma Twish's" house and they became the center of hers. She particularly had a special bond with Ash that she still feels so tangibly now. In fact, I see so many little things in Ash that remind me so much of Trish and it makes her not feel so far away.
The kids ran their first race along with this cool family....
So, this was so stinking beautiful! Ahh Midway is always a slice of heaven. The kids had a good time and already want to run more races, now that they know the bounty they get at the end of the race! And I think I'll bring them and the Peterson crew along for every race--they are the best cheerleaders ever! 
But of all the traits that made Trish so great, hands down, being a grandma was her calling in life. Hands on, down on the ground, playing, loving every square inch of these kids and them ADORING her right back. The outside world stopped when they were at "grandma Twish's" house and they became the center of hers. She particularly had a special bond with Ash that she still feels so tangibly now. In fact, I see so many little things in Ash that remind me so much of Trish and it makes her not feel so far away.
So grateful to have a husband raised by such a great mom, for kids to know how it feels to be unconditionally loved by their grandma (and still feeling that love today from my mom, Kathlene & Jeannee), and to have a true friend. 
