7

s-e-v-e-n.

It looks so small written out, doesn't it?

Seven...

the number of days in a week.

a perfect number in Biblical terms.

deadly sins.

the number of the inning Harry Caray would sing during.

the number of years without Grandma and Grandpa.

I know I post every year about it, and I know every year I will probably continue to. These two people were just too amazing not to take time to remember each year. They not only helped shape me but they defined our family.

And this year I have to write about it because it's been such a huge year for our family. Just in in the grandkids alone there have been 3 graduations, 1 going back to school, 1 wedding, 1 move, 1 new job, and 1 new business endeavor. That's a lot in and of itself, but that's not even the entire picture!

I used to believe that after somebody died you'd miss them less and less as time went on because you would just adjust to their absence and that'd be it. Turns out I was wrong. Yes, you adjust, but you never stop missing them. In fact, I have missed my grandparents more in this past year alone than I have probably since that first year without them. You can never fill the gap where somebody is supposed to be, and that gap's so much more prevalent when it's space for two.

I also never knew how much memories mean. Yes, it's great to be able to think back on the good times and everything, but I've come to realize that even memories can still teach lessons. My grandparents may be gone, but I can still see how we continue to learn by their example. We just pick it up from the stories we hear and the memories we hold now instead of getting to see it before us. What a treasure to have something to turn to, though.

There's definitely comfort in knowing they are together with each other and livin' it up with God, though. That just doesn't stop us here without them from aching now and then...and today is one of those times.

Tonight I'm going to watch Dirty Dancing. It was one of my grandma's favorite movies. I just saw it on New Year's Eve and right away could understand why.

Last night I watched A League of Their Own for Grandpa, and it's been ages since I've seen it. I really love that movie, and missed watching it with my family -- especially my cousins. I missed them most during this scene as I laughed so hard remembering my grandpa recite it for us, especially when Jen and Jordan were little and would come in hurt or upset about something. And I can't wait to be back together with my family for Easter to hear it again. Here it is, the best scene from the movie:

And one of my other favorite parts: