Five years ago, today ….
It was early Mother’s Day morning, May 8th. I was finishing up my little sister’s Mother’s Day gift that morning – a picture collage of her and my Nephew as this was her 1st Mother’s Day.  I was JUST about done, moments away from taking a shower and getting ready to go visit my Grandparents.  I was so excited to give my sister this special gift honoring her first few months of Motherhood!  The phone rang.  It was my Mom.  Her voice sounded tired and it was quivering.  A quiver I’ve never heard in her voice before now.  My Grandfather, my Pappy, had just passed away. Up until that moment, I had never experienced that level of heartache.  Sadness. Loss.  Both Mother’s Day, and May 8th, have been marked, ever since, as the day we lost the backbone of our family.  I am honestly unsure of how we have navigated through the past 5 years without his love, his wisdom and his approving nod and smile.  What an incredible man our family lost that day.  To say that he is missed, is a vast under-statement.  We miss him. We love him. And we admire him – Still. And we will continue to do so – Forever.

Today, on the 5-year anniversary of his passing … He confirmed to me that his presence and love is still with us!
This morning, I received a text message from my Brother-in-Law that read, “Brianna’s water broke … it’s baby time!!!”. Brianna, my baby sister, currently in labor with their second baby girl!!!! Regardless of whether or not she is born today, this precious baby girl has offered us a new meaning for this day.  My Pappy, he loved our babies!! He was incredibly proud of all of his “kiddies” and I truly believe, with all of my heart and soul, that my Grandparents have set this birth into motion today.  Especially today!  It IS, without a doubt ~ their way.  To offer us hope.  To offer us a different meaning of this day ~ A day that has weighed so heavily on our hearts these past five years.  To offer us a reason to CELEBRATE, to shed tears of joy, rather than tears of heartache.  Yes, it IS definitely their way ~ It has ALWAYS been their way! 

As I write this, we are anxiously awaiting updates, as our anticipation grows in preparation of welcoming our spirit – filled baby girl into a family that already loves her beyond words. 

Yes, She is our special blessing …. Already!

This, I do not accept as a coincidence.  Rather, a message and a blessing sent from our 3 beloved guardian angels ~ Our Pappy, our Mammy and our Mike.