A Perfect Plan

The last few weeks have been crazy. Andrew was sick with RSV, I got the adult version, my grandfather passed away, we went with my Mother to Maryland to pick up my Grandmother.. well actually, we picked up her ashes and toted her to Florida for a final visit (morbid, I know :)) while we tied up my grandfather's affairs, and tomorrow we head up to New York for the funeral.
Andrew took his first ride in an airplane and loved the sand at the ocean. He's grown so much in the last few days, finally getting control of his hands. There are no words to describe the joy I felt when he first got ahold of the toy on his car seat and made it crinkle. Pride. I am blessed to have a healthy, intelligent baby. I know many people aren't able to experience these simple pleasures. I also know that many people aren't able to recognize these blessings.

Losing my grandfather hasn't been easy. As with Steven, I wish he could have met my little stud. This is yet another reminder to live every day to the fullest. Never wait until tomorrow to do something you could do today.
I am understanding more every day that God has a plan for me. A perfect plan. On the flight to Florida, I was seated next to a perfect stranger. After some small talk, I discovered that he is a Superintendent for a mine in WV. He knew of my husband's accident and agreed to take me underground for the purpose of better understanding the production in a coal mine. I believe doing this will help me to better fight and make changes for the benefit of other mine employees. Ironic? No. It's more than ironic. I was supposed to meet that perfect stranger. My grandfather put me on that plane. Steven put me on that plane. GOD put me on that plane!

I do find myself laughing, sometimes. Steven had a ton of respect for my "Pop-Pop". I can still hear Steven saying, "is your Pop-Pop going to dinner?" Hilarious to hear a grown man saying. He used to joke that he just knew my grandfather was in the Mafia. Pop-Pop's name was Don. He always had his hair gelled back, wore a bulky gold ring on his right hand, was slightly shorter than most men, and spoke with a stern New Yorker accent, on top of driving a luxury vehicle at all times. I imagine, they are laughing about it in heaven. I know they are both there, with the rest of our loved ones. Waiting, on me to finish my work on Earth, or God's work rather.

"Pray as though everything depends on God. Work as though everything depends on you." -Saint Augustine