Summer Time/Family Time- Part Three

The month of May also brought sadness to our family.  In the middle of many wonderful new adventures for our Michael and Ivy, things took a very unexpected, wrenching turn when Ivy's mother, Jody, passed away on May 19, 2011 at the all  too early age of 56.
I was driving to Seattle to help a very pregnant Ivy pack up their apartment and move into their first home when Michael called with the news.  I could hear the unbelief in his voice and had a hard time processing the news as well.  Jody did not seem the least bit unhealthy.  She had a vibrant, bigger than life personality, quick to smile, quick to laugh and a willingness to extend a full embrace to everyone, even strangers. She had raised my wonderful daughter-in-law to be strong, kind, independent and and sensitive; she loved my son; she welcomed our family to join with hers with that full embrace. I couldn't help but love her back.  It was a shock to everyone that her heart would fail her after some strenuous yardwork.
Michael was, at the same time, very worried about Ivy and his son who was scheduled to make his entrance into this world in about six weeks.  Ivy was in the hospital having her blood pressure monitored and the baby's heart rate checked.  Fortunately, the baby was doing well and after the initial shock wore off, Ivy's strength rebounded.
It was a very difficult time but I was amazed and proud as I watched Ivy and her three sisters, who to my thinking were all too young to have to plan a funeral and settle an estate, pull together with love and strength and do what was needed in the midst of their pain. They organized a beautiful celebration of life.  I know that Jody was so proud of them during her life and I'm sure she was proud of they way they handled her death.
Ivy blogged a little about her Mom here. http://iviousmaximus.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html
and here..http://iviousmaximus.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-miss-my-mom.html  I hope Ivy doesn't mind me re-posting her blog.  It is, after all, her story so much more than mine. I am so grateful that Jody is sharing her daughter with me.  Michael, Ivy and Felix (who will be introduced in the next post) are a beautiful family. We love them so.