Making Peace...

...and closure

There really is no place like home and after a dozen or so gut wrenching trips to Florida over the past two years, this latest trip wasn't horrible & in fact, I was able to squeeze in some fun.

 With only 5 days, I took an all-nigher and hit the ground running with my sister-in-law to tackle a list of things that needed to get done. My parent's home now belongs to my brother and I and we are getting it ready to put on the market. One of the items on that to-do list was going through some of mom and dad's belongings that had been put aside. It was a really neat walk down memory lane and

I brought home some real treasures, some I knew about and some I didn't.

My dad loved being in the Navy and was proud to serve his 20 years. I was always proud of him and loved seeing him in his uniform, so when I found his hat...well, lets just say a flood of emotion came over me. 

My dad started playing the piano when he was 5 and was really good and tickling the ivories. I was always transported to another time when he sat down to play. 

I brought home his piano music-

My mom left a ziplock bag with my name on it and among the treasures she picked out for me to have was this sweet little strand of pearls. I don't remember her ever wearing them and I don't know anything about them but I adore them. I personally love pearls so they will worn often and with love.

One of them liked to collect stamps-a complete surprise. They came home with me too.

My parents certainly left this world with more questions than I have answers for-but I've come to terms with that because I was finally able to sit with them graveside and say my good byes. Talking to them was quite cleansing and as I walked away my heart didn't feel heavy anymore. 

Sadness seemed to be lifted. 

It was the closure I needed.

Happy (memory making) snapping

xo

Kelly