We got to picnic in the park both Saturday & Sunday. Saturday's was a combo birthday/welcome home party for my brother Lee and his wife Leigh. He's home for some R&R from Afghanistan and her birthday was on Tuesday. They both love to golf so I was asked to make them a golf themed cake.
Lee flew out to Afghanistan on the day of the assault. He hasn't been able to view the blog due to security measures by the Army. He's only gotten limited information from his wife. He came over Wednesday night to see us. The first person he wanted to see wasn't his only sister, or even his mother. It was Mark. He gave him a big hug and told him he scared the hell out of him. We sat and talked about everything that's happened since and he said that he and his CO just kept shaking their heads and asking, "Who does this? Who is capable of beating his own brother to within an inch of his life?" I showed him some pictures and he was just completely overwhelmed...again. It was good to get validation, yet again.
For the picnic we went to the South Fork Park above Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. It was a beautiful day to be outside. The kids played frisbee, rolled down the hill, went on "the BEST adventure EVER!!" (according to Avery), and saw a cow moose with her baby...3 times. Twice, Mark and the girls walked up on them in the trees. Then when we were driving down the canyon we saw them laying down in some grass bedding down for the night. It was a great evening.
On Sunday we headed up to Murray Park in Salt Lake to meet up with some dear friends. There were 8 adults and 15 kids. We stretched out some blankets, filled our tummies with picnic food and goodies, talked about our lives and laughed. For once there were no tears (at least within the adult circle). It's always fun to visit with these friends.
My husand, you'll notice in the description of Satruday's events, didn't stick around the group. He wandered off with the kids instead of trying to engage in conversation with the adults. On Sunday, he did stay with the adults, he just didn't talk much. So little, in fact, that one of my friends commented on it. She said that he's noticeably more quiet than he's ever been. A difference that even people that don't see him that frequently can notice.
I have my husband back...but I don't have all of him. I miss how we used to be together. How we joked and laughed and teased. How he would make up stupid lyrics to regular songs just to get me to laugh. How he used to try and get my goat by throwing out one-liners and being sarcastic. Now he's just quiet and pensive. Lost in thought and worry. Lost. And I miss him. Terribly.
Blessing of the Day: friends
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ReplyDeleteThe cake was AMAZING!!! Everyone loved it! And even though Mark spent a lot of time with the kids, I actually thought he seemed more comfortable & talkative than he did at Parker's birthday party in January. I remember at Parker's party he was very quiet, and kept a VERY close eye on you the whole time. But Saturday, even though he wasn't around the adults the whole time, he talked more. He made a joke about the Heineken that was on the table and said something like "I should be allowed to have some of this" and then took the Diet Coke :) Leigh, Lee & I laughed and he smiled. Later he sat in Lee's chair (which had a Heineken in the cupholder) and he pretended it was his and Lee just laughed at him. Then he asked Lee to tell him all about Afghanistan. He also talked to my dad about the Moose and it was nice to listen in on their little conversation. Thank you again for making the awesome cake. I'm so glad you guys came and that he had the "GREAT ADVENTURE" :)
ReplyDelete#1 Your cakes are beautiful
ReplyDelete#2 How wonderful your brother is fighting for our freedoms
#3 So happy to have spent time with you this Sunday.
#4 I'm so sorry you have the heartache of missing Mark, I can't begin to imagine your heartache, but I can see it in your eyes. I'm so, so, sorry.