Where We've Been

 Last week was one of those weeks when I just wanted to throw my hands in the air and scream, "I quit!".

My grandfather had been having health problems for the past few months. Doctor visit after doctor visit left him undiagnosed. Finally, a PET scan revealed lung cancer that had metastasized to his bone marrow and liver. And that is just about as bad as it sounds. Understandably, it was a tough week for my family.

The day after we got the official diagnosis for Grandpa, we found out that Matt's grandmother had passed away late the night before. I know, I know- when it rains, it pours. But seriously? All of this news in the span of 2 days? Matt's dad's side of the family lives in New Jersey, so we packed up our car (toddler included) and made the nearly 10 hour trek north. Camden slept a grand total of 20 minutes during our entire trip up there. My guy? Not a car sleeper. But, terrible sleeping aside, I couldn't have asked for a smoother car ride as far as Camden is concerned. He was excellent. No crying, very little whining, tons of Mickey Mouse episodes, a few stops for food and a diaper change, paying insane amounts of money in gas and tolls, and getting stuck in rush hour on the NJ Turnpike-- and then, finally, we were there.

The funeral was bittersweet, as most funerals are. It was so nice to see that side of the family that we rarely see and they all got to meet Camden for the first time. They were extra touched that we brought Camden because the last picture taken of Matt's grandmother (a few days before she died) was of her looking through pictures of Camden that Matt's dad had mailed to her. She was flipping through them and smiling at her great-grandson. One day, I will show Camden those pictures.

The ride home was nowhere near as pleasant as the ride there and I'd really rather forget it entirely. But, we're home, getting back into the swing of things. One day at a time, right?