My Grandmother Billie passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2013. She was 89 years old and loved The Lord. She had been sick for awhile so we knew it was coming, we just didn't know when. We had looked into canceling our trip earlier in the week when we were unsure of what her status was going to be but since we booked with Travelocity, nothing was going to be easy about rescheduling the trip. So we made the decision that if she hadn't passed away by Wednesday night we were still going. As we pulled out of the house Thursday morning all packed up I got the call. So we went anyway and made arrangements once we got to Miami. My grandmother was a wonderful woman. Always dressed up, put together, ready to help others in need. She left me with the knowledge to write cards and thank you's to people. This is a trait not many people have these days so I'm thankful she taught me the value in it at such a young age. The last time I saw her was at the Family Reunion in Murray, Kentucky last September. When we were leaving, something told me that it'd be the last time I'd see her alive. So I looked into her eyes and soaked it all in. She grabbed my face and told me, "You are so beautiful and I'm so proud of you and your family." These were priceless words and will always stay with me. This was the first time she got to meet my boys. She couldn't believe how busy Mason was and how Sutton looked like me.
Ryon and I left Miami at 6:30 on Sunday morning. Our flight took us to Charlotte North Carolina and then to Nashville. Once arriving in Nashville we rented a car. As we were walking out to get it, the guy casually pointed at a little red Mercedes and said for $15 more we could have that one. Considering we'd be in that car for the next two days, we took it! We opened the sunroof, turned up some music and got going. We had some time so we went to downtown Nashville to eat lunch. We found this great rooftop cafe where we ate wonderful food and watched everyone down below on the busy street. It was really fun and refreshing. The drive was beautiful. The Tennessee and Kentucky countryside is so lush and beautiful so we took full advantage of our surroundings!
Then we were off for the 3 hour drive north to South Fulton, Tennessee, located on the boarder of Kentucky and Tennessee. That night we went to my Grandmother's house with the family. Monday morning was the funeral. I was at peace with everything since she had been sick and she lived such a wonderful life. I never looked at her in her casket due to the fact that I NEVER look because that's not how I want to remember the people I love. Our bodies are simply tents for here on earth. They are not our souls. My Grandmother is buried in a cemetery outside of South Fulton. So is my real dad. I was full of emotions going into the day knowing that I'd be at his grave site. I hadn't been since I was very little and didn't really remember anything. So when we got there I grabbed my sisters and we knelt by his grave and just said a prayer. It gave me such peace. It was wonderful to see his stone with his name and his birthday on it. Just a flood of emotions of course. Lora had brought bluebonnets, sunflowers and a texas flag for his grave. It was wonderful. It also made me proud that we had chosen SRV to be Sutton's initials, the same as mine and my real dad's. There was actually a grave stone next to my dad's with the last name Sutton on it....God's hand is in everything!!!!!
Afterwards Ryon and I had to catch a flight back home. We were delayed in Nashville so we sat and listened to good country music in the airport. The Nashville Airport is really fun. We didn't make it to Dallas until about 8, and at this time there were NO flights to Midland open. (dang oil boom.) And if we rented a car we wouldn't be able to return it after 11:30. So Daniel picked us up and we grabbed a quick late dinner and stayed at their house. Then poor Kristi took us to the airport at 5:45 am to catch the flight to Midland. We were home by 8 and I had my boys back all together by 10! We were so ready to see the boys but the exhaustion from our crazy traveling set in pretty good yesterday. We are in recovery mode for sure. In all Ryon and I traveled 3500 miles from Thursday - Tuesday. Not quite the relaxing vacation we were hoping for. Crazy.
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