Week 47 & 48: 2025

These weeks in November carried both joy and challenge, with family moments and travel woven through days that reminded me how even hard times can bring people closer together.

November 17
Monday, Rob and I were home for his colonoscopy. That evening Alex came over to see the new deck and hot tub. Drew and fam came over too. Any chance we get to see Alex is precious.

November 19
This little one had RSV, so that week we were tag teaming staying home and I was actually starting to feel bad myself.

November 20
In fact the next day, I got home from work and went straight to the hot tub to soak my body aches away. It really helped.

November 21
Earlier that week, my Uncle Brad (who went on this cruise with us) passed away after a pretty difficult fight with lung cancer. So we flew to Texas for the service and a quick family visit.

1st Texas meal was Torchy’s Tacos of course!

November 22
The next day at my Uncle’s funeral…All the family on my side there for Uncle Brad’s service

After the service, Rob and I changed clothes and went to Magnolia and walked around. Then drove around Baylor.

That afternoon we met up with the in town folks for dinner at George’s. I was happy to spend a little more time with at least some family. However, I was feeling terrible with such a runny nose and congestion. I was glad to get back to the hotel to lay down.

November 23
The next morning we checked out of the hotel and made our way to my sister’s in Weatherford. We did make stop in West, TX for some Kolaches.

We went to church with my sister, Nikki and family and then went to Braum’s for lunch. My niece chowed down on everybody’s fries!

After that we went back to Nikki’s house to visit.

November 24
Monday we got up, checked out of the hotel, and drove over to see my mom and my brother, Mel and his wife for a very quick visit. Mel was working and didn’t get to go to the funeral. From there we headed to the airport, with a quick stop at Soulman’s BBQ for lunch.

I had actually already taken off that Monday and Tuesday months ago and I was so glad I did. I could have got back to work on Tuesday, but that gave me an opportunity to get stuff done, so I was a lot less stressed on Wednesday.

I wrote a post about Thanksgiving Weekend

As those weeks closed, I carried with me the gratitude of being surrounded by family. We often need proof that loss can deepen bonds and leave us holding tighter to the memories we make together.