I thought of you today as I cut up sheets of Lucas’ school photos and made piles for family members. There should be a pile for you.
I thought of you today when the construction and remodeling company called me this afternoon to give me an update on the work being done to your house, the house Leah and I now own.
I thought of you today when an old colleague of yours commented on something I uploaded on Facebook.
I thought of you today while I drove to the grocery store because the song, What a Fool Believes came on the radio. I could almost hear Daddy singing along completely off key.
I thought of you today as I sat back and quietly watched Lucas playing, busy moving his trains up and down the tracks on his train table and wished more than ever that you could be there with me watching quietly too.
I thought of you today when I caught the scent of a woman in line in front of me at Starbucks because she smelled just like you. I didn’t even have to ask her what perfume she was wearing.
I thought of you today as I carefully packed away Christmas decorations, proud of myself for making it through another holiday without you.
I thought of you today after I received a text message from Leah about an epiphany she had and I wondered if you were here, would she had shared it with me at all.
I thought of you today when I lifted Lucas up to see a wedding photo on the wall and he pointed out, without hesitation, his Grandpa Adams.
I thought of you today, but that was nothing new.
Alison@Mama Wants This says
*sniff* Thinking of YOU, Tonya.
Tonya says
Thanks, Alison.
Erin says
Today would have been my father’s 72nd birthday, and I think of him everyday. I feel your pain, and I think the same thoughts! hugs to you!
Tonya says
Thanks, Erin and happy 72nd. xo
Courtney Kirkland says
Hugs!! Thinking of you. I know how you feel and can identify with that void Praying for you!
Tonya says
It’s a pain that never goes away.
Galit Breen says
Oh my, Tonya. (Truly) one of your most heartfelt, touching posts.
Beautifully written, dear friend.
Much love to you.
Tonya says
Thank you, Galit. I blame the holidays for all my sappy stuff lately. I appreciate your comments.
Renee Wood says
Tears… I’m in constant awe of your strength. Constant. Awe. Thanks for sharing Tonya.
Tonya says
Thank you, Renee. I can’t imagine the alternative, so I keep on keeping on.
Ashley {at} My Front Porch Swing says
Hugs. So many. Xoxo
Tonya says
Hugs are always accepted here! 🙂
Maija @ Maija\s Mommy Moments says
I know this. This thinking. Remembering.
Sending (HUGS)!
Tonya says
I wish it would get a little easier to burden, but even the most mundane things take me right back there. It just hurt as much as it used to, the loss. But I feel it. Every day.
John says
*hugs*
Tonya says
Always welcome, thank you!
MaryLauren@My3LittleBirds says
So many memories…and so many ways they’re with you (and your son) still.
Tonya says
Yes. I just wish I could find a way to fill the void in my heart. My son’s smiles are a good start. 🙂
Shell says
Sending you lots of love. xo
Tonya says
Thank you, Shell. xo
By Word of Mouth Musings says
Such sadness …
Thinking of you xxx
Tonya says
Thank you. I think the holidays have brought out a lot of emotions for me…. But, I can’t help what I feel. Even the most mundane things make me think of my parents.
Sigh.
Kristen says
My heart and my eyes were welling up with this. I can’t imagine the pain of your loss. I am extremely close with both of my parents and even the thought of it brings me to tears. I love that you still think of them now with every action just as you did when they were alive. That is what keeps the love alive even when they have left us on our own.
Tonya says
Oh yes, in my mind, my parents are very much alive. Hard to believe it’s been almost 4 1/2 years since their deaths.
Cheryl @ Mommypants says
That’s just beautiful, Tonya. Just beautiful.
Hugs..
xo
Tonya says
Thanks, Cheryl.
Gail Adams says
Beautiful,Tonya.
We just made it through our first Christmas without Zach. It came with the realization that it will never be the same. Nothing will. Accepting this fact is very difficult for me. I haven’t fully accepted the loss of your parents, my parents, my sister (1963), a nephew (2002) and another nephew a week before Thanksgiving. I’m just trying to focus on joyful memories and gratitude for the time I had with them. My cardiologist gave me this advice: “You owe it to those who love you now to be the person you would have been had you not suffered these losses”. I love you.
Tonya says
Acceptance. Such a loaded word, isn’t it. If we could just accept, then we’d be okay. Wouldn’t we?
I miss them everyday and nothing will ever be the same. I guess in many ways, I’m still trying to find a new “normal”.
I thought about you and Uncle David a lot over the holiday and Janie, of course too.
Sending love.
xoxo
Leah says
I am constantly thinking of them. I am constantly wanting to pick up the phone and tell them things, little and big. And yes, I would have most definitely called to talk to you about the revelation I had yesterday. I actually don’t know if I would have told mom and dad…
Tonya says
Crazy that it has been almost 4 1/2 years, isn’t it and yet, not any easier. Not one bit.
Katie says
they are there in the little things.
this was beautiful.
you are always in my heart, friend.
Tonya says
Yes! That’s it exactly. Big, deep thoughts in the little every day small moments.
xoxo
angela says
Sending hugs and letting you know that your beautiful words always touch me and make me want to hug my parents and hug my kids and create the type of relationships you describe with your family.
Tonya says
Thank you, that means the world to me. xoxo
Carri says
::hugs:: I’m so sorry. I know how it feels… crappy.
Tonya says
All kinds of crappy.
Hugging you right back. 🙂
Kimberly says
They are there, always, in the little things. Sending you lots of love. xo
Tonya says
I think it’s the little things that hurt the most.
Jessica says
I know how this is. I think of my Aunt all the time and my father in law that passed away long before I met my husband. So many moments in life that pass that are special and we want to share but we can’t. Hugs to you Tonya.
Miss Marina Star says
Tonya, you are so amazing and strong and brave. I love reading your words even when they are painful. My heart goes out to you today, and every day, because I cannot imagine how you keep it together.
Tonya says
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. xo
Nancy says
Very moving Tonya. Brought tears to my eyes and thoughts familiar. Beautifully written.
Tonya says
Thank you Nancy, I know you know this pain. xoxo
Nellie says
Tonya, This is really wonderful. It reminds me of how often during a day things remind me of loved ones I have lost. In so many ways they are still with me.
Tonya says
Thank you, Nellie. Thank goodness for our memories.
Stephanie says
Because I do not think I can even imagine what a loss like this feels like all I can say is, (HUGS).
Tonya says
Hugs are ALWAYS accepted. Thank you.
Robin @ Farewell, Stranger says
I can’t imagine the loss, but I can imagine the remembering. They’re with you, but it’s not the same, I know.
Tonya says
They are with me and I am thankful for the memories.
Colinda says
So beautiful.. and I now KNOW what it feels like..
thinking of you.. and reading your blogs I know it’s not going to get any easier… It just helps to know other people know what you’re going through..
big kiss XXX
Tonya says
Yes, there is strength in numbers for certain. Did you lose a parent? I’m sorry I did not know. xoxo
Colinda says
yes, our mom died last june… she had problems with her lungs but it al went very fast in the end… matter of 5 weeks… still in shock.
and last November my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer.. he’s on his last radiation tomorrow and had his 5th (and last) chemo last week…
he’s doing fine… strange enough 🙂
we are all hoping for the best…..
xoxoxo
-will keep you posted- x
Tonya says
I am so sorry to hear that. Charmaine and I are friends on Facebook, but I haven’t reached out to her in a while. I will now.
PLEASE do keep me posted on your father’s health.
Sending you love and peace.
xoxo
Coreen says
Hugs. You are the strongest woman I know.
Tonya says
I don’t know about that, but thank you.
Jessica says
Tears and goosebumps and a million I’m sorry’s that you have to go through this Tonya. Reading your posts I can tell the days have been difficult for you as they have been for me lately. All I can say is I wish you some comfort in knowing that we are all here for you. Sending hugs.
Kir says
*HUGS* to you my friend.
I know what this feels like. I think of my grandmothers, my dad, my FIL who never got to hold our sons and it makes me want to curl myself into a ball and cry.
I will hear a song or smell a man’s cologne, see a TV show or see a Broadway muscial and think ‘He would have loved this!”, “oh even only he could see GIO do that!” “Jacob got his rhythm and his ears!” and my knees buckle. How I wish he was here…
but I also get that with the living…I smell a woman’s cologne in line and she smells just like my mom and I hug her extra tight the next time I see her or I text her and say “thinking of you” because I am. I hear a song my sister would love and I send it to her phone…I find Polo on sale and I call my baby brother and ask if he wants a new shirt..LOL…I live differently because I have loss in my life and I know that people can be gone before you are ready for them to be. So I love the people that I have now, even more.
I know you do too…I’m glad that you get glimpses and reminders of your mom and dad..that’s as it should be. They are with you always.
love you Tonya.
xo
Sara says
oh the perfume. I once followed a woman around a mall for half an hour because her perfume smelled just like my mothers used to on her… this poor woman probably wondered what the hell was going on OR she had also lost her mother and understood….
Tonya says
I think the latter. I would let someone follow me if I thought it might bring them a bit of peace. Something tells me you would too.
Lady Jennie says
This is so sad – such an ache.
Tonya says
I feel it every day. Some more than others, sadly.