Last week was a complete whirlwind.  It felt surreal and now that we are back in Virginia it feels even more surreal than it did when the news was fresh on our minds.  Cody lost two grandfathers within a few days time.  When we found out about Pops, I could really relate to how Cody would feel and what he would go through.  I lost my Poppie unexpectedly when he was only 60 years old by almost the same health problems.  I can only describe the feeling as someone slapping you across the face and looking at you then saying “sorry, not sorry”.  I mean we weren’t that worried about Pops’ surgery and we pretty much knew he would make it through it just fine.  Unfortunately, we were wrong.  Really, really wrong. 

We got the news late on a Friday night and the whirlwind began by trying to get emergency leave for Cody, trying to book plane tickets, crying at the prices of those plane tickets, having to pack our bags, needing to find somewhere for Tripp to stay, and then feeling guilty for not just being able to sit down and grieve because we had adulting to do.  It was the worst night ever, but we made it home and Cody really needed that.  Being 1,500 miles away from home and getting bad news does not feel good knowing there is nothing you can do to help or just be there with people you love. It’s like a punch in the gut no doubt.

Saturday afternoon we finally made it to Dallas.  We got home and the sadness hit hard again.  I remember Cody saying “I don’t want to get upset again when I get home” at the airport.  There was nothing I could do to change what he was about to have handle, but I will say he handled it with grace every step of the way.  Pops’ funeral happened quickly since no one was sure how long Cody would get to stay.  On the morning of the funeral, Cody got a phone call from his sister and he learned his other grandpa passed away.  Boom.  Another slap in the face on one of the hardest days Cody’s probably ever had to go through so far.  This situation was both a blessing and a curse.  We were afraid we would have to stress about Cody’s leave time and money for plane tickets again after we made it back after the first funeral.  It’s almost like Pops and Grandpa planned this out.  Almost like they looked at each other and said “let’s just do this all at once”. 

Up above is Cody’s Pops and Granny.  I took these pictures at Christmas and I’m forever thankful that I did.  Half of the people I know don’t understand why I am the way I am when it comes to photography and photographs.  Well the situation we lived over the past couple of weeks is exactly why.  There will be some day that you wish you had photographed someone, something, or a place important to you when they are not there anymore.  Along with every photograph comes a memory that stays with it.  You may not be able to see that person, place, or thing anymore, but you will be able to look back and to re-live those precious moments.  And if people get to hang on to memories in that manner then I’m totally fine with being the crazy camera girl. 

Cody loved his Pops.  He always told me how if he ever needed anything he could call Pops up and he would always be there ready to listen and help.  He talked about his racing days when just the two of them traveled to races together.  He talked about how he couldn’t wait to move home and help Pops out when he could.  Within the short two or so years I knew Pops, I grew to love him tremendously.  He reminded me so much of my own Poppie.  Their hands were the same.  Always dirty and always working on something.  They were both soft spoken and only spoke when it was needed.  I never heard either one of them talk bad about anyone. Pops filled the “Poppie void” I had been missing since I was 14.  Always greeting me with a big hug and soft smile.  I’m forever thankful for this wedding picture.  I about had a cow when I asked my parents to spend $2,500 on wedding photography, but you know what… this is a reminder that those pictures are priceless.

This is Cody’s Grandpa.  Oh boy, does he talk about this handsome fella a lot as well!  I’ve heard about their morning school rides and how much fun they had together.  How Grandpa would let him climb up on the roof.  How kind he was to those around him.  How he would play his guitar.  And I also heard he was a pretty good french toast maker.  Who woulda thunk it?  I never had the pleasure of meeting or spending time with Grandpa, but I will continue to live the right way so I can meet him and then ask him to teach me how to play my guitar that never gets touched!  Look at that old photograph.  Now THAT is something to remember, which is why I urge you to capture every moment that you can.  I’ll be super cliche and say time does fly fast and before you know it… your kids are grown, the same dog you had when your babies were babies isn’t there anymore, you’re living in a different house, loved ones will have passed away, and you’ll want to look back on those memories.  It doesn’t matter what the quality of those images are – just create them and you’ll be thankful later on.

I’m forever grateful Cody was blessed with two amazing men who were huge remodels and great examples for the type of man he should be.  I look back on these two pictures and I hope and pray Cody cherishes them and feels comfort when he looks at them.  The value of a photograph runs deeper than you think.  A photograph lets people relive precious moments.  A photograph brings smiles and comfort.  A photograph lives on forever even when we don’t.  Make some memories, y’all.  Photograph those moments and let them live on.  That’s all I have to say before I turn into more of an emotional wreck!  Happy Friday! xo