Just checking in...

So I have not checked in lately and wanted to post a little something. I am taking a digital scrapbooking class next month with a friend and will be learning to use Adobe Photoshop. I will hopefull have some new items to be posting once I learn all of this business, but in the meantime have posted one of my "attempts." This picture was taken of my daughter, Megan just the other day. My mom just adored her grandchildren. One of the reasons I am learning this is to honor her memory in photos.

A very dear friend emailed me the following quote tonight. I cannot put into words how much these endearing words hit home. This particular quote came from a person's blog who had lost a family member to an infection:

We do not realize how important we are to others around us. We may be their rock and not even know it. We may be the only Jesus some people will ever know. I am hanging on with God's help and the help of those God has sent to help me. You hang on too.

~Love Nita~

Grandma and her babies

This was a picture I found the other day. It was taken about 5 years ago with my nephew, Alex. He was probably only 2 in this picture. My mom loved her grandkids more than anything. This picture was taken in Lyman, WY about Christmas time.

Mom always tried to find time to be with the grandkids. In fact, we just celebrated my oldest daughter, Ashley's birthday this past weekend and it was heart breaking not to have her there. In the past, she would drive down from Wyoming to Utah to be present at the party.

My girls are really struggling with the loss of their beloved "Grandma Debbie". They talk all the time about her and love to reminisce about their time spent with her.

Mom - I hope you know how much you were really loved, not only by your children, but by your grandchildren as well. We miss you.

A good reponse

It's been a long week and I wanted to write a little bit more. So far, the response has been good on the blog. I am working to find more photos and getting them uploaded. I found this one that is similar to another picture on this page.

The reponses that I have had have both been really uplifting. So I feel like this is a good thing. I know for me it is. I have really had a hard time with my mom's loss and am trying to find any outlet for the grief.

I still cannot believe that she is gone and it's going on four months now. We are working on getting a headstone for mom's grave at the Clinton City Cemetery and hope to have this in by spring when the snow melts.

Some days I feel like I am going to wake up from a really horrible dream and will realize that this has been the longest nightmare of my life. I know that isn't the case.

So, Mom, where ever you are tonight, keep us all in your sights and work your healing magic. I love you and miss you every day.

This picture was taken in April 2007 in Idaho at my brother's wedding (now divorced). This was one of the last times we were all together as a family and I can recall how proud my mom was that her little boy was getting married.

Miss you more than words can say

This blog is dedicated to my mother, Debra Denise Godfrey. My mom passed away October 19, 2007 in a car accident, just outside of Lyman, WY. She was only 52 years old. Mom had three children, five grandchildren and many other family members who loved her dearly, including five brothers and sisters. She also cared for my grandmother, Betty Sheville.

This page is a place for those of us who are still in mourning (like myself) to go and be with her, if only in cyberspace. I want to share this with anyone who needs a quiet place to reminisce and grieve.

The worst day of my life began with a phone call on a beautiful autumn afternoon, Friday, October 19th. Kassie, my cousin, was on the other end of the phone. She had to to tell me the horrible news, that my beloved mother, had been instantly killed in a car accident. I thought (and hoped) for one horrible second that she was joking. I of course, knew she wasn't. I hung up and left work immediatetly and headed straight to my aunt Pam's house. This is where the reality started to sink in. All of the family started to gather and the tears started to flow. I remember talking to one of the responding police officers on the phone this day. I was in shock and was asking the officer if he was sure, sure that she had indeed died. He was sure.

My mom was one of the most kind and loving people I ever knew Also among the most beautiful. She had her share of hardships over the past many years, but she over came many of her demons. This fact alone, made her an inspiration not only to me but to many others. My mom also took great care of others around her. At Thanksgiving, she would cook several dinners to take to her surrounding friends and neighbors in Wyoming and would also cook one for herself and the rest of the family. She always found time to take care of the less fortunate and the down and out.

Just today, my aunt, sister and I were joking that we can imagine my mom up in Heaven finding the less fortunate angels, maybe one with a broken wing or one without a halo. She would find some way to make up for this angel's mis-fortune and would mend it.

My dear, sweet Grandma Betty is dying and is in her final days. I imagine that once she passes to the other side, my mom is going to be there waiting for her with open arms. She will have so much to say and will tell her all about Heaven and Jesus. She will tell her all about the broken souls she has been gathering and mending.

Momma - I pray that you can work to help mend all of our broken souls down here on Earth. It is one lonely and sad place without you. I pray that you watch over us. I want to pick up the phone more than anything and here you say, "Janda, I got a scoop," but I know I can't. One of the only things that keeps me going, is knowing that someday soon I will see you again.

Without you here among us, we are all broken hearted and in need of your watchful eye. We all love you and miss you more than words can even begin to say.