The trip went pretty well with only a couple of small stretches where he was screaming. It seemed like forever but in reality it wasn’t too bad at all. We made it to Mimi and Papaw’s house just fine. But Cooper was very ready to eat!
We were just hanging out and making some plans for the few days I’d be in town when my mom got a call from my Aunt that my grandmother had passed away. I’m pretty sure there is no way to prepare for a moment like that. It’s pretty surreal. Grandma Kay lived by herself and had not answered the phone that morning when my aunt and uncle called to check on her. My aunt went by her apartment to check on her and found her in her bed. It appeared as though she had laid down to take a nap and never woke up.
I helped mom and dad get their things packed up and went ahead with them to Memphis. It was just easier for me to go ahead with them rather than try and come in a couple of days by myself. I wanted to try and be there for my mom.
Cooper was a champ through all of this craziness and was such a joy in time of sorrow. You can’t look at him and not smile... even when you’re sad. He traveled very well on the way to Memphis and I’m sure he enjoyed having Mommy ride in the backseat with him.
Grandma Kay lived in a very small apartment and we opted to stay in a hotel during the time we were there. They were very kind and gave us a very discounted rate. So, Cooper got to stay in his first hotel. The pack ‘n play was great! It’s what he had been sleeping in at home so he didn’t have any trouble sleeping while we were there. In fact, the night before I left he’d slept for 7 hours straight and has slept at least that much ever since. I enjoyed having him literally right next to me and just having to lean over to get him and feed/change him in the mornings.
Saturday we met my aunt and uncle for late breakfast and then went to the funeral home to make arrangements. I’ve never been a part of that whole process before and was truly amazed at all the decisions a grieving family has to make. Not to mention the cost of everything. Grandma Kay had already planned out her service, and that was very helpful.
Cooper had a minor blowout when we were eating breakfast but after a diaper change in the car and outfit change, he was good to go. He was so very good! No real meltdowns during all of that except for after he’d had the blow out.
After dinner that night, we went over to Grandma Kay’s apartment for the first time. It was harder than I thought to walk in and see it knowing she wasn’t going to be there. I kept thinking she would come out at any time. It was hard seeing how she’d just left everything. Her shoes by her chair. Pictures of Cooper that she’d printed out and cut herself sitting just beside her chair. Her little notepad with her lists of things to do. She already had birthday cards with her poems in them for her friends through September. Receipts from things she had just recently ordered. Meals in the freezer that my mom and dad just left for her when mom was there.
My mom had just been up there the day before to take her to be drained. We were able to video chat with them so Grandma Kay could see me and Cooper. She was just gushing over him and couldn’t take her eyes off him. Normally she tried to give the computer right back to mom, but not that time. She loved her great-grandson! And was in such a good mood... awake and looking around. He even did the YMCA dance for her! How kind of God to give us those moments.
On Sunday we worked on finalizing the funeral arrangements and starting to go through things in her apartment. Cooper was again a little champ and slept, ate, and entertained us all with his cuteness. Zach, Ben and Laura came on that day as well.
Since we were so close to Little Rock, which is where Zach’s grandmother lives, and she had not gotten to meet Cooper yet, we decided to take a day trip over so she could meet him. It was so fun introducing the two of them! Zach’s aunt and uncle and cousins also came over to meet our little guy. I am so thankful they all got to meet him!! Cooper did great traveling again and did pretty well with all the new faces.
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