Remembering and Goodbye's.

Yesterday was a hard day for me.  My son Josh and his wife Dawn were driving to Southern Wisconsin to visit with her parents.  And tomorrow, they hop a plane back to Phoenix.  They generally only get one trip a year home. And although we try to get out there once or twice a year,  it's still hard to have them so far away.

With that in mind, hubby suggested a drive to get me out of the house and to chase away the blues.

I'm not sure visiting cemeteries is a sure fire way to chase away the blues, but visit we did.

The church above is one of the many country churches we stopped by yesterday.  This little church, is one his parents still attend. 

Well, we drove and drove and drove.  Dan had a general idea where this church was located but it had been a very long time since he had been there.  This church, built in 1896 is situated in the most beautiful valley.  His Mother was baptized and confirmed here.  And his Great Grandparents, who passed away long before he was born are buried here along with numerous Great Aunt's and Uncles. 

It had been a beautiful sunny day but became quite overcast once we arrived.  No one but a lone caretaker was around and the church is no longer in regular use, although they do have one service and reunion in the summer.

 

The views of the valley below are just amazing! 

A little tiny country church with roots entwined in my husbands family.

You know it's a country church when you have views of  cows' grazing below.

It's  so green right now!!  My son and wife swear that we must have painted it before they arrived!

LOL.

Such a beautiful, peaceful place.

Well then we drove and drove and drove some more.  This last little church has roots in both of our families.

My Mom and Dad attended this church for awhile and this was before Dan and I had even met.  My Dad's funeral was here and Dan's paternal grandparents, along with various aunt's and uncles are buried here as well.

My parent's lived in this area for about 5 years while they restored an older home.  Later, after Dan and I started dating we found out that two of his great uncles had built the home my parent's were then restoring.

Sometimes our lives become entwined in ways we can't even imagine. 

I still feel great sadness when I see this church.  It was a gloomy and cold March day when we buried my Dad.   

But Dan was able to find his relatives markers.  His paternal grandmother passed away when Dan's Dad, who is now 84, was just 5 years old.  Sadly, it was shortly after the birth of her 7th child.  Life may have been simpler back then, but it certainly wasn't easier.

Now I hope I didn't make you all gloomy and down feeling.  I actually enjoyed our drive and feeling the history around me.

Thanks everyone for stopping by.

I hope you are all enjoying your Memorial Day Weekend.

Cindy