Happy 4th Of July – Michigan Photographer

It’s that time of year again.  Time for parades, flags, bbq’s, and fireworks!

The 4th of July holds both happiness, and sadness for our family.  We run around enjoying fireworks, and bbq’s just like everyone else, but in the back of our minds we are reminded of my grandma. 

The 4th of July was my grandma’s favorite holiday.  She loved to have all of her children, and grandchildren visit for the weekend.  She loved to cook more food than we could possibly eat.  She loved to go on the boat to watch the fireworks, and she always decorated her home so beautifully in red, white, and blue. 

5 years ago on July 3rd while our family was up visiting my grandma and grandpa for our annual 4th of July trip my grandma suddenly passed away.  While it was completely unexpected, I truly believe that God had a plan, and I am honored to have been there with my aunts holding my grandma for some of her last moments here on Earth.   

I am grateful for the conversations that I had with my grandma that day.  I am grateful that I can still picture the excited dance that she did when she found out that I had arrived.  I am grateful that I can still here her giddy voice saying, “Sarah’s here, Sarah’s here!”   

After the trip to the hospital by ambulance, and the trip to another hospital by helicopter we were all given the news.  That day was filled with hugs, tears, and incredibly heavy hearts.  My grandpa made the decision to donate my grandma’s organs, a decision that her recipients, and their families will be forever grateful for. 

Since it takes a little while to get everything lined up, my grandma stayed on life support, and her death was not offically pronounced until July 4th.  So, while we are celebrating, and laughing today our hearts hold a sadness, and longing.  I am sad to know that our trip up north this weekend will be very different than it used to be, but that’s life.  Things are always changing, and you can’t re-live the past.  You can just be grateful for the life that you have, and that God has given you another day to live it.

(my grandma)

With that in mind, please tell someone that you love just how much you love them today.  Please hug someone just a little tighter, because you never know if that hug will be the last.  Please forgive someone today that may need your forgiveness.  Please apologize to someone today that you may have hurt.  Please live today like there is no tomorrow, and remember to fill your days with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love… 

(my mom and me on the day of my grandma’s funeral) 

To everyone that has put, and is still putting their own life on the line for all of us, including my mom’s cousin Gerald who was killed during his 3rd tour of Iraq, thank you.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZf619DIpo&feature=related