Wish You Were Here

Well, it's November.  The time of year when people give thanks for the blessings in their lives.  Ask most guys why they're excited, and it's because it's "No-Shave November".   That and because football is in full swing.  Facebook friends are doing the daily "Today I am thankful for" posts to show how much they are thankful for each day. I am thankful for many things and could probably fulfill the daily quota of postings but instead I'm once again not able to.  It's not that I don't have things to list each day, as I am blessed beyond what I am worth. Instead, I am reminded what I don't have as the holidays approach...my Grandmother.  G-Mom.  Joyce.  Momma to her kids.  It's been 4 months since she went to Heaven and it feels like yesterday.  I think about her daily.  As I pass the cemetery on my way home each day, my eyes are drawn to where her earthly body is, and I say a little prayer for her and whisper, "I miss you."  I miss her smile, the way she would hold your face in your hands when she gave you a kiss, our monthly lunch dates, going to her house to visit and completing the list of little odd jobs she had for me, stealing a piece of candy from the glass jar on the coffee table, family events at her  house, holidays, helping her run errands and shopping, the aromas from her kitchen, seeing family members "Joycing"... I know she is in Heaven with Grandfather and her siblings/family and I know that one day I WILL see her again.  I just want it to be soon.  This holiday season will be our first without her.  The other day, several of her kids and grandkids/great grandkids set down to plan the meal for Christmas when all of her kids/grandkids/great grandkids/great great grandkids would be in attendance...will I be able to make it through these holidays??  I am sad that she won't be here, but in her honor, we are going to have a "Cajun Christmas"....gone will be the traditional ham with sides, and in it's place will be gumbo, GMom's rice dressing, boudin, GMom's syrup cake, crawfish cornbread, jambalaya...things that both Grandmother and Grandfather would love.   Part of me wants it to hurry up and get here so we can celebrate, yet the other part reminds me that even though we are celebrating, I'd much rather be celebrating with her here.  One more hug.  One more "I love you."  One more list with my name neatly written on it with little odd-jobs that she wanted me to help her with.   I am reminded of the saying "You don't know what you've got until it's gone."  I've always knew it was true and tried to live life with that as one of my mottos.  Some days it's harder than others to remember that.  But when we lose someone, it is then that we realize how valuable the time spent with them really was.  I will cherish my memories.  I just wish she were here.   Wish You Were Here, by Mark Wills They kissed goodbye at the terminal gate She said, "You're gonna be late if you don't go" He held her tight, said, "I'll be alright I'll call you tonight to let you know" He bought a postcard, on the front it just said Heaven With a picture of the ocean and the beach And the simple words he wrote her Said he loved her and they told her How he'd hold her if his arms would reach Wish you were here, wish you could see this place Wish you were near, I wish I could touch your face The weather's nice, it's paradise It's summertime all year and there's some folks we know They say, "Hello, I miss you so, wish you were here" She got a call that night but it wasn't from him It didn't sink in right away, ma'am the plane went down Our crews have searched the ground No survivors found she heard him say But somehow she got a postcard in the mail That just said Heaven with a picture of the ocean and the beach And the simple words he wrote her Said he loves and they told her How he'd hold her if his arms would reach Wish you were here, wish you could see this place Wish you were near, I wish I could touch your face The weather's nice, it's paradise It's summertime all year and there's some folks we know They say, "Hello, I miss you so, wish you were here" The weather's nice, in paradise It's summertime all year and all the folks we know They say, "Hello, I miss you so, wish you were here" Wish you were here