I rarely shed tears on Easter, but today was so emotional for me. It was the last Easter Sunday that Paul Roberts Abernathy will be the Rector of St. Mark’s as he prepares to retire. It was an honor to serve as Verger with him today for both services. His sermon was on point of course, and he put his heart and soul into it. Herb, Kim and Kendal came to the 11:15 service as well to mark this special occasion. Because Kendal loves Paul and has spent quite a bit of social time with him, during his sermon she spontaneously announced “that’s Paul!”…. and just in case we didn’t hear her the first two times she shared her observation, on the third time she said more loudly and pointed at the pulpit, “Mommy, THAT’S PAUL!!!” Hysterical!! There were so many people in the Nave that her voice didn’t travel to the pulpit for Paul to hear her, but the folks in the choir enjoyed her mini-announcement!
After church we headed to the house for the Veney Seward Easter Egg Hunt! Kim and Herb got there first and hid the eggs while I went to pick up Mom so she could participate in the fun too!! When we got in the car, Mom started on her usual “where are we going?” and “I don’t know what I’m doing” statements. So I just quietly answered her about 30 times that we were going to my house to spend time with Kim, Herb and Kendal, and I’d help her so that she’d know exactly what she was doing. She simply replied “ok”, but seemed pretty unsure and confused. Mom said she didn’t remember what Easter was all about or us having Easter egg hunts when we were kids. Even so, I wasn’t worried about how it would go when we got to the house. I figured it would be fine no matter what happened!!
Amazingly our time together wasn’t just fine, it was incredible!!! It would have been absolutely perfect had Tim not been working. As our visit began, Mom sat quietly with us in the kitchen while Kendal opened her singing card, and examined her purple Easter Bucket from Tim and I, that was filled with a Dora ball, raisins, squeezable applesauce, sidewalk chalk and of course her favorite Bubbles!! Mom smiled and smiled, almost as widely as Kendal did upon seeing all her gifts.
When we went out to the back yard to start the Easter egg hunt, I suggested to Mom that she help Kendal find the hidden eggs. I wasn’t sure she understood, and figured she would probably just wander around the yard. But NO!!! Mom and Kendal were on a mission to find those eggs, working as a GREAT team as we provided encouragement for them!! Mom would yell “here’s one”, and Kendal would run over and grab it and the two of them would smile!! I’m not sure what popped into Mom’s mind and caused her to instinctively remember plastic Easter eggs, but something did, and it was amazing to watch!!
Then Mom and Kendal played catch in the front yard and that was simply priceless to watch!!!! Kendal threw the ball and Mom stretched to catch it. They would both clap or cheer to celebrate the great catch!! I started to tear up as my 85 year old Mom ran across the yard to retrieve the ball. I had not seen Mom that focused on anything in a long time!!
Mom cheered for herself too when she saw her Easter basket from Tim and I…. It was filled with Cadbury Eggs and her favorite Kit Kat mini bars, which she no longer remembers that she LOVED!! But she knew it was candy and that was good enough for her!!
My day was overwhelming!! On this Resurrection Sunday, my Mom was able to engage so fully with us, as if her memory had been Resurrected too!! Whatever if was, I feel grateful and blessed and have it all the amazing moments recorded!! I’ll treasure this day always!! Resurrection Day indeed!! Love and thanks to Herb, Kim and Kendal for making today special!
Love you Mom!!
Conquering Life; Love and Dialogue with Loretta Veney 
This was THE MOST incredible Easter I’ve EVER had!!! Paul’s Sermon was VERY heartfelt and we SO enjoyed being a partnof this service. Kendal even made two new friends. One of whom was born just two days after her! But the best, best, BEST part was watching her interection with her Great-Grandmother. I too had to hold back the tears! It was as if they were life-time buds!!! Each helping the other and play ball together.
TRULY, TRULY PRICELESS!!!!!!
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one blown away by their interaction!!! Thanks for agreeing to another play date for them!!
I’m so glad there are pics!! Not many kids can say they played catch with their great-grandmother. It’s so amazing that they are 83 years apart, YET both seemed to be having such a ball with the eggs and the ball… AMAZING !!!!!!!
So glad you had a wonderful day. Perhaps ‘someone special’ was looking down to watch two other special people interact. A special Easter day. Allaluia!
Carole, You are so right!! It truly was special!!!
Even though I am so far away, on the opposite side of the US, I can truly say I felt right there sharing in your EXTRAORDINARY day. Your depiction was truly wonderful. Some sadness, knowing this is the last Easter you will have with Paul Roberts Abernathy, but LOTS of joy with your mother and Kendal. And, these pictures say 1000 words and more. How WONDERFUL! Much Love, Your Cousin Winnie
Thanks Winnie!!! I loving making my family feel as if they were there because I KNOW we can’t all be together!! So thanks for confirming that my goal is working!!! Extraordinary was a great word for it!!!
Wow, this brought tears to MY eyes. It was incredible to see the pictures of Kendal and her Great Grandma playing together. I know how much this meant to you, having your Mom back for a while. It really made me happy to go through the pictures and see your comments. Oh the memories Kendal will have with all of you. You make sure she is getting the best of her life, all 5 of you and that is wonderful!! Love you Ret!!
Kris, AMAZING day for sure!! YES it sure does mean the world to me!! I’m sure hoping that she will love the pics when she gets to be an adult with her own kids and view them with lots of enjoyment as we do looking at our old photos. Love ya too!!
Loretta your blog has really touched my heart. You did an amazing job, as I knew you would. Even though I was not there to celebrate my thoughts and and heart were right there. You have all my LOVE for an eternity.
We surely did miss having Pappy there!!!! You would have loved it!!! But of course there will be lots more celebrations for us to cherish together!!! Love you too!!!!!