Heaven Got Another Angel

Today has been a rough one. My two year old is sick again, so I am staying home with her and trying to nurse her back to good health, then when I returned from school (prepping for the sub) Brent filled me in that our dear Nonie had passed last night. I have been very fortunate and I haven't ever gone through this kind of tragedy before. My grandparents are all still healthy and thriving which I am thankful for every day, along with my relatives.

As a tribute to a woman who made my Papa the happiest I had ever seen, I want to tell you a little bit about why she is so special and why I will miss her dearly. I met Nonie just shortly after Brent and I began dating. She was a friend of Papa's from his high school years and Papa had been going back to Iowa for frequent visits. When ever Nonie would come out to visit, we would meet up with them for dinner, wine and cheese, and of course coffee. I treasure the relationship that Brent has with his Papa and the special bond they share with each other. I think Nonie saw this bond and felt it was pretty amazing as well. I will never forget when Nonie painted Papa's front door robin's egg blue. He liked to give her a hard time about it but I thought it gave his house a little bit of character and charm. She had seen it on HGTV which was a subject she and I could talk about for hours. I thoroughly enjoyed going over to their house in the afternoon for some cheese and crackers as well as a little bit of Nonie's favorite boxed wine. That is if I wasn't pregnant. Nonie introduced me to Havarti Dill Cheese and Alouette spread that are delicious. I'm a finicky cheese person so for me to like something besides cheddar and mozzarella should tell you just how special she is. Then we would always meet Papa andNonie for coffee. This was a time that we took advantage of lately because we wanted to be with Nonie in a time of happiness and among her friends. Brent and I aren't coffee drinkers but we loved the socializing time with the two of them and their friends. Truly, our time spent with Papa and Nonie was a cherished experience that neither Brent nor I will ever forget.

More than anything at all, I just hope Nonie knows how much she was loved from the family and from Papa and that she made him very happy. This amazing woman will be missed, but I know that she is in a good place.

Nonie and Rylan at Whole Foods for coffee. I loved her glow when she was holding our kids.