Recently, a very good friend of mine suffered the loss of her father. He was diagnosed with Cancer about the same time my daddy had his stroke (July 2005). We have been friends for several years, but really became close when both of our fathers’ lives were threatened. She was one of my participants in a workshop I presented last year on digital storytelling. She told an amazing story about her special relationship with her father and how she desired for her children to experience special moments with their grandfather so they too would be able to know a special relationship with him. The story was awesome. I really felt like I knew this man although we had never met.
So, where does one start when trying to comfort a friend who has experienced such a tremendous loss? Most times the best comfort someone can give a friend, during the loss of a loved one, is a listening ear. With this intent in mind, I decided I must travel to Cumberland County and lend a listening ear to my friend in need.
I talked to the superintendent of the school district that my friend teaches in and he gave me directions on how to travel to the funeral home for visitation. I
didn’t get away from Bowling Green until almost 7:00, so by the time I drove to
Burkesville it was almost 8:00. I pulled into the parking lot, just as the superintendent had described to me, dashed into the funeral home, signed the guest book, and looked around, but
didn’t see my friend anywhere. I thought to myself, she is probably in the back taking care of her children, so I’ll proceed with my visit and make my way toward the front of the funeral parlor. I was greeted by an elderly lady standing next to the coffin. She was sobbing! I can’t tell you how gut-wrenching it was for me to see this lady so sadden by her loss. My mind is in a whirlwind….thinking my mom would be reacting this same way if this had happen to me instead of my friend. The lady finally gathered the strength to ask me how I knew him. I said, “Well I never met him before, but I feel like I’
ve known him forever! I saw a digital story that his daughter created about him and it was fabulous. And since that day, I really believe I knew who he was and more importantly knew what an incredible husband and father he was to his wife and kids.” The lady replied, “Really, which one of his children wrote the story?” I said, “Ginger”. She said, “He
didn’t have a child named Ginger”. At this point, I’m ready to die myself. I realized I was at the wrong funeral home! Part of me wanted to laugh, but at the same time, here I am with my arm of love wrapped around this sobbing, elderly woman! Finally, I was able to gather enough strength myself to apologize and tell her that I was terribly sorry for her loss, but that I had made a mistake and that I was at the wrong funeral home. She was very kind and understanding and in fact she even pointed me in the direction of the other funeral home in
Burkesville.
Now my first impression after my little mishap, which could possibly be labeled as my most
embarrassing moment in life, was to simply keep it myself and no one would ever have to know but, upon a second thought I decided this was just too good not to share with all my blogger friends!
Above: Gracie heard music start playing in the hotel during dinner one night and couldn't sit still. She had to get up and show off a few of her moves!
Above: My little Sunshine Girl!
Above: The famous Disney pose!
Above: The Lile Family with Goofy.
Above: Every time we past the wishing fountain in our hotel, Gracie wanted to throw in a penny and she would say, "I wish I a princess!
Above: Gracie waiting for the Finding Nemo Musical! It too was an amazing performance!
Above: The highlight of Gracie's day....Cinderella wanted to steal a kiss!
Above: Cinderella and Gracie pose for a Kodak moment!
Above: Gracie and Belle.
Above: Sleeping Beauty hugs Gracie tight!
Above: For those of you unfamiliar with Fancy Nancy...I thought I'd include a snapshot of her too!
Above: Gracie poses as Fancy Nancy! 
Above: Gran and Gracie in line for refreshments at the Fancy Nancy Tea Party.
Above: Gracie gets the opportunity to hear a 3rd Fancy Nancy story!
Above: Gracie poses with her tiara that she made all by herself.
Above: The photo above shows the Tea Party set up before all of the Fancy Nancy's arrived!
Above: Gracie learning about her glue stick and how it works!
Above: As you can see in the photo above, Gracie was as into the story as the older kids!
Above: Gracie, front and center watching and listening to Fancy Nancy!
Above: Spending a day with Gran is exhausting! 
Above: Gracie's spinning, whirling circus souvenir!
Above: Gracie was too excited to sit in her seat. She stood next to the railing throughout the entire circus show!
Above: Gran & Gracie got to go down to the ring and dress up in real live circus clothing! Gran handed her camera to a complete stranger and ask him to caputure the moment on film!
Above: A look of Focus and Intense Concentration 
Above: Gracie performs in her dramatic role as flying princess!
Above: More drama! 
Above: Gran and her Doodlebug!
Above Left to Right: Trace, Andrew, Ty, Gracie, Daren, Abby, and Emma Grace - I volunteered to keep the kids New Years Eve night! I'm pretty sure I had more fun than they did!
Above Bottom to Top: Gracie, Ty, Andrew, Emma and Daren - Our human chain!
Above: Daren and Gracie
Above: Ty and Gracie
Above: Grandmom and Granddaddy gave Gracie a Ragady Ann doll for Christmas, which was the perfect gift for her since she was dressed as Ragady Ann in her dance recital the week before!
Above: Christmas morning - Gracie taking Dora to Walmart! 
Gracie Elizabeth 2008
Gracie Elizabeth 2006
Kimberly Alison, 1981
Kimberly Alison, 1984
