Boompa's Birthday

We had another first since Boompa passed away which brought a lot of unknowns and uncertainties of how the day would go. It was his birthday. James was able to head up to Hervey Bay to spend the time with Nana J and Jenny which was so nice. I was quite anxious about being at home for it on my own. I hadn't realised until after James left just how much I hadn't processed a lot of what happened just 7 months ago. I was anxious because I didn't know how the kids would react. I was anxious about James not being here and if something went wrong I would have to deal with it without him here with me. I was anxious because I didn't know how I was going to cope with it, what to say and what to do. 

I had written a letter for James, Julie and Jenny to open so that a part of me was up there with them. It was hard being away. I had included a photo of Malcolm with them for each of them too - to hopefully bring some happy memories to be able to chat about.

Back her, I wrote a note for each of the teachers because I didn't know how they would go. Daniel told me that I didn't need to tell them that it was Boompa's birthday because they would have just treated it as a normal day. Alexander made a comment to his preschool teachers that it was Boompa's birthday and Daddy was up with Nana J. She would be sad because Boompa had died. But then he carried on with what he was doing and was fine. Eliza's teacher said that she didn't really make a comment about it and seemed ok through the day which was good because I really didn't know how she would have responded.

For me, I did little things to help us celebrate and remember Boompa.

Breakfast we enjoyed some orange juice (something we never do!). It is a drink that Boompa would have every time we went out to Enzo's.

I had my lunch sitting beside his plant in our garden and then spent some time with God, writing out my prayers and reading the Bible. 

I still find it hard. I find it hard to understand why God didn't heal him. I find it hard not knowing where he is but I also just hope that something happened in those last moments. As I prayed I had a peace come over me. I realised that everything happened so quickly at the end and that so many people were praying for him, I can't help but think that he encountered God calling him home. I think I have to think that way to feel ok about him not being here anymore. I also started to wrestle with Grandma passing away too and me not being here and not saying bye to her.

With James not here, Daniel had his bass lesson. I organised for Eliza to have a play at Matilda's place and for Alexander to have a play at Emma's place. I decided to take Daniel for a milkshake and gingerbread man and a little catch up. It was nice chatting with him just one on one. Something that I don't get to do often.

After bass I picked up the other 2 kids and we headed home for dinner. With dinner we enjoyed some prawns, again something that Boompa loved to eat!

And then for dessert the kids enjoyed a little cupcake and a pack of Malteasers (Boompa's favourite chocolate). I also gave each kid a photo of them with Boompa to put up in their room. As we had dinner we each shared a memory about Boompa. The photos did help the kids with their memories. It was nice hearing their thoughts about Boompa too.

It was nice to celebrate Boompa's birthday together. The kids were totally fine with it and quite enjoyed the little treats that they got to have. Hard to believe that just 2 years ago we were altogether celebrating his 60th birthday. I'm so glad that we were able to do that. It definitely made memories for me to share with the kids - Boompa swimming in the pool with the kids even though he never went swimming, the big cake, tickling Alexander at lunch, and this precious photo.

We miss you Boompa.