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Friday, July 9, 2010

give and take

First, the winner of Barb's adorable snowman is ....
Congratulations! Please email me with your mailing address, my dear friend.

Next, some more serious thoughts ...
Isn't the cycle of life amazing?
Birth, zipping through life, death ... when I really contemplate it, it's surreal. I can't quite wrap myself around it.
And anyone else feel that HUGE hole of emptiness when someone leaves this earth life? Even when it's someone you aren't super-close to? The world is just ... well, empty without Brett Banks and his comrades. Brett was one of the aircrew of USCG 6017 who lost their lives in a helicopter accident. Brett and his wife are friends of mine. The entire crew is from Sitka, Alaska - my home town. It's a small town - about 9,000 people. The whole town is grieving. The world just isn't the same.
And then, there's birth. Nothing like hearing the first cries of a newborn baby. What a miracle! And their skin - oh-so-soft! The smell ... Is there any better scent than that of a new baby?!? My granddaughter Cali entered this world shortly after my friend Brett left it. Thank you, Cali, for filling in the hole. You've filled it to overflowing.

24 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 9, 2010 at 6:29 PM

    Sorry for your loss. Your granddaughter is beautiful ~ you are so blessed. xo

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  2. jeanette from everton terraceJuly 9, 2010 at 6:45 PM

    My deepest condolences to you, the town and the family. Such sorrow.

    Blessings my friend. She is a raving beauty and what a pair of exotic eyes!

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  3. deb famularoJuly 9, 2010 at 7:02 PM

    oh wow, saying goodbye and hello at the same time............

    I am so sorry for your loss- my condolences to your friends and their family. And congratulations on this beautiful bundle of joy! What a little doll. So many emotions at once!

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  4. Alyssa GoodnightJuly 9, 2010 at 7:05 PM

    I'm so glad you had a new little soul to fill the void. Thinking of you...

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  5. AnonymousJuly 9, 2010 at 7:15 PM

    It is so sad when someone leaves this earth, for them it's wonderful...but for those left to grieve, it's horrible. But how wonderful when a new life is born, especially a grandchild. I'm still waiting for that!

    xo
    LeAnn

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  6. TeresaJuly 9, 2010 at 7:27 PM

    how sad, and beautiful, at the same time. your granddaughter is beautiful.

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  7. AnonymousJuly 9, 2010 at 8:33 PM

    hello denalee...

    so lovely to meet you. i am so glad and honored you found my blog and enjoyed it enough to comment. i applaud you for doing what you did for your mother.

    i can so relate to those feelings of death and new life. congratulations on your baby granddaughther and God bless always.

    ~ liz

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  8. AnonymousJuly 9, 2010 at 10:21 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear about your friend and so happy to hear about your......

    L
    O
    V
    E
    L
    Y

    ...granddaughter!!! Congratulations my dear Denalee!!

    Agneta, your swedish friend

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  9. livin wideJuly 9, 2010 at 10:32 PM

    what a beautiful way to look at the circle of life - your granddaughter is gorgeous!

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  10. Olivia July 9, 2010 at 11:33 PM

    The circle of life...lovely pics and sad story.

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  11. RosieJuly 10, 2010 at 12:43 AM

    Oh dear I'm so sorry for your loss...Saying good bye is always so hard...Ah, but look at what He has gifted this "pretty little grandma" with. My Sweet Denalee, this is His "Silver Lining" to you
    congratulations on this precious gift ...xoxo...rosie

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  12. kJuly 10, 2010 at 1:35 AM

    I'm sorry about your loss =( Death is always hard for me to wrap my head around

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's meJuly 10, 2010 at 3:34 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear about your friend and so happy to hear about your...... Granddaughter.........!!!!!!!!!

    Our life is hard sometimes.........Joy and sorrow are so close together!............

    I know i know darling.......wish you streingth..........and believe in the Lord........he will help you !!

    I wil pray for you.........kisses and love...Ria...

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  14. ericaJuly 10, 2010 at 5:58 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear about your friend and your loss.

    Very happy to hear about your beautiful granddaughter though!

    my thoughts and prayers are with you

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ms. GJuly 10, 2010 at 6:09 AM

    It truly is amazing. I am sorry to hear about your friend and my heart goes out to his family.
    But the precious new one, lovely. You are right. The moment I saw the picture the memory of " new baby" smell came to me.

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  16. Stef HJuly 10, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    i couldn't have said it better my self. i'm a true believer that for every window closed a door opens.

    and you're a grandma????? get out!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. BarbJuly 10, 2010 at 8:53 AM

    The circle of life...what a sad way for your friend to die. They do amazing work and are often not noticed until a tragedy.

    But CONGRATULATIONS on your granddaughter what a beauty!

    Thanks for hosting a give away from my shop too. You truly are lovely on the inside and out.
    Barb

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  18. LynzyJuly 10, 2010 at 11:46 AM

    Thanks for stopping by with your kind comments <3 They are much appreciated! please come by again :)

    xo Lynzy
    http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Closet full of hopes and dreamsJuly 10, 2010 at 2:29 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss! My grandmother always used to say that when one soul left this earth another entered to fill the hole. When she died I got pregnant with my daughter. My grandmother's nickname for me was Doll. When I got older she called me her little big Doll. The first thing the nurse that received my daughter said was: She looks just like a little doll!

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  20. Sarah LouJuly 11, 2010 at 2:05 AM

    IM sorry to hear about the loss for you and your town, but am really happy to hear of the beautiful blessing you have received. She is beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. birdie blueJuly 11, 2010 at 5:33 AM

    could your new granddaughter be any cuter? congratulations! my condolences on the loss of your friend.

    enjoy every minute with that doll!
    ~molly

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  22. GloriaJuly 12, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Sorry for the loss of your friend, Brett. That is so hard, I agree.

    Your new grandbaby is adorable! Congrats on her birth! I hope God blesses her life and yours with His comforting, unfailing love.
    @}`~}~~~ Gloria

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  23. KarenJuly 14, 2010 at 6:12 AM

    RIP Brett. One of my best friends also knew someone on that same flight. What a tragic -- and honorable -- ending.

    Congratulations on the new addition! Once again, life is poetic.

    ReplyDelete
  24. MarlaJuly 26, 2010 at 7:24 PM

    Oh, Denalee. My heart is so sad right now. I am so sorry. Two of our sons are military, both helicopter pilots. We have watched them lose friends. It is so very sad. Our prayers go out to you and your friends.

    Congratulations on beautiful Cali. What a gorgeous baby girl.

    ReplyDelete

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