Back in Tuscon

The last few weeks have been both unusual and difficult. Where to start? Well, one good thing is that my summer school teaching is over. I collected finals two weeks ago and had the grades done and submitted within two days. The way my class went this term, I expected some complaints about the final grades, but I have been pleasantly surprised that I haven't received even one email from a student since the last day of class. With everything else going on, this was such a blessing. Overall, I would say that summer school teaching was a very valuable time for me, providing some financial security for us, and also stretching me as a teacher. I will tweak and re-use a lot of the materials in the fall, which will also be very helpful. I haven't minded setting all of my teaching stuff aside for the last two weeks, but I will need to get back out my books and start planning my fall syllabus soon.

The more difficult thing to write about is that on July 9th, my Pop-Pop passed away. He had been battling cancer for about a year and a half, and while the last 3 months had been especially difficult, no one really expected him to go home to the Lord so soon. I feel so thankful to have the assurance that while his mortal life is over, he is enjoying eternal life now, where he is free from pain and dwelling in the presence of Jesus. The timing was hard for us; we had already been planning to go back to ABQ on Friday the 10th, but earlier that week, decided to leave on Thursday right after I collected my final exams. On Monday and Tuesday, when I was talking with my mom, it became clear that his health was worse than I had realized, so we wanted to get home quickly. Unfortunately, I still had a few days of teaching to do. We didn't get home before he passed away, but I have to trust that the Lord knew all of this would happen, and that it was best this way. We are very thankful that we had seen him several times during our visit in June.

Once we got back to ABQ, we were at least able to be with my family and help in the few small ways we could to make arrangements and do things at my grandma's house. My mom's two brothers and their families came to town, as did my grandma's brothers and a few other extended family members. We had a memorial service on Tuesday the 14th. Pop-Pop was really an amazing man, as a professional, as an educator, and most importantly, as our Pop-Pop. (The obituary, which tells a lot about his life, is posted at http://danielsfuneral.com/obi.html (under Robert L. Long), along with some condolences). He certainly lived a full life, and one that impacted many others. I have recently realized how blessed I have been to know so many of my grandparents as well as I have; and Grandma and Pop-Pop are the ones I have known best and spent the most time with. I really don't know how to handle the fact that he's not on this earth anymore, but I think one of the important things is just to remember all the things we did together and the conversations we had. Soon, I think I'll write a little more about those things.

With all that was going on, Mark and I decided to extend our visit, and we stayed in ABQ for almost two weeks. Much of that time was spent with my family, but we were also able to see his family, including our niece and nephew who were visiting from Oklahoma, and many of our friends. It wasn't a "normal" visit; and it's still very strange to think that "normal" will just be different now. While it was hard, in many ways, to leave ABQ, it is good for us to be home in Tucson. Now, we're just trying to get back into some kind of routine (although it's summer still, so our schedules aren't very demanding).

I think the last thing to mention is that Mark and I celebrated our 5th anniversary yesterday. It's really amazing to think that it's already been 5 years, but I can't imagine these years without him. He has always been a supportive and caring husband, but I saw those things (plus patience, eagerness to help, and extra sensitivity to my needs) in large quantities over the last few weeks. He was such a patient listener during my summer teaching, not only listening, but helping me to work through the issues that came up. During all the ups and downs of the last several weeks with Pop-Pop's health, and then all the emotions following his "going home," Mark has been there as a steady shoulder to cry on. When I think about it, he and I have been through a few major life changes together, and there will be more to come; I am so thankful to be sharing my life with him.