So no, I don’t want to touch this sacred place, tarnish or flavor anything differently. But I do want to let you all know… Sarah’s kids are okay.
We were blessed to spend Thanksgiving all together this year, with my dad renting a house in Florida so the family could travel from near and far (one plane from Denmark and one from Japan, and multiple from the Midwest) to spend a week together. When we’re all together is when I feel my mom most, and that might always be bittersweet, because it also draws more attention to the gigantic hole that exists, shoes no one can fill, and an overwhelming of homesickness that doesn’t really go away. But it also feels safe, and it usually is filled with a couple games that get too competitive, retelling of old memories, some heated debates, lots of laughter, a few tears, and an overwhelming feeling that we are exactly where we’re supposed to be. That makes me really happy, and I know it would make my mom happy too.
So a couple updates as far as the six of us kids go:
Isaac and Cecilia are living in Copenhagen with their beautiful, spunky little daughter, named Elizabeth Sarah. Lizzie is absolutely adorable and lights up the room. They are expecting their second baby early next year, and we couldn’t be happier for another little niece or nephew. I look up to Isaac and Cecilia a lot. They are so kind to and supportive of each other, and I know my mom would be SO proud of how they choose to raise their family. Cecilia is an incredible mom. Isaac is quite the entrepreneur and still runs his kendama business while doing another full time job. I have no idea how they do it, but they’re a power couple and they make it all -parenting, careers, travels, family, etc.- look balanced and effortless. We are always counting down the months, weeks, and days until we get to see them again.
Kyle and I are living in Florida and just celebrated our first year of marriage! Wahoo! We got married last August and had the best day of our lives. We have been traveling a lot, (we were invited to 13 weddings last year, and it is already looking like this year might be more… yikes) and enjoying the ordinary days and weekends we get to spend at home. Kyle is the biggest blessing to me. He’s hard working, kind, thoughtful, and a really incredible partner. This past year has brought a lot of healing to me personally. It felt like I went through a lot the last 8 years and never really had time to process it fully or get my nervous system out of “survival” mode. I was able to take a step back this year and really work on getting healthy, body, mind, and soul. Always a journey, but I feel grateful that I’m here and I don’t ever want to take that for granted. I am cooking and baking a LOT… I come back to this blog often to find and recreate my mom’s recipes, and it always makes me feel close to her. Hard to believe I’m turning 30 next year?? I’m looking forward to a new chapter, but holy crap doesn’t that seem a little… old?
My little brother Matt, is someone I deeply admire. Matt wins the award of the handiest man in the family. He has been the one taking care of our family home, Clover Lane, over the last few years, and has done such an incredible job keeping it as close as possible to Mom’s impeccable standards. Matt is not the type of person who looks to do anything for acknowledgment or appreciation. He does it because it’s the right thing to do, and it needs to be done. I love spending time with him, and even when I know I’m annoying him he doesn’t let on too much. I see a lot of my mom in him, especially within their shared appreciation for old things, and how creativity lives within everything they do. He’s an excellent leader, has the coolest fashion sense in the family, and has a thoughtful sense of how he wants to live his life. We adore his girlfriend, Kendall, and they are just two cute peas in a pod. They have been doing some pretty extensive world travels over the last few months that ended with the big Thanksgiving finale in Florida.
Andrew, Mr. College. Have you ever met someone who had 1,000 friends? I have, and he’s my little brother. Andrew is insanely busy, soaking up his last year in undergrad and seemingly enjoying every minute of it. He has an awesome job running the logistics for a student owned restaurant at his college, which I can’t even imagine doing. He is also on the wake/ski club team, and somehow juggles all of that with his course work, endless social events, and figuring out what he’s doing postgrad. I see a lot of myself in Andrew, and even with how busy he is, I’m glad he still finds time to call me and exchange recipes, because this boy can really cook too!
Patrick turned 18 this month, which I cannot believe at all. (My mom started this blog when he was not even 1 year old!) It’s been an honor to see him go from being little Patty to this version - he’s just naturally, effortlessly cool and confident. Still the same Patty, he has a heart of gold, and he will kill you in any sport at any time. He plays soccer for his high school and is always fun to watch. The cool thing for me is seeing him get older and knowing that, like with my other brothers, he is not just a sibling but also a lifelong friend. Patrick is hilarious, and he keeps me in check by constantly reminding me that the things I say and do are so “cringy millennial.” Janey is a great sidekick with these reminders… thanks guys, I know. The way he is fiercely protective of Janey is something I also see and admire so much from him. He has a big senior year ahead of him next year with some ideas of college visits, and we’re all excited to see where he ends up.
Last but certainly not least, this little girl is not so little anymore, but always our baby! I don’t know where to start with Janey except that she just amazes me. She is wise beyond her years and sharp as a whip. She has this North Star Inside of her, a strong intuition and confidence. She knows what is good for her, and she sticks to it stubbornly in Sarah fashion. She looks more and more like Mom every day. She has been enjoying cheerleading, and she is getting more into clothes, accessories, and makeup, all in such a more tasteful way than her old sister at that age :). I love all of the ways we are the same and all of the ways we are so different. She bravely got on a plane all by herself this summer to come spend a week with me in Florida. Kyle and I loved showing her all of our favorite 2000’s movies, making friendship bracelets, and eating lots of cookies. Having a sister is something I went my whole childhood thinking I would never have, so it’s extra special to have sister telepathy and even more special to be 16 years apart, where I get the privilege to guide her into all of these new chapters of her life.
So. The kids are alright. Through all of the good things, we all miss my Mom like crazy. We miss her voice and her hugs, we miss her expert advice, her wit, her creativity, her recipes, and every bit of her essence. I wish so badly she could be the one to write this update, but it’s just me. The holidays will always be hard, but we will get through it, and we will find and cherish the ordinary, extraordinary moments along the way.
Happy New Year, and love to all of you.
- Abbey
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