blackberry pickin'

We have had some beautiful weather after some summer rains and while dad works swing shift we decided to take a walk down the lane to our little country pioneer cemetary... it is just up the road and so pretty up on a hill. We always visit a pioneer family who had 5 children who died back in the 1800's all within a few years of each other. The mom died in her early 30's- I always imagine that it was from heartbreak. We have "adopted" this family that we visit. The kids take them flowers and we always say a prayer that they are all reunited in heaven together. We also visit the grave of one of Noah's very best friends who died way too young. We spend some time "visiting" Syd , then leave Noah for some alone time while we wander around. Molly cant figure out why it makes Noah so sad... Syd is with God in heaven... that is where we all want to be right? The kids also talk alot about their baby half- sister who died last year. Really, it wasn't a terribly morbid time, just a time that we enjoy just being surrounded by one another on top of that breezy beautiful hill and feeling just a bit closer to one another and talking about some of the stuff that doesn't come up all the time, but sometimes just needs to be talked about. As we walked home you could smell the sweet smell of ripe blackberries so Noah ran home for containers and we got to picking. The kids were so excited and I think it may have been the first time that the littles have had blackberries. No one liked the thorns, but they decided that God must like blackberries more than all the other berries and that is why he chose to protect them the most. Molly didn't end up with much to show for her efforts- she dropped and spilled her bucket a few times and what she didn't spill she ate. Yordi was the man. He must have had to scavange for food... he was all over those berries. I would find a clearing and plunk him down and he would pick until his pail was full. We brought home our prize and have enjoyed many blackberry smoothies!!!