Katie Swift
Last Saturday we gathered with Josh’s family in Hillsboro to celebrate Grandma Pat’s 86 years of blessed life. Grandma had 8 kids, 22 grandkids, 33 great grandchildren and one big, fluffy dog named Ellie. She lived out in the country on her children’s land and was an artist, an adventurer and a devout Christian. She...
Yesterday makes 2 years since Bobby was taken from us. So much has changed and yet the most important thing has not- Bobby is still gone. Last year our family (even the dogs) met together at his grave with gifts, a poem and a song. This year, we tried something different. We gave each other space...
After Bobby died he gave us a ridiculous amount of signs. Butterflies, birds- even a solar eclipse the hour of his funeral (it was epic-just like him)! It’s no surprise he still speaks to us, because we never stop listening. We look for him everyday. Today I’m sending him a sign- a song. My mom...
The last time I heard Bobby’s voice was on the phone. He called me about the logo I was working on for him. My brother was planning on opening up his own hardscaping business this spring. He wanted the “C” in Caldwell just right. We talked for a few minutes about the logo and then spent...
Today I am thinking about Ed, maybe because it’s Tuesday. It was a Tuesday when I opened that door a few years ago. There was a knock and dogs barking and the police officer who hung his head. My father inlaw was 56 years old when he had a heart attack walking to his car....
The first time I met my neighbor, Mary, was in the backyard. It was winter, grey and cold. We talked over the fence and I found out that Mary and her husband Jeremy had recently moved back to Ohio from Florida. When I asked her why, she told me with a wink in her voice,...
On Sunday we remembered Ed. It’s been a year since he left us and we’ve had much time to think. Of bear hugs and feathers and saved stories. Regrets and I wish I would’ve told yous. There’s always more to say. So we sent him messages via helium and sky. Ink on paper squares rolled up...
Last night Josh’s grandpa passed away. His name was Frank. His grandkids called him froggy. He was a man obsessed with politics and peace and he wrote a children’s book. He was a father of two boys and a whole lot of girls. He was a kisser of cheeks and he lived right down the...
My grandmother passed away. She was my father’s mother. I didn’t know her very well. The truth is, I have a whole family that I don’t know very well. On the way to the funeral my big brother and I talked about our childhood. We talked about how alone we felt, the way we were...
I think the hardest thing about life is death. And I believe in Jesus, I believe in heaven. I believe that someday I will see my Nanny and Papa again. Cousin Joe, Uncle Jack, Marquis, and all the people. And really I can’t imagine not seeing them again. I don’t think I have enough faith...
I remember spending the weekend in the mental ward at Miami Valley Hospital. I was suicidal. And really it wasn’t like I had plans to kill myself…I just didn’t want to live anymore. So my doctor asked if she could pray for me and than I was admitted. The walls were padded and none of the doors...
My kids get hurt everyday. And they cry very loudly. They cry for their mommy and they cry for their daddy. Then they demand that we kiss it and make it all better. I am always amazed at the power of the kiss. We never grow out of pain. But many of us are taught...
Want to stalk each other and pretend we're good friends? Me too!