A week before Brady Shae and Brooks were born, my dad traveled to Florida to help prepare their nurseries. He shopped for supplies, painted walls, hung shelves, and installed chair rails. Then he stayed long enough to meet his new grand babies. I remember the goodbyes feeling extra hard after those special visits. Maybe because of hormones or sleep deprivation, but probably because of love.
Fast forward two years, and we were pregnant with baby number three. And sure enough, baby number three needed a nursery too. My heart knew exactly who I wanted to call upon for help, but flights from Heaven simply were not available. My dad passed away ten days after Brooks turned six months old, and Brady Shae was only two.
So as much as I wished for a different narrative, we ended up hiring someone to help with our third nursery. When it was time to put up the chair rail, the gentleman asked me, “Who did the chair rails in the other two bedrooms? They are upside down.” I paused as I heard this new piece of information. Then I smiled and responded, “Please hang them upside down in this room as well.”
Is there a right or wrong way to install a chair rail? I have no idea. Is there a right or wrong way to grieve the loss of someone you love? I have no idea. Perhaps both can appear upside down sometimes, and that’s ok.
I miss my dad (so much), and I remember the goodbye feeling extra hard five years ago. Maybe because of unspoken words or unmet grandchildren, but probably because of love.