Fernandina Beach

Three years ago, tomorrow, my Uncle Norman passed away unexpectedly. I have to say that it hit the family pretty hard, as just the year before we lost my grandfather. Around this time of year, I always play the "what if" game. What if Gabriella had been born a few years earlier or What if Granddaddy and Norman were still around. But most of all I think about what Gabriella has missed. Granddaddy and Norman would have loved and spoiled her so much. So going along that line of thinking I thought that it would be nice to take Gabriella to meet them. 

Both my grandfather and uncle are buried alongside my great-grandmother, in Bosque Bello Cemetery, in Fernandina Beach, FL. Lucky for us it is only an hour and 45 minute drive. So, today, we packed up Gabriella and the dogs and drove up to Fernandina to visit the cemetery and head over to the beach.

I have to say that it was a beautiful day. We got to the cemetery around noon and sat under the big oak tree that hangs over our families plot. I think that it is the most peaceful that I have felt in a long time. Gabriella walked around and helped me put down flowers and as she walked around she was telling stories. Not to me and Beau, just kind of out into space. I'd like to think that she was talking to Granddaddy and Norman. 

Helping put down flowers at Norman's grave

Wandering around Bosque Bello

My Great-Grandmother's grave. Today also happened to be her birthday!! She would have been 97.

Fixing the flowers at Granddaddy's grave. I guess she thought I didn't place them nicely.

This is the Pickett headstone. Uncle Henry, my Great-grandmother's brother, is buried here along with other family.

Playing under the oak tree

Granddaddy's grave site

After the cemetery we headed over to the beach. We had a great time. The water was chilly, but we couldn't keep Gabriella out of it. She had zero interest in playing in the sand. Mikey and Gheri had a lot of fun as well. The beach was busy, but we found a nice little spot to set up.

We highjacked my cousins porch, at the beach. Hope he doesn't mind :)

 I can remember walking down this same boardwalk, so many times, growing up.

I think that we are going to make a regular thing of going and visiting Granddaddy and Norman. Being in Fernandina felt like being home. Since Grammy moved, last year, we hadn't been back. Today reminded me of so many things. Gabriella has been to Fernandina quite a few times, but never when she could understand where she was and what we were talking about. There is a lot of family history in Fernandina and I would like to be able to share it with her.