Thanks to everyone who sent prayers, emails, and other well wishes after my aunt passed away. My husband, daughter, and I went to the service last Wednesday and had our time to say goodbye. She was well-loved and it was a bittersweet time to share with her family. I’m feeling so much more at peace now. My uncle is doing well, they had an incredible marriage and were together when she passed peacefully. I’m looking forward to seeing him again soon.
The day after the funeral, we left for Alaska to visit my mom and see the Iditarod. My family has been involved with the famous dog sled race since the first one in 1973. It was very healing and exciting to be there again. I will admit, this was my first time being a K9 Fairy! We had to wear our dresses, boas, and jewelry on the outside of our snow gear. That was quite an experience!
Mom told me lots of stories I hadn’t heard before, and the three of us had a good time. She pulled out a huge box of old letters and piles of old photos, most of which I’d never seen. It was a good step towards more healing and connecting; God truly blessed this time together.
I hope you enjoy our trip:

Now there’s a sign you don’t see every day! It says 168 moose were killed by cars in this area since July 1 2012. We never saw one.

Hard Core Snowboarders ride in the back of a pickup as far as they can before hiking to the top of the ridge at Hatcher Pass near Wasilla, AK

Now the climbing begins! That little dot in the middle is a snowboarder hiking to the top of a coveted ridge!

Iditarod means party time on the lake – bon fires, roasting hot dogs, snowmobiles, helicopters, planes, and lots of good times!
And that, my friends, was my whirlwind 5 day trip to Alaska!
Mar 28, 2013 @ 16:21:49
How fun was that???? Great fairy costumes. You and your mom are adorable!
Love Moosellaneous.
Wasilla? Did you see Sarah???
I saw a pair of Moose trot right by the lift line last year in Breckenridge! Man, they are big!
Thanks for bringing this to the party! I hope you say hi to the newbies and check out their digs. There are a lot of new faces today! Have fun!
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 19:08:00
Thanks, Susie!
Didn’t see Sarah, or any moose! LOL
I did some exploring on new sites from your party! Thanks!
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 20:04:50
Excellent! Glad to hear that!
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Mar 12, 2013 @ 11:45:18
What a trip! So glad you got to go back and re-experience this part of your life in a new and healthy way, including the time with your mom. And I’m so jealous, I’ve always wanted to see the Iditarod for myself and that you got to help with it is awesome!! Makes me miss Alaska… Thanks for sharing all the great photos and adventures.
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Mar 12, 2013 @ 14:20:53
Thanks, Audrey! Just put in on your calendar for 2014. It’s always the first Saturday in March!! (you probably already know that! 😉 )
I appreciated the way you said “re-experience…in a new and healthy way” You’ll never know just how accurate and profound those words are to me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart…
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Mar 09, 2013 @ 04:52:36
Denise, I’m so glad this turned out to be such a positive trip for you! Thanks for sharing your pictures. I enjoyed them 🙂
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Mar 09, 2013 @ 16:28:31
So glad you enjoyed the pictures, Arlene 😉
Thanks for your support…this trip was another important piece of my healing for sure.
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Mar 08, 2013 @ 01:50:56
Hi Denise. First off, let us say, how sorry we were to hear about your Aunt’s passing. We hadn’t heard before now but can only imagine what your poor family went through. Death is such a hard trial and painful cross for a family to bare. But it’s families like yours, that endure only to come out stronger. Just reading your post and listening to your words, was such an inspiration for us and for many more as we are sure that anyone privy to reading this would pull from it’s strength and go away with a deep rooted respect for such unity and strength.
I have to say, what was most beautiful, was the trip you took afterwards which allowed for more healing, more necessary closure. There’s nothing better to ease the grieving process of a lost loved one, than to surround yourself with your surviving loved ones who will fill that loss and with God’s help, allow you to move forward.
Also, the pictures were incredible, especially for us. We weren’t sure if we told you or not, but our book that we’re in the process of publishing now, “The Perfect 7” takes place in a fictitious town in Alaska. A sort of tribute to my father, who had always dreamed of going there but was unable to fulfill that wish. As a hunter and fisherman, he was enamored by the wildlife and rustic beauty of the last frontier.
We will keep you and your family in our prayers and are so happy that you have been able to find peace through this necessary grieving process and the blessed love of…..family!
On another note, we wanted to let you know, that we have nominated you for the “Versatile Blog Award.” Just head on over to our blog for the details, and congrats my friend!!!
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Mar 08, 2013 @ 07:46:36
Thank you both for your sweet and kind words of support. The blogging community has been a source of great comfort for me.
What a wonderful tribute to your dad to write a novel! I love it! Please let me know when it’s finished, I’d love to read it!
Thank you for your nomination, that is very sweet!!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 23:00:39
Love the pictures; thank you for sharing with us! My favorite is the one of you high-fiving the musher in your fairy get up! 🙂
And it sounds like it was God’s perfect timing for all of your travels all around.
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Mar 07, 2013 @ 06:21:10
Hmmm, why am I not “fairy” surprised that’s your favorite picture? 😉
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 18:43:30
What lovely pictures, Denise! Just awesome. I think it’s fine you reconnected with mom, had a glass-of with her. Very good. I’m sorry it had to be under such unfortunate conditions. Though, isn’t that the way? We often get together for just weddings and funerals.
I’ve never been to Alaska, and I really loved looking at your photos. Alaska is on my bucket list!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 19:21:20
Glad to hear Alaska is on your bucket list, Karen! It’s got something for everyone, I think!
The funeral was actually in Oregon last week. We had this trip to visit my mom arranged for several weeks prior.
It was nice sharing some good memories of my aunt while I was up there, though.
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 17:58:54
My son, who is in the 2nd grade, is studying the Iditarod with his classmates. They each chose a musher (? sorry if my lingo is not up to speed) and are tracking their favorites throughout the race. It’s a fun school project that the kids really get into.
My thoughts go out to you and your family. I know this is a tough time, but so glad to see that you’re doing well, donning fairy gear and whatnot. 😉
Take care!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 18:23:17
Hi Kate, your lingo is just right 😉
That’s so fun your son’s class is studying the Iditarod. There’s actually a whole curriculum available for teachers using Iditarod themes for everything from geography to math to history.
I used part of it one year when I homeschooled my kids. It was really fun!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 16:47:04
The Iditarod fascinates me. What a great way to heal. Or as the dogs would say, heel.
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 18:20:09
😉
Keep up to date at http://www.iditarod.com
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 14:07:10
Welcome back. Sounds like a really good trip. 🙂
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 15:11:01
Thanks, Paulette! It was 😉
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 13:42:18
Thank you so much for taking me on this journey, Denise! Fantastic 😀
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 15:10:43
So glad you enjoyed it, Dianne!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 13:18:04
Fascinating and a great story. I envy you! As for me, on this planet, the Iditarod is the ultimate athletic event for man and his best friend…no doubt about it. I think The Navy Seals should make the Iditarod part of their training.
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 15:10:31
Ooh! That’s an interesting idea about the Navy Seals!
I’m firmly convinced anyone who finishes the race is a winner! It takes a lot of courage, guts, strength, and determination to train for and complete it!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 09:26:26
Yay, fairy Denise! Love seeing the photos from your trip…Alaska looks beautiful, but it doesn’t hold a candle to your smile. Now we can add ‘fairy’ to the long list of your titles and talents.
So wonderful to see you with your mom. Made me cry…
Love to you…and continued prayers for your grieving family.
Hugs…
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 09:51:13
Thanks so much, Lori!
It’s really amazing what spending quality time together can do. Being with my uncle at the funeral was very healing -especially seeing how he was so at peace with her death. He kept telling me he was ok but it took being together for me to see that, yes, he really is ok.
Time with my mom was really great, too. We are finding ways to connect and laugh, leaving the hard stuff to come up on its own and not forcing anything. It feels right, and surprisingly, I’m ok with it this way. God never ceases to amaze me in what He can do with my heart.
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 08:37:32
Wow, what a happy blog! That must have been an incredible week, on many counts. Thanks for sharing.
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 09:47:05
Hi Esther! A very short trip compared to your wonderfully lengthy travels, but lots of fun anyhow! 😉
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 07:42:45
Wow, how exciting to share in all the fun of such a famous event. Seeing you and your Mom together and happy really warmed my heart. God has truly blessed you, sweet friend, and now your blogs are blessing so many others. Thanks for sharing your heart, your reality and your faith!!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 08:19:04
It’s my greatest hope that others will feel encouraged and hopeful about healing and change because of my journey.
Thanks for walking alongside, Karen, and for your encouragement!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 07:09:25
Wow, what an adventure your life is… and it’s one well lived.
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 08:17:59
What a great compliment! Thank you Marsella!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 06:41:30
What great pictures Denise! I’m glad you had a good time being with the family.
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 08:17:37
Thanks, Yaz! It was a really good time!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 04:21:20
Again, my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your aunt. A big hug to you for enjoying time with your Mom and family and for being able to smile and enjoy such a family tradition as the Iditarod! I love the photos that you shared!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 05:26:59
Thank you for your encouragement; and I’m really happy you enjoyed the pictures!
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 04:12:07
YAY!!!!!!! It’s so great to see you back in good blogging spirits!!!!!!!
Love the pictures. You are gorgeous, especially your smile. 😉
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 05:26:18
Awww, thanks, Lynda! You’re so sweet!
Glad you enjoyed the pictures!
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Mar 05, 2013 @ 22:24:58
Wonderful post, good news of healing, great pictures!! Thank you! Diane
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Mar 06, 2013 @ 05:25:20
Hi Diane, it was truly a great trip all around! 😉
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