Saying Good Bye is Never Easy

The call came early Monday morning. 
A week ago.

Memorial Day. 

The catch in his voice. 

I knew. 

I hoped it was something else. 

Some other reason. 

My brother had called to share that our 
beloved Dad had journeyed to be with the Lord. 

Gone; from this earth. 

That deep ache; the constant pain rubbed raw. 

Another loss. 

The walk of grief well worn. 
The path of gratitude in need of work. 

I begin the journey to my dad. 
This time to say good bye. 

Making arrangements all so familiar. 
My brothers and I worked together to honor our dad. 
We laughed at memories. 
We rejoiced over sweet reunions in heaven. 

The time together is good. 
My farmer and the rest of the kids join us. 
These moments; are defining. 
Setting the stage for the journey ahead. 
Our parents are gone. 

We now, the Senior members.

With Military Honors we lay dad to rest. 

We turn from that Cemetery for the 2nd time. 
We leave behind our parents. 
The ones who gave us life. 
Who poured into our beings to make us who we are. 
69 and 73. 
Both seem too young. 
Yet both in God's timing. 
Both rejoicing with Elijah. 
We begin our journey back to my brother's house. 
Time; ever moving forward. 
The march. 
The necessity. 
There is still much to do. 
A home full of memories; 
needing to be sorted and dispersed. 

A strange process.

We part ways again. 
My brothers and I. 
Me back to my family. 
They to theirs.
All of us changed. 

These losses continually remind me;
 we were not meant for death. 
Our journey; Life. 
Life everlasting. 
All that is within us recoils at death. 
The pain. 
The ache. 
Our purpose is life.
 My heart is heavy and I am sad. 
There has not been much time to grieve. 
A friend sent a note. 
Dad's death a double sorrow. 

She's so right. 
The memory thief steals the mind. 
Death steals the body. 
But God holds them both. 

We now, are the memory keepers. 
And those memories were beautiful. 
A legacy of life and fun. 
Service and faith. 

Thank you Dad for your service to this country. 

Thank you for instilling that love is us. 
We are grateful for the love of the ocean and family. 
No matter how hard things get; we stick together. 

 I feel weary. 
Weary from the weight. 
From the week. 
Grief heavy. 
Grief is work. 
Taking those wise words from my dad,
Chin up, shoulders straight, fly right. 

Thanks dad. 

Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. 
His love endures forever.

They Will Never Be Forgotten Day #10 of Thankfulness

They willingly go. 

Something about the call. 

A camaraderie.

A duty. 

Our Veteran's. 

Bound by a creed. 

Actions speaking louder than words. 

Old and young. Single or married. 

It matters not when the call arises. 

They, are our Veteran's. 

Our son. 

His desire. 

To be a Marine. 

He longed to serve. 

Test scores high; College material. 

Not for him. 

His heart; enlistment. 

He was not yet 18.
I wrestled and struggled, not my will but thine. 

I respected the call, I signed for my son to give his all. 

His calling though, was not to be,

it was for something we couldn't see. 

His dreams never fulfilled. 
Yet my heart soars with pride when I think of what he was willing to sacrifice.  

I pray you'll take the time to share your gratitude and care with a Veteran. 
May we never forget the One who made the ultimate sacrifice. 
Who fought the holiest battle for our soul. 
He went willingly, to the cross, that we might live. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

A son, willing to serve
For the Young lady who wrote this song.
At Your Pace
A grandfather, many uncles and aunts and my father who answered the call
For this young man, whom no words can describe my respect for him 

For Uncle Harold and his service and time in Viet Nam
For all who serve and have served-their sacrifice has meant our freedom

The gift of prayer and how it changes us
Sundays that are truly a day of rest-that looks so different for everyone
Worship
Monday Mornings-a whole new week
The work of grief, how it changes us
My farmer and his steadfastness, no matter how grumpy I am
This farm
Crisp mornings, hot coffee, a warm home
The quiet in the mornings to reflect and spend quality time with the Lord
For this Season of Thanksgiving, how intentional gratitude works deep down in my soul
For a God interested in the details of our lives


May we all walk in gratitude for those who have fought for our right to 
worship, live and love.
And here's to all the Mama's who will never hold their babies again. 
Thank you for your sacrifice. 
Your boy will never be forgotten. 

Tim McGraw
If You're Reading This

Honoring Those Who Served. . .Day #11 of Thankfulness

You won't wear the uniform.

The pride that ran so deep never to be experienced.

Life ended so abruptly

Dreams shattered

Cuts like a knife

The memories; all that are left

It is Veteran's Day
And the Birthday of the Marines.

This is the uniform that I hold in my heart now.
It will be forever etched in my mind.

Right there in that moment your present and future mingled.
Yet your future never to be.
And the grace that is given this side of eternity leaves me once again undone.
We are given the Marine Flag.



Cedric heads to the woods.
He returns with a Cedar post for a flag pole.
We will now proudly display the American Flag along with the Marine Flag.
That Cedric. Is growing into a fine young man.

Day #11 of Thankfulness
Today I am thankful for:
The Marines and the desire our son had to serve
The men and woman who are serving now
Those who have served
 families with loved ones serving
Those that have given their life for our freedom
This country and the freedoms we have because so many gave
Our flag and what it represents
My dad, Uncle Harold, Uncle Richard and Uncle Buddy for their dedication and service to our Country

A son with a heart that is broken and uses his grief to serve.
A Memorial Service to remember children who have gone before their parents
God who will never let us go, who holds us in the palm of his hands

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Please stand with me as we honor the great American Heros

Thank you