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

To Bring Honor

I Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, 

do it all for the glory of God.

Today I placed a flag to honor you at your grave.

There was evidence that others had been there. 

Others missing you, remembering, 

Being at the Harvest Market flooded my heart with memories.
The Parade bittersweet.

The rhythm of the cadence, the work of your hands.

The quad. . .your love. 

I thought I saw you a few times. 

It was strange.

My heart fluttered. 

Missing you is so hard. 

We head to the grave. I feel peace. 

I place the flag.

I want to honor your desire to serve our country.

I come home and there are flowers from a friend. 

She had been thinking about us.

Another beautiful demonstration of the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Of knowing our needs.

I miss you Elijah.

This is really, really hard. 

And I am really trying to live as best I can. 

I can not do this on my own. 

My heart hurts.

And as another Saturday turns in to Sunday morning. . .the morning my world was shaken,

I will open my hands to surrender.

I keep coming back to knowing that there is no other source for my strength.

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn 

of my salvation, my stronghold.