Saturday was the one year anniversary of the worst night of my life. I've said it many times over the last couple of weeks, this past year has been both the longest and shortest year ever. Some days, I still feel like I am living in a dream, and when I wake up my life will be as it was. God has been so GOOD to us! I KNOW that no matter what, our lives are following the path He has set before us and that He will never let us walk alone.
Last year, we were not able to put Paul's earthy remains to rest the day of the funeral. Because of family logistics, we struggled to find the right time to do so. We decided to celebrate his life on the anniversary of his death by meeting together at the cemetery to inter his ashes. The kids and I were surrounded by our family and special friends as we said farewell for now. For those of you who would like to pay respects, his remains are at Dorr Cemetery, near my nephew Alex's grave site. We do not have a grave marker yet, but hopefully by the end of the summer. I didn't want to turn this time into another funeral, so we didn't have much of a 'ceremony'. I read a letter that I wrote (and re-wrote many times in my head!). My sister-in-law Emily asked that I blog it, so here it is:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Its been almost a year. A year full of so many, many changes. We've gone through each "first", with the exception of Easter. Last Easter, was our last time spent at the barn together. We have each celebrated a birthday, we have celebrated YOUR birthday. We have remembered, we have cried, we have grieved. We still remember, we still cry, we still grieve. But we laugh, we smile, we rejoice as well. Memorial Day, we "saw" you on the tractor with Andy. The 4th of July we "watched" fireworks with you. You were with us in the room when Paul was born. Each football game, dance recital, every choir concert and play - you were there. When we moved into the new house, you came along. You walked beside the kids on the first day of school. You trick-or-treated on Halloween and painted trees with us on Thanksgiving. When we decorated the Christmas tree, YOU put the star on the top.
2014, came in quietly and you were there for the New Year's kisses. Valentine's Day you held my hand. YOU found my wedding ring on our 20th anniversary. And, as our 21st approaches, I will celebrate with you again. And every day in between, you are there. You live in the faces of our children, in the hearts of your family. In our memories you will live forever.
I can only imagine the celebrations you are part of now. I can only imagine the family you are surrounded by. I can only imagine the face of the Father. I miss you. The year that has flown by and yet gone so slowly for me is but a blink in Heaven. For you, we will join you in a breath, and instant.
We're ok. We hurt. we mourn, but we rejoice. Time. It flows around us, it carries us along, & eventually it will bring us home to join you at the feet of Jesus.
"In My Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself... that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2 (This was the passage from the program from Paul's service, and the passage that we found his bible open to in the ashes of our home.)
Someday, we will meet again. I know this. I cherish this. I love you. Thank you Jesus, Thank you God. No Goodbyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We would not have survived this last year without the prayers of many and the help from our community. You are like the sands on the seashore - too many to count. Thank you will never be enough. You are our strength.
I was given a special journal by a wonderful friend just last week. Each page has a verse or quote about grace. I finished our memorial with the verses from the pages I used to write the letter. They all seemed so appropriate and special, so I'm going to finish this with them as well:
From the fullness of His GRACE we will have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16
Grace and peace be yours in ABUNDANCE. 2 Pet. 1:2
Grace is the free, undeserved GOODNESS and favor of God to mankind. Matthew Henry
The LORD be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 2 Tim. 4:22
