Truth be told, dad didn’t have favorites. (I still had to have the mug . Reminds me of John who kept referring to himself as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved!”) Even being the first born and the most like him, I always felt last... forgotten... least of these. I only realized at the very end … Continue reading All I Have Left Of You… Is Me
Deep Calls To Deep
Dad... are you there? Can you hear me? Are you really always with me? Watching over me? Speaking to me while you’re in heaven? Or are these just simple platitudes spoken to comfort the hearts of the mourning? I want to know if you see me... if you can really finally see in full what … Continue reading Deep Calls To Deep
Most Valuable Possessions
“We should buy a franchise of Skyline Chili! Dad would have LOVED that!” Apparently this is what people talk about in the days following the death of a loved one. Everyone figuring out a way to keep them alive. To never forget. To do something big and scary and extravagant like a heaven sized … Continue reading Most Valuable Possessions
For Better, Or For Worse
This last month has been the worst of my entire life. The loss of my dad has hit me with a pretty painful dose of reality. We get so distracted with our jobs, our finances, and our petty arguments and offenses, but when you are faced with death, none of those things matter anymore. Family … Continue reading For Better, Or For Worse
Our Fallen Hero
The evening of the 31st, the hospice nurse prepared us for dad’s passing before morning. So we took turns talking with him, praying as a family throughout the night, shared communion together one last time, anointed him with oil, and waited. Dad’s oxygen went up and not down. His breathing became less labored. We all … Continue reading Our Fallen Hero
Cheers To You, Pop
A million thank you’s from the bottom of our hearts. Dad passed so peacefully at 12:09pm. I was with our beautiful baby sister driving around our neighborhood, doing what dad would have been doing, teaching her how to drive in his old Ford truck. Dad took his last breaths in the arms of his love … Continue reading Cheers To You, Pop
Into the Wild
The boys are MOVING OUT! Just kidding... looks like it with all that luggage they’re taking. They look so little next to those backpacks. It’s hard to believe that as each year passes, they will grow into those backpacks. Until then, I’ll capture as many photos as it takes for this momma heart to force time to … Continue reading Into the Wild
Let Go, Watch Him Do It
Regardless of how it feels sometimes, the peace in your heart really is in your hands. The circumstances around you could be in utter disarray, the people in your life may drive you crazy, but the best lesson to learn in your marriage or ANY relationship for that matter is that YOU ARE NOT IN … Continue reading Let Go, Watch Him Do It
Heavenly Peace
It was a beautiful candlelight service with our awesome church family tonight at Grace Family Church. Then we were off to grandma’s house for a party! Our family celebrates Jesus’ birthday on Christmas Eve. It’s a big, beautiful, loud, coming together of traditions, prayers, singing, yummy food, and presents. It was quite the feat staying … Continue reading Heavenly Peace
Finding Hope With A Shattered Spirit
Hope. A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. But how do we keep hoping after decades of failure, loss and disappointment? When does it end? When is hope fulfilled? I spent most of my day yesterday in tears. What I had been planning to announce completely fell apart. The dreams … Continue reading Finding Hope With A Shattered Spirit
Dear Miss Mary 