Fond (Tearful) Farewell

Uncle Jim passed away on Tuesday. The funeral was Thursday. It's been a whirlwind couple of days. My sister Joan and Dad coordinated flights so I could pick them up at the airport and drive to Johnstown for the Wednesday night viewing and Thursday morning service. Another sister drove 4 1/2 hours to get there. Two brothers also came a distance as did my son Nathan. It was important to us to pay respects to the Uncle that kept our family gathering together every summer since as long as I can remember. I know my cousins, their kids, and our kids know each other too (at least the ones who attend often), and that's a privilege. We're so grateful for his efforts!

The service was wonderful. A good send off -- with lots of boating references. Uncle Jim was a Navy man back in world war II and loved taking his kids and then grandkids to a lake on his big boat. The grandchildren's boating stories added much needed comic relief as they tried to squeak out remembrances and tributes to their Pap. There was much weeping, tearful sobbing. Aunt Marion was the anchor to her dear grandkids. They all promised they'd look out for her now and be there for her. That while they were absolutely going to pieces and she getting up to hug and comfort them and help them back to their seats. She is amazing. My cousins too, Aunt Marion's kids did so well through all this. They've been comforting others even through their own loss. Let me share their daughter Marge's words to me in an email a day or two before Uncle Jim passed...

Mom is hanging in there like a rock, she very rarely leaves his side, during the day Jim, myself and the grandkids stay close by, but she refuses to have anyone stay with her at night. Through this whole experience I am thankful that he is not in any pain, and that we have the time to let him know how we feel. I am also thankful that there is no need to try to make up for lost time. My brother and I have had a lifetime of giving and receiving love from Dad We will be able to say good-by to him and have no regrets.

And that's how it was -- they spent the last month (and probably much more) enjoying every last day with their dad. I believe he was ready to sail away, cross to the other shore and be welcomed by Jesus into that everlasting kingdom which holds all the best (better than we can imagine) of this world and none of the trouble.

I'm going to go there someday too. You?

A Photo Blog

Three little munchkins.

It's starting to feel like summer's last hurrah. Here are some fond memories from our Cousin's Reunion. Many thanks to, who else?, some cousins...

No Pictures???

Oh man, I'm searching the camera card and not finding pictures of the cousins reunion. Six little kids, thirty adults, swimming and splashing, eating and playing games, tractor rides and catching up chats...none of it documented on my camera. I guess Tom and I were otherwise occupied. I'll bet one of the cousins will share. Meanwhile I've got pictures in my mind and memories in my heart -- good times.

Here's a photo (or two) from the day before. One little cousin with his mommy. Same little cousin slipping down the slide to daddy.

Oh Brother...

Rereading this blog I can't believe how melodramatic I can be. I just finished reading The Shack by William Young. That's my excuse or explanation for my melancholy (among other things). Whatever. I'm over it...sort of...and here's the only part of yesterday's blog that gets to remain...

I'm dying for a closeness with God -- we all are, just sometimes we don't know it. But my Heavenly Father doesn't want to see me pining for Him when He's right here. Rather he wants me to pant after Him, to delight in Him, to revel in the love and grace lavished on me. You too. He wants that for you and me. He says to us in His Word, "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

All the petty earthly petitions I bring before Him, those things aren't the desires of my heart they merely make up my wish list. My heart's desire is to see Him clearly, follow Him nearly, and love Him dearly...above all else.

Cousins Reunion Coming Up Real Soon!

Nothing motivates like company coming. We've accomplished lots. But, if I had my way one last thing would be done. All the shutters on our old white farmhouse would have been painted tiel green -- just a subtle change from the current shade of forest green. But alas, that's not going to happen. And I'm okay with it because...

To achieve that we'd have had to sacrifice moments like these...


And risked missing scenes like these...


Instead, we've taken time to smell the flowers...