Sunny Friday

 Friday we had the pleasure of having Nate get home at 2 pm. It was so nice to have him for almost half the day:) It was so nice out that we headed down to the creek to hang out for a while. The big boys set off exploring immediately and Blaizen found a sun-warmed pool to stick his feet in.

There were so many pretty and unusual rocks I was having a great time checking them out. 

There was a cool pile-up of sticks against a tree by the creek. I'm having a hard time thinking the water got that high this year. Is there any other reason the sticks could be piled so high? The big boys were all excited thinking that top pile was a roundish shape like an eagle nest. They were disappointed to discover it was 'just' a wall of sticks.

Blaizen enjoyed lounging with Nate and getting him to copy his facial expressions

 Sweet boy:)

This is the boy who's afraid of heights. Hmm. Apparently he felt safe up there.

Cold much? 

And it was Josh's turn to climb up

Nate, looking Tired.

Sticks to bring home. Because one can never have enough sticks.

Gorgeous

It was a great, relaxing time together. Friday was one of the hardest days I'd had all week since my dad passing away (Saturday was probably tougher), so I was so glad to have Nate home for support, and to have such a beautiful day to be out in. 

Another Goodbye

A week ago I woke up to a strong presence of God in my room. I could see Him at the end of my bed, He was smiling and smiling. He came over to me and gave me a big hug. He seemed So excited for the day ahead of us.

A week ago my dear Dad sat down on his couch to take a nap. He fell peacefully asleep and did not wake up again. He was only 59.

Around 3:30 in the afternoon I saw I had missed two calls in a row from my youngest brother. The fact that he had called me twice, six minutes apart, set off my alarm bells. I thought our dad must be having heart trouble again. I hoped it wasn't something with my brother's kids. 

It was a horrible shock to hear that my dad had passed away. 

After the first wave of shock and grief I remembered my early morning encounter with the Holy Spirit. I thought, "You were so excited about today. What's up with that?" Then it came to me. He knew He got to bring my dad Home, and He was excited to see him, to set him free at last, to show Dad all the things He wanted him to see but that my dad wasn't able to accept while surrounded by the hard things of life. This is what I wrote down late that night:

Hi Dad.
I love you. I miss you.

Friday afternoon we went down to Robertson Bridge and I was thinking about you a lot. Out there in the sunshine by the river, with a turkey vulture circling overhead and that big old osprey nest on top of the old bridge. And all the boys' antics. I was thinking you should've been there with us. I wanted to call you and say "you're missing so much life!" I had a hope, that you would choose life again someday. I felt sad for how hopeless you must have felt for so long.

Yesterday morning I woke up to a tangible presence of God in my room. I saw Him smiling and smiling at me. He came to my bed and hugged me so tight. He seemed excited for the day ahead. And, you know, looking back, I think He was excited to See you. To finally take you in His arms and fly away above it all. I think He'd been missing you too. Missing you for a long time. I can imagine Him hugging you tight, and smiling So hugely. I imagine Him showing you the things you wondered about, "God where were You when...?"

I wish you could have known your grandsons. They are growing into fine young men and I know you would be proud of them. I wish you could have written your songs. I wish I could have heard you sing them out with all your heart. There are so many things. But, really, what more could I wish for you than the Life you have now? Because you can see your grandkids, and you are writing and singing with all your heart. And free of pain and full of joy.

So, Goodbye. Until we meet again. I can't wait to meet the Real you.
I love you. I miss you.

It's been a tough, tough week. The grief sometimes comes in waves between feeling almost normal. Sometimes it feels like my heart is being crushed and I don't know how I'm going to make it through the day, like today. I am so thankful for loving family and friends to help us through this time.

Dad with one of his sisters and Mom and Dad. 

(Dad's dad passed away last year)