Memorial Day 2012

We had a busy Memorial Day Weekend this year!  Our actual Memorial Day was filled with family time!!  We had a grilled turkey burger lunch at the Miles' and the Kennedy, Logan, Quinn and Zia enjoyed some time in the sprinkler!!

Isn't she cute?!

First sprinkler action of the year!

Logan preparing to run through the sprinkler!

In the morning we went to the Louisburg cemetery and caught part of the ceremony.  Papa Lou, Aunt Barb and Great Papa Henry came as well.  We all spend some time at Sam and Great Grandma Helen's graves.  Then we all went to Miss B's Cafe for brunch. 

Three generations! All in blue!

Papa shows Kennedy the gravesites of other relatives. Quinn says "Wait for me!"

Rare family photo...it was super windy!

Quinn with Great Papa Henry.

It was a great day!

Cemetery

Well, its Memorial Day Weekend. We always try to get out to the cemetery to spruce up Sam's site. But we ended up going earlier in the week.

Tornados were all around the KC area this past week. On Wednesday, one touched down very briefly in Louisburg, where the cemetery is. Kennedy and I watched a news story about a man who was in his pick up truck when the tornado picked it up, spun it around and dropped it back onto the ground. The state trooper was being interviewed at the site and it was by the cemetery! We later saw shots of trees down on top of graves. So we decided we should head out there to survey the damage the next day.

Luckily, the weather held out! Thankfully it was a small tornado that didn't do much damage. There were downed trees, but I assume they must have been sick or weaker trees as many, many others were totally fine. But here are some them...


Sam's are was fine! No damage at all! So we changed out the flowers, took out some decorations that had rusted over the winter, put out a new pfag and weeded. We had a little picnic lunch, too. It was Quinn's first time to "see" Sam's site...which Kennedy thinks is very important! So here they are at the cleaned up spot!

We miss our boy so very much! May you all have a blessed Memorial Day Weekend!!!

19 Months

Today Sam would be 19 months old.

Last weekend Kennedy and I went to the cemetery and cleaned things up a bit. We pulled weeds around the teddy bear and wooden cross. I had planned to replace the white flowers with orange ones. Kennedy decided we needed to keep the white ones - so she placed them by one of his shepherd's hooks! We also brought him a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.
I think Kennedy is finally realizing what the cemetery really is. I am so thankful that she isn't scared of it at all. We always walk around and she loves to ask about the names on the headstones. She loves to run everywhere!
I wanted to share a song with you all. I have been hearing it quite a bit lately on the radio - not sure why since it was on their album in 2004. Either way, I relate to so very much of it. It is "Homesick" by Mercy Me.

The song starts with:
You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you
But the reason why I’m broken the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I really feel this way about Sam. I have felt joy many, many times knowing he is safe in Heaven, knowing that he will never feel the pain of Earthly sin, knowing he didn't have to suffer. How wonderful it must have been to be welcomed into Heaven!!! But at the same time, I cry. I miss him. I miss him a lot. I grieve the memories we will never make together. And I often wonder how long it will be until I reunite with him in Heaven. I realize for him, 50 years is nothing in comparison with eternity! But should I be given a long life here on Earth, it will feel like such a very long time until I get to see Sam again!!!

Anyway, I am sharing the music video for this song, as well as the full lyrics. Enjoy.

homesick

You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you
But the reason why I’m broken the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I‘ve never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord because I don’t understand Your ways
The reason why I wonder if I’ll ever know
But even if You showed me the hurt would be the same
Because I’m still here so far away from home

Chorus

In Christ there are no goodbyes
In Christ there is no end
So I’ll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again

Chorus