Today is my dad’s birthday. It has been bittersweet to think of him throughout the day, to look at pictures, talk about him with the kids and on Facebook, and hear others share memories of him. I am continually amazed that it has been almost four years since he left us and went to heaven. I am incredibly proud of him. I am thankful of the godly heritage he left me. And I am full of joyful hope that we will see each other again one day.
Looking over the blog (we’ve been writing off and on since 2004), I found that I had posted a birthday hello to Grandad in 2007 (Joshua – look, it’s your cell phone! From 2007! Impressive). I also wrote something in 2008.
Sigh.
Loss – it pierces with the realization that we must hold lightly to things in this life at the same time savor every moment with abandonment. Such a strange paradox. We get lost in the minutia and the mundane, but it is exactly those things that weave together the most glorious tapestry of relationships, love and LIFE.
Amidst this rather busy, gray day, the kids decided some hot cocoa would be a nice treat. As for me, I skip the chocolatey stuff and stick to coffee.
My sweet girl and her hot cocoa
The hot cocoa tins from Costco are a regular stocking stuffer in our house so, during the month of January, there’s usually plenty of hot chocolate to go around.
Daniel says NO to marshmallows and YES to whipped cream on his hot cocoa.
When even the hot cocoa can’t cheer away the fog and gray skies, there are always plenty of candles to brighten the room. Strangely enough I can always find a child willing to get out the matches and light the candles for me.
Careful, David!
When the week (or is it a month?) of sunLESS days continues on, I pause, breathe deeply, close my eyes and savor the memories of the incredibly GORGEOUS Washington summer we had this year.
Sarah and some beautiful island girls!!
Hot cocoa, memories of Grandad, pictures of beach days, and the knowledge that my happiness and hope rests in Jesus.
“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Project 365 – Day 12
Kathy
I miss Grandad…. I didn’t realize how high that flame was going on my match… haha
I miss him too. I miss the way he would shout, “Where’re my grandkids?” in a booming voice, when he would come into the house. I miss the way he would fall asleep whenever he read to the kids, or how he would always say, “I don’t think I’ve seen the beginning of this movie” for nearly every movie we watched together. I miss the way he was so kind and gracious.
Do you think they celebrate birthdays, in Heaven? I don’t see why not …
Oh Kathy, this is a beautiful post! And Tim your comment makes me wish I could have met him. I have a strong feeling I would have liked him… of course I would have… look at the legacy he left.
Oh Kathy, this is a beautiful post! And Tim, your comments make me wish I would have met him. I strongly suspect I would have liked him… a lot… of course I would have… look at the legacy he left.
Okay, I am tearing up now. Ahhhh so hard to not have our dads with us even when we know we will see them again. I always remember how your dad and mom would take the kids overnight at their hotel for special time together. He adored and loved you all so much and made being with you a priority!
Oh! Is there Edgren delivery service on that hot chocolate?! I am hitting that afternoon wall!
Reading this blog made me realize how much I loved and now miss grandad. Nice blog, mom.
(((Kathy)))). I have been processing this as my dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s . How can we wring the joy and love from each minute.nBeautiful post. I loved how your dad always built something (laundry shelves?) when he visited.
De’Etta – so true! He was always putting together something for me or tackling some sort of a project around the house. Such a gift. I wonder, sometimes, if we can only realize what treasures we have when they seem to fade away.