January 2, 2001 was a day that changed our family forever.
In one moment it felt as if this
and days like this:
and this
were no more.
I can tell you where I was sitting, what I was doing, even what I was wearing when Mom called to say she was on her way to the hopsital. Not even half an hour before we had been joking about the fact that "Dad wasn't feeling well."
There are days when it feels like yesterday that I got the phone call saying he was gone....
and there are other days when it feels much longer than a decade!
How grateful I am to know that I will see Dad again. How grateful I am for this:
And the covenants made within these walls that will allow us to be like this again!
While I am not sure that I would choose to do it that way again,
I am grateful for all that has transpired these past ten years...
the tears, the laughter, the pain and the growth.
I will always love you dad!
Today as I reflect on Dad and all the years I had with him,
I am so grateful for him and for all he did for me and taught me.
I am also so thankful for all the amazing men in my life! I am surrounded by them...and today, when I tend to be a little melancholy, I am so very, very grateful for this man:
Who has brought joy and laughter and happiness back into Mom's eyes and heart and into our entire family's!
I love you Richard and I am so grateful you have come into our lives...out of this horrible day, what great blessings we have gained. As you prepare to leave for two years, I want you to know how much I love both of you and I am so grateful for eveything you have done for our family.
We wish we were there today to say goodbye, but instead we will just say,
see you in awhile!
Love,
HBB
I've been thinking about you dear Barnes cousins today. I can also remember where I was sitting and what I was wearing when Dad called us with the news. I love that picture of you all with G&G outside the temple. Thank goodness for eternity! xoholly
ReplyDeleteWow! Way to go hedo!!! I, as the management, officially appoint you as the official tear jerker occasions blog poster!
ReplyDeleteWe missed all you out of towners tonight... it was quite the party!! 10 years, all sorts of adventures and many more to come I'm sure! We love you too Richard and Mom! Love u all!
Shmo P, the management, ku, katie k or whatever else you choose to call me!!
of course tears from me, not like that will surprise anyone!
ReplyDeleteI knew I couldn't read this until this morning. I couldn't handle any more tears yesterday!
ReplyDeleteQuite the party is right: try 300 people! And still we had lots of food left over! We needed the Blair boys here to eat it!
Richard will never replace Dad and the beauty is that he's never tried to, but he has become a father and grandfather to us and for that I am eternally grateful!
Love you M&R!
Angie Shmo
What a bunch of sentimental jewels. It was quite the party last night. A celebration of the past, present and future. When the idea was first talked of, I mentioned that this was a signficant date and the response was, "better to celebrate than to go to Sizzler on Sunday!" What a healthy attitude! So many commented last night on the wonderful example set by all of you. You have not wallowed in your grief but rather have moved forward, taking from it all that was rich and good and moving forward, living life to it's fullest and reaching for new experiences. In the process you have allowed so many new and wonderful things to happen and have learned some of life's hard lessons. I think your father would be very proud of you. You continue to honor the past without damaging the future. There is no question in my mind but what our lives have been orchestrated by one who knows so much more that we do.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who may not know, Angela bore her testimony in Fast Mtg. yesterday and every person who heard it, mentioned it to me last night. They were touched by her expressions of appreciation of the what has been and what is now. They marveled that you have accepted a new life with new people. Richard was touched and his only desire is care for each of us in a way that someday he may account to your father and report that he did all he could to help and bless us. He is a gift to us and has come because of divine graciousness. We are blessed beyond comprehension.
And now.......we begin a New Year ...... new experiences, new challenges, and a new kind of wonderment. Enjoy every minute of it.
You are awesome!
Matriarch Mom