Anniversary

The SEVEN YEAR anniversary of us driving down to Iowa to pick up Adam, David, and Reany, we traveled there again, to bid farewell to Luke's dad. There was great discussion of this event, but it was a good decision and it was a good experience for our family. So many things have happened in those 7 years, it is really hard to imagine life any other way. There have not been any reactions to the farewell, and I think it was good closure for whatever level everyone is on. When we were there, Noah pipes in, "he doesn't have any teeth." Like that was the most valuable thing that he knew of his estranged grandfather. That was also the last time that Aubrey was around, her and her mother seem to have their own agenda of what a teenager should be doing, and we just pray it won't last long or have detrimental consequences. At some point, we release our vision and know that God is drawing the picture, not us, and we are here just doing our best to fill his vision for ourselves and our responsibilities of that which we are granted control of, because there is no lack for our attention.

I held his hand, kissed his forehead, cried when I told him that we'll take good care of the kids and apologized that we couldn't have had a better relationship. He seemed at peace, had accepted Christ just months ago, got Luke's 3 sisters to visit (so 7 of his 15 were able to see him,) and died within 2 weeks later on August 30th, 2011. Luke is thankful to have his Father in Heaven and knows that his earthly father taught him through inadequate examples and grief to be connected and committed to his children. His passing and those details leading up to are a reminder to live life to the fullest and to have purpose in the master plan.
Farewell Richard.