BURIAL

LAST WEEK NATHAN AND I BURIED YOUR REMAINS IN BEAVER.

YOUR MOTHER IS RELIEVED TO HAVE A FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR YOU

THAT SHE CAN VISIT.

WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT THERE. THANKS BE TO GOD!

WE CONTINUE TO WAIT FOR THE DAY WE ARE ALL TOGETHER WITH THE LORD.

DEPARTURE DATE

7/11/57---7/11/09

WE REMEMBER YOUR 2ND "FOREVER 52" BIRTHDAY WITHOUT YOU HERE.

NATHAN AND I WATCHED THE MEMORIAL DVD TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

HOW PAINFULLY PRECIOUS IT WAS TO VIEW.

TIA STILL CANNOT WATCH IT.

THE TWO THINGS SHE MENTIONED IN HER EULOGY WAS BEING WITHOUT YOU WHEN SHE GRADUATES COLLEGE (DONE) AND THOMAS' FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN (NEXT MONTH). THEY HAVE COME TO PASS.

MAX LUCADO .............

we, as God's children, live one final breath from our own funeral.

which, from God's perspective, is nothing to grieve. He responds to these grave facts with this great news: the day you die is better than the day you were born" (eccles.) now there is a twist. heaven enjoys a maternity-ward reaction to funerals. angels watch body burials the same way grandparents watch delivery-room doors.

"he'll be coming through any minute!" they cant wait to see the new arrival.

while we are driving hearses and wearing black, they are hanging pink and blue streamers. we do not grieve when babies enter the world. the hosts of heaven do not weep when we leave it.

missing you always, pal

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

tia was hired today as a fifth grade elementary teacher.

we cried out of gratitude. we cried because you are not here for her to tell her daddy the
good news.


nathan wants to start a photography business. he said you had told him that you thought that would be a good road to travel.

he has named his potential business in honour of you. forever52photography.

tia and mike have parted ways after 6 1/2 years.

how i needed to tell you this. so, i told Jesus. how difficult it is for me to go forward without you. you always said that if you are standing still, you eventually go backwards.
i still cannot realize you are gone from this life.

always, your patricia

6/5/82

today i reflected on what would have been our 29th wedding anniversary.

thomas michael helped me blow out the wick i lit of our unity candle from our wedding day.

nathan asked me to recount how we became engaged and about our wedding day.

tia asked me to go to the movies with her and did the day end up being okay for me.

finished reading ' The Shack '.

i am still holding you in my heart.

A MILESTONE

tomorrow, after five years, our sweet baby girl will graduate with honours from UNCC.

tia is now a licensed elementary teacher.

how very bittersweet it is for me, tia and nathan to celebrate this milestone without you dearest.

our precious grandson will wear his cap and gown to the commencement as we also celebrate his graduation from preschool.

you are and will always be 'forever 52' in our hearts and memories until THAT day.