Memorial Day

I know Memorial Day is a day to commemorate U.S. soliders that have died while in military service, but it's just as important to remember those that are serving now. It's also important to remember the families of these men and women, because they're the ones whose lives are most effected by their loved ones' service to our country.

This prayer by an unknown author encompasses all that are impacted by military service:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice of death for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops and ask for your blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus,
Amen

Kent didn't die in service to our country, but, like a lot of people that visit the graves of their deceased relatives on this day, we did too. We cleaned and dried his head marker and then trimmed the grass around it before leaving beautiful Irises of assorted colors from his parents' garden in the vase.

Here, fishy, fishy!

After church today, Doug B., a former co-worker as well as friend and fishing buddy of Kent's, and his family took me, the boys, my father-in-law and nephew fishing and tubing.

The Bass were really biting! J caught the most and this was his biggest catch.



This was N's biggest catch. It was the biggest Bass of the day! Of course, this didn't make his big brothers happy, especially because he caught the biggest Crappie at the same place last year.



N even caught a Catfish. He didn't want to hold it though!



E and my nephew didn't fare so well. E had a big fish bite but it broke the line and got away, and G caught one that wasn't big enough to keep. They were disappointed but had fun tubing afterward.

Indiana Beach Amusement Resort

We roadtripped south last night to the historic Indiana Beach Amusement Resort where the boys and their cousin had a good time on the Boardwalk today. After seven hours and almost 40 rides, they were exhausted and ready to call it a day. It was a quick but fun getaway especially since it's close to home, smaller in size and reasonably priced.

Our Mailbox

Kent made our mailbox shortly after we moved to our house in June of 2004. After almost six years, it was in bad shape. I thought about buying a new one but, because of its sentimental value, decided to fix it instead.

We had fun sanding, priming and painting and later replacing the numbers and flag.













What a meaningful and enjoyable project! Now, we just have to add some perennials and mulch around the bottom of it.

Our Loved Ones There

For today's date in L.B. Cowman's classic devotional Consolation, there's a short but beautiful and encouraging poem that resonates with the hearts of those about to lose a spouse:

"Bid me good-bye now,
As going at night to my room:
If I may, I will open the door, love,
And call to you out of the gloom.

If I may not, the Lord is our keeper,
And still we are both in His care,
You on Earth, I in Heaven, both guarded,
Both safe, till you follow me there."

by Alfred Norris

It's so comforting to know that death isn't goodbye for Christians but, rather, a temporary separation until we are reunited again in Heaven. I've been missing Kent a lot lately, so I'm thankful for this reminder today.

On your mark, get set, go!

It was an overcast morning in Chicago, but, despite this, it was great weather for the American Brain Tumor Association's 5th annual Path to Progress 5K walk/strut/run.

I met some survivors and caregivers with amazing stories as well as family and friends of those that have lost their battle. Also, after a few years of communicating primarily through YASG, a message board for brain cancer . . . specifically glioblastoma multiforme (also known as GBM IV or Stage 4), and now Facebook, I met two ladies from Texas and Virginia that lost their husbands and another lady from Iowa that lost her sister. We actually spent the afternoon and evening together which was a time of tears and laughter. No one understands the trial of brain cancer and the grief of losing someone to it like those who have traveled the same road, so it was a healthy part of our healing process.

This year's event was the largest and most successful yet with over 6,000 runners, strutters and walkers, volunteers and supporters raising over $750,000 for research to treat, prevent and cure brain tumors. My team, Hearts for Heads, contributed over $3,600.

God blessed this event and me in many ways and it was a privilege to participate in such a worthy cause. Thank you to those of you that participated with me by running, strutting or walking, donating and praying. I look forward to doing this in memory of Kent and others again next year!

Oh, Belle!

Belle is almost 4-months-old now and still growing like a weed. She's coming along with housetraining and starts a basic obedience class soon. She's a cute, loving and fun but ornery puppy. I couldn't keep her from running through our driveway culvert today. It's halfway full of water, so it made me nervous. She definitely needs to learn to sit and stay!

Camp Widow

Camp Widow, an annual gathering of widows from around the country and all walks of life hosted by the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation, is August 6 - 8 at the Marriott Hotel and Marina in San Diego, California. It's a weekend of hearing keynote speakers and participating in workshops with others who understand the life altering experience of widowhood. Check it out!