Kid in a candy shop!

"Celebrate God all day, every day.  I mean, revel in him!  Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them.  Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!  Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worry, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for goof, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."--Phillippians 4:4-7

Check out that Chrismon tree.  The beauty of it is  not-describable. There is nothing but white and gold found amoung those ornaments.  Each ornament is a symbol of Christ, conveying the life of Christ.  Every church has their own tradition of how to decorate their church, who decorates and when.  By my church welcomes everyone, all ages to come and learn about the Chrismon tree and help decorate it.  You will see at the top is the symbol for the Father, slightly lower on the left is the Son and on the right the Holy Spirit.  These three ornaments are the highest on the Chrismon tree and represent what is number one and center of our lives as brothers and sisters in Christ.  I am blessed to have memories of decorating this tree from an early childhood.  Now I am the one who stands high and places the top most ornaments.  Many memories are made at the decorating of the Chismon tree and many are to be made. 

The season is Advent, as we all await the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ.  His birth is soon, but his coming is any day now.  The excitement that is in all this and amazing.  

Today, I just feel like a kid in a candy shop.  I don't like Candy that much, but what I do love is feeling the joy, peace and happiness of life.  Life can be stressful, and for sure I know that.  I am finishing up exams today and this time next year I will be preparing for graduation.  The choices that we make our lives are our own, and they are what determines how we will grow.  I received an email from a friend, that I would like to share with you. 

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now..... a year from now. 

A frail old man went to live his son, daughter-in-law and four year old grandson.  The old man's hands trembled, his sight was blurred and his step faltered.  The family ate together at the table.  But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult... peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the table cloth.  The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.  "We must do something about father", said the son.  "I've had enough of his spilled milk, nosiy eating, and food on the floor."  

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.  There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.  When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.  Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.  The four year old watched it all in silence. 

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.  He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" and just as sweetly the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and for Mama to eat your food in when I grow up."  

The words struck the parents so that they were speechless.  Then tears started streaming down their cheeks.. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.  That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. And for the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.  And for some reason, neither husband now wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the table cloth soiled..

This story is so precious and shows us that children learn from every example that we set. We are all role models for someone in our life, it may be someone older or someone younger, btu there is always someone watching our every move.  Happiness can be found in the little things, so enjoy life and treasure what you have.  While I work on doing the same in my life, I reflect on the little things  that have made my day:

• The beauty of life and the blessing I have to help my parents decorate my home.  It is filled with snowmen, ornaments, trees, bears, crosses and more.  It is the season of Christmas that excites me.
• The gift of my friendships in the past and present and what is more to come.  I am blessed to still be connected with those from my elementary school years, middle school and high school.  I am blessed to have some wonderful friends, while in college.  Friends are a special part of our lives and each one is treasured. 
• On this rainy day, it can be hard to see the sunlight, but it is there. I am thankful to live in an area that does not have dust storms and droughts on a regular basis.

Today, I just feel like a kid in a candy shop.  No worry or sadness.  Today, later than normally I checked my email.  Most days I have a majority of junk mail or sales in stores.  I occasionally have a 'real' email.  But today, I not only had a 'real' email, I had an email that was the topping on the ice cream sundae.  One of my best friends, Aaron, is serving our country as a marine and is half way around the world.  I was blessed to hear from him and learn that all is well. 

Dear heavenly Father, 

The message that you give us as we eagerly wait the coming of your Son is so helpful.  During this time of the year, the scurry and rush is among us all and it is nice to know you are there for us. Help us to remember that every action we have is watched by not only you, but by others around us.  If we choose to misbehave, not only are we not being loyal to you, we are also causing bad images of us to be seen.  I am blessed to have you as the center of my life, whom I rejoice and praise!  Lord Jesus, as I pray every day.. I pray for all the troops that have chosen to serve our country for us.  Especially watch over those families that have a loved one away.  In Jesus holy name, I pray. Amen. 

Tis the season...

Tis the season of advent.  Yes, I know that is not the normal phase, but it is really what is happening. "Light one candle to watch for Messiah, let the light banish darkness, he shall bring salvation to Israel, god fulfills the promise." It is advent, we are waiting for the birth of Christ. 

Church was just wonderful this week.  I love my home church and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  The stress of school is overwhelming, but this morning I was blessed to be among wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ rejoicing together.  It doesn't matter the size of your church, the age demographic or the performance--what matters is coming together praising the LORD Jesus for the right reason!  Being surrounded by those that love you is more supportive than anything else in the world.  And having a place where I know that I am accepted as a child of God with my own image is breath taking. 

This time of year can be a hard one. The stress is overwhelming from the ending of college semesters.  Work load for many is more compressed then other times.  Memories are exposed from ones that are no longer in our lives.  Some may be going without things they once had.  But instead of dwelling on the negatives and the hardships of life, it is a wonderful time to rejoice and remember to live everyday like it is a new one.  Jesus gave as a wonderful gift, the ability to life live fully. 

December is such a wonderful month.  I think I have decided that November and December are my favorite months.  My birthday, friends birthdays, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas... what more special can it get :).  The calendar is filling up and I am more than excited to know that I will be spending my Sunday afternoons decorating the church and spreading Christmas joy with those that are home bound, while spending time with the people that mean the world to me. I plan on going to Christmas concerts, volunteering at Yokefellow, visit people and remember that I am doing what I want to do. I am blessed to know that I live in a country that has the freedom to celebrate Advent and Christmas freely and openly. 

About a month ago, I learned about a mission to encourage all to wear red on Fridays to support our troops.  While at first, I thought really I support troops all the time and pray about them daily.  But then I got thinking.. they give their every moment to protecting others and standing up when they would rather lie down.  They are the reason that we can openly and freely celebrate Advent and Christmas, so why not wear red on Fridays.  In this day and year everyone knows of at least someone that has chosen to serve our country.  They may be a mother or father, son or daughter, sister or brother, husband or wife.   Or maybe a friend or a friend of a friend.  OR maybe they are someone that is just on a prayer list, but together as brothers and sisters in Christ we all know someone that is a troop serving our country and we should support them.. I wear red on Fridays now and support troops. 

Dear gracious Lord, the blessing that you have given us to wait for the birth of Christ is precious.  We often push to hard to get ready for Christmas, but through you we should remember to wait and to wait for the star to show us the way.  You are amazing Lord Jesus.  I ask for you to watch over everyone that is dealing with anything that causes a struggle and to watch over those that are caring for them.  While I wear Red on Fridays, I don't want that to be the only day I thank a solider, but instead I want to be do so as a reminder that you have chosen those to protect others like me.  I pray for all those in my church that are suffering sickness, pain, turmoil, sadness, but also those that are rejoicing, praising and being who they are everyday!  Lord Jesus, help me to remember to wait.  To take to just wait.  In your holy name, I pray, Amen.

Phil 1:6

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 

I have shared before that my college career has had a good number of changes throughout the past four years.  During the times of struggle, I was disappointed and mad that I couldn't figure it out.  And then when I discovered that there was a major and track that I felt at home in I was frustrated that I did not locate it at the beginning of my college career.  I will be graduating a semester later than what was originally planned, but I am beginning to see the positive.  Often in life seeing the positive through the storm is very hard.  But with the guidance of Christ and the uplifting of friends comfort is found in knowing that everything will be okay.  

During high school I volunteered more than 300 hours worth in elementary schools, assuming that is where I would be working toward right now.  But now I have a new place that I feel at home.  Volunteering is a gift from God, that not everyone sees the joy and reward in.  The end of the semester is here and finals are about to start, but I spent four hours today at my "home".  As I walked in the door, I instantly felt at "home".  The destination of our lives is not what we are living for, it is about the journey that we take each day.  So much has happened and so much more is to happen in the near future, far future, and future that I know nothing about.  I am blessed to have the gift of volunteering. 

Look at the beautiful moon.  What do you see?  I see a beautiful image that I am blessed to know and understand.  After a wonderful day like today, I struggle in understanding why I still have to be in school--but then I am reminded that my journey is still in action.  Even though I have been swamped with school work, I always find time to think.  I just want to share a few thoughts with you and as a reminder to me in the future.

• After finishing a presentation on poverty, I realized that I really want to help others in any way possible, not just with materials but with hope, peace, wisdom, and believing.
• Every year my family does an Angel off of an Angel Tree and this year we had not gotten one yet, until today.  I choose two high schoolers.  These two had not been chosen and had been placed back many times.  Why do people just want to help the younger children, it is these older ones that understand and really deal with having nothing for Christmas. 
• Life is precious.  Thanksgiving was a wonderful time with my family and I am so blessed to have each one of them in my life.  Tis the season to be jolly, though the lost of uncle Henry will be on our minds.

Dear Lord, I pray to you with guidance.  I often forget to pray for myself because I think others should be first, but help us to know that praying for ourselves is okay.  Lord I ask for safe travel for people in the world.  I lift up safety for military individuals and groups that they may stay out of harm. Precious lord, ease the fire and dampening the dry, lift our worries and surround us with comfort knowing that you are with us where ever we may go. In your holy name, I pray to you LORD Jesus, Amen. 

Between squeaks and being Flat..

During the past weekend I spent my time at home, participating in Hibriten home coming, Loving Lenoir festivities, and enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of Lenoir. 

Who is Lenoir? (US census bureau--2011)

With a population of 18,091....

...we have 12 elementary schools, 4 K-8 schools, 4 middle schools, 5 high schools.  These schools are all around the county, and have their own histories and legacies.. they hold and teach 22.8% of our population.  

All of us, even myself have the wonderful memories, the scary memories, bad memories and fun memories of grade school, starting in Kindergarten and going through Seniors in high school.  We all had the time in our lives that we wanted to skip school because of a test or avoiding an assignment.  We had those days of getting in trouble in gym class because you didn't bring tennis shoes to class.  We had those days of nervously waiting for class to start, because we didn't know what was to come.  But we also had those days of being excited to see our friends, say hey to a teacher and of course eager to learn.  For most everyone, there were those classes or teachers that helped you create a family full of friends that would hold memories with you forever. 

Loving Lenoir took place for the 2nd time.  Hibriten band alumni joined the current band to play the fight song, the alma mater, and other stand music.  We stood proud with students as we remembered the wonderful days we all once had together in this exact spot.  I remember days in band like it was yesterday.  I started at WLMS with Mr. Whitener as he taught us how to put our instrument together.  This moved on learning grade 1 and 2 music as we prepared for our first concert.  And from that day on, we began a journey that none of us knew the destination or things we would go through together. A band family was created.  Three of my best friends were developed because of band. As I was approaching my 8th grade year, we learned that Mr. Whitener would be stepping down with us as we walked onto high school. 

Now starting high school was a whole new story.  Not everyone from middle school band would be in high school band, but a new family would be molded and created. My first day of band camp, I can remember thinking..."how in the world am I going to learn ALL of this music", but with help of upperclassmen and other band directors, Mr. Witcher helped us join the HHS band. We learned traditions and legacies of the HHS band and jumped right in, learning grade 6 music to take to festival.  As a large freshman class, we made new friendships and peers that we would walk with each day in years to come.  Some of my best friends resulted in being a member of the HHS band.  Freshman year came to and end, and we were on the hunt for a new band director.  Mr. Townsend joined us for my remainder three years of high school. 

High school was not an easy time for me, I was under the weather more days than I really wish to count.  For me, it was my band family that was standing by my side through every sickness, pain, and joy.  As I graduated in a class of 200 some people, my band family of 15 or so, we made an impact on each other. High school band was not just about the talent that was present, but more so the enjoying friendships and family that was created. 

Saturday morning the Loving Lenoir event continued as a few gathered at the Unity  Park and Caldwell Community Gardens to led a helping hand in working in the garden.  The mission of the garden is to help the community grow through planting, tending, harvesting, and sharing of fresh, local foods.  Being there wasn't about showing others or getting recognition, it was about sharing the love.  As a Christian, I have always been taught to love everyone and that includes the rich AND the poor.  A lot was accomplished, but much more work needs need to be done weekly. I was the youngest at this service project and I know I was sore the next day, so I can only imagine what the others felt like on Sunday.  An event like this shouldn't be something that we have to make ourselves go to, it should be something we WANT to go to.  Yes, it was at 9am in the morning, but at least we had a warm and dry place to sleep the night before. 

The day went on, and I did things around town with my dad.  Late afternoon, Eston and I went uptown to the Downtown Car Show, saw the Hot Wing Cookoff, and walked through the Cornhole Competition. The town was popping with crowds of all ages, and it really felt like a special place to be part of.  Many people whine about Lenoir not having anything, but then they don't take part in these wonderful events. 

Saturday night concluded with a all class, teachers and principals of Hibriten reunion at Alibis and while it was enjoyable it would have been nice to know someone besides my parents and boyfriend. The attendance was fair, but the representation of the 2000's classes was poor. 

Needless to say, the weekend was wonderful.  I love seeing people I knew and especially be part of a wonderful family event.  Everyone should plan to come next year, as I will hope to be part of again.  You never can know if you will be around each year, so come back and support good 'ole Lenoir as you remember the good, bad, ugly, and wonderful of your years growing up.   My roots are from Lenoir, and they will forever be... so happy to be part of a town that cares about the traditions and legacies of the past. :)

...its all about being part of a wonderful Family!

Step by step

The leaves are changing, the weather is cooling and the moon rises earlier.. it is my favorite time of the year.  Fall brings happiness and well of course my birthday, but better yet, I find Fall a time of reflecting, remembering, growing, and learning.  As I sit down now to throw my thoughts at the screen and relax, I am blown away that I am actually blogging.  Writing is not something that comes easy to me, but this is something I really enjoy.  I have now sat here and read back through many of my previous blogs and I have to brag a bit, by saying.. some were actually amazing to me. Everything that I feel like writing about today, must truly be part of me.. because each topic I have written about before. 

In life sometimes the path is not straight, it does not have walls with arrows showing us the direction.  Life does not have that little flashing "u-turn" like in the game of Mario-cart.  Life is full of challenges, falls, valleys, mountain highs, ah-has.  It is full of lessons learned, and mistakes taking place.  Life is full of pain, suffering, smiling, love, passion, struggle, and happiness.  Life is precious, so we shouldn't try to live someone else's life. Life is full.. but no matter what we are all individual humans walking our own unique path. 

Thinking back over the course of the last year, a lot has changed.  This time last year, I was studying hard for the Reading Praxis I and taking education class.  I had completely finished my school of edu application but was waiting on the score I needed.  At that point in my life, I would have never expected to be where I am now. At the end of Christmas break the score came back and it was points away from what I needed.  After many phone calls and conversation, I re-worked my schedule.  I was part time at LR and part time at CCC&TI.  I had spent my Christmas vacation working hard on studying and now was going to take remediation/developmental classes at the Community College. While studying there I made full effort to make sure my life outside was not exposed, and the same at LR.  I felt slightly ashamed/saddened by what I was having to do.  I learned so much in those classes.  And now as I am back into gear with a full time semester at LR, I can tell how much I learned. My grammar in these blogs are NOT a good representation... because to be honest, I am not paying attention. Sometimes in order to move forward on a path, you have to take some steps backwards. 

God's path

For the past 48 hours or so, I have been spending my time at Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory with 400+ brothers and sisters in Christ.  While this may seem like something I do on a normal day during the school year, this is different.  Many friends, family, and other people have been trying to grasp what I have been talking about doing.. so I am going to try and help ya out.

I am part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).. and their are 65 synods.

•  (some are a whole state,  some are many states added together, and some states are multiple synods..it just depends on size and number of churches.. 

I am part of Region 9

• The 65 synods are divided into 9 regions... each containing 7-12 synods
• NC Synod is one of six synods in Region 9

I am part of North Carolina synod

• There are 213 congregations
• About 68,512 baptized members
• 465 rostered leaders 

Each synod has a group of lay members and clergy (synod council) that come together to work in the name of the LORD to serve as an interim legislative authority between meetings of the annual synod assembly.  I was elected onto Synod Council when I was a Junior in high school as the youth representative, and then again last year was re-elected onto Synod Council as a female lay member and have two more years serving.

The North Carolina Synod comes together each year in June to have our Synod Assembly meeting.  Each congregation in the Synod may send two voting members to the assembly.  In addition they are allowed to send one youth or young adult AND if they are a church with minority they are allowed to send one person of minority as well.

A lot of planning and time goes into making this a wonderful event.  As part of being on the synod council, I was blessed to be able to serve on the Assembly planning committee--and was asked to serve as one of the chaplains. The chaplain is responsible for prayers throughout the assembly and this year leading vespers.
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Now that I have been able to explain some of the background, I would like to share my good, bad, excited, and nervous emotions that came with this assembly.

Upon arriving to the assembly I knew that I was serving as chaplain, however I was nervous because I wasn't really sure about what was going to take place.  I am someone that likes to know everything and how it is going to flow--and well that just wasn't the case. Everything has worked out and gone very smoothly.  This is now my third assembly that I am taking part in, and well I have been blessed to have not only my own church family members here, but my father as well.  It has been very special to be able to know my dad is out there.  He is a huge role model for me in all that he does within the church and outside in the community.  He is open to doing whatever assigned to and always eager to learn new ways of doing old things or new ways of doing things unknown to him. Today, I really saw him and his actions in me.  As part of the Synod Assembly, the participants went out into the community this morning to serve.  I was assigned to quilting--and even though my mom is a sewing queen--I was a tad unsure how this was going to go.  But as soon as I entered the building I was ready to learn it all and learn anything they wanted to teach me.  I quickly caught on, and they told me they were never letting me leave :P.  While working there, I realized that you do not have to know how to do something in order to do it.. you can learn on the spot if needed.

My co-chaplain and I spent this weekend away from our home and family to serve the LORD our God. He is surely amazing.  We are not pastors, we are not youth ministers, we are just two girls living in this world as daughters of the risen LORD.  This weekend he equipped us with the knowledge that we needed and he never let us be lost, he was there.  Why at moments we wondered what we were doing and I found myself looking to him asking for guidance.  Every time that I was preparing to go on stage to pray to the assembly, I took a moment to talk to God.

Now that my duties are over and I am taking time to reflect, I am realizing even more that I am so blessed to have so many special people in my life.  While I know there are many things I could share and stories I could tell, and while I know many that may read this wouldn't understand portions of it, so instead I am going to share about two special ladies in my life.  These two ladies do not include my mother or any other blood family, they are not part of my St. Stephens church family.  They have been in my life during my high school and college years.  These two ladies have taught me more than both I and they even probably realize.  These two ladies are always there for me it seems even when I am not realizing it or expecting it.  While these two ladies have many of the same impacts in my life, they also have many differences.

The first one is, Liz Fisher, she is truly amazing.  She always has the high amounts of energy when hanging with the young people.  She understands events of life and will listen until I am sure other people's ears would fall off.  She answers questions, even if they are dumb ones.  She has been there for me of times when I am totally unsure and feeling lost.  I do not have stories of moments with her as I do with the next lady, but I do know that Liz makes an impact in so many people's lives.  I have seen her impact my little brothers, Brandon, life as well.. and that is just as special.

The second lady is Tammy Jones-West and I know that I do not have enough time or even space to express my appreciation for the teaching, equipping and much more that Tammy has already done for me and for what is to come. But one of the most obvious things to me that Tammy has taught me, is something that is likely not clear to her.  Like I said earlier, I like to know about what is going on and how things are going to flow. There has been a few times, including this weekend, that I just didn't know everything.  And everything worked out and I didn't need to know.  While I am sure that Tammy knew the details, she did not share and actually it was for the best!  She was indirectly teaching me that everything will be okay when I am doing the wonderful works for our LORD God.

It turned out that this blog was longer than I expected it to be, it was more in depth than I anticipated, but it shares much about my weekend.  For you readers, if you have questions, concerns or comments please feel free to let me know.  I leave with this:  What are we being called for.  I know that I do not know where I am going, however I like to think I can plan it out--BUT only one person knows the whole plan and that man is looking down on us slowly directing us in that way.  This weekend many have asked me if I am interested in the ministry, and my response is no that's not where I feel I am being called.  However, like Liz reminded me today, God is in control--he is the one that knows the plan!

Oh gracious LORD!  You were with me when I was born to you and baptized in your name.  You have led me to be a member on the synod council, to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ.  While I know that I plan out my future in the way that I think it should or is going, you are totally in control and you are the one person that I need to lean on.  I ask that you continue to remind me all of this and that I am pulled toward the path you want me to go.  Sometimes I will stray away, and it is okay if you lead me down a path that gets me know where--I understand that it is all for the training of my calling.  I am now in the boat of not really knowing what I am called for, but I do know that I want to relay on you.  LORD God, you are truly amazing, I love you LORD Jesus!  Amen

forever in our hearts

Family..

Life..

Love..

Pictures..

..are those people that are there for you.  They do not have to be related to you by blood, or live in your home, or see you each day.  They are the ones that are there for you when you have no one else to turn to.  They are the ones that will try their absolute hardest to build you up, when you are falling down.

..a precious gift that we have been given.  We often do not remember and realize the value of this gift and just pass it along each day.

..a gift to each one of us from our heavenly Father.  He has taught us to do this just as he loves all of us.  Sometimes we may not feel that love that he is sharing with us, but it is always there even in some of the roughest, toughest moments.

..are a way to capture moments and memories. They help remind you of people and events, and they are precious to many.  They have a way of expressing more words and emotions that one can express. They are precious in their own way, and I personally do not think anyone can have to many pictures.

So it looks like I clearly understand what Family is.  This of course is only a sample of my family.  I have a wonderful family of people that are related to me down the line AND also people that are not related to me by blood.  My family is precious to me and I love each and everyone of them.  My mom's side is a big family (the top two pics).. and my dad's side is much smaller (the bottom two pics).  But no matter what they are all special to me and I have a unique connection with each of them.

Life is something we all live in our own unique ways.  For some it is to be the richest and have everything in the world.  For some it is living in a shack and barely being able to pay for warmth and water, let alone food and clothes.  For some it is owning your own business and maintaining a well kept yard.  But no matter your case, we all seek daily what we want to do with our lives.  We live each day like we have tomorrow instead of living today like we have no tomorrow.  Life is precious and it was given to us by Jesus Christ, he died for us.. so that we may live.

Love is something that we all do.  We each have someone that we love.  There are different types of love.  Love for a spouse and love for a child.  Love for a grandparent and love for a cousin.  Love for a friend and love for our animals.  Love for our clothes and love for our materials.  Love comes in many ways and is precious to us.  We were taught to love, by the one who loves us more than anything.

Do you like pictures, cause I know I do.  I have so many pictures and I love capturing them and looking at them.  Every picture has a story... well at least one story for each person in the picture.  Everyone has their own memory about when the picture was taken.

I started writing this entry to my blog a little over a month ago.  Something happened in my family that made a huge impact on my life.  Someone that I loved very much and that was in many of my memories and pictures was taken away.  Death you can never expect.

 There is a wonderful man that was taken from our lives.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, brother-in-law, son-in-law, and friend.  He was silly, caring, smart, wise, creative, precise, and so much more. He walked into our lives like he was there all along.  He made family gatherings that much more fun.  He knew it was important when we were together that all the time was used for connection and not making food--ordering in was the way to go.  He liked to hide away to the side doing puzzles with his own special technique.  He loved hanging out with the cousins as much as with the adults.  He loved his movies and knew his movies.  He loved to fish..and boy was he good at it.  He wanted to keep us all together and be a joyous family.  He suffered through a cold CT weather, so that his wife could be with her sister and family..and to get to make Christmas cookies.  Each cousin has a special memory about him.. he had some special with each of us.. that only we can understand the whole memory.  He loved to play--esp in the ocean.  He was precise with his plants and flowers.  He played tug of war with his dogs. There are so many more memories with him.. because theses are only from my point of view.

On April 1st, we lost a special man.  I have not wrote about this yet, only because I found it very hard to review and edit.  Writing was soothing, but the reading over was the more challenging.  It is very hard to explain the heart ache that I have in my heart.  And while I know that everyone in my family also has this ache, they all are slightly different.  Memories are precious.. and now this picture is a picture that I treasure more than anything.

That is all of us together.

One thing that he loved to do with anyone that came to visit was to watch a movie.  So on the weekend of his funeral, four of the cousins figured that watching a movie together was the thing we should do.  We figured it was the most appropriate thing to do.  Now the issue was, that Henry had a very high tech process.. and well he always did so that we wouldn't mess anything up.  The four cousins realized this and it was quite an adventure figuring it out.. but we did.  Memories are forever.  Pictures help you remember.

I am blessed to have the family I have.  The ones that are there for me, and I am there for them.  We still have many things to get through, but I am confident that I can do it.. because I have such a wonderful family. 

This entry only gives a glimpse about Henry. 

It would have to be miles long to explain him to his full extent.

We all have our own memories, and I love hearing everyone's.

Henry you will forever remain in our hearts.