Saturday, May 10, 2008

Thank You to All

A million thanks to all my wonderful blogging friends for all the kind words, thoughts and prayers that you sent during our time of grieving the loss of my FIL. I felt such comfort as I read each message and realized how truly wonderful each and every one of you is.


It was a long and emotionally draining ten days. Although we all rejoice in the ease of his passing, we also long for the times we shared with him. I felt prepared for the funeral services at church and we all managed to hold together well. The graveside service with the military honors was another story. I had forgotten the emotions which are created watching the eight man honor guard, the sound of the single bugle playing taps, the gun salute and the folding and presenting of the flag to my husband. My FIL was a faithful servant to his God and his country.


The events of the day were followed by a celebration of his life for nearly 200 people back at our home. It was wonderful to hear so many of the guest's stories of how his life had made a difference in their lives. It was a great thing that they were doing the talking as I developed a severe case of laryngitis yesterday morning that rendered me speechless....definitely NOT a normal thing around this house!!! I remain without a voice today and I do believe that my husband might be enjoying this a little too much.

May is a time of many great celebrations in our family. May 4th was the 12th anniversary of our #1 son and his wife. They also have two birthdays in their family this week. Ms. M had her 7th birthday on May 8th and Mr. R has his 11th birthday today. Happy birthday to both of them. Next week our DIl will celebrate her birthday on the 15th. Needless to say it is a busy month at their house for parties.


Tomorrow as well as being Mother's Day it is also #2 son's birthday. A very happy birthday to him as he has to share it with his wife and mother of four terrific little ones. Perhaps they can split the day!


And next Wednesday is #4 son's birthday. It is amazing how often these two sons have to share their special days with mothers. Happy birthday to R too!!
On another note, I am looking forward to meeting a fellow blogger next week. A sheer coincidence put me in contact with Pattie who reads my blog. It turns out that we live just a few miles from each other. The mutual interest in quilting has created an opportunity to meet each other at next weeks local quilt guild meeting. It will be such fun to get to know each other outside of blogville. I hope that I have a voice by then.
Now, I must close off so that I can go catch up on other blogs. I have missed keeping up on what everyone else is doing over the last week.
Happy Mother's Day to all.

16 comments:

  1. What a lovely family you have!!
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  2. With all that is going on in your family, I appreciate so much that you took time to visit with me. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your beautiful family!

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  3. Happy Mother's Day! Your family certainly have a great deal to celebrate this month! I loved all the photos.
    Have a great day.

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  4. Happy Mother's Day! You sure do have a lot of occasions this month! Lovely pictures of your boys and their families. As I have told you before you have a handsome family!

    I'm glad you got through your week and can certainly understand how hard the military service must have been. There's just something about taps that touches my heart and emotions. Your FIL was a wonderful man and a great example to all of his children.

    How fun to be meeting up with a fellow blogger! I can't wait to hear all about it!!

    No we didn't go to the coast this year for Mother's Day. It's an hour and a half drive after church and then it is terribly busy there on Mother's Day so we decided to stay in town. I don't have to cook so I'm happy!

    Must run and get ready for church but wanted to check in on you this morning. Hope you have a wonderful day and get your voice back!!!

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  5. Happy Mother's Day! WOW! What a busy month of celebrations for you! My dad's birthday is the 17th, my father in law's is the tenth and my grandma in laws was the tenth!

    I remember the military ceremony at my dear grandfather's funural. Oh was it ever emotional. I broke down so hard as they played taps. I miss him so much. How wonderful to hear the wonderful stories and celebrate the life of your dear father in law.

    Much love to you and your family. I hope you were still able to have a nice Mother's Day today. Your family is so beautiful in the pictures!

    Have fun meeting your blog friend! How cool is that!

    Hugs,
    Amy

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  6. Happy Mother's Day to you too, dear friend. And welcome home too, by the way:-) Sounds like it was a truly wonderful funeral for your FIL and isn't it heartwarming to see so many people attend, knowing how well loved he was. Hearing that bugle playing TAPS would have done me in for sure...that always gives me goosebumps and makes me cry.

    Sounds like a very busy month for you...June is the busy month for us with birthdays and anniversaries. Such wonderful pictures of your family...they're beautiful:-)

    How exciting that you'll soon be meeting up with a fellow blogger!!! I hope to meet a couple this summer as well:-) xoxo

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  7. I so enjoyed all the photos! wow! such a beautiful family you have! You are so Blessed!
    Happy mothers Day!

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  8. Happy mothers day to you too!

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  9. nice i read your personal views

    no need or no words i get to write after i saw your blog , nice blog , i suppose are you very busy with your work ,these lines is saying by your work , nice work you have done.

    keep it up in forward direction

    god bless you

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  10. Such beautiful family photos. Yes, you are truly blessed. God continue to be with all of you.. especially during this time of loss. Bunches of hugs...

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  11. You have a beautiful family
    Happy Mother's Day !
    Diane
    http://dianobe.blogspot.com/

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  12. Wonderful family photos...you are blessed!
    Hugs,
    Kelli

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  13. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful tribute you paid to your FIL. And your family is lovely.
    My best to you always!

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  14. Thanks for coming by my blog ,I did have a wonderful time making all the jewelry,what can I say its just too much fun to resist.The shop we go to is precious!
    Diane
    http://dianobe.blogspot.com/

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  15. Beautiful family!
    So sorry about your FIL but sounds like you farewelled him in style, hope the voice comes back for the meeting and Mother's day was great, love Tracey

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  16. I did not read about your family loss until this evening - I am behind in everything too. I'm so sorry for your loss. We lost my husband's father in the fall. We felt so honored to have the beautiful and touching flag ceremony at his funeral as well. You certainly have a lot going on in your family this month. I so enjoyed seeing your beatiful family. What lovely pictures! Don't forget to take care of yourself in the midst of all these things to do. I hope by now you are feeling much better. I look forward to visitng with you again soon!...Kathy@ Mimi's Garden

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