Looking Forward...

Yesterday was eight weeks since Wade died. While we are all still shocked and grieving we are blessed. The silver lining to this cloud has been the faithfulness of God as well as our wonderful family and friends. It almost seems wrong to me to be happy...about anything and I am sure that anyone who has experienced a similar loss has had the same feeling from time to time. God has a way of healing our hearts a little at a time that is very precious to me. Our pastor recently made a statement during a sermon that has really made a home in my heart...he said,"Joy is something we cannot cultivate on our own...it is a gift." I realize in the midst of this time of grief for our family that indeed joy is a gift. When I find myself happy and smiling it is a blessing. Now I am able to embrace the memories with a sense of joy that is truly a gift. I am working at replacing the thoughts of wishing Wade could enjoy this moment with our family with the thought that he is enjoying an even more precious family gathering than we can ever imagine.

This little farm we live on is always busy and now is no exception. Caleb our first grandchild will be graduating High School next week. That does not even seem possible and while we are all still saddened we do see such joy and excitement in this milestone. Caleb is a wonderful young man and we love him dearly. That joy that Pastor Rodney spoke of easily surfaces when we look at him. Tyler, Caleb's brother came in this morning with his new "Show Heifer" for this years county fair...and joy was written all over his face. Wade's boys will never forget their Dad, he was precious to them but I am thankful that life does go on and that God blesses us with the ability to embrace it with joy.

Becky