August 18 - the day your life's adventure on earth began. The day your family celebrated every year. But not this year. Not a day of celebrating, but a day of remembering. Remembering all the things we love about you, all the good times we had together. And missing you. Not a day goes by that we don't miss you being here with us, and yet at the same time we can rejoice with you for NOT being here with us - but for being THERE with your Jesus and your family who made it before us: your son, your dad, your grandparents, your mother-in-law and father-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and others. How happy you must be! Off on new adventures every day forever!
So much has happened in the almost seven months since you've been gone. We are trying, sometimes with difficulty, but trying, to live our lives like you taught us - as an adventure. Your son married the girl he fell in love with and that we both came to love. Your baby girl struggled through, but made it to high school graduation. It was hard without you, but we made it! You were so excited with all of us over the news of your oldest daughter expecting twins. Well, they are here and they are two precious little boys! Four wonderful grandkids, can you believe it? And guess what, number five is on its way! We will find out next month if it's a boy or a girl. The two oldest grandkids love to hear stories about their PaPa, and we love telling them things about you and how much you love them - something I intend to do with all the grandkids because love really does live on forever.
Even though I miss you being here, today I remember how much I will always love you and in return, how much you will always love each of us.
Happy Birthday, my love! Happy Adventures!!
