Memorial Day With New Meaning ...

Baptism

Growing up I always anticipated Memorial Day for several reasons.  It signaled the end of the school year, a three day weekend, the unofficial start of summer ... what was not to like about all of that?  As I became older and more mature I realized it was a day to remember all of the service members who paid the ultimate price protecting our freedom.  Now, there is so much more meaning to Memorial Day for Misty and I this year and for the rest of our lives here on Earth.

Memorial Day this year will be a time to remember our precious child William.  There are so many wonderful things to remember ... including his smile!  I think about all the fun we had together as a family.  We shared so many laughs together.  William brought so much joy to our lives, it is hard not to reflect and thank God for how He blessed us with his presence, ever short as it was.  

With all of the delightful remembering, it's hard not to reflect on what things would be like if William was still with us.  I am certain he would be motoring around all over the place non-stop.  I can hear him say his first words.  I can picture him running around playing with his cousins.  I can imagine him running through our yard as I planted the garden this spring.  It is easy to picture William beside us in everything Misty and I still do today.  At the same time, through what our gracious Lord has taught us it is easy to picture William enjoying all that heaven offers.  William is free from sin and has escaped what a cruel place Earth can be at times.  William is also in the presence of so many others that have passed before us who we are also remembering this weekend ... presumably keeping them light on their feet.

On Friday Misty and I laid a family picture at William's grave before leaving town for the weekend.  It was hard driving away, wishing the little peanut was in the back seat all exciting for the long weekend.  Words can't express how much we miss William every single day.  It is hard to imagine thinking about William more than I already do, but this Memorial Day and every one to come will be a special day for Misty and I as we pay tribute to our amazing son.  

John 14: 1 - 6

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”  ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Purpose ...



William's Unforgettabe Smiles

 William's Smiles ...I cannot believe it has been 2 1/2 months since our little peanut left this Earth, called by our Father to his heavenly home.  What a crazy ride of emotions!  So many questions and so few answers.  I have been thinking of writing about William and his sudden, unexpected death for a while.  I haven't done it until now because I haven't made time, and I didn't know exactly what I would say.  I still don't know what I am going to write, other than to simply pour out all thoughts that are going on in my head as it relates to the suffering we are experiencing without William here on Earth with us any longer. 

I am looking forward to sharing all of the things that made William's life so amazing.  Despite only 8 1/2 months of life, it was filled with so many great moments.  From being baptized to going to church as a family and tailgating to swim lessons; William was lucky to experience so much in only a few months.  I don't know if he's the lucky one, or if it's Misty and I for having all of these wonderful memories.  I have thanked God so many times for what we were blessed with.     

I will use this blog to share updates on our efforts to memorialize William's amazing life.  We are currently planning an Angel of Hope statue to be placed in the City of Chanhassen.  We will be planning fundraising events to help support the costs of this memorial, and I will likely share updates regarding the thoughts and idea's surrounding fundraising as well.    

William's Smiles ... why that name for this blog?  William's smile is what I think of most often.  His smile was unforgettable!  Every time I think about him smiling I smile a little bit myself, and then shed a tear.  That is how I picture reactions to this blog ... smiles & tears.  

 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
                                            Psalm 139: 13 - 14