Nathan's grandfather passed away right after his radiation treatment was complete and right before my parents came through town to take the kids on their little trip. He hadn't been in good health for a long while so, we'd been expecting it pretty much since the beginning of the year. He was 87.
June 2009
June 2010
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Nathan's grandpa (Joe's dad) passed away
Sunday morning. This is his first time experiencing losing a grandparent. I really don't know what to say but I wondered if you might have some
comforting words for Jane and Joe about losing a parent. They are all having a very hard time...Especially Joe's mom. They've been married for 60 years.
This was his reply...
Bummer. Obviously words can not replace the one that has been lost, and even though what we say may be very profound (at the time we speak them) they are often NOT heard because the survivors are too caught up in the moment - shock, grief, anger, questioning, etc. Just the other day I listened to Alan Jackson's "Remember When"...there is a lot of emotion in his music and this is possibly what we would want people to say to us or about us - remember when?
We are also told in numerous poems, movies etc that we never lose them if we continue to speak of them and refer to them in our daily living. I think the Jewish Nation does a tremendous job with this when they reference those who have gone before them - even back to Abraham.
Sixty years together (your mom and I are 2/3's there) make it difficult to think about the other person being gone, but so often I think we have become them and they us. What we are today and tomorrow is molded by their presence in our lives. Let's see 60 years times 365 days times 24 hrs equals 525,600 hours...I think we become very much alike.
This all said, the one remaining has much to ponder, rejoice...neither of which will replace the one departed...the legacy continues in Joe, Nathan, Cole - WOW, she certainly has a fine specimen of a shade tree under which she can reflect and give thanks.
I would never do well delivering an address at a funeral - probably one of the reasons I decided against being a pastor - people hear what they want to hear, expect you to say what they want you to say, and sadly often don't hear what you say. Words are cheap. Maybe over the days to follow the deeds are more important. I remember my dad saying it was so lonely after mom died. All the people from the church went back to their routine and the plates which food was provided were returned to them and then there was nothing.
I ramble...tell Nate we are sorry for his loss, but believe the legacy does continue.
Thank you, Dad...Your thoughts were amazing and really struck a chord with Nathan's parents. Joe mentioned your email to Nathan as soon as he picked him up from the airport and said they really appreciated it.
I also asked my mom to go up to the viewing to represent me. Of course, she said she'd be glad to do so. Nathan said he'd never been so happy to see her because it made him feel like I was there with him. Thank you so much for doing that, Mom. That meant so much to Nathan, as well as, the words and feelings you expressed to his grandma.
Since Grandpa was a military veteran, he was able to be buried at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery. He never spoke of his time that he served in World War II. He just said he never wanted to speak of the things he saw there again. While going through the house, they found paper work that he had received four bronze metals. No one, including his wife of 60 years, knew about them. Unbelievable.
Grandpa made fiddles for all of his children and grandchildren. He was a fiddle and guitar player in a band back in the old days in New Mexico. They are amazing and mean so much to everyone that has one.
Nathan picked what wood he wanted when he was 9 years old.
He chose birds eye maple...Very pretty.
It was very fitting that he went to his final resting place with a fiddle in his hand.
Happy Fishing...From your grandkids
I offered to paint her nails and she said Carrington taught her how when she spent the night with her. Well...okay then. My little girl wants to do it herself :(
She sure looks cute doing it though. She may have chocolate pudding smeared on her chin but, those eyelashes are still amazing. Wowza.
June 2010
He chose birds eye maple...Very pretty.
It was very fitting that he went to his final resting place with a fiddle in his hand.
WHAT AN HONOR...
What a beautiful place to rest.
Hotel pool fun...Isn't that one of the best parts about going on vacation when you're a kid?
They did have to spend some time up at the ball fields where they have a fabulous playground and other things to occupy the kids.
Brooke has no fear when it comes to dogs...She wants to pet them all.
Grandpa was so sweet and let Cole be the bat boy for a while. I know Cole thought he was hot stuff doing that.
Teams came in from all over and his got second place. National Finalists, baby! Yep, his team is big time and they travel all over...Even to Las Vegas for the world championships...Which they've won before and got a fat ring to show off.
They stopped in downtown Nashville to grab a bite to eat and check out a little bit of the scenery.
Oh my...who's kids are those sopping wet in their clothes AND in a public place??? Surely they're not mine! Cole actually told his Grandma, "My mom would never let us do this." Nope, your daddy either boy. Swimsuits that were actually in the car would have been nice but, that's okay because they didn't carry all that water into my car. I will say that they looked like they had a grand 'ole time with something so simple...and outdoors...and free.
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for all of the great pictures...But more importantly, thank you for offering to take the kids, for showing them such a great time, and for making some wonderful memories with them. It was obvious that they had a blast with all the jibber jabber they rattled off to us the minute they got home...And that in itself was awesome!
I don't know what happened but, it seemed like a totally different bunch of kids showed up to play. Cole didn't hit all that well but, the rest of the team did great. I was shocked and, they won their first two games...Sweet!
After they won the third game the head coach starting saying "Cole?! Where's Cole?" He grabbed Cole in excitement and said, "Guess what?! Now your daddy gets to come watch you play tomorrow!" The coach was just as happy about it as we were. That was so awesome! Oh my lanta...Talk about holding back the tears.
So, by winning all of their games on Saturday Nathan was able to watch the Sunday games. He was just as pumped about it as Cole was. What was even better was that Cole did awesome in front of his daddy. He got lots of hits and did great on fielding...Even caught his first pop fly ever! All of the coaches went nuts when he caught it. He almost caught two but he didn't squeeze his glove hard enough on the first one. That's why I think everyone was so shocked when he caught the second one. We were soooo proud!
The championship game was against a team that we beat the day before. Apparently that team had three players (or their parents I should say) quit the night before so, they brought in three ringers for this game. It really wasn't fair at all but, lots of politics are involved in the travel ball scene so, it is what it is.
I thought the whole tournament experience was pretty fun and exciting...Minus the killer sunburn and the little diva with an attitude. 
Needless to say, Brooke was ecstatic that it was finally all over. At least she was happy in the final game because someone gave her a blue slushee thingy. Whatever works, right?
