In Memory

The last couple of days have been quite the whirlwind....and days we never wanted to experience before. Matt and I went to bed late Friday night, around eleven, talking about Matt's dad and how he was doing. His dad had been in the hospital for the past few days and Matt planned to go up the next day to see him...Tuesday was the last day he had been there. Fast forward an hour and I was awoken by the beep of my phone. I had voicemail...which wasn't good, because we don't get phone calls in the middle of the night. I checked my phone and Amy had called me numerous times in the past half an hour. Matt was still sound asleep. I am so grateful to the Lord that I woke up from that beep. I called Matt's mom back and she told me that Bill had passed away just a few minutes before. His heart just couldn't keep up anymore. I immediately got in crazy mode...had to wake up my husband to tell him that he would never see his dad again. The worst feeling in the world. I called my dear friend, Alison, and she came over in about 2.5 seconds to stay with my sleeping kids....she has the wow factor. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
The drive up there seemed like forever. We met up with his mom, his two brothers and my sister-in-law. Matt got to see his dad...though he was lifeless, it was still his dad. He got to say goodbye to him and love on him one last moment.
The past few days have been a blur. Lots of tears and sad moments...and lot of laughs and funny memories. What do I remember the most? When I met my father-in-law 18 years ago, he always reminded me of a big teddy bear. He was always giving. He was a work horse, which is where my husband got his hard work ethic. He LOVED my kids, beyond imagination. He was always thinking of them. Always loving on them. Making tons of memories with them. The little treats he gave them. The walk to the park. The ride in his truck with a stop at the convenient store for a little snack. We moved back here 10 years ago to be around the family more, specifically Matt's dad because of his heart condition. And as much as I hate it here...I am so glad. Because my kids have real, solid memories with their PapPap.
This is the first time we experienced death so close to us. It's so final, and closing. There is no turning back. May God be graceful as we walk this out. The best part is that Bill is now whole, and full of life again, with the Lord. That's what it comes down to. Jesus is truly the light at the end of the tunnel.

Comments

Randy and Alison said…
I think losing a parent has a completely different feel than losing someone of a different relation. No matter the age, it carries with it, at least for me, a feeling of abandonment, being orphaned almost. Concentrating on "Death, where is thy sting?" knowing they're at peace, that they wouldn't come back if they could now that they've seen the face of Jesus, is helpful. Death stinks. But one day there shall be no more of it. Continually praying for you... :->
September 6, 2010 at 8:01 AM
Anonymous said…
beautiful...
September 6, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pulling Myself Out of the Deepest, Darkest Depression...My Story

Image
     This post has been churning in me for months and knew that I wanted to write it and post it one day. I have been very open and honest about where I have been at the last few years, so some of what I write today may not be a surprise to anyone. Either way, I hope it brings help and healing and promise to some of you.      Two years and ten months ago my husband and I had just got into bed. It wasn't very late...maybe around 10pm. Life had been busy...he had just flown in that morning. He was long distance commuting between Florida and North Carolina with his job. I had picked him up that morning in the Greenville, South Carolina airport and then we headed to a swim meet in the same town for our daughter, Esther. We were there most of the day...stopping at some stores before we headed back to our home in North Carolina. I hadn't talked to my mom in a few days, which was rare. I was super busy and she hadn't called me either. I called her, and she didn't answer.
Read more

2020...What does that look like to you? I am ready to BLOOM!

Image
As I sit here at my desk, we have already gone through the first few days of 2020. I keep shaking my head when I think that we are already 20 years into this century. Doesn't it feel like moments ago we were talking about Y2K? So much has happened since then. Matthew and I were talking just this morning that I will turn 45 this year, and how half of my 40s will be over and how fast they have gone. And how difficult they have been. But I have hope. I never lose hope. I got that from my mom. I am expecting a great year. Not because I think I won't have trials this year, it's because I am stronger than ever before. So, a few days ago I was listening to something. I can't even remember what it was. But I heard the word BLOOM. And I instantly knew God was saying that this is my word for the year. I don't always take a word for the year, but I knew God was speaking to me. He told me that this is my year to BLOOM. The old is put away and the new is coming. I am walking i
Read more

Warning: Do you think your child may be Dyslexic?

Image
Three years ago today our world changed so much here at the Reynolds Nation. On that day we found out officially by the psychologist that Judah was dyslexic. I had been concerned for about 9 months that he was...I had heard on Good Morning one day what are some of the signs of dyslexia. Though I always watched my kids for dyslexia, Judah just didn't have the classic signs... like the turning of the letters B, D and P.  Everyone always looks for that, but Judah didn't do that. But he was behind in his reading. And wasn't progressing in a rate that was okay. So, we had him tested. And it was confirmed. And on that day I started an intense search to find what help we could find for Judah. Several people pointed us to the Barton Reading and Spelling program...and that's the avenue we took. I took the training program and I tutored Judah...he went from a reading level of a kindergartner/first grader to a sixth grader when we were finished with the program. And then I s
Read more