Help me say goodbye

There is nothing quite as painful as telling a family member goodbye.
Unless it is telling your child goodbye.

In the last six weeks, there have been losses.
Painful ones.
Friends have lost an aunt.
A mother.
A sister.
A daughter.
Among those I consider friends, there have been 4 deaths in those six weeks.

One in her 90s, one in her 40s, one in her 20s, and one only 3 years of age.

To old age, and dementia, and cancer, and drowning.

No matter how a life is lost, someone hurts over the absence of a loved one.

As I have mourned with my friends, so many things have swirled through my head.  I have regrets over things unable to be said.  I have the shared sorrow of a child whose life was cut short.  I have the sadness that accompanies any death attributable to any of the above diseases and accidents.

I also have a hopeful anticipation that I will see each of these beautiful people again...for each claimed the name of Jesus the Christ.  In this I find hope.  Because without that hope, I would be, of all people, most miserable.

For Jean, and Glenda, and Brittany, and Abby...I am looking forward to being reunited!

For the families, the pain is great...I'm praying for you!

Vicarious Tourist

My deployed husband gets to explore the world without me.

This week he is in South Korea.

Last week he was in Misawa, Japan.

So all I get is some lousy pictures....

...well, he said he also got some souvenirs, but I won't get to see those until he gets home...

I love seeing the world through the lens of my husband's camera!