by Sharon O | Apr 16, 2013 | Uncategorized
In loving memory of a dad and grand father ~
Saturday we had the official graveside service for dad O and then we went to the church for a small lunch following that we had the memorial service for him.
The local veterans of foreign wars assigned about eight men to stand near the flag and his picture.
It was interesting as they each took turns to salute him and then stand during the service.
It was not distracting or disruptive.
It was meaningful and special to have him honored as a military man.
He served and did it with a servants heart.
His life was shared by many and his life was honored by many too.
Saying good bye is hard but we do know he is in heaven with his bride of almost 61 years.
He is with his son and other family members who went before him.
We will miss him always.
He left a legacy and he made an impact on everyone he met.
We say good bye for now.
Until someday we meet again.
by Sharon O | Apr 14, 2013 | Uncategorized
Our grand daughters at the beach.
Wonderful picture to share as I am joining Deidra on jumping tandem and the Sunday community.
by Sharon O | Apr 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
This week I had what I would call one of my first panic attacks.
I have felt something like it before but not at a speed of fifty five miles per hour driving down a road with dilated eyes.
I had spend two hours in a eye doctor’s office where he did testing and testing and then more testing.
Not expecting to spend so long I went there with a small amount of breakfast and one cup of coffee thinking I would finish my ‘meal’ when I got home.
That did not happen.
After all the testing he said “are you going anywhere?”
I said no I am just heading for home.
Then he put drops in my eyes to dilate them for one more test.
He found a small amount of pressure in my eyes of which he could not figure out the reason why.
When it was time to leave and head for home I felt a wave of intensity as I was watching the world go around me in a whirl.
Taking driving to a whole new level I felt the need to get off the road as fast as I could.
I pulled into a JC Penney’s parking lot and went into the store.
Walking around as if in a dazed state and wondering if I looked normal or not I made casual talk with the young lady who kept asking me if I needed help.
(I thought to myself what help I need you can’t give me)
After what seemed like a good thirty minutes I got back into my car and began to drive again.
Like a rush of wind the panic came back again.
I rolled down my car window, turned off the radio and felt I had to get off the road before a bad wreck happened.
Pulling off into an RV sales place I sat in the car for another fifteen minutes.
I breathed deep breaths and talked to myself trying everything I could to calm my panic down.
It finally felt safe to begin to drive again.
I do not remember half the drive home.
It was very nice to finally arrive in my driveway.
The fourteen mile drive was intense and filled with great anxiety.
Will not ever do that again any time in the near future.
The new glasses look good and the soup I made for lunch tasted great.
I acquired a new sense of gratitude for being home in a safe place.
If this was my first panic attack it was not fun or entertaining.
It scared me and it filled me with anxiety.
I also have a new sense of the dangers of driving after a long morning of testing too.
by Sharon O | Apr 7, 2013 | Uncategorized
A black walnut and an English walnut
A definite sign of two living in one
A strong and ageless tree
Amazing picture taken by my daughter Sarah.
“That by two immutable
(unchangeable and changeless-
unchanging through time. unalterable, ageless) things
in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we may have a strong encouragement,
who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”
Hebrews 6:18
(I saw this as a powerful example for us to see the divided line we all live within ourselves.)
I love word pictures God so often gives us.
Joining Deidra on jumping tandem with the Sunday community.
by Sharon O | Apr 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
Write for five minutes without editing and then publish with no looking back.
I will try once more to do this challenge the weeks word is ‘After’.
 |
| After
After the day was over
and we heard the news that he was gone
it was hard.
It was peaceful.
It was strange.
It was a surreal moment for everyone.
what do you say and how does one react?
some in tears.
some just numb.
We stood in the room with no sound between us.
Just silence.
Then a few made phone calls telling others it was over.
We thanked the nurses and the doctors and papers were signed.
I am one who lingers a bit.
I am also one who wonders where they will take him and how.
my mind races with many questions and yes I can’t answer any of them.
It is perfectly right and reasonable to grieve a loss of a loved one.
I am sure those who missed Jesus did the same.
HE was gone.
He was no longer the one they followed.
He had promised them life everlasting and hope and a future
and it was over. finalized and ended.
They could not see or understand that the end was the beginning of a promise.
We miss our dad who we loved just as the followers missed Jesus.
We know dad is in a peaceful place and we also know for now
Jesus is there.
Can you even imagine?
Standing next to him.
Sitting close and perhaps listening to his words and his voice and his vision.
We wish for that now sometimes.
We wish for dad to return but really we wouldn’t want him to return.
He is with his loved one, mom and his oldest son and that is good.
What we do after it is over is a choice we all make.
We can be bitter and angry or we can be filled with peace and comfort.
It ultimately is our choice.
——
End of writing.
I have to say after the writing was over I really don’t believe anyone in our family is bitter or angry over dad’s passing.
We miss him a lot.
Anytime there is a death there is always many emotions that go with the news.
I was just writing and perhaps for some those feelings are true depending on the circumstance and timing of a loved ones death. |
