Too Soon to say Goodbye

Jim Whipple, Jr. - 1991
The way I'll always remember him.
♥

So many words are running through my head tonight.

So many stories, thoughts, memories, fears, concerns, and unfortunate realities are bouncing around in my mind.

So many tears are running down my face.

Words like: "Life isn't fair"..."Only the good die young"...and "true privilege".

Because that's what it was.  A true privilege to have known a man taken from us much too soon.

Today was the funeral and graveside military ceremony/burial for Jimmy, my brother's best friend.  We practically grew up together and his family is one of those kind, caring, loving families you always want to be a part of.  I can not imagine their grief to learn that their son and brother was taken so suddenly at only 38.  He leaves behind two young children who will hold only early memories of a great man they call, Dad.

It was a beautiful ceremony. Touching stories were shared, heart-wrenchingly appropriate songs were played, a community of people (standing room only!) came together to show their love and pay their final respects to a wonderful friend, father, son, brother, soldier, and all-around fantastic guy.  He will be missed (among other things) for his mischievous sense of humor, his beautiful blue eyes, his charming personality, and his kind heart.

Growing up, we used to call him Eddie Haskell because he'd come into the house with a compliment for my Mom, he had impeccable manners and always spoke with yes ma'ams and no sirs, long before the military broke him in.

This poem was read at his funeral and it says so much of what I can't right now:

The Final Flight

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard his call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To Laugh, to love, to work, to play,

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I've found that peace at the end of the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savoured much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now, He set me free.

               author:  unknown

RIP Jimmy
October 29, 1973 - September 14, 2012

photo by Kelly Cook, 2012

Is anyone still out there?!?

I realize it has been AGES since I posted anything here.  I guess you could say I've been in a bit of a slump, to say the least.

Plenty has been going on, sure.  But when I sit down to write about it, I go blank.  Nothing of interest comes out.  So I'd close up my computer, check Facebook one last time, and generally go to bed.

Well, next week my "baby" boy turns 4 (!) and I vow to stay true to Alex's Birthday Week 2012 so I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed in the meantime.

When last we "met", I believe I was showing off the boys' new judo skills.  Well that was nearly two months ago!!  Since that time the summer has come and gone.  The boys are back in school.  Nate started 1st grade and Alex headed off to Universal Pre-K!

We went on our vacation to the 1000 Islands and had a great time!  I got tons of photos and have stories to remember, but I never did get a chance to share!

Old friends came to visit.  We've been camping...Had picnics, bonfires, cookouts and parties...Completed another season of Tee Ball...Ate a lot of ice cream...Frequented carnivals and festivals.  It's definitely been a busy, FULL, and fabulous summer!

And then, on August 25th, we said our final goodbyes to my mother-in-law, Diane, who now has a new home up amongst the angels.  It's been hard and sad, no doubt.  But since she passed away, I have seen the family come together, reminisce, and share some amazing stories...all while building NEW memories together.  It really is the silver lining to this otherwise dark cloud!!  I have learned so much about my mother-in-law that I never knew!  She truly was a strong and amazing woman!  And the best part?  For the first time in our 10+ years together, I have finally gotten my hands on some of my husband's BABY PICTURES!!  I haven't seen a single one until now!  He was so stinkin' cute, I am beside myself!

So, it's been a bit crazy around here!  I promise to share some photos soon and perhaps elaborate on some of the above.  I even have a ton of junk floating around my head I'd like to get out and let breathe!

Until then, I'll share this photo of summer fun!  "Talk" to you soon!

Classic Alex

This photo captures Alex so well.  

 This is probably his most often used expression.  

Scrunched up nose.  Squinty eyes.  Confused/Inquisitive look.

That's Alex to a "t".  

Unless, of course, he's flashing his golden sunshine smile!

Another First...Judo!

 

For Nathaniel's 6th birthday (yes, I realize that was in March...I'm catching up a little...), his big brother, Adam, offered to have him try out a Judo class at the gym where he (Adam) spends a lot of his time.  We went a few months ago for a "trial" class and he loved it!  It took a few more weeks to get him officially registered, but now (thanks to some extreme generosity from his big brother) Nate is all set up (complete with a gi) and loving it!

He's learning take downs, how to fall (safely), flips, LOTS of fantastic commands (Hajime! and Matte!) and (my personal favorite!) he gets to practice SELF CONTROL!

 The bonus is that Alex gets to "participate", too.  And he's a real natural!!  He's taken to it fantastically!

They burn some energy, have made some new friends, and are learning great lessons in the meantime!

I'm at it again...

Driving home from work the other night I spotted this on the side of the road.  Someone had dug it out from an old barn, shed, or somewhere similar and tossed it in the garbage pick up pile.

I know, I know.  You're thinking "what would she want with that ratty old chair with no chair cushion"?

Um, THIS is what I had in mind, of course.

Which, invariably (for me), leads to THIS.

And more of this.  And, well, you get the point....

I plopped that beautiful, worn, well loved fantastically orange historical treasure down in the middle of my (neighbor's) field of bright yellow buttercups and bribed my children to cooperate for 2.5 minutes so I could get my point across.   

My husband, of course, thinks I'm insane.  I believe he said something about bed bugs or crotch crickets or something...but whatever.

I think it's fabulous.

And at least THIS chair has an actual seat, unlike this one.

 C'mon, isn't this totally worth it?

So, for now, my glorious orange chair is sitting in my backyard hoping to avoid garbage day until such time as my nieces, my friends, or anyone else (hint, hint), wants to come over for some photos?  

Wink, wink.

Alex has learned a new skill.

And he's SO proud of it.

I'm in trouble with this little charmer!

Goo(d) Fun

The boys got to take a "bath" in a tub full of goo tonight.  Talk about fun!  For two little boys who LOVE all things slimy, gooey, dirty, and/or gross...this is PERFECT!

I found this stuff at Wal-Mart the other day and grabbed it on a whim.  You add it to a tub of water and within seconds it turns regular old water into this gooey substance.    

It's pretty cool!  The boys had a blast "swimming" and playing in this slimy goo.  

 Then, when you're all goo'd out, there's a second step that you add that turns it all back into water...The boys were bummed to see it go, but the good news is, it's a 2-pack!!  We'll have another night of fun in the very near future!