Celebrating Life

On this day when a nation is mourning another tragic shooting in which a 9 year old girl was killed who ironically, was born on September 11, 2001, it is hard to not think about life and death. My post today is actually about both these things, but I want to focus on the life and not the death part.

Today, a funeral was held for a wonderful woman, my grandmother-in-law, and I hope that everyone focused on celebrating and honoring her life rather than mourning her death. Dale's grandmother on his mom's side, Grandma Fern, passed away suddenly on Saturday. She was 96, so it can't be said that she didn't live a long, full life. The funeral was held today, and I am guessing that is was a packed house filled with the many people that loved this amazing woman. Despite being pretty much blind and I'm sure having other health ailments just due to age, Fern was very full of life, love and joy, and she leaves behind a legacy of all those things with her 8 children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an amazing example to all of us on how to live with a joyful heart. We do wish that we could've seen her more often and she will be greatly missed, but we know that she is now living in peace with Jesus by her side. We love you Grandma Fern.

Here is a photo of Grandma Fern holding Justin in Oct. 2003

I chose the photo of Grandma Fern above holding Justin because it leads me into my next celebration of life--one that is still young and has a big future. Our boy, Justin, had his 8th birthday yesterday. I know I say this every year, but I really can't believe how quickly the years are flying by. Like his great grandmother, Justin is also full of life, love and joy. He is such a sensitive boy, which is not always great when it comes to his feelings getting hurt, but he is definitely very compassionate and caring towards others, and I hope he never looses that. We love you Justin and look forward to seeing where your life takes you.

Justin on his 1st birthday

Justin at 8 in his new sk8er hat and hoodie

I also just had to post this photo on Christmas Eve missing his 2 front teeth
You know what the title of that scrapbook page is gonna be.

All of this is also a reminder to not take life and your loved ones for granted. A life can be long and full but still ended suddenly, and it can, unfortunately, just as easily be ended much too soon. Hug your loved ones and make sure they know you love them and live the life you have filled with love and joy.