Rose Marie

It's been 7 years but it doesn't seem to matter how much time has passed. Every year on this day it all comes rushing back. It hits me like a giant wave knocking me down. The grief. The tears. The missing piece of my heart. There are years I don't realize why until I look at the calendar. And then I know. It's October 7th. The day we lost our little Rose Marie. The day she slipped away and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't grab on & keep her with us. I begged. I pleaded. But she was called to Heaven.
My only comfort is that she is with my Jesus. And that one day I will finally be allowed to hold her, to cuddle her & to kiss her sweet face. I often wonder who would she have favored? Would she look like me? Would she have her Daddy's eyes? Our sense of humor? A twinkle in her eye like her brother? A soft spot for all the hurting like her sister? One day I hope to have these answers. No matter how many years go by the grief never completely leaves. Tears still fall. The ache is still there. A piece of my heart is forever missing. For now I'll keep loving her, keep missing her, keep working to make her proud of her Mama & wishing for the day we are reunited.

I love you, Rose Marie and miss you every day. One day we will be together. I promise.
All my love,
Hugs & kisses,
Mama

Uncle Donnie

More sad news tonight. My Uncle Donnie lost his brave fight with pancreatic cancer tonight. He fought for his life to the very end. we are all comforted by the knowledge that he is in Heaven. I know he is now completely healed & with Jesus. But he will be missed greatly.

My aunt emailed us. And my brother, Darin called. I could hear the grief in his voice. I'm glad I got to hug him earlier today.

I haven't seen him since I was a child. I didn't have the resources as a young adult to make the trip to visit him & he didn't like to travel. For me this makes the memories I do have of him all the more precious. He was always muscular & strong. I see him in my mind's eye smiling and joking with us. He took time to play with us and was our hero. Later on in life my cousins lovingly called him "Uncle Superman". There wasn't anything he couldn't do.

I can only imagine the loss my aunt is feeling. She lost the love of her life. And my cousins lost their hero.

Please, God hold them close tonight & every day that follows.
And to anyone that is reading this.....remember to hold those you love close. Hug them. Spend time with them. And make certain you tell them you love them. It's something you'll never regret doing.