Blessings

I am so blessed!
This past Friday I had band practice with the band I sing in, CrossRock. My wife Terry came to practice just to listen. All the band members know how hard it has been losing our first grandchild, Grace. They also know that singing with the band has been very helpful to me. Well, they had all gotten together, with a couple others not in the band but very dear friends, and gave Terry and I a gift. The card was beautiful and the gift even more so. They had gotten us a prayer shawl. I didn't know what to say. All I could do was give each of them a big hug. Of course Terry cried and I teared up a little, too. I will treasure it for the rest of my life!
Thank you my blessed friends!!
Then on Saturday we got to babysit for another friend from church. Actually two friends since they are married and we love them both. They had band practice for Sundays service and they needed someone to watch the two little ones, daughter 1 1/2 yrs. old, son about 4 months. What a delight! We read books, talked on the play cell phone, tickled and laughed.
I even got a nap in! The little one got hungry, so I fed him a bottle and he went sleep. Him and I layed on the couch with him lying on my chest. That was a special moment. I kept thinking that someday soon, that will be me and my grandchild, God willing.
I know sometimes people might think that it would make me sad being around other peoples little ones. It does sometimes make me think about Grace and "what if", but I know that one day I will see her beautiful face and we will be together forever. I do love being with children. I don't care how bad your day has been, when you see a little one smile or laugh it makes it all good!
We are blessed!!

Great tune!

One of my most favorite Clapton songs!

New Years Day

It's the first day of the new year! 2010!!
I have a feeling this is going to be a good year. We have a lot of things to be thankful for, family, friends, church, and knowing that God is in control and is always with us. He didn't promise that everything would be easy, but that he would be there, right beside us as we go through life. I am looking forward to a lot of positive things this year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas weekend

Had a very good Christmas weekend. We spent some time with the godgrandsons, went to their dad's birthday party, spent time with brother-in-law and sister-in-law from Annapolis, saw two movies. I only had a couple moments that the thought of Baby Grace not being here crept in. I'm starting to think that those are just little reminders.
I also was led, by that I mean God directed me, to sing this weekend at Church. I know this to be true because too many things fell into place for this to happen. And, I was told by several people that it's the best they have heard me sing. I don't want this to sound like bragging, but it was good. It just felt right and from the heart. It was the first time I have ever felt so confident on stage. My singing mate, Jill did an excellent job, too. I think she too was led to be there this weekend. We work together pretty good.
Anyway, I had the most wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Don't know what I would have done without them! I love you all!

Grace Ann

Here is the poem I wrote for my granddaughter.

Grace Ann

You were to be the very first

Child of our child

It took awhile for this to happen

But when it did, we smiled

All was good in our world

A grandchild was soon to be

I got the news that fateful morn

“Dad, it’s bad please be with me”

We rushed to be by your mothers side

To comfort and console

There’s nothing we can do

It was all in Gods control

We cried with tears of pain

To never hold you close

The dreams we had

are gone for now

To Heaven you were sent

One day we’ll be together

With Jesus, a Blessed event!

Poopa

Christmas

It's Christmas day and all is good. Spent the morning at the godgrandsons (3). They have been a blessing in our lives. It has been a tremendous help having them in our lives. Their ages are 3, 5, and 9. They certainly keep us on our toes.
I had written a poem about the loss of our little Grace. I framed it and gave it to my daughter and son-in-law for Christmas. Of course we cried. Even tho Grace was not physically here, she is always in our hearts.
I would like to share this poem with all.

Can't beleve it!

Well, this is a first! It's almost Christmas and I'm posting on a blog!
This has been quite a year for me. I've been told that I should write my feelings and thoughts down and it will help with the grieving. So, here I am!

You see, we were to have our first grandchild this year(September). In my daughters 22nd week we found out that our granddaughter would not survive. On May 28th, Grace Ann went to be with Jesus. That is one of the hardest things in my life to get over. I have been struggling with this loss for some time. Not only the pain of losing Grace, but the fact that I could't do anything about it. My "little girl" was hurting and I couldn't make it any better.
The holidays have been the hardest. Just thinking about what could have been hurts the most at this time. If I didn't have my church "family"  I don't know how I would have gotten this far! My wife Terry, daughter Leslie and I attended a grief sharing group on surviving the holidays. It was quite helpful and is one reason I am on this blog now. We learned that it is helpful to write down your thoughts and feelings. It is also ok to feel down at times regarding your loss. From now on everything is different and that there is a "new normal" happening in your life. You can't change he past, so you must adjust your life to this new normal. Life will go on!