September 11, 2010

During the Revolutionary War, Congress bestowed upon the Marquis de Lafayette the position of honorary major general. He responded with these words:

"The moment I heard of America, I loved her; the moment I knew she was fighting for freedom, I burned with a desire of bleeding for her; and the moment I shall be able to serve her at any time, or in any part of the world, will be the happiest one of my life."

Monday, Aug 9

"Teach her above all things to be good, because without that we can neither be valued by others nor set any value on ourselves. Teach her to be always true; no vice is so mean as the want of truth, and at the same time so useless. Teach her never to be angry; anger only serves to torment ourselves, to divert others, and alienate their esteem.

And teach her industry and application to useful pursuits. I will venture to assure you that if you inculcate this in her mind, you will make her a happy being in herself, a most inestimable friend to you, and precious to all the world.

In teaching her these dispositions of mind, you will be more fixed in them yourself and render yourself dear to all your acquaintances. Practice them, then, my dear, without ceasing. If ever you find yourself in difficulty and doubt how to extricate yourself, do what is right, and you will find it the easiest way of getting out of the difficulty.

Do it for the additional incitement of increasing the happiness of him who loves you infinitely, and who is, my dear Patsy, yours affectionately."

- Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his daughter Martha (nicknamed Patsy) in reference to his only other living daughter, Mary (called Polly) who was six years her junior. TJ had traveled to Paris in approx. 1984 to serve as successor to Dr. Benjamin Franklin as ambassador. He originally traveled with his oldest daughter only, and left the younger with his dearly departed wife's sister and husband. After a short time, he sent for his younger daughter because he missed her so much.

Doug & me

And this is my Douglas...
Love him!

Here I am!

I'm back...bet you thought I'd abandoned my online "diary". It's been a rough summer for Doug and myself. Doug lost his brother Jay on July 21 to liver disease. We all prayed that Jay would get better, but it was not to be. It was two days before his 40th birthday, and a tragedy on so many levels.

I think that Doug & I are the saddest couple we've ever known. Coping with so much death this summer is a struggle for us every day. Doug would like to commemorate Jay with a tattoo of a design that would remind him of Jay and everything he meant to him. They had a close relationship. It's interesting, because I had wanted to do that very thing...commemorate Dad with a tattoo...and at my age! Well, Cathy has already put questions in my mind concerning that subject. And also under consideration is "what would Dad think?" EEEKKK!!

I did take a trip to Maryland... Though I'd resigned myself to the fact that Brandon would not be there (he left on the 12th), I did enjoy seeing my family there. Cathy let me take Halle. It was fun for her to see her cousins, and I believe she enjoyed the flight as well! So, spending time with the kids was comforting and enjoyable, and I appreciate everything that Keely does for her family while he is gone! What a job it is taking care of four kids and shuffling them all to their activities! It makes an ol' grandma pooped just trying to soak it in!

We went to DC on Sat, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Annapolis on Sun, and to Mt Vernon on Monday...it was AWESOME!

A wet & rainy 4th!

Yesterday we got 2.5" of steady rain...enough to cancel the big Fourth of July parade in New Market and the fireworks that evening. Austin had planned to ride his horse in the parade along with Papa. I've not heard anything about a "rain date" for either event.
I spent the day indoors...played with Lukas while his mother slept, checked on Mom for a bit, and came home to watch a few reruns on TV. It was that kind of day. Looked like a rainforest out there...
I did talk to Lanny for an hour on Saturday. We compared notes about our dads and talked about ourselves. Staying in touch...
Doug has been spending a lot of time in Omaha visiting his brother Jay who is in ICU at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has been there since Father's Day, and progress is slow. Please pray for Jay and the family.
I am trying to plan a visit to Brandon's family in Maryland. He won't be there this time, but I will still go to see Caitlynn, Sarah, Aaron, Nora, Keely, Clyde & Chief (who I've yet to meet!). I'm not sure who is going with me...maybe Mom, maybe Halle, maybe Kris.
I miss Dad still. Will this emptiness ever go away? How has Halle & Austin dealt with the loss of their daddy at such a young age? and I am so lonely for mine?

Sunday, June 20

Our first Father's Day without Dad. We prepared for the day by scheduling events together...had grilled steak at Doug's last night with sides provided by Kris & myself. And today we met at J's Pizza for a late noon meal...Keith, Kris, Paul, Cathy, Lukas, Halle, Mom & myself. (Austin spent the major part of the day with his "Papa", Hal. Doug was at this parents' for dinner, and came late.) We concluded our meal with a toast to Dad. Bittersweet.

Mom came to church this morning and sat in the same pew she & Dad sat in for years. After my part in the service was over, I came down & sat with her.

Boy...everything is weird without Dad.

Another week starts tomorrow (the two week mark), and it's also the beginning of summer...the longest day of the year. Storms have been rumbling across this part of the country...lots of rumbling...and rain...lots of rain. More coming this night, too. Ah, me!

We do not lose the ones we love,

They only go before.

Where there is everlasting life,

And darkness is no more.

There the soul will always live,

And peace is everywhere.

We do not lose the ones we love.

God takes them in His care.

~Unknown~

Friday, June 18

Yeah! Now my niece is a blogger, too! I told her this is therapeutic...hope she enjoys it. I'll be watching!
Friday...couldn't have gotten here too soon for me this week. I managed to make it through (with some lousy sleep at night) and am glad the weekend is here. We are planning on some get-togethers for Saturday night and maybe Sunday noon. Trying to get through this Father's Day holiday will be difficult.
Doug is planning on grilling steaks tomorrow night for Keith, Kris, Mom & myself. Then Sunday, I think we have dinner over at Keith's...Paul is serving at mass in the morning (in Omaha, I think) so the time is questionable. I'm hoping Cathy gets to spend some time with her Dad that day, too.
We continue to receive mail of sympathy cards & memorial gifts. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends! And to know that Dad made such an impression on peoples' lives...it is awesome for us!
Thank you everyone!