A Day for Saints

My older brother Jack passed away November 1, 1999 at the age of 33. I can't believe it has been 10 years.

(I made this collage from copies of pictures of him, to try to capture his personality a little bit.)

He had leukemia which was diagnosed only 7 months prior to his death. It was a very difficult 7 months, not knowing what would happen. Of course, we held on to hope. Especially when there was an exact match to be a bone marrow donor......so much hope. But it wasn't to be. I used to wonder, "what was the point in him having a match, if he was going to die, anyway?" But then I came to realize just how important it was that he have that hope, along with his faith, to get him through. He held on to these until the end.

He is now at rest in the arms our Lord. And now we have hope.......we, whom he left behind. We have this hope, because of our Lord, that we will be with Jack again some day, as we enter Heaven and join him and all the saints in eternal rest and joy. I live my life, appreciating everything as much as possible, always feeling the void he left, but trying to keep my eye on the ultimate goal.....the goal that Jack has already reached.

We all love you and miss you so much, Jack!

~The Simple Woman's Daybook~

October 12, 2009

Outside my window.......cold and dark. There was a real chill in the air today. The leaves are really changing now. It's so beautiful. And the evening skies have just been awesome! I LOVE this time of year.

I am thinking.......about how we haven't done a Teatime in a long time! Ugh. So hard to do it all. The kids really love those, though, so I need to get on it ASAP.

I am thankful for......Taylor's math program. She's using Teaching Textbooks and she is loving it. Well, she's loving it as much as she could possibly ever "love" math, which isn't very much. But it's the best we've used, probably ever.

I am wearing.....pj pants and a long sleeved cotton shirt, white socks and my most favorite comfy robe in the world! I've had it for years, but it's so warm. And brrrr it's chilly in here.

I am remembering.....my big brother, Jack. We are coming up on the 10 year anniversary of his death on November 1st. Can't believe it's been that long. We miss him so much.

I am going....on a trip to see my dad and his wife, in the near future. My siblings and their families are meeting us up there, so we are still working out schedules and trying to pick a good time. I'm looking forward to it!

I am reading.....many wonderful stories about Africa with Sky and Alexa. We are working along with the Serendipity lesson plans and are really enjoying it. I'm not reading a book just for myself right now, though. *sighs*

I am hoping....that Evan sleeps well tonight. He has a cold. He's fine during the day, his usual spunky, superhero self. But at night he has trouble sleeping and really gets fussy.

On my mind.....just trying to figure out how to be the best "me" I can be for those that need me most. I have spent far too much time comparing myself to other Catholic, homeschooling families we know. And in doing so I am doing a disservice to myself, my husband and my children. My parenting, my actions and my life are for no one but God to judge.

Noticing that....Evan speaks so well and comprehends so much. He's got a great sense of humor, too. Alexa is so compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others. She's a real peacemaker. Skylar is growing up right before my eyes. She's becoming a young lady, but very much still Skylar. I sort of wish I could slow her down a bit. Taylor has so much talent. She really does. Her drawing class is going well. You should see some of her drawings! Amazing! And she's sewing Alexa's Halloween costume, too. It's looking so cute, already. And lately she's been cooking some really great dinners! She's so helpful to me!

Pondering these words.....Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss (might not be "deep", but it's what I need right now).

From the kitchen....meals planned for every day! Yay! I've been sticking to a menu with lots of yummy, nutritious foods that the kids love! Well, they don't all love everything, but the menu has something for everyone. Each child looks forward to a different day. Although they ALL seem to love the Stuffed Pepper Casserole.

Around the house.....the laundry is almost caught up, thanks to the help of Taylor. And Alexa and Sky help by folding towels, too. Evan even likes to fold washcloths! We're starting him young! The house is really in decent shape, considering how much schooling has been staying on track. Usually it is so tough to balance. The kids' helping out makes all the difference.

One of my favorite things.....coffee in the mornings...with my french vanilla creamer. Love it.

From my picture journal....

the pure joy of childhood...and I am holding on to hers as long as I can.

Stop by Peggy's for more daybook entries.

TTFN

~Tina

To My Big Brother

Happy Birthday, Jack! We miss you and think of you every day! You would have been 43 today. I can't believe it's been almost 10 years.

Love you big brother!
~Tina

Remembering Jack

Today is the 9th anniversary of my big brother's death.



GOLDEN HEART



God saw you getting tired

and a cure was not meant to be,

So he put his arms around you

and whispered "Come to Me".

With tearful eyes we watched you,

as we saw you pass away.

Although we loved you deeply,

we could not make you stay.

Your Golden Heart stopped beating,

hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

Copyright © 1997 Therese Williamson



We love you, Jack, and miss you so very much!

October 11, 1999

It was a day full of hope. It was a day that was supposed to be the answer to many prayers. It was the day a new bond was formed between my big brother and I. It was a day that I will always be thankful for, because it brought us closer. It was a day I will never forget.

And though I know you would say it wasn't my fault, I'm still so sorry that it didn't work.

I miss you, Jack!
Love always,
~Tina

Thinking of you, Jack.

My big brother, Jack, has been in my thoughts today. He's in my thoughts every day, of course, but especially today. He would have been 42 years old today had his life not been cut short by leukemia at the age of 33. We miss him so much. He died when Taylor was only 3 years old, but she says she remembers him. She has specific memories that she can relate to me. I love to hear them. And Skylar was just a baby at the time. He did get to hold her once. My youngest two never met him, but they will know him as I'm sure he knows them, already. They will know him through photos and through my memories. That's part of what we did today to celebrate him and his life, short as it was.

We went to McDonald's on the way home from a shopping trip. The kids got whatever, but I got a cheeseburger. A McDonald's cheeseburger was the last thing he ate, and he did enjoy them. So we went through the drivethru and sat in the van in the parking lot. We ate our dinner right there and thought of Jack. I told them stories of him as we ate. I tried to stick to the funny stories, the ones that make us laugh. He was a good guy, my big brother, and I want to make sure my children know that and remember it. I wish they could have met him and talked with him and felt his hugs. But that was not to be. So we will just thank God for the blessing he was and still is to us today as he watches over us........

Happy Birthday, Jack!

We love you!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

TTFN

~Tina