Summertime

Greetings to all! I think the last blog of any worth information wise, I had just returned from the trip to India and was on the way to teach VBS for the week. There was a bit of natural trepidation transporting third graders but the class was such a blessing. They came every morning (sometimes screaming) 'Vacation Bible School is so cool.' Made me excited to be there. Theologically it was perfect for the stage I am at in understanding who God is and why he does what he does. (Not that I understand) There were short verses to memorize and even shorter truths to remind us what God is like. God is good. God is strong. God is with us.....

I can't remember the sequence if it was before or after VBS....I think before but we held the first ever Willis P. Memorial Golf tournament. In 2006, when Will was first diagnosed with brain cancer, some of his bothers and sisters went golfing. I think that really was the first ever Willis P Golf Tournament. We put that picture right next to Will's bed in rehab. They had three fingers making a W.

Will would have loved to just ride in the golf cart for this tournament. There were about 80 of his friends and family tooling around a reserved golf course. It was the first time I had ever golfed (minus Will and my trip to the driving range) and it can be said that I did not golf under 100! Actually I am not sure if I would have made it through the course if it had not been a scramble. My friend Emily Ann came in and used Will's clubs. We had a wonderful day. It was a day to remember Will and do some golfing which he loved. I learned though that it was a quiet sport, at least when people are teeing off. There is so much to learn......



The next week I caught a plane to Colorado and rented a car to travel down to Gunnison for the Reno family reunion. They have a reunion every two years but since Will was not able to come last year, they planned one for this summer. It was a hard but sweet. Sweet time being with so many people who loved and missed Will. Hard because he wasn't there. He continues to be missed daily. Will would have been proud as his brothers, dad. and nephews taught me how to shoot a shotgun and gave me credit for hitting more clay pigeons than I did:)

His nephew, niece, sister and brother-in-law were baptised in the river near the Reno's houses. The scenery was amazing and we spent most of the days outdoors. The fourth of July fireworks displays reminded me of the first time Will put his arm around me at the fireworks display in Nashville by the river. His brothers and I ran in a race nearby the cabins in Crested Butte that morning. It was a wonderful week with people who have become family.

I came home and started work on the 9th of July. My co-workers and some of my patients even have been caring and considerate, sweet and thoughtful....yet it is a return to 'normal' life without Will. A new kind of normal. Getting used to this slowly. Being in the world and not of the world is always a challenge. I knew having Will to go home to was a huge source of joy; but I did not know to the extent until he has not been there. Loving the unlovely and caring for those in need. That is much of my prayer these days. I am sometimes the unlovely:)

The grave marker was placed shortly before my 25th birthday. I was leaving for Nashville and able to see it before I took a small vacation. In some ways seeing the marker with my husband's name makes his death more real and in so many others it is most unreal. I look at the door expecting Will to come home, or wonder after a day at work if he is going to call. He is still here, in my heart, as cliche as that may sound.

The trip to Nashville was a great time to see some wonderful friends and just have time to be with people who have know me for a long time. I missed seeing quite a few friends which is why I will have to go back in the not too far future. Gail, my little sister, is coming to live with me in KC so maybe we will be able to make a trip together. Below is a photo of the best caramel cake I have ever had and Emily Ann with some balloons which made me smile after a late night trek to Tennessee. It is good to have friends who love you and who you love. That is a gift from the Lord.



Other than work I have been trying to get myself invited to the lake as frequently as possible. Besides a friend cracking three of his ribs and a collapsing his lung it has been a great source of joy. Linda and John have been more than generous in taking me out on their boat. We were able to take my nephew out and teach him how to ski for the first time. He did a super job and was a quick learner. I wished Will was there to see him get up! If it is not obvious I think and miss Will all the time. There seem to always be a remembrance of something we did together, wanted to do in the future, or I wish he was there to do. It was such a blessing to have him in my life. I know that is grace. Truth is what there is to focus on now.