Our Memories

Maybe it is fresh on my mind because my neighbor left earth today.  My last real memory of her was the note I received in the mail after the State football season.  She wrote me a note saying how wonderful it was to know that those football players were staying in our home - and had she realized they were all here every Saturday morning - she would have baked muffins for them.  I cherish Mrs. Hatler sharing that with me.  

Leaving....

I am not so sure when he left.

I can remember taking them to football games of Son One and Son Two.

I can remember he stayed alone at the house in Perrin when my mom was in the hospital in December of 2009.

Now he is not so much the same person who brought me home on his birthday in 1964.

Even so - I cherish the time I spend with him (and my mom) every day.

Being an adopted child has always given me this great sense of belonging to something that is not really mine.  Oh yes they are my family now but I am every day thankful that God placed me in their family.

Honestly it does not sadden me to a level that I would have thought it would if you would have told me that he would be like his sister & mother. (you might need to read that sentence again...)  I can remember Aunt Mary and Grandma Cannon.  I can remember that Aunt Mary would always seem to "know" me and seem to "know" my dad too.  Much like my dad - I don't remember when my Grandma's memory left but she waited until she was 95 years old to leave earth.

The VERY best part is that I KNOW that I will see my Aunt Mary, my Grandma - and one day when my Dad is "called home" (just like I grew up hearing those wonderful Baptists say....) - I KNOW I will see him again too.

For now I will remember to cherish, I will remember to remember for him.  And if you need that extra push to spend time remembering with those older in age than you - then use this blog entry to move you forward.  Grab that cell phone, push record while you are talking, take pictures, look at pictures, talk - and talk some more.

Even when they aren't so sure.

But remind them.

And he always knows me.  He always knows my name - all of the names he has called me - Cheryl - daughter - and Sunday he told one of our elders that I was "his number 1 daughter".

He has said that phrase (#1 daughter) for as long as I can remember.

Father's Day 2013

Okay so I may not be sad like I thought but oh my heavens did this entry bring the tears!  I almost want to apologize but not so much - take time - dementia, alzheimer's and those conditions of the memory are not respectful of anyone.  And to some degree when those things are gone - they are just gone.  

My brother & me with our parents - Mom's Birthday 2013

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.