Monday, August 22, 2011
Bobby's First Earthly Birthday Since His Homegoing - August 22, 2008
(August 22, 2008)
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Happy Birthday, my love. You would have been 54 today. I wonder how it is in Heaven? Are you still 53, as you were when you died? Or are you a year older there? I guess the answer doesn’t much matter, since you are there for eternity, anyway.
It was probably amazing to have your birthday in the presence of the very One who created you and made your very life possible! Wow!
I found myself reflecting today on how we have “shared” eight birthday celebrations together. I remember on one year, you got mixed up and missed my birthday on the 20th, thinking I was the one whose birthday was on August 22. We had a good laugh over that! I still didn’t quite understand how you could have forgotten your own birthday! And I remember thinking, how disappointed you must have been to think that not only me, but the rest of your family had forgotten yours. We could never have done that!
Tonight, we had a celebration in honor of your birthday. For months, Sylvia has thought about and planned how to celebrate your birthday in a way that would have special meaning. She decided to cook your favorite meal, - fried chicken and noodles and tomatoes. It was very good. You taught her well! We had a special evening together as we shared memories of you. Your daughter, Sylvia, and granddaughters, Monique and Cecelia, loved you dearly and miss you deeply. Your absence from their lives has impacted each of them in unique ways.
Your absence in my life has also had a profound impact on me.
Know That You Were Always Loved And Never Will Be Forgotten.
Love,
Kim
Phil 4:13
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Happy Birthday, my love. You would have been 54 today. I wonder how it is in Heaven? Are you still 53, as you were when you died? Or are you a year older there? I guess the answer doesn’t much matter, since you are there for eternity, anyway.
It was probably amazing to have your birthday in the presence of the very One who created you and made your very life possible! Wow!
I found myself reflecting today on how we have “shared” eight birthday celebrations together. I remember on one year, you got mixed up and missed my birthday on the 20th, thinking I was the one whose birthday was on August 22. We had a good laugh over that! I still didn’t quite understand how you could have forgotten your own birthday! And I remember thinking, how disappointed you must have been to think that not only me, but the rest of your family had forgotten yours. We could never have done that!
Tonight, we had a celebration in honor of your birthday. For months, Sylvia has thought about and planned how to celebrate your birthday in a way that would have special meaning. She decided to cook your favorite meal, - fried chicken and noodles and tomatoes. It was very good. You taught her well! We had a special evening together as we shared memories of you. Your daughter, Sylvia, and granddaughters, Monique and Cecelia, loved you dearly and miss you deeply. Your absence from their lives has impacted each of them in unique ways.
Your absence in my life has also had a profound impact on me.
Know That You Were Always Loved And Never Will Be Forgotten.
Love,
Kim
Phil 4:13
2nd Anniversary of Earline Braddock's Homegoing - August 21, 2008
(August 21, 2008)
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Today is the two year anniversary of your dear friend, Earline Braddock’s death. I remember it so clearly, because we were at Disney celebrating our birthdays, when you got that telephone call from Robert Braddock, telling you that Earline probably had only a few hours to live. We quickly packed up and left, heading back to Jacksonville. You were so quiet on the ride home. I know you were torn between wanting to get there in time to say your good-bye to her and at the same time being afraid to see her and almost hoping that you didn’t make it there in time. As it turned out, God took her home in His timing and we did not make it back in time.
I can imagine that she was right there on December 16, 2007, to help welcome you into Heaven. I can envision hearing her sweet voice saying, “Well, Hello Robert! I am so glad to see you here.”
She was your friend from many, many years back in your life. I am so glad that you were able to get reconnected with her.
I remember that we were fishing out on Mantanzas Inlet, when you got that phone call from Robert Braddock. You had not heard from him in years and he was trying to find you and tell you about Earline’s battle with cancer. You were devastated to hear of her illness. Tears rolled down your face as you told me about your special friendship that went all the way back to when you were teenagers.
I know that I was blessed to have the opportunity to become her friend, during her last years. My life became enriched because of knowing her. I enjoyed her immensely. One of the things I remember was Earlene’s optimistic attitude and I remember how we shared wonderful, long conversations about Jesus. She was ready to meet him. She had no fear of dying. She knew He had a placed already prepared for her.
As I think about you, I am comforted in knowing that you too, knew Jesus personally, and you also knew that He had a place already prepared for you.
One day, I will join you and we will rejoice together.
Until then…
Always Know That You Were Loved, And Never Will Be Forgotten
Love,
Kim
Phil. 4:13
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Today is the two year anniversary of your dear friend, Earline Braddock’s death. I remember it so clearly, because we were at Disney celebrating our birthdays, when you got that telephone call from Robert Braddock, telling you that Earline probably had only a few hours to live. We quickly packed up and left, heading back to Jacksonville. You were so quiet on the ride home. I know you were torn between wanting to get there in time to say your good-bye to her and at the same time being afraid to see her and almost hoping that you didn’t make it there in time. As it turned out, God took her home in His timing and we did not make it back in time.
I can imagine that she was right there on December 16, 2007, to help welcome you into Heaven. I can envision hearing her sweet voice saying, “Well, Hello Robert! I am so glad to see you here.”
She was your friend from many, many years back in your life. I am so glad that you were able to get reconnected with her.
I remember that we were fishing out on Mantanzas Inlet, when you got that phone call from Robert Braddock. You had not heard from him in years and he was trying to find you and tell you about Earline’s battle with cancer. You were devastated to hear of her illness. Tears rolled down your face as you told me about your special friendship that went all the way back to when you were teenagers.
I know that I was blessed to have the opportunity to become her friend, during her last years. My life became enriched because of knowing her. I enjoyed her immensely. One of the things I remember was Earlene’s optimistic attitude and I remember how we shared wonderful, long conversations about Jesus. She was ready to meet him. She had no fear of dying. She knew He had a placed already prepared for her.
As I think about you, I am comforted in knowing that you too, knew Jesus personally, and you also knew that He had a place already prepared for you.
One day, I will join you and we will rejoice together.
Until then…
Always Know That You Were Loved, And Never Will Be Forgotten
Love,
Kim
Phil. 4:13
Saturday, August 20, 2011
My Birthday, August 20, 2008, First Without Bobby
August 20, 2008
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Today is my birthday and I sure missed my usual morning birthday kiss from you. I missed you looking into my eyes and telling me that I look pretty. You always treated me so special on my day.
I find myself sometimes still having a difficult time realizing that you are really gone. Each morning, when I awaken and see your empty side of the bed, I am reminded afresh that you are gone from this world and from my life. And yet, I know that one day we will have a great reunion in Heaven.
On this, my birthday, I want to thank you for:
Always Making Me Feel Loved --- I Will Never Forget That or Forget You
Love,
Kim
Phil 4:13
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Today is my birthday and I sure missed my usual morning birthday kiss from you. I missed you looking into my eyes and telling me that I look pretty. You always treated me so special on my day.
I find myself sometimes still having a difficult time realizing that you are really gone. Each morning, when I awaken and see your empty side of the bed, I am reminded afresh that you are gone from this world and from my life. And yet, I know that one day we will have a great reunion in Heaven.
On this, my birthday, I want to thank you for:
Always Making Me Feel Loved --- I Will Never Forget That or Forget You
Love,
Kim
Phil 4:13
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Eighth Month Anniversary of Bobby's Homegoing - August 16, 2008
August 16, 2008
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Eight months have now passed since that December day when God brought you home. I still miss you daily. Will that ever change, I wonder?
Tonight I went to a surprise 50th birthday for your sister, Mary. She is such a wonderful woman. I am glad that I have gotten to know her more in the last few months. I know how much you loved her and I remember how many times you would tell me about your phone calls to her. I remember how you would always “burp” when she answered the phone! It was like your “calling card.”
Her party was very nice. At one point, Mary, George, Andy, and Beca had a photo taken together. They had their arms around each other. I couldn’t help but imagine how overjoyed I would have felt to see you be a part of that picture. I could see it in my mind, when I closed my eyes; I could feel it in my heart; and I could almost hear your distinctive, deep laughter, having fun with them. But when I opened my eyes, after a few moments, and came back to reality, my eyes had filled with tears. I was quite overcome with emotion.
I couldn’t help but fondly, remember the day when you turned 50 in 2004. I gave you a surprise party at Sylvia’s house. I remember how touched you were when you realized that all those people were gathered together there, in your honor. Who could have ever foreseen that, in a little more than three years, all of those same people would gather together in a church, on a December, Sunday afternoon, for a Celebration of Life service in your memory?
I missed you tonight. I guess I just have to come to terms with the fact I will always miss you. That will not ever change.
Always Know That You Were Loved, And Will Never Be Forgotten.
Love,
Kim
Phil 4:13
My Dear Sweet Robert,
Eight months have now passed since that December day when God brought you home. I still miss you daily. Will that ever change, I wonder?
Tonight I went to a surprise 50th birthday for your sister, Mary. She is such a wonderful woman. I am glad that I have gotten to know her more in the last few months. I know how much you loved her and I remember how many times you would tell me about your phone calls to her. I remember how you would always “burp” when she answered the phone! It was like your “calling card.”
Her party was very nice. At one point, Mary, George, Andy, and Beca had a photo taken together. They had their arms around each other. I couldn’t help but imagine how overjoyed I would have felt to see you be a part of that picture. I could see it in my mind, when I closed my eyes; I could feel it in my heart; and I could almost hear your distinctive, deep laughter, having fun with them. But when I opened my eyes, after a few moments, and came back to reality, my eyes had filled with tears. I was quite overcome with emotion.
I couldn’t help but fondly, remember the day when you turned 50 in 2004. I gave you a surprise party at Sylvia’s house. I remember how touched you were when you realized that all those people were gathered together there, in your honor. Who could have ever foreseen that, in a little more than three years, all of those same people would gather together in a church, on a December, Sunday afternoon, for a Celebration of Life service in your memory?
I missed you tonight. I guess I just have to come to terms with the fact I will always miss you. That will not ever change.
Always Know That You Were Loved, And Will Never Be Forgotten.
Love,
Kim
Phil 4:13
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