Embracing Grace...

The depth of loss makes you realize truly how much you hold in the palm of your hand. It is easy to wrestle with the "shoulda-woulda-coulda's" of life, to get wrapped up in the moments which lend us so little time for the truly important things in life, but when that ill-fated moment stares you somberly in the face, there is nothing left but grace. The comfort of what has passed had to be enough, as ultimately the choices made are set in time forever. Right or wrong, there is no magic wand to roll back the hours of time, to find yourself in the embrace of your loved one, or to erase a mistake. We each must tuck away these moments of clarity and either grow from them, or be smothered by them. The difficulty of letting go is just that... letting go. It is releasing them, and yourself from the accountability of holding the heartache any longer than necessary. It is when you realize what has come to pass, that we acknowledge the blatant fact that we didn't do enough, care enough, or simply meet in the middle; it is time 'to let go' and forgive yourself and them. Yet, firmly within the experience and mottled by heartache is a real life lesson. One of time is so very short, as we are not guaranteed time or life on this earth. Our experiences are but brief flitting moments scattered amongst so many who touch our lives, and therefore embracing every moment, giving when we don't feel like it, going that extra mile for someone dear to us is ever so important, and forgiving ourselves and others for the shortcomings which come from imperfection... for tomorrow may be too late.

Our Grandparents...

The special gift of warming a heart with the mere touch of their hand;
Their compassion and generosity,
Their moments given freely,Their needs set aside,
To love and care for their family, whenever or wherever the time may arise.

The ability to convey the wisdom of years passed,
Imparting in their loved ones memories and values to last.
Their warm glow and gentle disposition,
Makes them ever so dear to all whom they know.

It is their love that is timeless and stands the test of years,
Through laughter, joy and tears,
And though we each venture in our own life trek,
They are always with us, ever so near.

We hold them in our hearts,
With pride and great esteem,
They are so much of what make each of us beam!
From silly riddles to stern lectures,
Tickles and giggles and lessons on life,
They shared each of our childhood dreams and encouraged us through our adult strife.

They held onto their mottos of life lessons learned,
To share and pass on to us what their own diversions yearned...
'Anything worth doing is worth doing right',
They gave us stories for insight and delight,
But so we would gain respect for what hard work earns,
And possibly provide for ourselves an even better life at each turn.

A solid family set firmly in faith of Jehovah God,
Still with its own piece of life's problems,
But a love and strong legacy woven within the foundation,
Because effort, honesty and caring for others were a few of the values instilled,
It is through their actions and effort, a wonderful family could be built.

We owe a lot to our Grand-Parents,
More than we ever could truly repay,
It was their love and dreams that began what we know of our lives today.

To our Grand-Parents...
Time may march on,
Dawn may set to dusk,
But your guidance and love is that in which we always trust.

In loving memory of Pa-Pa
(Dad & Grandfather alike)
February 5, 2009

You will always be my hero.