Today was the day

we went back to the cemetary. We had decided around the time of his burial that we would wait to come back after his stone had been placed.

Then life got in the way.

My mom went to Missouri to take care of my Grandma's house and her things and ended up extending that trip several times (weeks). And, we thought the stone wasn't going to be placed until after the 20th of October so there wasn't any hurry in going back down there. (It takes about 45 minutes one way to get to the National Cemetary.)

I was going to go with the boys on the 24th but then plans changed again. So, we didn't make it until today and Mom had learned earlier in the week that Daddy's stone had been placed on October 1st. How does that work, anyway?


This morning, we headed out with Eli to see Daddy's stone. On the way, I had to remind Eli that we weren't going to see Grandad but his stone - that Grandad is in heaven. But Eli thinks Heaven is a place to visit like Missouri or Oregon. Anyway, he was the brightest spot of today. Thank God for him!


When we found Daddy's stone, Eli decided to read the numbers on the back and then we decided to have him stand there a minute. He actually didn't stay there very long but we did manage to get a pic of him with Daddy's stone. You will maybe notice that we didn't do the traditional 'Beloved Husband, Dad, Grandad' saying on the stone but a more personal one. Daddy used to say, "Take it easy" on a fairly regular basis and in all sorts of occasions so we decided to use that. And, after seeing other stones there today in Daddy's section that said the traditional things, I'm even more glad of the choice we made.


Here are a couple more pictures of the area and another one of Daddy's stone with the others around it.




This week, being Veteran's Day on Wednesday, I thought the cemetary would be busier than usual. Maybe people are waiting until Wednesday to visit - and the cemetary will be having some sort of ceremony or something by the evidence of chairs being set up...but, we'll go back in a few weeks.

So, another first can be checked off the list for today.

a poem to leave you with today:
Life Lessons by Joanna Fuchs

You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The woman I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.

Miss you, Daddy! Blessings!