never gone.

June 12.

Today is a hard day. It was one year ago that our family said goodbye to Grandpa Jim. At breakfast this morning my husband said, “That was a fast year…” On a day that so many dear family members are re-living this day a year ago, it is difficult for me to find words to write. Because I have been so transparent on this blog over the past year or so sharing my thoughts and experiences, I sat down hoping to fill this post with inspiring words, words that would honor this amazing man and bring comfort to my family who miss him every day. Those words are not there today. It seems insufficient to put into words the pain that comes from losing a husband, father, grandfather, or friend. Who can truly describe the tears that come in the most random places? Or the sadness that wakes you up at night? The only words I can offer that may give any comfort are not my own.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 

Psalm 34:18

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“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you (God) are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

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For the rest of our lives June 12 will be a day (one of MANY!) that we stop and think about Grandpa Jim. Our two girls are incredibly blessed to have known 7 of their 8 biological great grandparents (and even one GREAT-great-grandma!). I intend to continue to remind them of the incredible heritage they come from by telling them stories and looking at pictures. Anabelle asks often about where Grandpa Jim is and she answers her own question most of the time. “He’s in heaven.”

One whole year. Pray for my family today. They say that “time heals all wounds” but I tend to side with Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy when she said, “I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, (protecting its sanity), covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But, it is never gone.”