Grieving.

Tim's daddy passed away last Monday. It was sad and terrible and a pain that neither of us had ever experienced. We had been at the hospital for several days staying with Mr. Tim and while we knew that his condition was not ideal, I don't think any of us were prepared for him to pass away so suddenly. The last words Tim and I heard him say were light hearted, and I am thankful for that. The ride home for Atlanta after he passed away was long and tear filled. And the days that immediately followed were overwhelming. My husband helped plan his daddy's funeral on his birthday. The weight I felt for him and feel now is heavy.. and I have wondered over the last few days how you get your husband thru something so terrible. I know that life is a cycle, and I know that death is part of that cycle. But it is the hardest part. The most dreaded part. And while I am confident that Mr. Tim suffers no more and is in heaven, the hurt here is still real.

My dad's mom died before I was born, and his dad lived far enough away that we didn't get to spend a great deal of time with him before he passed away when I was young. I spent most of my life with one set of grandparents. And while they are the best set of grandparents anyone could ever have, I still felt a tinge of sadness when my cousins would leave for their Christmas with the other side of their family. I remember those feelings, and that makes me hurt for my children. I hate that my children lost their Paw Daddy. I hate the ache they will feel the rest of their lives over that missing piece. But I am confident they will remember him. I am confident the impression that he made is lasting. And I hope the pictures and the reminiscing in years to come with ease their pain.

I'm sad for Tim's sisters as they have lost their daddy. I hurt for them. I am sad for Mr. Tim's wife Trina. I know how much she will miss him, and I cannot imagine the grief she feels as she also mourns the loss of her precious ten year old granddaughter who passed away just a few weeks ago. I'm sad for everyone who lost Mr. Tim as a friend. But I am not sad for Mr. Tim, I cannot be. I know he is receiving all the promises of the bible. And I pray that the choices we make on earth will lead us to the same reward.