* My new Friday series, A Picture Says A Thousand Words* I encourage you to share your own picture that says a thousand words in the comments below or with me on Facebook. Leave a little note as to why that picture is special. You never know, you may bless someone today.
This picture shows how far my boys have come since their dad died. This picture shows an answer to many, many prayers. This picture shows the positive outcome that came and still comes from their therapy. This picture shows bravery, courage, love, sadness, relief, pride and maturity.
Following Mike’s huge memorial service was a smaller graveside ceremony. It still is a blur to me and I’m sure even more so for the boys. Once it was over the boys and I left and were escorted home. I knew they were done for the day, yet I couldn’t wait to get back there. Get back to the last spot where I was with him. I continued to go almost daily for quite some time. This is where I felt closest to Mike. This was my favorite place to be. My boys did not feel the same way. In fact, they felt the exact opposite.
I decided I would never force them to go. I would often ask and even encourage them to come with me but the answer was always no. They both did help me design their dad’s headstone. Once it finally went in I was so excited to take them to go see it, yet the answer was still no.
About two weeks before Mike’s 2nd End of Watch (EOW), which I prefer to call the day the day he Entered Heaven’s Gates (EHG), the boys decided they wanted to go back to their dad’s grave site. Their first time since the day we buried him almost two years prior.
It was Mike’s and my wedding anniversary. My oldest, especially, didn’t want me to be alone that day. He asked if he and his brother could stay home from school, spend the day with me and go with me to see their dad. How could I say no to that?
We decided we wouldn’t just go and hang out for a little while but we would also polish his head stone and clean up the area. They were actually excited about it. We brought granite polish, cloths, a broom and my youngest son picked out yellow flowers. He said no girl colors were allowed. Totally his father’s son.
The three of us worked together and polished that headstone that they had helped design. They were proud of what they had created for their dad. We cleaned up the grass area, laid out a blanket and just hung out laughing and telling funny stories.
After almost two years they were finally ready. They were finally ready to face another part of their new reality. I could not have been more proud of my boys on this day or more thankful to the Lord for bringing them this far. Mike would be so proud of the young men they are becoming. He also would have made fun of them for bringing flowers.
