Happy 20th Anniversary!

Natalie took this picture of Jerry and I in the Spring of 2008

I am remembering my sweet man today! If Jerry could be here today with me, we would be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary together. It is hard for me to even believe that this would be our 20th! Twenty years is a long time and I actually don't feel quite old enough to say that I would have been married for 20 years. I guess you could say that I was a child bride! ha... So much time has passed since May 19, 1990 and so many things have happened. There have been many joys over the years and occasions of happiness, and then also occasions of sadness and deep grief. Today's date brings back many memories of rejoicing, and yet it also reminds me of my many losses. The loss of my husband and best friend, the loss of my marriage, the loss of the father of my children, the loss of my hopes and dreams for the future and the loss of just growing old together. However, I am relieved and find much peace in being able to say that God will someday turn all of these losses into a great reunion!

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As I think about Jerry today and where he is I envision him walking through the most beautiful meadow picking wildflowers just for me - on our 20th!

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I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

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Happy Anniversary Jerry. I love you!

Candy

Happy Birthday Jerry!

Today is Jerry's 43rd Birthday!

The kids and I began the morning by having breakfast at Steve's Patio Cafe'. I honored Jerry by eating his signature menu item "Jerry's Scramble!" Steve was a cycling friend of Jerry's and owns this restaurant which apparently Jerry frequented more times than I was ever even aware of! So much so, that after Jerry died Steve changed the name of Jerry's favorite menu item to reflect his name in honor of him. "Jerry's Scramble" can now be found on the menu at Steve's Patio Cafe'. It was such an honor for the kids and I to spend time there this morning and talk about their Daddy, all the while dining on his favorite dish!

After breakfast we were off to church. It's Palm Sunday and Joshua was one of the children who participated in the service this morning by carrying in a palm branch during the children's worship time. He was so cute and he looks so much like his Dad. I miss these moments of Jerry sitting next to us at church and sharing in our life here. And yet as we grieve his death, we are also reminded of the great anticipation we have to look forward to when we will be reunited with him when Christ returns. What a moment that will be...seeing Jesus and Jerry!

It is also the most beautiful day outside today. I always think of Jerry when we enjoy the beauty of outdoors and the warmth of the sun. He just loved days like this. He would have really enjoyed a nice long bike ride on a day like today. I will also admit that I'm so spoiled already by the wonderful weather we have. In fact, I'm having to retreat under the shade of an umbrella as I type this outside because the sun is shining so brightly that it's beyond warm, and yet there is a slight cool breeze which I envision as being God's breath softly blowing by. What a treat for me to have all of this on Jerry's birthday.

I'm not sure what we'll do to celebrate Jerry for the rest of the day, but I do know one thing for sure, he will be at the forefront of all of our thoughts today. We still really miss him. I feel so fortunate to have known him and I'm still so very proud of him and the way he lived his life. I can't help but think I want to be like Jerry when I grow up!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

Love, Candy