In Memory...

In memory of Herman Light, who met the Lord face to face on July 18, 2008.......

These were the words my dear mother wrote for the church messenger this past Sunday. Since July 18 marked the day my Poppa passed away, was on Saturday, she had our local florist make a "colorful" arrangement to be placed on the church's alter for the Sunday service on the 19th. She said, "You know Herman loved lots of color." She was very proud of these beautiful flowers and the opportunity to do something for him.

This year has been so difficult for me. In some ways, I am relieved to have passed the one year mark. We made it though all the firsts. We marked his birthday with balloons and a special "Happy Birthday To You" song in his back yard. We passed Thanksgiving with out of town guests. Christmas was the hardest. We cried a little and laughed a little but made the most of the day. Their anniversary was soooo sad for mother. Her birthday and mother's day passed with little words about him but his absence was felt by everyone. My nephew's wedding was particulaly difficult. It was so hard watching my mother walk in and sit next to that empty seat and to read the lovely note with the flowers that were placed at the guest book in his honor. He would have loved that wedding and throroughly enjoyed watching the W's dance around the reception. I cannot even really talk about Father's Day. You can imagine. But of all the firsts, the anniversary of the day he died was the one I have dreaded the most. I knew that once that day passed I could no longer say(think), this time last year we did this or I saw Poppa this day last year. I know it sounds really silly but passing that one year mark makes him feel even farther away. I know people say that it gets better with time and I guess some of it does. Like, I can look at his picture now and I don't burst into tears everytime I think about him. I can even laugh when I remember some great thing he said or did. I even told my mother how much Poppa would have loved watching Tom Watson play in the British Open this weekend. He would have relished every second of watching that man play that tournament and would have talked about it for days. And I was able to tell her that without tears. But regardless of how much better I am coping with my own emotions I miss him as much, if not more, today than I did a year ago. There are times that I cannot breathe when I think about him and how empty my life is without him. How the one constant, the one truly safe place I had is gone and how I have to figure out this crazy life without his input, advice and even criticism is more than I can take. I am greatful that the Lord took him peacefully and that he is watching over us every day, but.......Hopefully, this next year will bring some peace to our family and maybe even some JOY!! That's what we are praying for. i love you, poppa

It's A Double Digit Day!!

10 Years ago today my #2W as born. I cannot believe it. It was a very scary time for us. I had been on bed rest for 3 weeks since he tried to come out at 32 weeks. Thankfully, the doctors were able to help me keep him cooking for 3 more weeks but on the morning of July 8, 1999 he decided it was long enough. He was born by c-section at 11:46 am. He weighed 7 lbs even and was 19 inches long and he was 5 weeks early!!! He slept almost 24/7 for the first 3 weeks of his life and then one day he woke up and he hasn't stopped yet.

He loves sports. Hasn't found one yet he doesn't enjoy and would try to play anything. He never meets a stranger and is always looking for adventure. He is a true friend. He is passionate about everything he does but can quickly move from the baseball field to the acting stage. We love watching him perform whether it is on the playing field, in our living room or in the theater. We have the loved watching him grow over the last 10 years and can hardly wait to see what the rest of his life holds. WE LOVE YOU Y-Man!!!