How great Thou art!
Well today was a rough start to break. I was hoping for a sub call, but that didn't happen. I did, however, get to sleep for about 10 hours! Woot! I definitely LOVE my bed! So this may be a little long (not sure yet...I've lost some of my thoughts from 1030 this morning), but it's fitting.
Today I attended the funeral of Max Robinson. He was a neighbor to me personally for 10 years, but to my family for 16. He just died Saturday night from cancer. He first was diagnosed with it this summer, and it's just been downhill ever since. He had a lot of problems with chemo, so they kept trying different treatments, and finally they ran out of options. Luckily he was able to die peacefully and pain-free in a drug-induced coma. Last night I went to the viewing where I saw a lot of different people I know. It amazed me to see Danny, Iris, Ellie, and John all grown up. I've known them since they were born, but they don't really remember me. Walking into the room where everyone was and seeing Max lying in his coffin with a folded American flag next to his head, it took all I had not to lose it. He looked the same yet so different. Seeing pictures hung up around the room, I was flooded with all sorts of memories from the past. They even had up a picture of Max, Mary Jane, and my mom and dad...a picture that I took of them this summer. Max was one of those people who could touch everyone somehow. We used to joke about his truck because he had more tools than Sears stored back there, and they were all in perfect order. NOTHING in that truck was out of place. Everytime I see a truck that looks like theirs I can't help but giggle to myself and wonder if they have neatly organized tools. Then of course there's the mushrooms. Max and the family always went mushroom hunting, and everytime I see one somewhere, I think of him. Max and Mary Jane, after Max retired, started traveling around the country in their RV. They would come back every summer and stay around here, spending time with family, my family, and some other friends that they had left behind. Everytime they came to visit, I'd get a "Hiiiii Me-Shell, how are you?!" followed by a big hug. The smile on his face could warm anyone's heart. A million thoughts flooded my mind today while I was sitting in the funeral home fighting back tears. What if this wasn't Max but was one of my nieces or someone equally as close? I couldn't say goodbye, no way! To lose someone you love so dearly. I don't know what I'd do. I understand that everyone dies, but I guess I just never think that it'll happen to people I'm close to. I never really had to deal with the deaths of my grandparents or anything like that because I only ever had one grandparent, and she died when I was still pretty young...6th grade. Being older, though, I realize the impact that these people have on my life, and to think they won't ever be around again is hard. So I wanted to write this today to say how thankful I am to have each and every one of you in my life. This is for you, Max. Thank you for being such an amazing husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, U.S. Navyman, and friend to everyone whose life you have touched. I will miss your big hugs and your warm smile.
Today I attended the funeral of Max Robinson. He was a neighbor to me personally for 10 years, but to my family for 16. He just died Saturday night from cancer. He first was diagnosed with it this summer, and it's just been downhill ever since. He had a lot of problems with chemo, so they kept trying different treatments, and finally they ran out of options. Luckily he was able to die peacefully and pain-free in a drug-induced coma. Last night I went to the viewing where I saw a lot of different people I know. It amazed me to see Danny, Iris, Ellie, and John all grown up. I've known them since they were born, but they don't really remember me. Walking into the room where everyone was and seeing Max lying in his coffin with a folded American flag next to his head, it took all I had not to lose it. He looked the same yet so different. Seeing pictures hung up around the room, I was flooded with all sorts of memories from the past. They even had up a picture of Max, Mary Jane, and my mom and dad...a picture that I took of them this summer. Max was one of those people who could touch everyone somehow. We used to joke about his truck because he had more tools than Sears stored back there, and they were all in perfect order. NOTHING in that truck was out of place. Everytime I see a truck that looks like theirs I can't help but giggle to myself and wonder if they have neatly organized tools. Then of course there's the mushrooms. Max and the family always went mushroom hunting, and everytime I see one somewhere, I think of him. Max and Mary Jane, after Max retired, started traveling around the country in their RV. They would come back every summer and stay around here, spending time with family, my family, and some other friends that they had left behind. Everytime they came to visit, I'd get a "Hiiiii Me-Shell, how are you?!" followed by a big hug. The smile on his face could warm anyone's heart. A million thoughts flooded my mind today while I was sitting in the funeral home fighting back tears. What if this wasn't Max but was one of my nieces or someone equally as close? I couldn't say goodbye, no way! To lose someone you love so dearly. I don't know what I'd do. I understand that everyone dies, but I guess I just never think that it'll happen to people I'm close to. I never really had to deal with the deaths of my grandparents or anything like that because I only ever had one grandparent, and she died when I was still pretty young...6th grade. Being older, though, I realize the impact that these people have on my life, and to think they won't ever be around again is hard. So I wanted to write this today to say how thankful I am to have each and every one of you in my life. This is for you, Max. Thank you for being such an amazing husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, U.S. Navyman, and friend to everyone whose life you have touched. I will miss your big hugs and your warm smile.