Day 28 A memorial

(G in jammies lovin on papa- she is Papas girl)

Our weekend trip plans were cancelled due to all the drama.

Both of N's cars are in parts in the driveway with 17yo and husband helping him

Moved oldest daughter back home

and I am tired to the bone.

I remembered that being home would allow us to attend our friend's son's memorial.

I dont know why I dont carry a box of kleenexes around

in the huge purse I've taken to carrying.

I was a mess. I guess it was seeing the hundreds of people

gathered to Honor the memory of T.

Plus seeing the impact his life had on others.

I couldnt understand his speech- His parents and those that spent a lot of time around him did.

They had some great stories to tell.

One of the musicians played "I'm 18" By Alice Cooper.

You see, T heard that song on or right after his birthday

and he loved it. His mantra from then on was "Im 18!"

He was proud of it and talked about being 18 and wanting to move out.

He has moved out- he went home.

I cried over that. He was really and truly like any other 18 yo.

I knew his love for pizza and soda, and learned about his love for our local roller derby ladies.

And how he enjoyed the Pep rally

days before his death because he was able to sit with the seniors

and see the cheerleaders, up close.

I saw video of him in an adapted chair on skiis

and learned of his love for skiing,

I knew how he loved to ride in the sidecar of the motorcycle

the feel of the wind in his hair and sun on his face.

The whole time we were there.
lil G was going back and forth

Mamas lap

Papas lap.

Kisses for mama

Kisses for papa.

Waving hi to people sitting around us

Singing along with the songs.

Looking from side to side,

Our pediatrition -a child with special needs

who had to carry lil G around and begged to babysit her

the man in charge of the Miracle league sitting next to us

spoke of T hitting 3 home runs at each game

Seeing our previous pastor sitting across the aisle

Talking with him about his new church

and the fact that Lil Gs orphanage Director attends his church

their plans of a missions trip next summer

The family sitting behind us with an adult son with Down Syndrome

picking up the book lil G "accidentally" dropped on the floor.

Two rows in front of me, one of my BFF's who rallied the whole adoption saga

and her friend that has adopted again and again.

Knowing how T's family rallied around us that year and a half wait.

Prayed while we were in Ecuador for 8 weeks.

thinking of another friend who was given the gift of time with her newly married daughter.

The other family in our church with an adult son with Down Syndrome

In ICU all week....... thinking of them

and the value and purpose their son has.

As we sang a worship song

tears streaming down my face

feeling little hand sneaking up into mine

until I could.not.sing.another.word

Feeling so honored

a beautiful community,

captured by grace.