Farewell to a Brother

It was only a few months ago that my brother, Mike, collapsed on the golf course with no apparent warning.  In the subsequent medical evaluations, it was discovered  he had an inoperable brain tumor.  The doctors reckoned that he would have 6 weeks on the short side to three months on the far side.  He used up every bit of the three months and then some.  My brother, Mike...  I should explain.  My father was married and divorced before he met my  mother.  This woman, Rella, already had two children, Robin and Mike, from a previous marriage.  My father, Earl, spent a great deal of time raising Robin and Mike.  Earl and Rella had two children, Earl Jr. and Kathy.  In the break up of their marriage, Earl Jr. and Kathy went to Rella.  My two sisters and I came along from my dad, Earl, and my mother, Mary.  I learned in later years that my name is a bridge between these generations in the family - Michael Earl...  So, Mike was Big Mike, and I was Little Mike - until that generated more questions than was helpful in ID'ing us since I became the taller of the two of us.  The new name was Mike the Elder and Mike the Younger.  All that is to say, my brother, Mike, truly fit the title "Mike the Elder."  He was a rock in the family.  He was wise and gracious in his relationships.  I enjoyed spending time with him and his pretty wife, Paula.  Mike was also a retired Chief Master Sergeant.  You could see this in his bearing and in his speech.  He always had a confidence and a level of professionalism that I truly respected and admired.

Earl Jr., Mike the Younger and Mike the Elder in CO a couple of years ago

 

When Earl Jr. called to let me know that Mike had passed away, I knew I needed to go out to bid him farewell.  It took a bit of time to get everyone together for the funeral (Mike's son, Mike Jr. was in the middle east), but I headed out of town on 28 December for the vigil service that evening, a funeral service on 29 December and a graveside service on 30 December.   There is no doubt - I will miss my brother, Mike.

It was a very cold day.  Temps were hovering around 0 F.  The contrast between the life Mike led and day's weather is stark, but even so, the honor he deserved for a life well-lived transcended the day's  very cold weather.

 

This is one of the Pavilions at Ft Logan, Colorado where the "graveside" ceremonies take place.  As it turned out, it was the same one that we used 2 years ago at my father's graveside service.  Here, an Air Force Honor Guard folds the flag.  After this, Taps was played and then the flag was presented to Paula, Mike's wife.  The emotions of the moment is hard to describe.  There is a finality to it that takes your breath away.  It is the final farewell.

 

 

A Navy Chaplain from Buckley AFB conducted the majority of the graveside ceremony.  I was given the opportunity to share a few words and close with a word of prayer.  I definitely appreciated it.  "Well done, good and faithful servant."  You will be missed...

Once the ceremony is complete, everyone is ushered out of the pavilion.  The staff at the cemetery take the casket to its actual burial site.

 

Earl and I spent a few minutes with our father, Earl F.  He is buried at the same cemetery as Mike - not too far away either.  The emotions of the moment are a bit overwhelming.  It was the first time I had been there since my father's funeral in 2012.  The sight of the grave stone brought a flood memories.  I really have missed being able to talk with him. 

An added bonus to the trip was spending time with many family members I had not seen in quite a while.  I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my brother, Earl, his wife, Mary and their son, Jerome.  I also got to see Crystal and Jennie, Earl and Mary's daughters, Dominic, Crystal's son, John, Jennie's husband and even my sister, Rebecca.  Come to think of it, I got to touch base with a huge number of family members.  There was Paula and four of her children, Joanna, Kathy, Debbie and Mike.  There was my sister, Kathy and her three children, Kim, Brian and Kurt. There was also Sierra, Kim's daughter and Robin, Mike's sister and her son, Randy.  It really was a who's who of family relationships. 

 

Kathy and Earl Jr.

Mary, Earl Jr's wife, and Rebecca, my sister

Crystal, Earl and Mary's first daughter 

John and Jennie - Jennie is Earl and Mary's second daughter.  I looked through all of my pics and noted that I had missed Jerome as well as a few others.  I will be ready to catch those the next time around.

Two of Mike's daughter's, Joanna and Debbie.  Debbie came to support the family when my Father passed away 2 years ago.  I enjoyed touching base with her.

 

Crystal's son, Dominic, deserves a post of his own.  He is a walking miracle.  He fell off of a second floor balcony onto concrete.  He was hospitalized with some very severe injuries.  People from around the world began praying for him even as some very talented medical folks worked diligently to save his life.  It was good to see him up and around.  There is a long journey ahead, but hopefully, the worst is behind him...

 

Later that evening, we had a time of reminiscing.  I found myself wishing family had been closer in those growing up years.  There was so much life that I just missed.  Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed my growing up years, but there could have been so much more family in those years.  I am over half a century old and am trying to catch up on life and family.  How does this happen?

Michael - the Younger...

By Grace!
©2015 M.E.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tenth Day of Christmas - Enough

I determined when we moved from Japan not to wish away the present for a past or a future. In other words, I would live fully in the present....and it would be enough. I would not always wish we were "in Japan," or "in OR," or "in TX," or back in the "good ole days when all the kids were home."  I would also be careful not to let social media, Internet surfing etc rob me of face to face time with my real life people.   I decided the present is enough.  When others remind me something IS missing, I've been quick to remind myself or say out loud, "This is enough. I'm choosing joy. I'm content."  Part of this "enough" has also been learning  I am enough. I can never please everyone. I can never do all I would like to do. I can only do what Holy Spirit leads me to do - and that's enough.

Stick with me....Christmas Day when our household was six  plus Krista - it was enough. Christmas Evening when BreZaak and my folks arrived - it was enough. Yes, I desperately wished the boys could be with us - but God had provided enough - all that I needed.

Monday, 29 Dec the Gherkins surprised me BIG TIME when the boys drove up. Michael was missing. Others we love were missing - but still it was enough. I was over the moon content.

Michael arrived back home on Wednesday 31 Dec and for three glorious days we had all nine Gherkins, a beloved son in law and my parents in one spot. Time stood still. The house was FULL and noisy and busy and jumping -  I loved it all. It was so, so much more than enough.

However, it seems time didn't REALLY stand still and at 0530 our home got busy this a.m.

One by one the boys, Krista, and various family members staggered into the living room.

We suddenly remembered Zander had asked us to wake him up before everyone left so we had to wake him up....

 Krista and the boys planned an 0600 start.

Brr - a cold CA morning 

 

These three discovered the heating vent by our trailer was a warm spot to be!

 

They loaded up and just like that our household of 14 was down to 10.

We came back inside and Michael and the kids went back to bed. I sat in the hot tub and decided it was enough. The visit was enough. Having our four guests still under the roof was enough.

I showered and made cinnamon rolls. I had promised Bre I'd make her some when she missed out on them on Christmas Day. Mom and I discussed missions.

 Bre came inside and another round of farewells began...

Yuuki thought she'd go with Izaak
 

 Just like that we are down to a household of six!

It is still enough. All that God provides is more than enough, if I choose to live fully in the present, to choose joy, to be content - it's enough.

I began to think of the big goodbyes which will be required to be full-time missionaries...and I wondered why we would pursue such a lifestyle... I suppose all the talking and planning of giving away things brought our choices to the forefront of my mind.

I did what I always do on farewell days - I cleaned.  There wasn't a lot to clean as Mom and Bre are great cleaners.....but I went through a few desk drawers and a junk drawer.

Michael is at work - catching up on some things that need to be done before surgery on the 7th.

The kids played games.

I made yakisoba for the kids.

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Ninth Day of Christmas

The boys, Michael and I headed to Sam's Club to be there when they opened. I discovered they are carrying more organic products and renewed our membership. The boys purchased a couple of new tires.

 

We came home to fully enjoy our day together.

 

We played a lot of games.

 

We visited.

 

We went through boxes to send childhood treasures home with the kids. We will be selling or giving away most everything, putting the rest into storage and moving into a trailer in a few months. We really do plan to explore moving to Japan.  As we get rid of things it becomes more real.

 

We burned burgers and steaks.

 

The kids and Michael played Snowboard Kids.

 

We all met in the living room and played Guesstures - we need to do this more.

 



Yuuki loved all the extra loving this week

 

A team member threw me my glasses and things became much clearer. LOL

We ended the night with Tim Hawkins, That's the Worst.

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

2015 Michael & Kids' Reading List

A sampling of what the kids and Michael are reading.....

Stacia (9)
Little House on the Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport - Book 1 - Laura Lee Hope
Sarah, Plain and Tall - Patricia MacLachlan
Sarah Whitcher's Story - Elizabeth Yates
The Bobbsey Twins Adventure in the Country - Laura Lee Hope
The Big Wave - Pearl S. Buck
A Picture Book of Davy Crockett - David A. Adler
The Cabin Faced West - Jean Fritz
Bound for Oregon - Jean Van Leeuwen
Bonanza Girl
Birdie's Lighthouse - Deborah Hopkinson
Araminta's Paint Box - Karen Ackerman

Zander (12)
Les' Miserables - adapted by Monica Kulling
Davy Crockett - Constance Rourke
Kingdom's Dawn - Chuck Black
Kingdom's Hope - Chuck Black
Kingdom's Edge - Chuck Black
Oliver Twist - abridged
Kingdom's Quest - Chuck Black
On to Oregon - Honore Morrow
Behind Rebel Lines - Seymour Reit

Nolan (15)
Les' Miserables - Victor Hugo
The Scarlet Letter - C.S. Lewis
Swiss Family Friendly Robinson - Johann David Wyss
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austin
The Dragon Spell Series - Danita K. Paul
The Ranger's Apprentice Series - John A Flanagan
Tom Swift Books
Billy Budd - Herman Melville
Samuel F. B. Morse - John Hudson Tiner
Brotherband Chronicals - John Flannagan

Arielle (17)
Einstein's Refrigerator - Steve Silverman
A Yankee in King Arthur's Court - Mark Twain
The Chosen - Chaim Potok
Teresa of Calcutta - Jan Watson
Cost of Discipleship - Deitrich Bonhoeffer
Veiled Freedom - Jeanette Windle
The Glass Menagerie - Tennessee Williams
Congo Dawn - Jeannette Windle
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Crucible - Arthur Miller
Lilies of the Field - Leslie Barrit
Cry of the Beloved Country - Alan Paton
Broom and Gloom - Christy Barritt

Michael (Dad)
The Holy Wild - Mark Buchannan
The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkein
The Secret Of the Cave - Hardy Boys - Franklin Dixon
Tom Swift Books
The Rest of God - Mark Buchannan
Rumors of God - Darren Whitehead

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

2015 Family Read Alouds

Island of the Blue Dolphin - Scott O'Dell
George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans - Benge
David Copperfield - Abridge - Charles Dickens
Moccasin Trail - Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Hudson Taylor: Deep in the Heart of China - Janet and Geoff Benge
Shipwrecked! The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy - Rhoda Blumberg
Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun - Rhoda Blumberg
The Door in the Dragon's Throat - Frank Peretti
The Magician's Nephew - C.S. Lewis
Escape from the Slave Traders - Dave & Neta Jackson
Hero Tales vol 1 - Dave and Neta Jackson

Lots of books I forgot to list!

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

8th Day of Christmas

How about our Ducks? 59 - 20. I'd say they are "physical" enough to be in the Rose Bowl. LOL

We were all very aware this was one of our two final days with family in our home.  I wasn't sure what we would do with the day - but I got up early and put in a turkey (my turkeys take 12 - 16 hours to cook) and waited to hear the plans.

Josiah said it well when he said he didn't need to run around and see everything - the best part was just hanging out together at home. All agreed - so we hung out.

Arielle helped Stacia put together her new Lego set. Stacia has thanked me five or six times today for the set. This was our gift to her.

 

 I'm so happy we were able to stream the Rose Bowl and did not have to split up with the Duck Fans racing around town looking for a spot to watch it. LOL While the game played some watched, some played gin rummy and watched, some decorated sugar cookies.

I loved being able to put the final touches on dinner and watch the final quarter of the game at the same time.

Michael and I wanted to be sure we got alone time with each of the older Gherkins and so we scheduled "Pastoral Assistance Visits" with each.  So very Air Force - but it works. This gave them time to ask us any questions they had for us - this tends to happen when Parental Units begin to talk about moving overseas with younger siblings.  This also gave us time to check in with each one, hear anything they wanted to discuss in private and pray for each one individually.  Good times. The "interviews" were scheduled for 10 minutes but some took considerably longer. We'll catch up with Josiah today.

It was reminiscent of old times to find this when we were done with visits for the night....all in one room....late at night....yep - fun times.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

2014 Gingerbread Competition (3 of 3)

Last year we had a gingerbread competition - men against women - at Thanksgiving. This year we had one gingerbread but didn't feel like doing it. We saved it.....and decided to do it on New Year's Eve. 

This year we aren't soliciting  votes - it's pretty apparent to us which team won. ::wink::

The women definitely won for cuteness....

Love Olaf's sled

2014 winners

The men? Well - the castle walls they made from the Ninja kit collapsed. Sensing they'd lost the cuteness factor, they shifted to "creativity."  The more you look at this village the more gruesome it gets - though it is creative. They lost Dad and Michael when they began decorating. ::snort::  I will say I've never seen a gingerbread village like this one.

Izzak brought the darling penquins....

The fated collapsed walls

Silenced Night

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...