Happy Friday everyone. I've been a little out of touch the past couple of days, so trying to get caught up. Memorial Day weekend has crept up on us...I guess summertime is here...and we have one of our Bluebird couples getting their nest ready to start another family!
Daddy (above) and Momma (below) are setting up housekeeping again...
I'm glad I had cleaned out their previous nest from the spring. The only thing is there's a resident lizard who likes to live in that house when it's empty. I guess he's having to find a better place to stay for now.
So I will keep you posted on the progress of this couple as things "develop".
One day earlier this week we took a little ride down the road a ways to one of our favorite places, Big Lake Kerr. (Click Here for one of my previous posts from this location, Early Morning Splendor)
Over the past several years we have enjoyed the views from this vantage point and so we like taking this little ride now and then to have time to clear our minds and just relax a bit.
Nothing too spectacular, but it was peaceful and we had the place all to ourselves, which was nice for a change...
I would like to ask that you keep our "kids" in your thoughts and prayers. We took Noah and Dawn up to the Jacksonville Airport yesterday to fly back to Maine in order to pick up Dawn's vehicle and drive it back down so they will have two vehicles available. It will be a whirlwind trip back down, and so prayers are greatly appreciated. I am glad they are waiting a few days for the Memorial Day holiday traffic to die back down before traveling.
Memorial Day weekend is always a bit difficult for us, as it is the anniversary of when our son passed away after his 4 year battle with cancer. Yesterday, on May 25th, marked nine years since he died. It hardly seems possible. But his loss is greatly felt by our family, even if we don't talk about it that much...the impact of his life and his death have left a big void.
This was one of our last visits with Matthew and his family in Maine. (Oct. 2013)
Hubby John, me, Noah, Matthew, and his wife Nicole.
And now here we are recently, with our grandson Noah and his fiancee' Dawn.
Time marches on, and life goes on. We are thankful for having our grandson and his beloved spending time with us. But again, the impact of the loss of Noah's father and our son is greatly felt.
I know Memorial Day is meant for those who died in service to our country, but it is also for remembering our loved ones who have gone on before us who also made great sacrifices for their families.
We are not able to visit our son's grave because it is in Maine, but we will continue to honor his memory and give thanks to God for allowing us to have this dear son for 41 years.
And we pray that his son will be able to carry on his legacy by living in such a way to honor his father's memory.
Philippians 1:5-6 NKJV
5 "for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you
will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"
You can see that the rain has really helped the pond to be replenished! Praise God!
And on a happy note, our beefsteak tomatoes are growing!
And may we all honor our Heavenly Father by living in such a way to bring honor to His name.
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:31
Amen.
Have a blessed Memorial Day weekend.
John 15:12-13
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
There are so many of our loved ones with Jesus now that we're gonna so much hugging going on when we get to Heaven. Amen?!
ReplyDeleteThe Bluebirds are vibrant right now. I think blue must be one of my favorite colors just because of them.
Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem to come back soon.
Blessings my friend. xx
What a lovely blog post! It was heartwarming to read about the Bluebird family returning to their nest and the peaceful moments you spent at Big Lake Kerr. The photos and your reflections on Memorial Day touched my heart. Wishing you a blessed Memorial Day weekend, honoring both those who sacrificed their lives and your beloved son. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and meaningful post.
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela, I can't imagine losing a child. Hope is knowing that we see our departed loved one again in Heaven. So nice that your grandson and his fiancé are spending time with you! I love your backyard! Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely keep Noah and Dawn in prayer as they travel to retrieve her car, Pamela. That's such a long a grueling drive! However, being young and energetic has its perks!
ReplyDeleteI think Memorial Day is a great time to remember all the loved ones we've lost, and to honor all those who fell in combat to ensure our freedoms. I wonder if some of those folks could see what's going on in our country right now would have changed their minds about risking life and limb to keep us safe and free? Oh, well, I'm just grateful that they did.
Blessings!
Lovely post and tribute to your son at a difficult time. Prayers for Noah and Dawn to have safe travels.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the photos of the Lake and of the birds. Those bluebirds are a great couple aren't they? And the cardinal is stunning. We have cardinals here but I rarely see one.
ReplyDeleteI have purchased flowers to take to the cemetery but I think I'll wait until next week. They typically go through and throw away all of the flowers, even the artificial ones right after Memorial Day so I like to wait a couple of weeks and then they leave them most of the summer. My parents, Dennis's Dad and sister and all of his grandparents and aunts and uncles are buried close to each other in the same cemetery. Also lots of church friends who have gone on before us. It's nice to visit there and see the names and remember the joyful times we all had together and will have again someday in Glory.
You haven't changed a bit in those photos Pamela! How do you do it? I'm sorry about the loss of your son. I just can't even imagine the heartache, BUT, I'm so glad that Noah is back and able to be such a large part of your life.
Take care my friend. I'll be praying for a safe trip for the kids.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I will keep your family in prayer . your photos are beautiful
ReplyDeletePrayers for safe travels for the kids as they return to Florida. They are in my prayers. I love that the blue birds keep returning to raise their little ones in your birdhouse! Have a peaceful and blessed weekend! xo
ReplyDeleteTraveling mercies for Noah and Dawn. Those Florida to Maine trips and back again can see a lot of adventures. My sister and her husband made the same trip only exactly opposite in the past few weeks.
ReplyDeletePraying for comfort for you. The Lord is such a good Comforter. Safely home! There's comfort in knowing that.
Such a sad anniversary; my heart hurts for yours. I'm glad Noah and Dawn will be with his mom during this time. Absolutely, I'm happy to hold them in my prayers for a safe journey.
ReplyDeleteHold one another close and keep your eyes on the finish line! xo
I only read a couple of blogs. Yours is sweet. No pain like losing a child. I have always lived for my kids and grands...we raised our kids to be caring adults. I am blessed more than most. Thank you for writing such uplifting messages. It is evident you practice what you preach. prayers for your lovely family.
ReplyDeleteKeeping in prayer...my heart goes out to you...truly...and Noah and Dawn are in our prayers. Wishing you a beautiful weekend smiles.
ReplyDeleteWe can't help but remember all those loved ones we have lost and have that deep down sad feeling. I love seeing your family photos and I know you are happy to have your grandson there. Take care and enjoy the weekend. Isn't the weather fabulous this week? Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteLove the Bluebird and the Cardinal. Nice tomato! Keeping Noah and Dawn in my prayers. So sorry on the loss of your son. My heart aches for you. ((HUGS)) Take care and God Bless You.
ReplyDeletePam, I hope that your grandson and his fiancé have had safe travels as I am catching up on blog reading after our recent getaway. As you already noted, sometimes, time just gets away and that's not always a "bad" thing. Your visit to the lake sounded like a nice break too. Holidays can be joyful and also bittersweet as you noted with this one marking the anniversary of your son's passing. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts on this Memorial Day holidat.
ReplyDeletePraying for your grandson and his fiancée, It is wise that they have chosen to wait a few days before heading back to Florida. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeletePraying for safe travels to your grandson and fiancé loved the photos around the place, yours sons place is very nice! Thank you for sharing the beauty with us. Also,can't wait for the next family of blue birds. New post up for me! glad you had a good weekend
ReplyDeleteAs you may have been able to conclude, I've been reading your posts in backward order here on June 10th, trying to catch up with my blog buddies. Nine years. Where does the time go, as people like to say. On May 25th it was 2 1/2 years since Beloved's passing and I, too, wondered how that much time could have gone by already. We just never "get over" those losses, do we (whatever "get over" means). You do an excellent job of honoring Matthew as well as all of your family, understanding that we need to cherish all the opportunities we have to be with them.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see a picture of Noah and his beloved. I'm so thankful that he continues to keep in touch with you and comes to visit you. He's a special young man.
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