Reflections

We are driving back towards Atlanta today -- in the rain. Three years ago today, we made a trip to the cemetery to lay my mother to rest. We actually didn't expect Dad to make it another three years before joining her in heaven. The last three years have been difficult for him -- health wise but probably most, missing Mother more than he could imagine.

There were days when he called me and told me simply, "I'm lonely today." And we would talk and share and usually I would remind him of a humorous time in their lives and we would laugh together. Many times he would call for Rachel to come and 'sit for a while' ... just to have one of the kids close. He so loved his boys but I think we gals (and especially Rachel) so reminded him of the lady he had loved so very long. We can never adequately express our appreciation to Rachel for the sacrifice of love she has given over these past years!!

On top of the casket, there were 26 orchids along with roses. Why orchids? Maybe it's because my mother's nickname for my dad was "Orky" .. wow, surprise, huh? It was their 'flower' .. and we have carried that down through our 'generation' .. on Mother's Day this year when we were heading up to Jene's graduation, my dad had asked that Jene' pick up orchid corsages for Rachel and me .. a reminder of the love our parents had for each other. I carried orchids in my wedding -- what more appropriate expression of love could we give than to place the orchids -- 6 children, 20 grandchildren -- in honor of the love they had for each other.

My dad treated my mother like a queen! Never did I see her open a car door for herself and he would wait until she was seated before he shut the door. I realized last night how my dad has passed that down -- Joel brought me back to Indy and as we went to the car, he went to my side first, opened the door and waited for me to be comfortably seated before closing it! My comment was, "Wow, just like Dad!"

Today, I'm honoring them together because I can't begin to express my joy (yes, joy) that they are celebrating being together again. While I am not happy that they are gone, we have great joy!!