Mutlitude Monday

Today my mom and dad would have celebrated 49 years of marriage. It truly was a love story worthy of any book movie etc. They struggled through separations, including a year and a half that my father was in vietnam (dad was military), financial hardships and life, but as their children, we never doubted the love they had for one another. With yesterday being father's day and my fathers birthday in 3 days, this is one tough week...

Daddy...I miss you so much! I know Mom does, she aches to hear your laugh, your voice and that look you gave her when she walked into a room. I wish I could do more to ease the pain and loneliness she feels without you.

Today, I am grateful God placed me with these parents, for my childhood with them, for lessons they taught me, and memories that shall never leave me...

446. their example of what love should be
447. my mothers strength, especially at times when my father had to be away
448. quick to laugh and slow to anger
449. seeing them dance together in the kitchen
450. mom holding my newborn sister, wishing dad were there
451. dad holding my newborn brother as he smiles at my mom
452. me helping dad build a new house in puerto rico (as much as a 6 year old can)He converted a travel trailer into a 3 bedroom home.
453. memories of him coming home! The look of love on my mother face as he walked off the planes.
454. Mom dumping icewater down dad's back as he showered, and his blood currdling scream that came with it
455. playing board games and mom kicking our butts at it...
456. mom making ceramics, and us running a ceramic shop for a couple of years.
457. Watching my mom make dinner when we did not think we had anything in the house to eat.
458. mom taking us camping, and vowing to never do it again (she is not outdoorsy)
459 Dad taking us camping and fishing
460. driving from one place to another when dad got orders, yet they always made us feel like we were home because we had eachother
461. Silly stories that I now find myself telling my grandchildren
462. christmas' memories of us just being together and always a special gift they gave to eachother
463. dad never forgetting their anniversary with roses, treating them as if they were a surpise even tho' we all knew they were coming
464. knowing they could both trust me to be there when they needed me.
465. sitting in rehab as my father was allowed to eat then at a family meeting with both of my parents crying tears of joy as we recieved nothing but good news (dad had broken his neck and went through multiple complications...he "should have" died that year)
467. Every miracle, even small ones that God granted us that bought us one more day with dad
468. The last hospital stay...when the doctors said he would not survive the night...he did and more...almost 2 months
469. showing the nurses that little miracles matter
470. mom's love for dad showing through...I asked if she needed a hug at one point, she said she just wanted a hug from dad. (he was mostly unconcious at that time) All I could offer was a hug from "his favorite oldest daughter"...she took it. I am grateful that I could offer her a little comfort.
471. Dad's laughter in the hospital as mom had brought in some of his favorite music...mom and I dancing to the Kingston Trio and a nurse walking in looking shocked and unsure of how to react.
472. Despite being so ill, the first thing that dad askes for when he woke was mom
473. My dad asking me to get a dozen roses for my mom "just because" when he was dying.
474. Putting the other first
475. Dad looking at my mom, he said he only had two regrets in life, that he did not pray with his family more and that he did not dance with her enough.

I could not ask God for any better examples of what marriage and love should be, I am sorry for all those who did not grow up in families like mine. We were far from perfect, but what we always had was love for eachother.