The grand kids are growing up and we have a new addition. Dillon Kai was born in March of 2016 and he is a pistol. He is adorable, smart, funny, bossy, demanding and loves to cuddle. I watch him four days a week and he is just the greatest joy for us. Up until last week he called me, Mommy, Mama, Nemaw and finally nailed Namaw! It does a heart good just to be called :-)
Life is forever changing as with everyone. Celebrations, sorrows, seasons of life each one.
I'm preparing for a vacation back to Montana for a family reunion this summer. I haven't made the annual trip since the loss of my sweet Aunt Wilma in over three years ago. Just haven't been able to bring myself to deal with a visit and her not being there, strangers living in the house that was formerly my Grandmothers. Uggh... I still try and go through it mentally as to prepare myself...it's sad, yet at the same time I'm excited to see all of my family and catch up. The Herndon family is a special group of individuals who love deeply and always have each others backs.
The end of last year my cousin Bob's son Ben asked if the could stay with us for a time. He moved in a couple days later. He was going through some struggles as we all do in life and wanted to find work, get life in order and the plan was his wife and daughter would come here to live in California. We had some amazing conversations and I started to feel even more connected with him. It was easy to do as he had a really beautiful heart. His wife Adrianne did come out to spend sometime with him and they were so in love so excited and optimistic about their future. Not long after she returned to Montana. After seeing them together I didn't think he was going to make it through the holidays away from his family so he returned to Montana as well. Sadly Ben's life was taken in a motorcycle incident on May 10th at the age of 41. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this tragedy, the family and all who knew him are at such a loss. A celebration of his life is next Friday in Butte Montana, I will be there in spirit as our family gathers. Our reunion this summer will be bitter sweet, as there will be an empty seat at the table. Benjamin will not be forgotten, but forever in our hearts.
Life can be over in an instant, why we often assume it will never be someone close to us? We should be living life fully, speaking love to those we love. What if we were to tell others what they mean and have meant to us while they are with us rather than at their service? I think it requires really being aware of doing it daily and maybe it then becomes second nature? I am thankful for the time I had with Benjamin, he knew how much I loved him, how much hope I had for his future being bright again.
A dear friend told me, "I know he enjoyed his time with you and Bob, and the Lord brought him to you out of the blue to share His love with Ben. God knew how short his time was and knew you'd be obedient to share God with Ben." Ben told me one night he felt as if there was an empty hole inside that he couldn't fill. I told him, "that is the hole only God can fill, and that is when that peace that surpasses all understanding takes over." His response is that is what I've been looking for!
I hope that space has been filled for each of you, it's what echos from my heart today....
Hugs!