Death. Marriage. Birthdays.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"...a time to be born and a time to die..."
April 17th, 2018.
Grandpa Broersma (a.k.a Cookie Grandpa) passed away after a failing mind for the past few years and a brief battle with congested heart failure. Grandpa was a stubborn man which is why he fought so hard in the end. I had the honor of visiting with Grandpa in the hospital the day he passed.
Nothing was more touching than witnessing forever love having to say goodbye. Watching Grandma's silent tears stream down her face, knowing those hours were her last with Grandpa, spoke of such tenderness that grew in their relationship.
Being married into the family, I can't divulge any family secrets or stories growing up together. The few years I did have with Grandpa Broersma were profound.
Grandpa guided Tim and I financially giving advice into budgeting and even carrying a small loan for us in the beginning of our marriage. There was never a moment that wasn't teachable. Even when Tim would borrow a garden tool, there was a lesson in how to return it cleaned and put in the exact spot it was found. If I were to list two things that I learned from Grandpa they would be stewardship and wisdom.
How Grandpa lived his life, from taking care of his home and "stuff" he owned to how he managed his life, stewardship and wisdom would cover it all. A straight forward, no fluff, called it as he saw it type of guy. One that loved his cookies in the cabinet by the TV (which all the grandkids know about) to lunch at just the right time in his private office downstairs; Grandpa was precise, scheduled, predictable and yet, in the last few years soft and gentle, sweet and romantic.
You could, and still can, see Grandma glow when she talks about her marriage.
What an incredible gift that is to all the family and a gift to all the grandson's to witness.
Tim grew up across the street from Grandma and Grandpa so you can imagine all the stories he has from his earlier years. One of his favorite pictures is of Grandpa just letting go of his bike without training wheels while Tim takes off pedaling. All that you see is pride on Grandpa's face; excitement and joy on Tim's.
Grandpa, our kids miss you already and Tim has lost a legacy in your journey Home.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
April 17th, 2018.
Grandpa Broersma (a.k.a Cookie Grandpa) passed away after a failing mind for the past few years and a brief battle with congested heart failure. Grandpa was a stubborn man which is why he fought so hard in the end. I had the honor of visiting with Grandpa in the hospital the day he passed.
Nothing was more touching than witnessing forever love having to say goodbye. Watching Grandma's silent tears stream down her face, knowing those hours were her last with Grandpa, spoke of such tenderness that grew in their relationship.
Being married into the family, I can't divulge any family secrets or stories growing up together. The few years I did have with Grandpa Broersma were profound.
Grandpa guided Tim and I financially giving advice into budgeting and even carrying a small loan for us in the beginning of our marriage. There was never a moment that wasn't teachable. Even when Tim would borrow a garden tool, there was a lesson in how to return it cleaned and put in the exact spot it was found. If I were to list two things that I learned from Grandpa they would be stewardship and wisdom.
How Grandpa lived his life, from taking care of his home and "stuff" he owned to how he managed his life, stewardship and wisdom would cover it all. A straight forward, no fluff, called it as he saw it type of guy. One that loved his cookies in the cabinet by the TV (which all the grandkids know about) to lunch at just the right time in his private office downstairs; Grandpa was precise, scheduled, predictable and yet, in the last few years soft and gentle, sweet and romantic.
You could, and still can, see Grandma glow when she talks about her marriage.
What an incredible gift that is to all the family and a gift to all the grandson's to witness.
Tim grew up across the street from Grandma and Grandpa so you can imagine all the stories he has from his earlier years. One of his favorite pictures is of Grandpa just letting go of his bike without training wheels while Tim takes off pedaling. All that you see is pride on Grandpa's face; excitement and joy on Tim's.
Grandpa, our kids miss you already and Tim has lost a legacy in your journey Home.
"...a time to love and a time to hate..."
(I'm not suggesting Dad and Mom hate...)
April 21st, 2018
My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in a simple manor at home with us kids. Mom was recovering from surgery so we kept it low-key with Tim cooking and the grandkids entertaining. Jason and I, along with our families, put together a 40 things gift basket filled with items that reminded us of ways Mom and Dad have shown their love for each other. Things like the church mints Mom would give us as they encouraged our faith to grow in the Word. Socks for all the walks Dad took with us outside without shoes on. Favorite things; Lee's breakfast every Saturday morning, candy coated peanuts, USA napkins, lifesavers that can always be found on road trips, and many more.
It's been an incredibly valuable lesson that Dad and Mom have given us kids by celebrating forty years together. The lesson that you don't walk away when marriage is hard, stubborn, without compromise or even sometimes without mutual like for each other. I've heard my parents fight, as have all kids, and I know it was never perfect. No relationship is because it's created with two imperfect beings; yet alone with two strong-willed, intelligent, stubborn by nature personalities.
Watching my mom live out..."in sickness and in health," has been powerful. Nurse by trade, caretaker by marriage, both fueled by compassion and such intense love for the ones she cares for. And let me just make this clear, my Dad gave this vow a run for it's money! He's had multiple bouts with cancer, blew his arm up, cut his finger off, broke many bones, encountered many injuries from a garage that tends to resemble a junk yard and so many other dings and bruises that Mom has stuck around for.
I've witnessed my parents go through the hardest thing any parent could face and also seen my parents conquer fears by moving forward. They've taught me how to play with countless boating trips to the San Juan Islands and camping trips that date back to the blue panel truck.
Their marriage has shown me how hard work and a strong work ethic can benefit not only the marriage, but the prosperity of the family.
It was a joy and honor to celebrate every moment of their 40 years of marriage together as a family.
"...a time to weep and a time to laugh..."
My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in a simple manor at home with us kids. Mom was recovering from surgery so we kept it low-key with Tim cooking and the grandkids entertaining. Jason and I, along with our families, put together a 40 things gift basket filled with items that reminded us of ways Mom and Dad have shown their love for each other. Things like the church mints Mom would give us as they encouraged our faith to grow in the Word. Socks for all the walks Dad took with us outside without shoes on. Favorite things; Lee's breakfast every Saturday morning, candy coated peanuts, USA napkins, lifesavers that can always be found on road trips, and many more.
It's been an incredibly valuable lesson that Dad and Mom have given us kids by celebrating forty years together. The lesson that you don't walk away when marriage is hard, stubborn, without compromise or even sometimes without mutual like for each other. I've heard my parents fight, as have all kids, and I know it was never perfect. No relationship is because it's created with two imperfect beings; yet alone with two strong-willed, intelligent, stubborn by nature personalities.
Watching my mom live out..."in sickness and in health," has been powerful. Nurse by trade, caretaker by marriage, both fueled by compassion and such intense love for the ones she cares for. And let me just make this clear, my Dad gave this vow a run for it's money! He's had multiple bouts with cancer, blew his arm up, cut his finger off, broke many bones, encountered many injuries from a garage that tends to resemble a junk yard and so many other dings and bruises that Mom has stuck around for.
I've witnessed my parents go through the hardest thing any parent could face and also seen my parents conquer fears by moving forward. They've taught me how to play with countless boating trips to the San Juan Islands and camping trips that date back to the blue panel truck.
Their marriage has shown me how hard work and a strong work ethic can benefit not only the marriage, but the prosperity of the family.
It was a joy and honor to celebrate every moment of their 40 years of marriage together as a family.
April 30th, 2018
We celebrated Traci's would be 39th birthday with Myriam singing Happy Birthday and as a family visiting Auntie's resting spot. You expect the first year after someones death to be emotionally hard, but the second it becomes a harsh reality that in order to wish my sister birthday wishes I have to send them to Heaven and stand over a hard cement stone. The memories on this day flooded back to all the many parties we shared together. Traci was always so good about giving cards that she had spent time picking out. There was a moment in the day where I felt a little anger not being able to spend five dollars to have someone else write how I feel about my sister. I kept thinking about how as soon as this birthday passed, we'd together start planning her fortieth with a sister trip and big celebrations.
After we delivered flowers, we went to the new Lynden Fro Yo to have our own birthday treats. Auntie loved frozen yogurt and the ability to load her cup with toppings. It was a sweet way to remember and never forget how amazing our sister and Auntie was in our lives.
Traci taught me incredible lessons in her short time on earth. I feel her life continues to give back which is why we continue, and will continue, to celebrate the life God gave her every year on her birthday.
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other."
Ecclesiastes 7:14
We celebrated Traci's would be 39th birthday with Myriam singing Happy Birthday and as a family visiting Auntie's resting spot. You expect the first year after someones death to be emotionally hard, but the second it becomes a harsh reality that in order to wish my sister birthday wishes I have to send them to Heaven and stand over a hard cement stone. The memories on this day flooded back to all the many parties we shared together. Traci was always so good about giving cards that she had spent time picking out. There was a moment in the day where I felt a little anger not being able to spend five dollars to have someone else write how I feel about my sister. I kept thinking about how as soon as this birthday passed, we'd together start planning her fortieth with a sister trip and big celebrations.
After we delivered flowers, we went to the new Lynden Fro Yo to have our own birthday treats. Auntie loved frozen yogurt and the ability to load her cup with toppings. It was a sweet way to remember and never forget how amazing our sister and Auntie was in our lives.
Traci taught me incredible lessons in her short time on earth. I feel her life continues to give back which is why we continue, and will continue, to celebrate the life God gave her every year on her birthday.
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other."
Ecclesiastes 7:14
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