A sweet farewell Dad...
My Dad passed away two weeks ago tomorrow. It has been a long difficult journey watching him suffer with Alzheimers and even harder to watch his last remaining days here on earth. He is finally free from his prison and though I am so relieved for him, the reality of him being
gone is still hard.
I have thought a lot about Heaven these past few weeks. Who came for him? What is he experiencing? Who is he talking to? What is he wearing? Has he had all his questions answered? He had a lot of them. Can he see me? Does he know how many people love and miss him? This magnified reality of a heaven makes this existence feel like I am in a bit of a holding
pattern.
Cathy and Jenny
Luke and Annaliese with Grandma
The Steve Armstrong clan minus Lance who is in the service back east and could not make it.
Chelse, Mom, Kendra, me and Annie
We had the service yesterday. It was delayed for almost two weeks because we had family coming from Indonesia and it was the soonest they could get here. What a sweet relief to have my brothers and their families here. Being together gave me strength. I have such an amazing family...all of them! How many people can say that? We are growing with such wonderful additions both in marriage and births.
It was really important to Mom that we have the Air Force Honor Guard come and salute Dad. They folded the flag on Dads coffin and gave the flag to Mom.
The "presenter" knelt next to Mom and presented her the flag and spoke softly, only to her...
"This flag is presented on behalf of the President of the United States of America and a grateful nation as a token of appreciation for your loved ones honorable and faithful service."
It was very touching, knowing how proud Dad was of his service on the Berlin Airlift an 75 combat missions in Korea.
Brett Hulet
Steve Armstrong
Nick Armstrong
Brad Worsley
Luke Armstrong
Ben Hulet
Nico Armstrong
Here we are waiting for the placement of the casket and dedication of the grave. I think Cathy was taking care of one of her grandchildren during this picture and Tony was in Germany and not able to make the flight back.
These women were truly our angels who took care of Dad during his final years. We knew him at his best and they knew him only at his worst. There dedication to Dad was the truest of unconditional love. Our love and gratitude knows no bounds.
Thanks for sharing that - I loved your dad. He was always so kind and loving to me personally. I am grateful for his release into a much better existence. The sadness is always there when you lose a parent, but it's only sadness for yourself as you miss their association. Love to you and all your family.
ReplyDeleteWe really wanted to be there to support you all and had actually planned our trip down...We got tied up here in Taylor though. I understand so many of your feelings. Won't it be wonderful to finally have all of those questions answered when our "race" (that is how Ed explained it to the kids)is through. I have no doubt that he knows how much you all love and miss him...Just before Waylon passed away, I whispered in his ear and told him how much I loved him, but that I knew Heavenly Father loved him more...and then he passed away. Sometimes I ask myself those very same questions...did he think that I didn't love him enough because of what I had said, and so he left...wondering if I did love him? Did he know how much I did love him? Just as I am certain that you are so grateful that your father was released from this mortal body and suffering, I'm sure that the missing and longing for him is so difficult. I suppose that is where faith is so necessary, as I am sure you already know. It is the one thing that gets us through...believing, or having faith that the day will come when we are reunited with our loved ones...that there will be a day when all of the questions we have will be answered. Our prayers are with you and your family...especially for your mother. We sure do love her, she has always been so kind to us. Thanks for sharing I have been wondering how you were doing. If you need anything Christy, please let us know.
ReplyDeleteChristi I have gone private on my blog - if you are interested in access I need your current email address. - Judy
ReplyDeletecbworsley@gmail.com
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