Apr 18, 2011

you were always on my mind

I hate that song, thanks to Practical Magic which totally made it creepy. Anyway, we just found out last night that my father-in-law who is in Afghanistan lost good friends and co-workers to a suicide bomber. As one can imagine, he is anxious to be home next week and feels their loss. I don't understand it. My brain can fathom how someone can be brainwashed into killing people, but my heart cannot. I find myself asking why? What is the point? Life is such a fragile thing. With cancer raging, viruses and bacterias that cause illness that do not react to drugs, not to mention time being a killer. My how fast time goes! But to think that we must take caution against a stranger sitting in a room with you because he has a bomb strapped to his chest? I am so grateful for the safety of this country! I am thankful for the men and women who fight to keep this a safe country. Aren't we all fighting to keep it safe? Fighting to be good citizens, good neighbors and friends. My heart aches for the families who lost loved ones. My heart aches for my father-in-law, who I freely call dad, because I love him as such, and he has loved me as his daughter. I can only imagine the loss he feels when a familiar face is no longer there to greet him in the office, or to work out with him in the gym. Absence perhaps brings the greatest feeling of loss. I remember after my grandpa died, my grandma notice his scriptures on the dresser, which he was never without. Before remembering he was gone, she picked them up and said, "Eldge, you forgot your scriptures!" It is difficult to set to mind that one day we are here, and the next we may be gone. I am grateful for the knowledge that we will be re-united, and being separated by death is really only a short wink in time. Even that knowledge doesn't ebb the pain that loss brings. Peace be unto you who sorrow, my heart goes out to you all. My heart aches for dad. I look forward to wrapping my arms around him and welcoming him home. Until then, he is in my thoughts and prayers.



ps I posted before and after pictures of the house on FB and am not feeling inclined to include them here unless otherwise notified it is necessary.

4 comments:

Sarah Warnick said...

Mom told us about it. I hope he is able to come home this weekend with no problems. Jaylie needs her Grandpa home to spoil her.

Tanya Smith said...

Very well said. I really hope he makes it home safely. Don't know what I would do without my dad...

Kristen and Alex said...

Thank you for this post. I feel so sorry for Tod. How awful to lose friends like that and how scary for him to be there still. I pray that he will arrive home safely. He has been away for so long and I know all of you are ready for him to be home safe and sound. Life does change very quickly and you just never know when Heavenly Father will decide to take any one of us home. It makes you appreciate life and the ones around you in a different light. Thank you for the reminder.

Smiler said...

Very good post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. So glad I could see you for two seconds a few weeks ago. Sad that you lost your Grandmother though. Love you tons!