This time of year always makes me reflect on two people that have touched my life very much. The day after Thanksgiving this year, we went out to Carries graveside as a family. Blake just wanted to run around. Tommy however remembers Carrie. So on the way out there we talked about her and some of our memories. Tommy says he misses Carrie because when she would babysit him she would give him popsicles. He said, "sometimes, she would even give me more than one", with a big smile on his face. Carrie was an amazing person. I remember how much she cared about people. I remember when Eric lost his job at KP and he decided to go back to school, she told me she would stay up at night worrying about how we would make it. One night she called me and told me she was making dinner and accidently made to many porkchops and asked if we wanted to come over for dinner. How do you accidently make to many porkchops??? I love the example of true generosity she set for me. I know if it wasn't for her Jenna would not be a part of our family. I am thankful that she is!!! I am also thankful that Mary is now a part of our family, and how she has blessed the lives of Brian and Jenna, and now Catie. I am sure Carrie approves. In fact, for all I know Carrie may have had something to do with it, to make sure Brian and Jenna had nothing but the best.
December 2nd, was Grandpa Stringhams birthday. I loved Grandpa Stringham. I have so many memories of him. I remember going to the farm, and riding in his truck with him. I remember walking in the farmhouse, and Grandpa would be sitting in his rocking chair snoring away. I remember him getting the 3 wheeler ready for us to ride on the farm. I remember going out to the garden and picking peas with him, and then coming in eating them. I loved Grandpa Stringham so much. I am thankful for the example of hardwork he set for me, and also how well he treated my Grandma Stringham. As a little girl, there was no doubt in my mind how much he loved her by the way he spoiled her.
10 comments:
That was a good post. I miss Carrie too. You're gonna make me cry.
The loved them both, also. I like to think that they are both looking down on us as guardian angels. Mary -- you came into our lives at a difficult and an emotional time. I am constantly amazed how well you stepped into motherhood and being a wife with practicality and a soft heart.
Sorry, I somehow double-posted my comments.
I'm crying and I didn't even know them! Thank you for sharing such tender memories. :)
They were both such wonderful people and such great examples to me. I feel blessed that I was able to know them.
Thanks for the memories!
That was very nice to read.
I have somewhat mixed emotions about this subject. I am always thankful to Carrie for bringing Jenna to Brian, and ultimately me. I know that if it were not for her, not only would I not have Brian, but I also would not have Jenna or Catie. I might have married somebody else and had a child, but it would not have been Catie.
I also feel very very sad at times that my happiness had to come at such an expense to others. I will never understand why God chose to take such a treasured soul from the earth and leave so many people heartbroken. I think of how hard it must have been for her to leave Brian and Jenna and it breaks my heart.
At the same time, I know that it was not by "chance" that Brian and I met. I will always believe that a higher power had something to do with it, and nobody will ever be able to convince me otherwise.
Once Brian told me of a dream he had about Carrie right after we met. He said he was walking down a sidewalk and as he was walking he met Carrie. He was so excited to get to see her and talk to her again, but then he told her that he was sorry, but he had met someone. And she smiled at him and told him that it was ok, she understood. I truly believe with all my heart that she was telling him that she was ok with us.
I wish I had known Carrie. From everything everyone has ever told me about her, she sounds like the kind of person anybody would want to be friends with. I hope she approves of me as Jenna's mommy. Jenna is my daughter, in my heart and legally, but she'll always be Carrie's baby, and everyday I always hope that she feels that I am a good enough mother for her baby.
what a sweet sentiment. I didn't know Carrie, but have heard wonderful things about her.
Mary, We are all so thankful for your addition to our family! Jenna and Catie have such a kind and loving mother! We love you! :)
You Suck Maria... i wanted to laugh at pix of teh boys... not cry! Thanks for the good memories!!
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