Where will you be?

Tomorrow is a great day in American History. How many of our ancestors never would have dreamed that an African-American would become president of the United States. Where will you be? What will you be doing? Whatever it is, I hope that you will take time to pray for President-Elect Obama. Whether you voted for him or not......we are commanded to pray. God Bless America!

Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God.
1 Timothy 2:2

Where to begin????

I honestly don't know where to begin this post. It has only been 7 days since my last post but so much has occurred. Many people have flippantly made the comment - "Did you have a good New Year?" ..... I want so bad to say, uh....NO!

Early in the morning hours of January 1, we received a phone call that has completely changed our lives and put many things into prospective. My father-in-law was very ill, consumed with cancer, and was dying. Sal and I spent the next 44 hours at the hospital with family watching one of the strongest men I know, pass away. If I never have to do that again, it will be too soon.

My father-in-law passed away around 2:37 Saturday morning, January 3, 2 hours and 37 minutes into my husband's 46th birthday. We had his funeral yesterday and at times it is still so hard for me to imagine that this has all happened. My heart is breaking because my husband has lost his Dad, a man he loved dearly and my mother-in-law, his wife of 53 years, is now alone. I am one of those people who is a "fixer" and I can't fix this and that is hard.

At the funeral, they asked the kids, what they had learned from the Dad. They mentioned "how to live", "how to love", and "how to laugh". He did teach his kids and those of us brought into the family how to do those things. However, one of the things I was thinking about that I wouldn't mention for fear of really losing it, was that he taught his sons how to be men and how to take care of their families. I am so thankful for my husband and what he does to take care of us. I see him look at his Mom and his desire to take care of her and I know that he too, is teaching our children this same legacy.

So the first 7 days of 2009 has brought sadness and many tears. It has brought to mind these lyrics by Casting Crown - "I'll praise You in the storm, and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am, every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand. You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm." As hard as this past week has been, I will continue to lift my eyes to the hills because I know where the help comes from. Please keep our family in your prayers.

"Cele" , I'm going to miss you. May you rest in peace.