Well, it's been far too long since I wrote another post on this blog that I committed to be faithful to last year. My intentions were pure, but my life got away from me and other things became the priority. That sounds so lame when I read it back, but there you are......
I've been thinking this past week about my brother, Tom, and wanted to expand on those thoughts for a minute or two. Tom's birthday is tomorrow - he would have been 54 years old. He passed away in 2005 from brain cancer. Next to my husband, Tom was my best friend. He was funny, wise, kind, smart, athletic, an amazing husband to Ann, and a great dad to Katie. He was dearly loved by his family and left a huge hole in our family the day he left us. I have been reading his family letters lately and still can't understand how he could take a simple, daily happening and turn it into the funniest, most hilarious story ever. I've tried to do it in my own family letters and I've failed miserably. He lived his life to the fullest, until the very end. I remember visiting him a couple of months before he died. I would sit by his bed and talk to him, not knowing if he could hear me. I would then go into the backyard and sit against the house and cry my eyes out. The next time I would go into his room, he would shake his finger at me and make a line down his cheek with his finger - telling me not to cry. He made it known to me through his limited ability to speak that he would like me to clip his toenails. It's common knowledge in my family that I love to clip and polish fingers and toes. He certainly would have been angry had I polished his toenails, but I had the privilege of trimming them. The thoughts going through my mind at the time were of Mary washing the feet of the Savior, in her humble attempt to serve Him. I felt like my equally humble attempt had been accepted by my brother, and by the Savior. It was a sacred experience.
I've also been thinking about my sweet sister-in-law, Ann, and my most amazing niece, Katie. Ann has been the strongest person I know over the past 7 1/2 years. She has given Katie the stability and love that she so desperately needed, with no thought of herself or her own loneliness or pain. I admire her beyond words and I'm so grateful that my brother was smart enough and wise enough to choose her for his eternal companion. Watching Katie grow into a beautiful young woman has been sweet. I see my brother in her. I see her becoming the kind of person he would be so proud of. I thank Ann for raising her the way he would have if he were here. Ann, you are my hero!! I love you both beyond words.
Tommy - I miss you! I look forward to the day when we can all be together again. I'm envious of the time you have with Lanette. You are both so precious to me. I am blessed to be counted as your sister. We are all blessed - this family of Bishop folk!!! Happy Birthday!
No comments:
Post a Comment