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I buried my brother today.

This was the day that I was not looking forward to since I heard the news of Doug’s death. The viewing and graveside service was mostly family. A few of Doug’s coworkers drove up from Lubbock, but mostly it was my parents, brother and sisters, Tammie and her sons. Tammie’s mother, brother and sister and nephews were there. Also. some of Mom’s brothers and sister-in-laws drove down from the Chicago and southern Michigan Area.

Doug was buried with full military honors. It was a very solemn ceremony, one that I think Doug would have appreciated. He is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery in section 58 row 9 site 5.

It was a tough day for everyone. It was hard to see my brother at the viewing. I sat there for a long time just staring at him in the casket, remembering the good times we had. Also, regretting the lack of contact we had, but then no matter if we called each other every day… that would still not be enough….

Good Bye Doug… I love you….

At some time in your life you will hear the words “I have some bad news”. For some, it will be the loss of a job, others it will be the doctor giving you the diagnosis. Some will be told face to face, some will be told over the phone.

For me, it was on my cell phone while I was shopping at Kohls. My sister-in-law told me of the death of my brother. It seemed like the whole world started spinning in slow motion, I could not believe the news. “He died this morning from a heart attack” she said. I stopped listening sometime after that and I slowly handed my phone over to my wife. At that point, the problems I had, seemed small and insignificant.

My mind raced to when we were kids, the teasing and torture that an older brother, I am the youngest, inflicts to a younger brother. To the time I called him on autovon because of some girl problem that I had. To that summer in ‘79 when my oldest brother and I drove down to Clovis New Mexico to see him. It was the first time I drove a stick.

I spoke with my remaining brother this evening, he has had his own struggles as his daughter was killed in a car accident. We talked about how each were feeling, sharing our memories of our brother. tallking about how the other members fo the family were doing…

Both of us shocked, at the words we don’t want to hear.

Today is Father’s Day and I want to wish all those wonderful men that have played an important role in my life “the best Father’s Day ever.” To my wonderful husband, thanks for being a Godly influence in our daughter’s life. For the love you give to all of us and for all the sacrifices you have made for us. I want to thank my dad for always being there for me and exemplifying all those years what a dad is all about. To my husband’s father, well, you know how much you have succeeded when you look at your kid’s lives.

I’m in the kitchen cooking dinner, when all of sudden, my husband goes running out the door in a rush. I saw him looking out the window and then he said “Oh my gosh!” and ran out the door. I thought that maybe there might have been an accident outside. When I looked through the window, Baby Car (our daughters Toyota Echo) was rolling backwards down the driveway. I guess he forgot to put the e-brake on. It would have been really bad to tell our daughter that her car ran away and got into an accident.

We were invited to several graduation parties and open houses. We tried to time it so that we would be at both at the right time. We were able to see some friends of ours that we haven’t seen for a while. We ate and talked for some time, it was a nice reunion. When we went to the 2nd open house, they had ribs on the bar-b-cue made by the Brooks and they were delicious. We had a good time talking with church friends or some of the teachers.

This year the Senior graduation falls on our Anniversary. Needless to say, we will celebrate at another time since this will be a busy weekend. We were at the school until about 4:30pm helping with the decorations. When I left, the gym looked so pretty and ready for the reception. The theme this year was “Reaching for the Stars.” The guest speaker had a ribbon which had Emmanuel Christian School Flames engraved on it. He had the Seniors come up to the front and he rolled out the ribbon from one end to the other with each Senior holding it. Then he had the Pastor come cut the ribbon in pieces for each Senior. The ribbon, in one piece, represented the whole class as they were today. When it was cut, it represented the class as individuals going out their seprate directions. He had all the parents stand behind their child and they prayed over the family. I’m sure that both parents and seniors will remembers this forever. Also, it is a tradition at Emmanuel Christian School for the Senior class to pass the flame to the Junior class. The passing of the flame ceremony was beautiful and touching. The Seniors, with their lit candle, will light the Junior’s candles and extinguish their candle which symbolizes the end of their Senior year and the start of a new year for the rising Junior. Amber, my daughter’s best friend since the 3rd grade, will be passing her the flame. I can’t believe that we now have a Senior in the house. Actually, we now have 3 Seniors in the house. I will provide a link for pictures soon.

Well today marks our 22nd wedding anniversary. I married to my wonderful, beautiful wife on this day… It still seems like it was only yesterday….

It was a warm Saturday. Having to tell my best friend to step down as my best man because his girlfriend had “issues” with my future sister-in-law. My brothers threw me a bachelors party that almost ended my marriage before it started. I remember standing at the church about an hour before seeing my blushing bride flying by the church in her sisters car not ready for the ceremony. The small church packed with family and extended family. A ceremony that we cried over. The reception at the VFW. And our first night together as man and wife…. that she still does not remember…. You fill in the joke…

I am still in love with my wife and this has been a wonderful adventure….

Today we ended our school year. We went to Redding Park for a picnic. We had one of our parents in charge of games and food, and they did such a wonderful job. It was the best picnic we could ever ask for. The weather was beautiful, the planning of the games, and the food all went smoothly. It seems like the year went by so fast. I know that I’ll miss our kids, but I also know that I’ll be able to stop by and see them next year and throughout the summer. It was sad because I know that I won’t be there next year, but it was certainly a memorable experience for me.

For once I am home. I have been working on a project at work that has consumed my life for the past two months. I have been putting in 50 hour work weeks since mid April. I am part of a team that is launching a new IM client, It goes into beta soon. The launch has been marked by problem and delay since almost the beginning.

So for once I am not tied to my computer or on some conference call talking with a developer or architect. I am just sitting here in my easy chair listening to music relaxing.. something I have not done in a while…