And the Healing Begins

It seems that my last post was read by almost everyone in my small town. I had people I didn't really know telling how beautiful and comforting my words were on Sunday. I was both flattered and embarrassed. It's not that I write to be complimented, it's that by writing, I am venting, sharing, and in bad times, healing.

I share these posts because, as someone told me when David's accident happened, maybe God wasn't punishing us, or telling us something, but maybe this happened because there is someone, somewhere who will read about this in the paper and their life will be changed because of it. That is how I feel about writing, if I can touch one person who at some point felt so lost, and if I can bring them hope, then the post was successful. Not to mention, it makes mom feel better to know the money she spent on the journalism degree wasn't all wasted. :-)

So, where do I start today? It's a new day, a new beginning for each of you reading this post. It's been a rough 4 days for my friends and family in Cameron. During the time of mourning for our friend, we were able to celebrate his short time on this Earth.

As Dave and I drove into town on Tuesday night for the visitation, I was blown away as we arrived at the funeral home. Driving up highway 77, cars lined the road, parking in the open fields beside and across the street from the funeral home, and as we walked toward the front door, people stood in line, waiting to get inside. It was a little chilly, but as we stood there with all of our friends that warmth made the cold go away.

The service was one of the most beautiful I have ever attended. Bill did a wonderful job officiating, although I know he too has a broken heart. David was like a son to him too. As we arrived at the church (around 12:30), many of us who stood with Tiffany on Sunday morning, gathered as they brought David to the service. As Christy saw the 6 pallbearers arrive in the big white Circle S van, it was too much for her. She and I held each other as we watched her brother and my brother, stand side-by-side to take our brother to his final resting place.

By 1, the church was packed, the overflow rooms were filling and there were tears flowing. As the service ended and the attendees began filing by, paying their last respects, I felt as if I'd been punched in the stomach. Watching 6 young men gather around their friend to tell him goodbye, broke my heart all over again. We watched as the sheriff's department, Texas Highway Patrol, City Police, visiting law enforcement officers, State Game Wardens, EMS, and a Texas Ranger file by. WOW, there were no words. It took over 45 minutes to clear the church - Does that tell you how many lives Little David touched?

Tiffany picked the most beautiful resting spot for David. From his final "home", David has a beautiful view of his wonderful house on the hill in the country. As Dave said, "the way the crow flies, he's probably a mile away."

Yesterday, God cleared the skies, no rain, no clouds - a wonderful sunny day to bid farewell to our friend.

We were gathered at the hall for dinner, and I was sitting there, watching all of the kids run and play and thinking about how those kids will keep everyone going. I watched Trenton and Landen wrestle on the floor and simply asked a friend if he saw Sam and David over there playing? Stealing a line from my favorite movie, Steel Magnolias, "Life goes on..." and it does.

David's life, while short, will live on in his children and the lives of the children he touched. It will also live on in each and every friend he left on this earth to finish the jobs he started. Those men have big shoes to fill. But I also know this - These same friends who are grieving the loss of their "brother" will help Tiffany and those boys through this difficult time. That's what they do.

Now, I've been listening to a song the entire time I've written this today - Trace Adkins - The Rest of Mine... It simple starts "There's no guaranty that we'll see tomorrow, Heaven only knows, how long we have. So there's no way I'll ever for one second let you wonder, just how long my love for you will last - til my last breath, til I'm called on high, til the angels come and I see the light, to the very end, til I give in, to the last beat of my heart - though I can't swear that I'll be here for the rest of your life, but I swear I'll love you for the rest of mine."

Rest in Peace our Friend, for we know there will be happy times again in Cameron. My prayer today is that God watch over all of David's family and friends and give them comfort in this time of tragedy. Always remember, Life goes on....

Shelly