The hands that built this legacy…

You know that feeling you get– the one where your heart drops into what you can only assume is the depth of the Grand Canyon as you hear news that is about to change you from here and into eternity?  That was us; three weeks ago.  We struggled to pick both mine and his up off the floor, because you know- that weight is like 80 pound bag of cement that is also filled with every emotion known to man-kind: guilt, regret, sadness, grief, empathy, and God knows- so much more {and those are just the feelings we can identify}…

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Trey got an email from his dad a few weeks ago, his Aunt Carol passed away.  After years of battling cervical cancer, Christ won her battle and brought her home.  Yeah, our hearts sank, bobbling through the empathy of our cousins and uncle who had lost their mother, wife.

After we received the news, we scrambled to find the airline tickets that would bring us into the arms of our loved ones; the sooner the better so that we too could hold them with endearing hope which was really all that we could offer.  There is something about grieving with family together that brings a great peace and calming.  And seeing one another after the time apart has started to fade the sound of reminiscent laughter gives reason for hope and rejoicing.  A reason for new laughter where you can hear the gentle hums of the laughter that is now gone but lingering as a piece that will forever be in our hearts.

We said our goodbyes to Carol who is held tighter than we ever could, in the loving arms of her Savior.  We wept the grief of being together without her.  And we sang the praises to the One who comforts our hearts.

There aren’t many times that I’ll say how much I hated how quickly or shortly Trey and I knew each other before our marriage…except for this time.  Everything lined up in God’s timing, yes… but the missing piece is that I didn’t know Carol for longer.  In fact I only knew her for a breakfast at Jim’s last summer when we were in Texas.  And I only knew her for that 2 minute Facetime call on the night of our wedding to hear her laugh and to give the tightest virtual hug anyone can give.  But yes, I hate how quickly or shortly, or whatever you want to call it, the time Trey and I weren’t together that I could have been “knowing” her more.

But I knew her well enough to know the legacy that she leaves behind in my husband and his family.  And that’s enough, it has to be enough; because even though I can still hear her voice and her laughter, I can better yet see her spirit when I look around and see them living her kindness, and humility, and strength.

And we’re leaning on strength like that these days.

Trey’s grandfather (Audrey’s dad) is in hospice care– has been for over a year now.  And with each passing day, he loses more weight, more ambition, more reason.  But he smiles- and oh.my.goodness. that is a solid smile that speaks a thousand words.  His legacy (much like Carol’s) is one that gives us all the vigor for life.

And so that’s my focus today.  Legacy.

After our time in San Antonio celebrating Carol, we drove to Killeen and Fort Hood to see our Papa.  We made a short stop at the Central Texas Veteran’s Cemetery to pay our respects to my father-in-love’s parents.

Not a day goes by that Trey doesn’t mention his MaMaw and Daddo.  Their love for him is one that has built his character and one that I’ll forever be grateful for.  They instilled in him to have an unwavering faith, to love God and family about all else.  What an example, one that we hold in revelment and hope to pass on to our children someday (you know, in the spirit of legacy).

And that same legacy that Mamaw and Daddo have bestowed upon us is not far from the one that Papa has as well.

That same gratefulness, much there, when I think of the impact that Papa still has on Trey.

I wish I could freeze the time and search the thoughts and words spoken through their eyes.

I wish I could keep this love alive and proud.

This man, my new Papa, gave me them.  And oh how I wrap my arms and heart around them tightly in this trying time.

Her and that steadfast faith…

Her and her heart of gold…

Him in all his strength and dignity…

I sat there beholding these precious moments that were passing and I couldn’t help the captivation at the work of God’s hands in Papa’s…

His hands that built this legacy.

…a  legacy of love for his girls… Oh how they love him so.

“Daddy, who’s your favorite?”

I think she is…

{That’s Granny.  She says married life agrees with us.  She’s right.  But we learned happiness through the legacy they helped build…sooooo….}

I’m pretty sure I’m his favorite (granddaughter-in-love)… or at least I share it… that’s what I told him at least.. and he smiled that smile and his eyes spoke that pride.

That pride for the ones who are taking care of his own…

This is my father-in-love; one of the most loving men I have ever met.  Gentle…  Kind…  Generous…

and funny…

Always making us laugh…

and my new Aunt Sissy– she keeps us all laughing too.

(she was trying to keep Audrey quiet so that he could listen to his favorite song, Jolene.)

But she does a lot more too… she goes every.single.morning to feed Papa and to give him a warm shave.

…and he’s built a legacy of giving.

This beautiful family of his is breathing his legacy and exhaling his love in these moments we will never forget.

More time surrounded by family in love and laughter; holding hands, holding hearts.

forever thankful for what he’s done and all he’s taught us…

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all our love, Papa– forever and ever.  For this legacy you have built lives, and we live it so well.  thank you.

Linking up with:

Grace and Truth

Photo Friday

Faith Filled Friday