Today our hearts are heavy with remembrance from September 11, 2001.
May God bring comfort to those who are still healing from this tragedy 7 years later.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Never Forget
Today our hearts are heavy with remembrance from September 11, 2001.
May God bring comfort to those who are still healing from this tragedy 7 years later.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
My Childhood Hero
In the past few years, my Grandfather (Mom's dad) has been experiencing the effects of congestive heart failure during his late 80's. This condition started out gradually but has progressed to the point that he needs the assistance of oxygen to breathe and must have his legs elevated all the time. Last week we received a call from a cousin who lives near my grandparents saying that his body was beginning to fail and that anyone who wished to say goodbye should come down to visit in the next few weeks (in Daytona Beach, FL). My aunt was able to make the trip but due to situations with our family my Mom has decided to stay in MA for now.
Growing up I always loved the summer when Grandma and Grandpa would come up from Florida and stay with our family for a week or two. We have great video of me running around and bothering Dad and Grandpa while they tried to build the deck, shed, or other type of project. Grandpa has always been my greatest hero as a hardworking man who built his first house by hand and supported his family with 7 kids over the years. He has the softest heart and loves to ask "have you heard?" as he begins to tell the same story he's told you the last 10 times you've seen him. In recent years I remember my dad getting a kick under the table after asking him "so you have any jokes for us Grandpa?", which began an hour long narrative of every joke he had heard. The funniest part was hearing Grandpa "whisper" a dirty joke so loudly to the other elderly friend next to him I could hear it on the other end of the room.
Another memory that I have from years ago was when Grandpa would write me letters and address them to "Master Joseph Doherty". This makes a 6 year old feel pretty special! Recently I have really wanted to write him a letter to encourage him during this difficult time. But what sort of thing can I say? I recalled fond memories I had of them growing up, but I am now stuck trying to find things to say about the future. He is sick and is unable to do the most simple things in life, unlike the Grandpa of my childhood. He may improve in the next few weeks, but the fact is, he will probably not be with us for much longer.
Last night I came across a portion of Philippians that talks about looking at the past, present, and future. I was real happy that God placed that in front of me because it really put into perspective our lives and looking forward to whatever God has for us:
Growing up I always loved the summer when Grandma and Grandpa would come up from Florida and stay with our family for a week or two. We have great video of me running around and bothering Dad and Grandpa while they tried to build the deck, shed, or other type of project. Grandpa has always been my greatest hero as a hardworking man who built his first house by hand and supported his family with 7 kids over the years. He has the softest heart and loves to ask "have you heard?" as he begins to tell the same story he's told you the last 10 times you've seen him. In recent years I remember my dad getting a kick under the table after asking him "so you have any jokes for us Grandpa?", which began an hour long narrative of every joke he had heard. The funniest part was hearing Grandpa "whisper" a dirty joke so loudly to the other elderly friend next to him I could hear it on the other end of the room.
Another memory that I have from years ago was when Grandpa would write me letters and address them to "Master Joseph Doherty". This makes a 6 year old feel pretty special! Recently I have really wanted to write him a letter to encourage him during this difficult time. But what sort of thing can I say? I recalled fond memories I had of them growing up, but I am now stuck trying to find things to say about the future. He is sick and is unable to do the most simple things in life, unlike the Grandpa of my childhood. He may improve in the next few weeks, but the fact is, he will probably not be with us for much longer.
Last night I came across a portion of Philippians that talks about looking at the past, present, and future. I was real happy that God placed that in front of me because it really put into perspective our lives and looking forward to whatever God has for us:
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."I think I'm gonna share that with him to encourage him to look beyond his current situation and even the past great experiences. He has lived such a full life but nothing compares to what God has waiting for him on the other side of this life.
~ Philippians 3:8,13-14
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
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