Sunday, January 25, 2009

Legacy

Exactly one year ago today I slept in till 10:00. A rare occurrence. Eric let me sleep in because the nights had been rough; waking up a couple of times to pound him on the back so that he could breathe. I missed a coffee date with Kendra and almost missed the annual library sale.
Exactly one year ago today I had a wonderful conversation with Eric while at the library sale. He called to ask if I was having any luck finding what I needed for our bookshelves. He also talked about the sweet lady that he had just dropped off for her kidney dialysis.
Exactly one year ago today I gave my husband one last hug and he gave me one last kiss. I watched him walk out the door and get into his truck....like I did just about every time he left for work. I had no idea that my life was going to change so drastically. I had no idea that within an hour of his leaving our home I would get a call from Daisy saying that her daddy was having trouble breathing.
Within the next half hour I talked to a mother who decided to stay with Daisy until the authorities got there. I also talked to a Fire Chief, a Paramedic, the Detective that took care of Daisy, a Chaplain, and a very compassionate Emergency Doctor.
I remember squatting next to him in the ER kissing his hand, completely amazed at the circumstances that I was finding myself in. When they rushed me out of the ER room I remember standing in the hall, actually crumbling in the hall, when it hit me that my husband was possibly dead.

Today I took the kids to the cemetery. As we were standing there I explained to the kids that the stone marker just signifies that Eric lived on this planet. Eric's legacy was an eternal investment. He invested his time in his family, his church, and the people that God brought into his life. While the stock market has had its ups and downs and the economy is taking a turn for the worse, maybe we as believers need to be reminded that loving the unlovely and using our resources (time and money) to spread the Gospel is by far the greatest investment we can make. It is a legacy that speaks louder than anything that can be carved into a grave stone.

On January 29th of 2008 we said a final good-bye to Eric: husband, daddy, son, brother, friend. We are taking a break from normal life this next week. I am even taking a break from my computer. I plan on spending a week away just relaxing and enjoying what the Lord has given me...six incredible blessings.
So, in a week I will post some fun pics and get back to blogging. Until then, I appreciate your prayers for our family.

***As I read back over this post I can tell that my brain was not fully engaged. Or, possibly it was that I had too much running through my brain and didn't know how to form the thoughts coherently. In either case I realized that there was a beautiful moment yesterday that I completely forgot to mention in this blog.
On our way home from the cemetery we were blessed with a beautiful rainbow. It was one of the most complete rainbows I have ever seen. I know that this symbol was all about a promise that God made to His creation that He would never flood the whole earth again. But, for me it was a reminder that the God who created that same rainbow is still on His throne. He still commands the rainbow to show forth its beauty and He still reminds us, thousands of years later, of His incredible covenants that He has made with us.

As the rainbow was hanging in the sky the radio played
"God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He's painting
God is God and I am man
So I'll never understand it all
for only God is God"
(Steven Curtis Chapman)

My day was filled with tears and joy. Mixed blessings.
This morning though? A sweet flood of mercy filled my soul.
God is God and I am content to not understand it all.


~Heather

33 comments:

Kendra Fletcher said...

Love you :)

Anonymous said...

I am praying!

Anonymous said...

I am praying for you!
Jeannie

Valerie said...

Love you Heather and am thinking of you and praying continually throughout the day and night. God just keeps bringing you to my mind.

sweetnika said...

so glad to know you ... even a smidge via cyber world... so sorry for the pain.... so thankful for Jesus........ for the wonderful life with Eric....
you are loved...
praying...
anika <><

Lisa said...

Enjoy your week. I'm praying too.

Kelly @ Growing.Learning.Playing. said...

I remember praying for you and your family last year at this time. Continuing to pray!

Your sister in Christ from a sister church,

Kelly

godlover said...

Thinking of you and praying for you always. In the face of all things tragic, God is God and He is good. Every single thing that happens to us comes through the Father's hands and in that we can rejoice. Be kind to yourself for a few days and let the reality sink in that it has been a year since Eric left this earth for his heavenly home. He is with his Lord.
Marj

Rebecca J said...

I saw your rainbow yesterday Heather. It was a beauty.

From where we were it took rain and hail before it's appearance.

Remembering you all in prayer.

Love,
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Remembering your family in prayer today - especially Daisy, as that's what the Lord laid on my heart.

Alesha

Erin said...

Our family is praying for you all. And our church family is also praying.

Esmeralda said...

Assuring you of Christian love and continued prayers.

Anonymous said...

I stumbled onto your blog recently and have shed so many tears for you and your family. You have come to my mind often and I have prayed for you. Praying that God holds your family near to Himself this week...

kristi said...

It's so amazing that the Lord timed His rainbow for you on such a day. I'm starting to notice that before you can see the rainbows there has to be some sort of storm. I'm a slow learner.

I'm thinking of you lots and will be prayerful for you this week.

God bless you and your family, Heather.

Love,
kristi

Dave Roller said...

My wife told me about your blog. She and I have been following your progress. We will remember you and your family in our prayers. God Bless.

The Davies Family said...

Praying for you and your family!
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Love you guys!

Anonymous said...

Oh Heather. Our family is praying for yours. It is hard for me to believe that it has been a year. You have inspired me and brought me closer to my family and the Lord, during your walk through the shadowlands as you journey to meet your earthly best friend again. Thank you for your transparency.-kathy

CristyLynn said...

We love you and are praying for you. Enjoy your break and time with your precious family.

Kendy Jo said...

Praying for you and your sweet children this week! You have been such a blessing and inspiration to me this last year! May God hold you up in His loving arms of Mercy!
Stephanie Sorrell
Billings, Missouri

Meredith said...

Hey Davis Family,

You guys are some rare jewels... thanks for seeing the rainbows in your life despite the storms. I'm praying for ya'll!

Love,
~meredith blalock

Anonymous said...

I have never stopped remembering you and your family in my prayers. I pray for unexpected blessings and grace this week for all of you!

Meg said...

You have been in my prayers for the past year. Continuing to pray.

Mary

six2love said...

Praying and trusting God will bring you each peace and rest this week.

Sue

Dalyn said...

Lots of us have been thinking of you and remembering. Lord bless you in a special way this week.

Anonymous said...

My sweet sister,
I don't know you, and you don't know me. I stumbled across your blog today (1-29-09) and I read your lastest posting about what happened one year ago. Your courage is amazing.... I'm praying for you, my sister! I also have 4 bio children and 2 adopted children of color. God ordained it for me to read your blog today.

Lorie Newman
lorienewmanblog.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

I was going to comment on Facebook, but thought it would be more appropriate to comment here, where it all began (for me). I can't believe that it was a year ago today when I read that shocking post... that Eric had gone on to be with the Lord. I don't know you personally, but I feel honored to have been able to "watch" your family's progress over the past year through the computer screen. You are amazing, and I believe God has amazing plans for you and each member of your family. May God bless you on this day... as He does every day.

P.S. I'm so glad that you and your family are doing something FUN this week! Somehow I'm sure Eric would heartily approve. :)

dp23 said...

Hi Heather
Although a frequent visitor, I haven't commented much - but have been much blessed and encouraged by your witness and testimony over the past 12 months. You have proved that the Lord is faithful.

However, I wanted to say today that I can sympathise with how you are probably feeling today - THE DAY. I lost my wife Sue to cancer a year ago last December 9th, just 79 days short of our 25th anniversary. But I have found, as you have so beautifully and frequently testified that:-

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(Annie Johnson Flint)

May the Lord bless you, and continue to strengthen you, in the coming days - until we too are summoned to be "forever with the Lord".

David

JB said...

We're praying. Love you all.

The H's

Anonymous said...

I'm praying for you all Davis family...God will always be in control, I hope you enjoy your weekend! I love you all!!

Mama2fiveblessings said...

After a year your family still comes to my mind so very often. Remembering you in prayer this week and praying for a peaceful week for your whole family. May the Lord be so very present with each of you as you continue to walk this difficult walk.
Many blessings in Christ,
Tiffany

Anonymous said...

Heather, know that I have been and will continue to pray for you and your beautiful family. I clearly remember reading about Eric's death on the Patriarchs Wives group and praying for you.

I have spent the last hour re-reading your post. I want to say what an encouragement they are to me and to all who have loved someone with all their heart and sent them on to Heaven.

I think you should consider writing a book. I can only imagine how the Lord would use your words to help heal others and bring them to Him. I pray this blog has helped you heal. I can feel it has brought you closer to the Lord.

Praying dear sister,

with love Tracylea

Katie said...

Ah... Our family was thinking of you today, and wondering what you all were up to.

-WISE words you shared!!

And so what if your words don't sound "perfect".. It's a BLOG.... and it's YOUR BLOG!! ;)

Our prayers are with you, dear Davis'.

Hugs, The Colletts