3

Again the tears stream down my face.
I know it will take years...
But, the tears this year are falling from a thankful heart.
I am thankful to all that came down immediately to the hospital to support my children.
The hospital had to open a conference room because there were so many of you!
I am thankful for Lisa K who kept everyone posted on my blog.
I am thankful for Wendy W for coming down to the hospital to pray and sing with me knowing that the next day we would be declaring Eric officially dead.
I am thankful for Steve W (our pastor) for being the voice that I could not be....he graciously told the kids that their dad had died.
I am thankful for my parents who drove down from Oregon as soon as they found out that Eric had collapsed...and for the months of help with Eric's pool cleaning business...and for all of the help in dealing with the details of death.
I am thankful for our next door neighbors, the Johnsons, who immediately went down to their church and picked up a pager so that I could be encouraged by the thousands of people who were praying for us.
I am thankful that Rick was able to come out and say good-bye to his best friend.
I am thankful that Susan, Trish, and Brooke were able to come and say good-bye to their son/brother. I can't imagine their pain!
I am thankful for the Schroeder and Hector families who both took time to distract my kids during such a hard time.
I am thankful for Valerie McCall who was able to reserve their church for Eric's memorial.
I am incredibly thankful for all that Eric's military unit did to make sure his funeral service was the best it could be...we even had a real bugler to play taps while a flag was retired for Eric.

I am thankful for my children who have all bore well the grief of losing their dad and have all shown to others how God, their heavenly Father, provides for them.

I am thankful for the sanctification that God has seen fit to do in my life...
thankful for His provision...
thankful for His mercy.

Most of all, I am thankful for you!
Whether you are a close friend, a new friend, a blog friend, a member of the church we attend, your prayers and the love that was shown towards our family over the past three years has been amazing. Incredible.
I am in awe of God's faithfulness to us through you.

So, even though there are tears streaming down my face for the majority of this day, it is with a grateful heart that my heart keeps singing.

~Heather