December 1, 1943 – April 10, 2006
We are souls living in bodies. Our bodies grow old, but our souls never die. Seven years ago, you went to Heaven. While you are no longer on this earth, your spirit lingers on in the lives of our three amazing children. You would be so proud of them. They are strong, loving, successful. They are giving and devoted spouses. They are loving, remarkable, wonderful parents.
They are happy.
Our grandchildren are treasures. I tell them about you often. I tell them “Granddad stories”. I wish you could have lived long enough to have met the youngest ones. They will hear Granddad stories too. I see so much of you in our children and, now, in the grandchildren. No doubt, they will have your drive and your competitive streak. They are all athletic like you. They’re artistic like both of us. You would love hearing them play the piano and the violin.
Our grandchildren are incredible blessings and bring me such joy.
From time to time, I do see a mischievous grin on their faces and I know just where that came from…
Love always,
Dianne
- Our two older children…fifteen & a half months apart. Joyful, busy days for a young Mom and Dad. Here they are coloring before bedtime in our son’s “cowboy & Indian” room…
Graduation day at Indiana University…
Our firstborn grandchild helping Granddad paint…
Granddad holding our firstborn’s firstborn…
9 Comments
Carole Perkins
I LOVED seeing these pictures! What a great family. I remember reading about your and Bill’s courtship way back when we first became online friends. It reminded me so much of Tim’s and my dating days, with the ups and downs. Bill was truly your one true love! How blessed you are to have your children and grands to carry on his talents and good qualities!
Dianne
Thank you, Carole. I’ve loved seeing pics of yours and Tim’s early years too! I’ve tried to write this blog post for years but it has always been hard…it still is; but I wanted to do this for the children and grandchildren. I don’t want the grandchildren to forget him.
Christine
What a moving and positive post. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely photos with us. They say you earn the face you have at 40, and Bill’s face reflects such a loving and strong nature. I completely agree that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience, and that our existence continues after our life on earth. Have you ever read the little story by Walter Dudley Cavert about the underwater grubs who watched their friends climb up the lily stalk, and made them promise to come back and tell them what was above? Their friends turn into dragonflies, and fly above the grubs below the water, seeing them but unable to communicate to them their new existence, and how wonderful their new life is. Cavert refers to death as a “transformation”. I think telling stories is a very important way of continuing life.
You’re so very lucky to have such a great family, including grandchildren! To me having grandchildren would be the ultimate wealth.
Take care, Dianne. xox
Dianne
Thank you, Christine! I do consider my amazing children and grandchildren to be blessings beyond measure! I have not read the story by Cavert that you mentioned – I will have to look for it. Hope all is well as you look for your new home in Scotland.
Kathleen
This is a lovely post. I enjoyed looking at your family photos. It sounds like your Bill was a lovely man. The first photo in matching shirts is wonderful!
Dianne
Thank you, Kathleen! When my grown children saw the matching shirts photo, they had a good laugh (it was the 70’s after all) but I think it’s a cute photo! 😉
grace
thank you for sharing these pictures, dianne! i can see why that last one is your favorite–it’s beautiful. i’m glad you made so many memories and such a lovely family with bill!
Dianne
Thank you for the sweet comment, Grace. The funny thing about the last photo – it was just one of those photo booths, but I do love this photo.
Sharon Whitehurst
A beautiful and meaningful selection of photos. I can imagine that choosing them, sorting through memories as well as photos, must have been a bitter-sweet experience.
As Christians we have the hope of Reunion–the partings here on earth are still heart-breaking.