Dedication to Grace Kathryn ~ March 17, 2008

My friend, Ronda, posted a dedication to our little grandbaby, Grace Kathryn, on her web site. Our time in Springfield was precious and meaningful, though painful. It was good to share our loss of Grace as a family together. Her life was brief (20 weeks and 6 days in the womb), yet we know God knows every day He had planned for her. Psalm 139:13-16 is so good. I especially like the verses:

                          “My frame was not hidden from you
                                    when I was made in the secret place.
                           When I was woven together
                                    in the depths of the earth,
                                    your eyes saw my unformed body.
                           All the days ordained for me were
                                    written in your book before
                                    one of them came to be.”
                                                        Psalm 139:15-16 (NIV)

“The Message” version says “conception to birth”. Ah, God definitely is alert and attentive.

The poem, “A Baby’s Secret”, also came from Ronda and was read at Grace’s graveside service by one of Rachel’s third grade students.

Update Sat. a.m.: 
Want you to be aware Eaglewind posted a wonderful message of comfort for us the day we had Grace’s graveside service; and I am just now seeing this morning.:) We are blessed to have such wonderful friends!

Grace Kathryn

Born and with Jesus

March 17, 2008

Today is Easter Sunday 2008. This Resurrection Day reminds us we will see our first, anticipated grandchild, Grace Kathryn, in heaven some day. Tomorrow morning we will say our final goodbye to Grace and remember her with Peter and Rachel and their friends as well as her uncle, Andy, and Rachel’s parents, Dave and Pat, at a graveside service here in Springfield, MO. 

                                      
Sisters: Anna and Jann
Anna and I had a great day at the coast and then topped if off by eating with Glen at our favorite Thai restaurant, Thai Flavor. We wore our Columbia Sportswear fleece jackets … but we aren’t twins. I ‘found’ this mint one this summer for Anna’s Christmas gift; she has found it to be very cozy…. especially under her raincoat when popping out of the car to take pictures with a bit of a humid wind blowing.

Here’s a photo of us quite awhile ago.

                          photo by Carl Peter ~ 1962

  
   Dole Plantation Garden – Oahu – Jan 2008

This bird so faithfully stood as guard over the pond in the garden at the Dole Plantation. Wonder if Sheryl’s kids saw this bird any of the times they went to the Dole Plantation.

 
Haystack Rock from Ecola State Park
near Cannon Beach, OR

My sister, Anna, and I went to the coast today. It was windy enough for some higher waves. We had really great chowder at Dooger’s and looked around a few shops (She got an Oregon float.) plus checking out spots to take photos of the ocean here and there. Anna came earlier in the week for a music conference and stayed a couple days extra so we could have “sister hanging out time”. She was really happy to see the ocean today … as Colorado just doesn’t have that! It was amazing to see all the trees damaged by the high winds/lots of rain in early December. Another time I’ll show the photos of the largest sitka spruce that finally toppled with all that wind/rain.