Mikie

Just last Sunday we got a heartbreaking phone call from Jason's mom, Vonnie. She told us that her cousin's son-in-law, Mikie, was dead at the age of 28. We were devastated for his wife Brittany and their three young kids. The next few days were full of questions: why did someone so young die? What went wrong? How are Brittany and their three kids going to cope? We made the drive to Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday so we could be there for the visitation that night. Jason, Elijah, and I only stayed at the funeral home for the hour-and-a-half of family visitation. During that time, we were overwhelmed by the love and support shown for this young man's family. Little did we know what the next day would show. Mikie's funeral was scheduled for 11:00 at a typically-sized funeral home. By 10:30 the funeral home was full of people. Many were fellow fire-fighters. Many were family members such as ourselves. Many were friends. There were so many, in fact, that the chapel designed for probably 300 people was full; the lobby was full; the four funeral parlors which had been opened for "overflow" were full to overflowing. There were probably 500-600 people there to show their support and pay their last respsects. As we headed from the funeral home to the adjacent cemetary, we were overwhelmed with the raw emotions brought on by the two ladder fire trucks that had fully-extended and draped an enormous American flag between them. I have never been so affected by the sight of Old Glory as I was that day. I stayed in the car with Elijah during the grave-side service, so I don't know many specifics. What I do know is that they gave the flag that had draped Mikie's casket to Brittany, his wife. His fire-fighting helmet was given to his oldest son. That boy, who is only 9 years old, didn't put that helmet down much, if at all, for the next few days. As we made our way back to Jason's aunt's house after the funeral there were still many questions in our minds and hearts. One question, however, had been answered: how will Brittany and her kids cope? With the overwhelming love and affection and support they so obviously have from their family and friends who love them dearly. Mikie will be missed. He was a man who constantly smiled (at least every time I saw him) and delighted in his family. I know, however, that we'll see him again one day. And I know that Brittany and the kids will be okay because they have such a wonderful support system. I love them dearly!

Summer Time

"... and the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high. Your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'. So hush little baby; don't you cry."

I remember seeing a coffee cup years ago that said: "The best three things about being a teacher are June, July, and August." Well, we're now down to "the best two things about being a teacher are June and July." I do love summer vacation. Now more so than ever. Elijah is almost two and is so much fun to hang out with. Jason, due to job circumstances, has been at home with us much of this summer so far. That has been a lot of fun, too.

Eli is going on his first real vacation in just a few weeks. We took him to a cabin in Pigeon Forge at Christmas for two nights, but this will be the first real vacation. We are going to Panama City Beach for six days. I can't wait to see his reaction when he sees the beach for the first time. He enjoys playing in the pool at our different friends' houses. However, he wasn't impressed with the sand box at his cousins' house last week, so we'll see how he handles all the sand. His response to the grittiness was, "A mess, Mommy. A mess." He wasn't impressed, like I said. He is pretty much a neat freak. Which is really interesting when he's feeding himself yogurt. :) I can't wait to build sand castles with him and maybe see some dolphins. Even if our first vacation as a family isn't perfect, it will be full of memories. And I can't wait.